Stove & Oven troubleshooting
Gas Burner Won't Light? Causes & Safe Fixes
A burner that clicks but won't light is usually a dirty or wet igniter — often a safe DIY clean. If you smell gas, stop and call first.
Common causes
Dirty or wet igniter
You can checkSpills and food clog the igniter so it sparks but can't light the gas — the most common cause.
Misaligned burner cap
You can checkA burner cap knocked out of position interrupts the spark-to-gas path.
Failed spark module or igniter switch
Pro repairIf no burner clicks, the spark module or switch may have failed.
Clogged burner ports
You can checkCarbon and grease block the gas ports so the flame won't catch or is uneven.
What you can check yourself
- If you smell gas, turn off the burners, ventilate, and call us before doing anything else.
- Let everything cool, then clean the igniter and burner ports with a dry brush/toothpick.
- Reseat the burner caps squarely.
- Make sure the cooktop is fully dry after cleaning.
When to call a pro
If the igniters won't click at all, multiple burners are out, or you smell gas, that's a technician job — we'll diagnose the spark module and gas valve safely.
Most stove & oven repairs run $120–$450 — see our repair cost guide.
Other stove & oven problems
FAQ
Gas burner won't light — questions
A burner that clicks but won't light is usually a dirty or wet igniter — often a safe DIY clean. If you smell gas, stop and call first. The most common causes are dirty or wet igniter, misaligned burner cap, failed spark module or igniter switch.
You can safely check a few things first: If you smell gas, turn off the burners, ventilate, and call us before doing anything else. Let everything cool, then clean the igniter and burner ports with a dry brush/toothpick. Reseat the burner caps squarely. If the igniters won't click at all, multiple burners are out, or you smell gas, that's a technician job — we'll diagnose the spark module and gas valve safely.
Most stove & oven repairs run $120–$450 in the San Francisco Bay Area, parts and labor — you get a flat-rate quote before any work begins. See our repair cost guide for details.
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