GE Cooktop is producing a burning smell

A burning smell from your GE cooktop usually points to an electrical problem in the control or surface-element circuit. The most likely cause is a defective control board, followed by the main control board or oven control board. These boards use relays to send voltage to the surface elements, and a failed relay can overheat or stop supplying power correctly. If the boards check out, the surface element switch may be defective, especially if one burner is affected. A failed surface element board is also possible, particularly when two or more burners stop working at the same time. Finally, inspect the element receptacle and wire kit for scorched contacts, melted insulation, or burned element prongs. Turn off power to the GE cooktop before inspecting or replacing parts, and stop using it if you see smoke, sparking, or active electrical damage. This symptom is often searched as a range burning smell, oven burning smell, or electrical burning smell from a stove, but these causes specifically apply to the GE cooktop described here. Enter your model number to find the exact replacement control board, surface element switch, surface element board, or element receptacle and wire kit for your cooktop.

01 - GE Range/Stove/Oven Control Board

The control board has relays that send voltage to the surface element circuits according to the user settings and sensor input. If the control board is defective, it may not send voltage to the heating components.

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02 - GE Range/Stove/Oven Main Control Board

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03 - GE Range/Stove/Oven Oven Control Board

Shop all GE Range/Stove/Oven Oven Control Board Parts

04 - GE Range/Stove/Oven Surface Element Switch

The surface element switch sends voltage to the surface element coil. If the switch is defective, the surface element will not work. If there is another element of the same size on the stove, try switching the elements. If the surface element still doesn’t work, the surface element switch is likely defective. The surface element switch cannot be tested or repaired—if you suspect the switch is defective, replace it.

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Highly Likely

05 - GE Range/Stove/Oven Surface Element Board

The surface element board has relays that regulate the power supply to the burners. If one or more of the relays fails, the surface element won’t work. If two or more burners fail at the same time, this indicates that the surface element board is likely at fault. If only one surface element won’t work, use a multimeter to test the element for continuity. If the surface element has continuity, the surface element board might be defective.

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Highly Likely

06 - GE Range/Stove/Oven Element Receptacle and Wire Kit

The surface element plugs onto a receptacle. Over time, the contacts in the receptacle can burn out. If the receptacle contacts burn out, the surface element will not receive power. To determine if the element receptacle has failed, inspect the receptacle contacts. If the contacts are visibly burnt or damaged, replace the element receptacle. In addition, examine the element prongs for signs of burning. If the prongs are burnt, replace both the element and element receptacle.

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Common

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my GE cooktop smell like it is burning?

Can a GE cooktop burning smell be caused by one burner?

How do I know if the GE surface element switch is causing the burning smell?

Could the GE surface element board or control board cause a burning smell?

How do I find the correct GE cooktop part for this repair?

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