6 Common Issues with a Samsung Glass Stovetop [And How to Fix Them!]

A malfunctioning cooktop is a test of anyone’s sanity. If you have things to do, places to be, and mouths to feed, it can be frustrating when your stove suddenly isn’t working the way it should.

Lucky for you, the most common Samsung glass stovetop issues can be fixed with simple, step-by-step instructions. If you follow them closely, it should take about 30 minutes or less.

Let’s get into it.

What are the common issues with Samsung glass stovetops?

Here are the top 6 problems of a Samsung glass stovetop.

• Peeling, bubbling, or cloudiness
• Overheating cooking elements
• Underheating cooking elements
• Hot surface light not turning off
• Hot surface light not turning on
• On-off cycling of radiant element

Peeling, Bubbling, or Cloudiness

One of the most common issues of a Samsung glass cooktop is peeling, bubbling, or cloudiness. It’s caused by food residue and grease build-up on the glass surface.

If you don’t clean your stove as often as you should, you will see these marks on your stove.

Ideally, you should clean your unit daily. However, if you make spills during cooking, you should wipe them off once your burners have cooled down.

Uncleaned spills and stains tend to harden over time. Aside from making the cooktop look cloudy, the gunk will make it seem like the glass surface is peeling or bubbling.

If you inspect the marks up close, they’ll feel smooth to the touch. At times, they might appear as if they are underneath the glass surface.

Not to worry, these are only surface-level marks, which you can get rid of by cleaning your glass-top stove properly. As long as you use non-abrasive cleaners and scrubs, you can restore the shine on your glass-top stove.

Overheating Cooking Elements

There are two possible causes of overheating cooking elements: poor alignment and incorrect installation of the knobs. 

The knobs on your stove aren’t interchangeable. If you unknowingly switch them around after cleaning your unit, it might start making non-stop clicking noises(Samsung gas stove igniter keeps clicking) even when the burners are lit.

Plus, your cooking elements will frequently overheat. If you aren’t too careful with your cooking, you can end up with burnt or charred food every single time.

Not only that, overheating isn’t good for your stove. Although it is built to absorb the heat of a well-functioning unit, constant overheating and overloading will put pressure on its metal body.

Over time, it can cause irreparable damage to your stove.

To resolve the issue, you must install the knobs on their correct control valve stems. You must also align them in the right temperature position.

Since some cooktops have dual or triple elements, it’s easy to forget their exact locations and positions. If you get confused, you can refer to the user manual or our step-by-step guide below.

Underheating Cooking Elements

Underheating is mostly caused by the wrong cookware.

A Samsung glass-top stove requires specific types of pots and pans to distribute heat evenly. Since your cooktop is completely flat, it can only heat the surface of the cookware that comes in direct contact with the cooking area.

If your cookware has rounded bottoms, your cooktop can’t evenly distribute heat. It will cause unnecessary stress on the glass surface, which can potentially lead to permanent damage.

Aside from design, the material of your cookware is important. The right kind of cookware for your stove must be an efficient heat conductor that won’t scratch the glass surface. 

For example, cast iron isn’t an ideal choice because it’s slow to absorb heat. It can also retain high heat for a long time, which may transfer to the glass surface and damage it.

We also don’t recommend glass because it may scratch the cooktop. During cooking, it may require a lot of your attention as it is prone to shattering.

Stainless steel is your best choice. Not only is it smooth and durable but it is also stable and long-lasting.

Lastly, size matters—at least when it comes to glass-top stoves. 

To prevent cold spots during cooking, you should use pots and pats that are the same size as your burners. 

If you use the right cookware for your glass-top stove, you can prevent underheating issues. More importantly, you can cook your food well.

Hot Surface Light Not Turning Off

Your Samsung glass stovetop has a hot surface indicator that lights up when your cooktop is still hot. Once its temperature is below 65.56°C (150°F), the light should turn off.

If it stays on when your cooktop is cool, you have a problem with the temperature limiter of your unit—not the light.

Each cooking element on your stove has a built-in limiter, which consists of an indicator switch and a high-limit switch.

The indicator switch runs on a separate circuit, receiving power independently from the element. If the switch contacts are stuck, the hot surface light will stay on even if the element is no longer hot.

Since each element has its own limiter, you have to open the cooktop and test each one to find the malfunctioning component. Then, you must replace the element to fix the faulty hot surface light.

Hot Surface Light Not Turning On

On Samsung glass cooktops, heating elements are mounted underneath the glass surface. Whenever the glass reaches over 65.56°C (150°F), the hot surface light will turn on as a safety feature.

If the burners are functioning properly, but the light still isn’t turning on, you most likely have a faulty light. You can fix the issue by replacing the light on your cooktop.

Some lights are mounted on the control panel, while others are mounted on the cooktop itself. 

If the light is on the control panel, you can access it by removing the back panel on your range. On the other hand, if the light is mounted under the glass surface, you can only access it by removing the cooktop.

On-Off Cycling of Radiant Element

The radiant burners on your glass cooktop are built with a limit switch that prevents them from overheating. When you use the burners, they cycle on and off to regulate the temperature.

Your cooktop will cycle on and off to protect the unit from extreme temperatures, especially if it’s set to HI. If it is in a lower setting, it will stay off for a longer period than when it’s in a higher setting.

However, your radiant element will have more frequent cycles if you don’t use the right cookware. For instance, a burner might turn on briefly at any setting and turn off after a few seconds.

If your cookware doesn’t match the size of your burner, or if the bottom isn’t flat, your burners will struggle to regulate temperature. It will continue cycling frequently until you replace your pots and pans.

How to Fix Common Issues on Samsung Glass Stovetops

The most common problems on Samsung glass stovetops can be fixed with proper care and maintenance. Wipe the surface and knobs with non-abrasive cleaners and scrubs to keep the unit clean and scratch-free.

Find the right cookware for your stovetop so it heats evenly and performs well every time.

Here, we made a list of the most common issues with a Samsung glass stovetop. We’ll also show you how to troubleshoot them with easy-to-follow instructions. 

Issues	Solutions
Peeling, Bubbling, or Cloudiness	Turn off the cooktop. Make sure it is cool before you begin cleaning it. Wipe the glass surface with a wet towel. Spread glass cleaner evenly on the affected area.  Let the glass cleaner sit for 15 minutes. Then, use a non-abrasive cloth or sponge to wipe the debris.  If the debris has hardened and won’t come off with a glass cleaner, scrape it off using a sharp glass-cleaning blade scraper. Wipe the glass surface with a clean, dry towel.
Overheating Cooking Elements	Turn off the burners. Carefully pull the knobs off their control valve stems.  Clean them in warm, soapy water. Then, wipe them dry with a soft cloth. Use a non-abrasive scrub and cleaner to wipe the surface.  Reinstall the knob on the correct control valve stem in the same OFF position.  Make sure the knobs are dry before reattaching them.
Underheating Cooking Elements	Choose the right cookware for your glass-top stove. Choose stainless steel, enameled cast iron, or ceramic cookware. Finally, select the right size. Pick pots and pans that match the diameter of your burners.
Hot Surface Light Not Turning Off	Turn off the power at the circuit breaker and unplug the unit. Pull the range out so you have enough working space. Open the oven door and unmount the screws on the cooktop. Then, lift the cooktop and prop it open with a solid object. Disconnect the cooktop from the range.Remove the screws on the mounting plate to access the elements.Disconnect the wires on the element. Separate the spring clips on the mounting bracket to release the element. Remember the number on each spring clip before unmounting them from the element. Install the clips on the new element in the correct position. Insert the clips on the mounting bracket and reconnect the wires on the element. Reattach the elements to the mounting plate and replace the screws. Then, reconnect the wires on the cooktop. Mount the cooktop on the range.  Reconnect your unit to power and test if the light is functioning properly.
Hot Surface Light Not Turning On	For control panel-mounted lights: Turn off the power at the breaker and unplug your unit.  Slide the range out to access the back panel. Then, unmount it and set it aside. Push the light sideways to release it.  Disconnect the wires and set aside the old light. Then, connect the wires to the new component. Slide the light into place.  Reinstall the back panel, and reconnect it to the power source. Check if the light turns on.
	For cooktop-mounted lights: Turn off the power at the breaker and unplug the unit. Then, slide it out to gain more working space. Open the oven door, and remove the mounting screws on the cooktop. Lift up the cooktop and prop it open with a solid object. Disconnect the wires and remove the old light from the housing. Insert the new part and reconnect the wires. Lower the cooktop and reinstall the mounting screws. Turn on the unit and the circuit breaker. Check if the light turns on.
On-Off Cycling of Radiant Element	Select stainless steel, enameled cast iron, or ceramic cookware to increase your burners’ efficiency. They should have straight edges and flat bottoms. In terms of size, make sure they match the diameter of your burners.

Peeling, Bubbling, or Cloudiness

Before you begin troubleshooting, inspect your cooktop carefully. A Samsung glass-top stove has a grid-like pattern, which many often mistake for a scratch or a stain. 

If you see a pattern on your burner element, it is completely normal and isn’t a sign of damage. Your stove might not require any fixing at all.

However, if you notice peeling, bubbling, or cloudiness, it’s most likely just gunk on the glass. They come off easily if you clean the surface properly.

Solution: To fix peeling, bubbling, or cloudiness on your Samsung glass cooktop, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Turn off the cooktop. If it is hot, give it enough time to cool down before cleaning it.
• Step 2: Wipe the glass-top stove with a wet towel.
• Step 3: Pour glass cleaner on the stovetop. Then, spread it evenly on the affected area. 

Samsung recommends Cerama Bryte and Weiman products for cleaning the glass surface.

• Step 4: Let the glass cleaner sit for 15 minutes. After, use a non-abrasive scrub to wipe away the debris.

Hardened debris usually won’t come off if you only use a glass cleaner. Instead, use a sharp glass-cleaning blade scraper to remove the gunk.

• Step 5: Wipe the glass with a dry towel.

Tips: • Clean the cooktop every day to avoid discoloration and dirt build-up. • Avoid using abrasive scrubs and cleaners to prevent scratches. • Wipe away moisture at the bottom of your pans and pots before using them on your cooktop. It prevents debris from building up on the glass surface. • Never use a blunt glass-cleaning blade scraper because it can scratch the surface.

Overheating Cooking Elements

Remember that the knobs on your stove aren’t interchangeable. If you switch them around, you can cause your cooking elements to overheat.

Always refer to the user manual if you’re unsure which knob goes on which control valve stem.

Solution: To reinstall your knobs, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Turn off the burners.
• Step 2: Carefully pull the knobs off their control valve stems.
• Step 3: Clean the knobs in warm, soapy water.
• Step 4: Wipe them dry.
• Step 5: Wipe the surface with a non-abrasive cleaner and scrub.
• Step 6: Reattach the knob to the control valve stem in the same OFF position. Make sure the knobs are dry before installing them.

If you have dual or triple surface elements, put the knob on the correct stem to prevent the temperature issue from recurring.

Tips: • Single element: The knob only has a HI to LO control scale. Keep the Hi setting on the left and the LO setting on the right when you reinstall it. • Dual element: A cooktop with a dual element has two control scales: HI Front to LO and HI Bridge to LO. When you install the knobs, put HI Bridge on the left and HI Front on the right with OFF in the middle. • Triple element: A triple-element cooktop has three control scales: HI Small to LO, HI Middle to LO, and HI to LO Large.  Keep HI Small on the right and LO Large on the Left. Then, HI Middle should be next to the LO setting with OFF always in the center.

Underheating Cooking Elements

If the cooking elements aren’t getting hot enough, it mostly has to do with your cookware. When it comes to glass cooktops, you have to choose your pots and pans carefully to avoid potential damage and ensure optimal performance.

Solution: Choose the right cookware for a glass-top stove based on its material, size, and design.

• Step 1: Select the best material for glass cooktops. Only use stainless steel, enameled cast iron, or ceramic cookware.

What to Use	What to Avoid
• Stainless Steel • Enameled Cast Iron • Ceramic Cookware	• Cast Iron • Glass Ceramics • Stoneware • Porcelain Enamel on Steel

Avoid using your cast iron pans because they are heavy and rough. You can scratch the glass surface just by moving them slightly on the glass surface.

If your cast iron pan has an enamel coating and base, it’s safe to use on a glass stovetop. Still, try not to drag it or drop it on your cooktop.

Other materials you should avoid include glass ceramics, stoneware, and porcelain enamel on steel.

• Step 2: Only use cookware that has a smooth base to prevent scratches. To ensure that your stovetop conducts heat properly, pick pots and pans with straight edges and a flat bottom.

• Step 3: Choose the right design.

Pick pots and pans that match the diameter of your burners.

Refrain from using large cookware. Even if it has an inch or less difference, your food might not cook evenly due to cold spots during cooking.

Hot Surface Light Not Turning Off 

The hot surface indicator lets you know when your cooktop is still hot. Even when your unit is off, it will stay lit until the temperature decreases to 65.56°C (150°F).

If the light stays on when your burner is completely cool, it indicates a problem with the limiter on the surface element.

Solution: First, open the cooktop and test each element for continuity. Then, replace the malfunctioning component.

• Step 1: Turn off the power at the circuit breaker and unplug the unit.
• Step 2: Pull the range away from the wall so you have enough working space.
• Step 3: Open the oven door and unmount the screws on the cooktop.
• Step 4: Lift the cooktop and prop it open with a solid object.
• Step 5: Disconnect the cooktop from the range.
• Step 6: Remove the screws on the mounting plate to access the elements.
• Step 7: Take a picture of the wires on the elements. Use this for reference when you reassemble the cooktop.
• Step 8: Pull out the wires from the limiter.
• Step 9: Get a multimeter and turn the dial to the ohms or resistance setting.
• Step 10: Check the terminals on the limiter. Touch each probe on terminals 1A and 1B.
• Step 11: Check the multimeter reading. No continuity means that the indicator light is functioning well.

If it shows 0 to 1 ohms, the terminals have continuity when they’re supposed to have none. That means you have to replace the element to fix the hot surface light.

• Step 12: Repeat the steps on each element to find other faulty limiters.

After performing the continuity test on each element, take note of the ones with a faulty limiter. You must replace the element to fix the indicator light.

Get the exact replacement part for your Samsung stovetop model. You can refer to your user manual for this.

To replace the element, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Turn off the power at the circuit breaker and unplug the unit.
• Step 2: Pull the range away from the wall so you have enough space to work.
• Step 3: Open the oven door and unmount the screws on the cooktop.
• Step 4: Lift the cooktop and prop it open with a solid object.
• Step 5: Disconnect the cooktop from the range.
• Step 6: Remove the screws on the mounting plate to access the elements.
• Step 7: Take a picture of the wires on the elements. Use this for reference when you reassemble the cooktop.
• Step 8: Disconnect the wires on the element.
• Step 9: Use pliers to separate the spring clips on the mounting bracket to release the element.
• Step 10: Take note of the number on each spring clip before unmounting them from the element.
• Step 11: Install the spring clips on the new element. Make sure they are in the correct position.
• Step 12: Insert the clips on the mounting bracket.
• Step 13: Reconnect the wires on the element.
• Step 14: Reattach the elements to the mounting plate and replace the screws.
• Step 15: Reconnect the wires and reattach the cooktop to the range.
• Step 16: Lower the cooktop and reinstall the screws.
• Step 17: Plug in the range and turn on the circuit breaker.
• Step 18: Test if the light is functioning properly.

Hot Surface Light Not Turning On

If the indicator light never turns on, you have a faulty component in need of a replacement. 

Depending on your unit, you might have to access the back panel to remove and replace the hot surface light. Or, you’ll have to go under the cooktop to replace it.

Indicator Light on the Control Panel

Check where the indicator light is located on your unit. If it is on the control panel, you’ll have to access it from the back to replace it.

Solution: To replace a hot surface light that is mounted on the control panel, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Turn off the power at the breaker. Then, unplug the range.
• Step 2: Slide the range out to access the back panel.
• Step 3: Unmount the back panel and set it aside.
• Step 4: Locate the indicator light on your range model. Check your user manual to be sure.
• Step 5: Push the light sideways to release it.
• Step 6: Disconnect the wires on the faulty light.
• Step 7: Get the new component and connect it to the wires.
• Step 8: Slide the light into place. 
• Step 9: Reinstall the back panel.
• Step 10: Turn on the range and the circuit breaker. Then, test the light if it turns on.

Indicator Light on the Cooktop

If the indicator light is located on the cooktop, it requires a different fix. Instead of accessing the back panel, you have to go under the cooktop to remove and replace the faulty component.

Solution: To replace a cooktop-mounted indicator light, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Turn off the power at the breaker. Then, unplug the range.
• Step 2: Pull the unit out of the wall so you have more working space.
• Step 3: Open the oven door. 
• Step 4: Remove the mounting screws on the cooktop.
• Step 5: Lift up the cooktop and use a sturdy object to prop it open. You can use a block of wood.
• Step 6: Disconnect the wires on the light. Then, gently pull the faulty component out of its housing.
• Step 7: Insert the new light into the housing and reconnect the wires.
• Step 8: Carefully lower the cooktop and reinstall the mounting screws.
• Step 9: Turn on the unit and the circuit breaker. 
• Step 10: Check if the light turns on.

On-Off Cycling of Radiant Element

The on-off cycling of a radiant element is part of your stovetop’s normal operations. However, it will cycle more frequently than usual if you use the wrong cookware for your glass-top stove.

Solution: To increase the efficiency of your radiant burners, use the right cookware—stainless steel, enameled cast iron, or ceramic. 

Your pots and pans should match the diameter of your burners to promote consistent heating. They should also have straight edges and flat bottoms.

How to Maintain a Samsung Glass-Top Stove

Proper maintenance and care can help you prevent a variety of issues on your Samsung glass-top stove. If your appliance is well-maintained, it will perform better, consume less energy, and last longer.

Here, we have a few tips that will keep your unit in tip-top shape.

Wait for the cooktop to cool down before cleaning it.

Never clean the glass surface when it is still too hot. Aside from safety reasons, you can damage the glass finish if you clean a hot cooktop.

Even if you use the right cleaner, it will just burn on the hot surface, leaving deep pits and boils on your stovetop. 

Avoid spilling food on the glass surface.

As much as possible, avoid any type of spills on the glass-top stove, especially sugar, and chocolate. Once they harden, they can cause permanent damage to your stovetop, which you can’t fix.

Anytime your pot overflows when you’re cooking, turn off the stove and wait for it to cool down a bit. Then, clean up the spill immediately with a damp cloth and non-abrasive cleaners.

Make sure to wipe the surface dry before reheating it.

Never drag cookware on the glass surface.

Avoid dragging your pots and pans across the glass cooktop. Even if it’s stainless steel or ceramic cookware, you can scratch the glass if you drag it across the surface.

Don’t let heavy cookware rest on the glass surface.

Even if it’s just temporary, you shouldn’t leave heavy cookware on the glass surface of your cooktop. If the surface is hot, it could shatter.