If your soldering iron is not heating up, the problem may be that the ceramic heater has either been physically broken, or the electrical circuit for the heating and/or sensing elements may be electrically open.

After the soldering iron has been off for some time so the tip is cool to the touch, remove the tip from the iron handle according to the unit's instruction manual.  If you unit uses a tip with an embedded heating element, leave the tip attached to the iron.

For units that use tips without embedded heating elements, you should see a white ceramic rod that the tip fits over after you have removed the tip.  The ceramic may be discolored due to use but that is normal.  If the rod is missing, then the ceramic heater has likely broken off, and the end if it may still be lodged in the tip.

If the heating element is intact, you can then check the resistance of the heating element and sensor circuits to verify that the heating element is electrically sound.  To do this, you will need an ohmmeter.

Following the instructions in the appropriate instruction manual and/or troubleshooting guide, detach the iron from the station and check the resistance of the heating element and sensor circuits by measuring the resistance between the appropriate pins at the end of the iron.  If either of the circuits show an open circuit, then the heating element is bad and will need to be replaced.

You can purchase replacement tips and heating elements from your nearest authorized Hakko distributor, or you can contact our Customer Support department and request an RMA to return you unit for service.