A black induction cooktop set into a walnut butcher-block countertop, a stainless stockpot on the largest zone giving off gentle steam, and a cook leaning in with head tilted to listen.

Induction Cooktop Buzzing or Clicking

An induction cooktop hums, buzzes, whines or clicks while cooking, louder with some pans than with others.

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Mon–Sat, 8am–8pm

5 checks before you book
5 questions that narrow it
5 causes, cheapest first

Book a visit

Three short steps, about a minute.

or call (844) 252-4077

What it
usually means.

Induction makes some noise by design. The magnetic field vibrates the pan itself, so layered or lightweight pans hum or buzz, especially on high or boost. A cooling fan starts up under the glass and can keep running after the zones are off. Relays on the board click as zones switch power, and at lower settings many models pulse the power, which ticks. Noise becomes a concern when it is new with pans that used to be quiet, when it comes with a burning smell, or when a rattle or grinding comes from the fan.

An induction cooktop lies upside down on a padded mat on a kitchen island in a US home, its bottom cover off to show copper coils and a green power board, while a technician's hand holds a meter probe to a terminal.

The 5 causes, cheapest first

Answer these first

Does the noise change with a different pan?

Is it louder on high or boost than at medium?

Is it a hum, a click, a whine or a rattle?

Does it continue after every zone is off?

Is it new, with pans that were quiet before?

Check these
before you book.

Induction cooktop buzzing: 5 checks, and none of them costs anything.

If there is a crackle, a burning smell or a tripped breaker, switch the breaker off and leave it off.

Try a heavier, flat-bottomed pan on the same zone at the same setting.

Drop from boost to high and listen for the change.

Also worth checking

Open the cabinet below and move anything touching the cooktop's underside.
Note which zone, which setting and which pan make the noise.

How soon does it need a visit?

Humming and ticking from induction are usually normal and need no visit. Book one for a grinding fan or a new loud buzz with every pan. A crackle, a burning smell or a tripped breaker is urgent: switch the breaker off.

The causes,
cheapest first.

5 things induction cooktop buzzing or clicking turns out to be, from pan vibrating in the magnetic field to coil or power component failing.

The cost guide

01 no repair

Pan vibrating in the magnetic field

Multi-layer and thin pans vibrate audibly, more so on high. A heavier, flat pan or a lower setting usually quiets it.
No repair: check it yourself
02 no repair

Relay ticking at lower settings

Many induction cooktops switch power in pulses at low heat, and the relay clicks with each pulse. It is part of normal operation.
No repair: check it yourself
03 no repair

Something touching the underside

A drawer box, a pipe or a stored item resting against the cooktop's base can rattle with the fan or buzz along with the coils.
No repair: check it yourself
04 low to moderate

Cooling fan bearings worn

A fan that grinds, rattles or squeals under the cooktop has worn bearings or a blade rubbing its housing.
Fixed by cooling fan and downdraft repair See cooktop fan runs constantly
05 moderate to highest

Coil or power component failing

A loud buzz on one zone with every pan, or a crackle with a burning smell, points to a failing coil or power component.
Fixed by induction board and coil repair On an induction cooktop
What it costs
Every repair on the site's cost scale, side by side
Open the cost guide