Gas Stove Burner Won't Light
You hear clicking but the burner won't ignite, or there's no click and no flame. Surface burner issues are usually caused by moisture, food debris, or igniter problems.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Try these fixes before calling a technician
Clean the burner cap and base
Remove the burner cap and clean the area around the igniter with a toothbrush. Food debris, grease, and boiled-over liquids commonly block the gas port or prevent the spark from reaching the gas.
Dry the igniter
If you recently cleaned the stovetop or had a boilover, the igniter may be wet. Remove the burner cap and let it air dry, or use a hair dryer on low heat to dry the igniter and surrounding area.
Check the burner cap alignment
The burner cap must sit perfectly flat on the base. If it's tilted or misaligned, gas won't flow evenly and the igniter won't light the burner. Remove and reseat the cap carefully.
Test other burners
If all burners click but none light, check that the gas supply is on. If only one burner fails, the issue is specific to that burner's igniter or gas tube.
When to Call a Professional
If you smell gas but the burner won't light, turn off the gas and ventilate the area immediately. Call a professional. For persistent igniter failures on individual burners, the spark module or igniter switch may need replacement.
West Metro Appliance Repair has completed 394 oven repairs across 70+ Twin Cities communities. Our technicians see this exact problem regularly and can diagnose it quickly.
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