How to Fix an Iron Not Heating

Overview

An iron that won't heat cannot remove creases. This guide covers diagnosing and fixing the issue.

Step-by-Step Fix

1. First, ensure the iron's plug is fully inserted into a working wall socket. Next, check that the socket's switch is turned to the 'on' position, and if your iron has a dedicated power switch, make sure that is also engaged.
2. Carefully turn the iron's thermostat dial to its maximum heat setting. Listen for a faint 'click' which indicates the thermostat has engaged, then wait a few minutes to see if the soleplate begins to warm up.
3. Before proceeding, always unplug the iron from the mains power supply for your safety. Use a multimeter set to ohms (Ω) to test the heating element by touching the probes to its terminals; a reading of 20-50 ohms typically indicates a healthy element, while an open circuit (OL or infinite resistance) suggests it's faulty.
4. If your multimeter test confirmed the heating element is faulty or shows an open circuit, it is usually not economical or safe to replace this component yourself. In such cases, the safest and most practical solution is to replace the entire iron with a new unit.
5. With the iron still unplugged and cool, locate the thermal fuse, which is typically a small, cylindrical component often found near the heating element. Use your multimeter, set to continuity mode, to test the fuse; a healthy fuse will show continuity, whereas a faulty one will show an open circuit.

Common Symptoms & Diagnostic Resolutions

Review the common error codes and operating symptoms below to quickly identify the root cause of the fault before ordering replacement parts.

Frequently Asked Questions