Why does my gas cooktop keep clicking after the burner lights?

Moisture or food residue on an igniter, a misaligned burner cap, or a stuck igniter switch behind the knob is the usual cause. Let the cooktop dry fully and reseat the caps. If clicking continues, a switch or spark module may need replacement.

Do you repair Sub-Zero cooktops?

Sub-Zero makes refrigeration, not cooktops. Its sister brand Wolf makes the cooktops and ranges, and we repair Wolf cooktops along with Sub-Zero refrigerators, freezers and wine storage.

Can a cracked glass cooktop be repaired?

A cracked glass or ceramic top can't be patched safely, but on many models the top can be replaced on its own. We'll check part availability for your model before recommending it.

My induction cooktop shows an error code. Should I keep using it?

Note the code, turn the cooktop off at the breaker if the error keeps coming back, and contact us. Some codes point to minor issues like an unsuitable pan, while others indicate overheating or a failed board.

What should I do if I smell gas near my cooktop?

Turn off the burners if you can do so safely, avoid switches and open flames, leave the house, and call your gas utility or 911. Once the utility has made it safe, we can diagnose the cooktop.

What areas do you serve?

We serve San Jose and nearby cities in the Santa Clara Valley. Contact us with your address and we'll confirm scheduling for your area.

Cooktop Repair

The short answer

Most cooktop problems, including burners that won't ignite, constant clicking, weak or uneven flames, and induction error codes, come down to a specific part that can be repaired or replaced. On a high-end built-in cooktop, repair usually makes more sense than replacement unless the glass top or main control system is badly damaged on an older model with limited parts.

When a cooktop acts up, you notice right away: a burner that clicks but won't light, a flame that won't stay low enough to simmer, or an induction zone that flashes a code and quits. Viking Repair Experts repairs gas, electric and induction cooktops in San Jose and nearby cities, with a focus on built-in and professional-style units. We work on Viking first and foremost, along with Wolf and Thermador. Sub-Zero is a refrigeration brand and doesn't make cooktops, but many of our customers have a Sub-Zero refrigerator next to a Wolf cooktop, and we service both. We are an independent repair company, not affiliated with any of these brands. Below is what we fix, what our technician checks, and how a visit works.

Issues we fix

These are the symptoms homeowners describe most often. If you smell gas, turn off the burners, leave the house and call your gas utility before calling us.

Gas burners that won't ignite, or light only after several tries
Igniters that keep clicking after the burner is lit, or click when the knob is off
Flames that are yellow, uneven, lifting off the burner, or too weak to boil
Low or simmer settings that run too hot or let the flame go out
Electric radiant elements that stay off, stay on high, or heat only part of the coil
Induction zones that won't detect a pan, shut off mid-cook, or show error codes
Touch controls that don't respond, or respond on their own
Cracked or chipped glass and ceramic tops
Knobs, valves or control panels that are stiff, loose or damaged
Downdraft vents or built-in fans on cooktop models that have them

Technician testing the control board of a built-in refrigerator

What our technician checks on a built-in or professional-style cooktop

On a gas cooktop, we start with the basics that cause most ignition trouble: burner caps seated correctly, burner heads clear of spilled food and cleaning residue, and igniters that are clean and dry. From there we test the spark module, igniter switches behind each knob, wiring, and gas valves. If flames look wrong, we check burner ports, orifices and supply pressure.

On electric and induction cooktops, we test elements, power boards, induction generators, temperature sensors and the touch control board. We also confirm the cooktop is getting the correct voltage. Some faults that look like a failed part turn out to be a tripped breaker, a loose connection in the junction box, or a cooling fan that has stopped and is triggering overheat protection.

Built-in units sit tight against countertops and custom cabinets, so we check how the cooktop is secured and plan the safest way to lift or access it without damaging stone edges or cabinet faces.

How Viking, Wolf and Thermador cooktops differ in what tends to fail

Viking gas cooktops use sealed burners and spark ignition, and the most common calls involve igniters, spark modules and the switches that tell the module when a knob is turned. Spills that seep under burner caps are a frequent cause of constant clicking. Viking also makes electric and induction cooktops, where control boards and elements are the usual suspects.

Wolf, the cooking brand from the same company as Sub-Zero, is known for dual-stacked sealed burners that give a high flame and a very low simmer. When the simmer stops working properly, we look at the burner assembly, the valve and the ignition system together. Wolf induction and electric models bring their own control and sensor faults.

Thermador gas cooktops use the star-shaped burner design, and many include an extra-low simmer function that cycles the flame on and off. Problems with that cycling, or with re-ignition, point us toward the controls and igniters. Thermador induction cooktops can show error codes tied to cooling fans, sensors or power modules.

Tell us what your appliance is doing.

Call (464) 270-6861 Request Service

Repair or replace a high-end cooktop?

For most premium cooktops, repair is the practical choice. These units are built to be serviced, and the parts that fail most often, such as igniters, switches, valves, elements and fans, can usually be replaced individually. Replacing a built-in cooktop also means matching the cutout in your countertop, which can limit your options or require stone work.

Replacement starts to make sense when the glass top is badly cracked and the control board has failed at the same time, when parts for an older model are hard to find, or when you were already planning a remodel or a switch from gas to induction. We'll tell you plainly what we found and what each option involves so you can decide.

What affects the cost of a cooktop repair

Every repair is quoted after diagnosis, because the cost depends on what's actually wrong. The main factors are the fault itself, the parts needed, and how much work it takes to reach them.

Simple fixes like cleaning or replacing an igniter take less time than replacing a control board or induction module. Part costs vary by brand and model, and some components for premium cooktops need to be ordered. Access matters too: a cooktop set into thick stone with tight custom cabinetry below can take longer to remove safely than a standard drop-in unit.

How a service visit works

When you contact us, we'll ask for the brand, model number if you have it, fuel type, and what you're seeing. That helps the technician come prepared. The model and serial plate is usually under the cooktop, visible from the cabinet below, or on the underside of the unit.

At your home, the technician will confirm the symptoms, run through the checks above, and explain the problem in plain terms. You'll get a clear recommendation and a quote before any repair work starts. If the part is on hand, we can often finish the same visit. If it needs to be ordered, we'll schedule a return trip and let you know whether the cooktop is safe to use in the meantime.