Why wont my popcorn pop?

Old kernels. Popcorn kernels only have a 1-2 year shelf life. After that, they start to lose moisture and become harder to pop. To test the freshness of your kernels, put a few in a glass of water. If they sink, they're still good. If they float, they're too old.

Not enough heat. Popcorn kernels need to reach a high temperature in order to pop. This is why it's important to use a popcorn popper or a heavy-bottomed pot. If your pan isn't hot enough, the kernels will either not pop or they'll pop unevenly.

Too much oil. Adding too much oil to the pan can prevent the kernels from popping. This is because the oil can lower the temperature of the pan and make it harder for the kernels to reach the popping temperature.

Incorrect amount of kernels. If you add too many kernels to the pan, they won't have enough room to pop properly. This can also cause the kernels to overcrowd and steam instead of pop.

Not covering the pan. Covering the pan helps to trap the heat and steam, which makes the popcorn pop more efficiently. If you don't cover the pan, the steam will escape and the kernels will not pop as well.

Leaving the popcorn in the pan too long. Once the popcorn has popped, it's important to remove it from the pan immediately. If you leave it in the pan, it will continue to cook and the kernels will become tough and chewy.