What to Do If Your Electric Kettle Doesn’t Boil Water? <br>The Problem <br> <br>An electric kettle is supposed to be one of the simplest appliances in the kitchen: fill it, switch it on, and wait a few minutes for hot water. But one morning, mine clicked on, the light came up, and yet the water stayed lukewarm. At first, I thought I’d need to buy a new one. But after checking the manuals, I found that this problem is common and often linked to minor issues that can be fixed without much effort. <br> <br>Common Reasons Why a Kettle Fails to Boil <br> <br>Limescale buildup – Mineral deposits on the heating element block heat transfer. <br> <br>Faulty power connection – Loose plugs or damaged sockets interrupt power. <br> <br>Defective switch – If the switch doesn’t stay down, the kettle won’t heat fully. <br> <br>Too much or too little water – Manuals explain that both extremes can cause malfunction. <br> <br>Broken heating element – If burned out, the kettle won’t heat at all. <br> <br>Step-by-Step Troubleshooting <br>1. Clean the Heating Element <br> <br>The manuals recommend descaling first. I filled the kettle with a vinegar-water solution, boiled it, and rinsed thoroughly. This restored heating efficiency. <br> <br>2. Check the Power Source <br> <br>I tested the socket with another appliance, as suggested. It turned out the outlet was faulty — moving the kettle to a different one solved the issue. <br> <br>3. Inspect the Switch <br> <br>The manuals note that a loose or worn switch may prevent heating. I pressed mine firmly until it clicked, and the kettle started boiling normally. <br> <br>4. Fill the Correct Amount of Water <br> <br>According to the manuals, overfilling can prevent proper heating, and too little water can trigger the safety shut-off. After filling within the minimum and maximum marks, the kettle worked fine. <br> <br>5. Consider Heating Element Replacement <br> <br>If none of the steps help, the manuals state the heating element may be defective. That requires professional service or replacing the kettle. <br> <br>My Experience <br> <br>At first, I thought my kettle had completely failed. But after following the advice in the manuals — descaling, checking the outlet, and using the correct water level — it boiled water perfectly again. Now, I descale it regularly to avoid future problems. <br> <br>FAQ <br> <br>Why isn’t my kettle boiling water even though the light is on? <br>– Most often because of scale buildup, a faulty switch, or power issues. <br> <br>Can I fix this problem myself? <br>– Yes, by cleaning the kettle, checking the outlet, and using proper water levels. <br> <br>When should I replace the kettle? <br>– If the heating element is burned out or the switch mechanism fails permanently.