Kettle won’t switch on or boil (all brands)

A kettle that won’t switch on at all, or clicks off immediately, has a small handful of common causes — most of them safe and simple to check yourself.

What to check first

1. Check the socket with another appliance, and check the fuse in the plug (UK plugs have a replaceable fuse — a blown fuse is a very common, harmless-to-check cause).
2. Check the kettle is seated correctly and fully on its base — the electrical contacts between a cordless kettle and its base can fail to connect properly if it’s not sitting flush.
3. Check the water level is above the minimum fill line — most kettles have a safety cut-out that won’t allow the element to heat with too little water in it.
4. Check the base and the underside of the kettle where they contact each other for a build-up of limescale or spilled residue, which can sometimes interfere with the electrical contact.

When to call an engineer or replace it

If socket, base contact, and water level are all fine and the kettle still won’t switch on, the internal thermostat/safety cut-out or the heating element has likely failed. Kettles are generally not economical to repair given their low replacement cost — most people replace rather than repair one at this point.