An image heating apparatus comprising: magnetic flux generating means (3, 4) for generating a magnetic flux; a heat generating element for generating heat by a magnetic flux generated by said magnetic flux generating means (3, 4) to heat an image on a recording material; a magnetic flux confining member for confining the magnetic flux acting onto a predetermined region of said heat generating element; moving means (G2, G3, 28, M2) for moving said magnetic flux confining member; a movable portion (G2d) for moving with said magnetic flux confining member when said magnetic flux confining member moves, characterized by further comprising a position detecting sensor for detecting a position of said magnetic flux confining member, a controlling means for controlling said moving means (G2, G3, 28, M2) depending on an output of said position detecting sensor so that said magnetic flux confining member is positioned in a predetermined range, wherein when said heat generating element heats the image on the recording material having a first width, said controlling means is configured to place said magnetic flux confining member in a magnetic flux confining position at one end of the predetermined range to confine the magnetic flux directed toward the predetermined region of said heat generating member, and when said heat generating element heats the image on the recording material having a second width larger than the first width, said controlling means is configured to place said magnetic flux confining member in a retracted position which is in the predetermined range and which is retracted from the magnetic flux confining position, and a contacting member for coming into contact to said movable portion (G2d) so as to stop movement of said magnetic flux confining member in a moving direction from the retracted position toward the magnetic flux confining position, when said controlling means fails to stop said magnetic flux confining member moving in the moving direction at the magnetic flux confining position and said magnetic flux confining member keeps moving in the moving direction beyond the predetermined range in which said magnetic flux confining member is movable under controlling by said controlling means. magnetic flux generating means (3, 4) for generating a magnetic flux; a heat generating element for generating heat by a magnetic flux generated by said magnetic flux generating means (3, 4) to heat an image on a recording material; a magnetic flux confining member for confining the magnetic flux acting onto a predetermined region of said heat generating element; moving means (G2, G3, 28, M2) for moving said magnetic flux confining member; a movable portion (G2d) for moving with said magnetic flux confining member when said magnetic flux confining member moves, characterized by further comprising a position detecting sensor for detecting a position of said magnetic flux confining member, a controlling means for controlling said moving means (G2, G3, 28, M2) depending on an output of said position detecting sensor so that said magnetic flux confining member is positioned in a predetermined range, wherein when said heat generating element heats the image on the recording material having a first width, said controlling means is configured to place said magnetic flux confining member in a magnetic flux confining position at one end of the predetermined range to confine the magnetic flux directed toward the predetermined region of said heat generating member, and when said heat generating element heats the image on the recording material having a second width larger than the first width, said controlling means is configured to place said magnetic flux confining member in a retracted position which is in the predetermined range and which is retracted from the magnetic flux confining position, and a contacting member for coming into contact to said movable portion (G2d) so as to stop movement of said magnetic flux confining member in a moving direction from the retracted position toward the magnetic flux confining position, when said controlling means fails to stop said magnetic flux confining member moving in the moving direction at the magnetic flux confining position and said magnetic flux confining member keeps moving in the moving direction beyond the predetermined range in which said magnetic flux confining member is movable under controlling by said controlling means.