If a pan that used to work is no longer detected by your induction hob, check the cooking zone, pan position, controls and the pan itself before replacing either item. Try a known-compatible pan using the hob's instructions. A flashing pan symbol or power level is a clue, not a diagnosis that the cookware is worn out.
On this page
Identify the symptom first
| What you observe | What to check next | What it does not prove |
|---|---|---|
| The hob does not respond at all | Check the normal power and child-lock indications in the manual. | That the pan is incompatible. |
| One pan is not detected, but another works on the same zone | Compare their base size, induction suitability, position and condition. | That the first pan must immediately be discarded. |
| Several suitable pans fail on one zone | Check zone selection and any displayed error code. | That all the pans have simultaneously worn out. |
| A small pan works on one zone but not another | Compare the magnetic base with each zone’s permitted pan sizes. | That a universal percentage-of-circle rule applies. |
| Heating stops after use or an error appears | Record the exact message and follow the model’s troubleshooting instructions. | That repeated restarting is the right response. |
A practical troubleshooting sequence
- Read the display. Note the model number and exact symbol or code. Check the manual rather than applying another brand's error-code explanation.
- Allow the cookware and hob to cool before inspection. Remove loose objects from the controls and clean and dry the cooking area and pan base using their care instructions.
- Check normal settings. Confirm the intended zone is selected and the child lock or pause function is not preventing use.
- Centre a suitable pan. Follow the zone's stated size range. A smaller zone can be appropriate for a small pan if the manual permits it.
- Compare with a known-working induction pan. Use a normal, supervised cooking test allowed by the manual, not an empty-pan heat test. Note whether the problem follows the pan or stays with a zone.
This comparison narrows the question for support. If one pan fails while another works, size, construction or damage may be relevant. If several previously suitable pans fail on the same zone, report that pattern to the appliance manufacturer instead of buying a whole new set.
Why a magnet test is not the whole check
Induction needs a suitable ferromagnetic base. A magnet sticking to the underside is a useful initial check, but also confirm the cookware's induction specification and the hob's permitted base dimensions. Measure the base, not just the wider rim advertised as the pan diameter.
Bosch's instructions explain that detection limits vary with the pan material. A pan may have a magnetic disc smaller than its overall base. There is no reliable universal rule that a pan must cover 70% of every cooking zone.
Inspect for a rocking or visibly distorted base, separation, or other damage. Do not assume a magnetic layer has simply “worn out”, and do not hammer or modify the base to make it fit. Dirt should be removed for proper care, but a stain by itself does not prove that the hob's magnetic field is being blocked.
When to stop and seek help
Stop using a hob with cracked glass or an electrical fault, and follow its isolation and service instructions. Do not open the appliance or attempt electrical repairs. Persistent faults after normal user checks need the manufacturer's service team or a qualified technician.
For damaged cookware, ask its manufacturer whether it remains suitable. Replacement may be appropriate, but it is not the only possible explanation for a no-pan message. Induction glass can also remain hot from the cookware after heating stops; lack of an open flame does not make the surface safe to touch.
Choosing compatible replacements
- Look for an explicit induction-compatible specification.
- Check the magnetic base diameter against the hob's manual.
- Choose the pan size and usable capacity for the meals you cook.
- Confirm care instructions and any oven or handle limits separately.
Our induction cookware compatibility guide covers choosing pans, while this page is for troubleshooting a setup you already own.
If you are shopping for a complete setup, the SOGA induction cooktop and 28cm stainless steel frying pan set lists both a cooktop and pan in the package. That is different from replacing only one pan. Browse induction cooktops and cookware sets with that distinction in mind.
