Gas Stove Clicking But Not Lighting? Here’s What To Do

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Paradise Appliance
September 6, 2022
Oven Repair

If you have a gas stove, it is completely normal to hear a clicking sound when you go to light an element. However, you should be concerned if there is a clicking sound that doesn’t get followed by a light. This is an indication that there is an issue with your gas stove that will need to be looked at, and fixed. 

Before you go ahead and call a qualified technician, there are a few common issues you can troubleshoot for yourself. 

It is important to note that before you try any DIY fixes, you should check to see if you can smell gas coming from your element. If you can, you need to turn off your gas supply straight away and open windows to ventilate the space. You will need to call an expert to check over your gas supply and ensure it is not faulty or damaged. 

Step 1 – Realign the burner cap

The most common cause of gas stoves not igniting is an out of alignment burner cap. This can occur when the stove elements have either been knocked, or replaced incorrectly. When this happens, a gas stove will not be able to ignite correctly. You should be able to see fairly easily if your burner cap is out of alignment. 

If you need to realign the burner cap, follow these simple steps:

  1. Allow the stove to cool completely before starting. 
  2. Carefully remove the burner grate. This is also a good opportunity to clean it if it is dirty. 
  3. Ensure the cap is in the centre, realigning it if necessary.
  4. Test your stove by igniting it. 

If the issue has not been solved, move on to step 2.

Step 2 – Clean and dry the burner

Another common cause of a gas stove not lighting is due to it being dirty or wet. It is normal for food debris to get trapped in the burner but if it is not cleaned regularly, the buildup of debris, along with any moisture can cause issues with the stove igniting. 

To make sure the burner is clean and dry, you need to:

  1. Allow the stove to cool completely before starting. 
  2. Carefully remove the burner grate. This is a good opportunity to clean the grate if it is dirty. 
  3. Check that there is no grime buildup or food debris in or around the burner.
  4. If any grime or debris is found, it will need to be cleaned and thoroughly dried. 
  5. Check the stove knob is free to turn without being obstructed. 
  6. Leave the stove to air dry. Alternatively, you can turn on the oven and leave it at a high temperature. This will speed up the drying process. 
  7. Once the burners have been cleaned and dried, put the stove back together again, and test to see if it now ignites. 

If the issue has not been solved, move on to step 3.

Step 3 – Check the gas supply

The third step is to check that there are no issues with the gas supply, and that it is working correctly. Sometimes when you try to ignite the burner, you see sparks as well as hearing the clicking noise. In these cases, it is often an issue with the gas supply being partially obstructed. 

You can check the gas supply yourself by following these steps. 

  1. Allow the stove to cool completely before starting. 
  2. Carefully remove the burner grate. This is a good opportunity to clean the grate if it is dirty. 
  3. Remove the burner cap. Depending on the model, you may have to unscrew a few screws to get it off. 
  4. There is a small hole that is designed to feed the gas to the ignite in the back of the burner. It is not uncommon for this to get clogged with grime and stop the gas. You can unclog this gently using a toothpick. 
  5. Reassemble the burner and test the stove to see if it is working correctly.  
  6. If the issue has not been solved, move on to step 4. 

Step 4 – Check the spark igniter connections

Another common issue with gas stoves is with the igniter connections. They can come loose, get damaged, or be faulty. You can inspect these yourself if the steps above have not solved your issue. 

Here’s how you can check the igniter connections:

  1. Ensure you have disconnected your stove from its power source.
  2. Carefully remove the burner head from the oven.
  3. Visually inspect all of the wires that come out of the range top and connect to the burner head. You are looking for any signs of damage, or wear and tear. If they are damaged, they will need to be replaced. 
  4. You will also need to check that the wires are connected to the ignitor correctly. 
  5. Once you have replaced the damaged wires and/or tightened the connection, you can put your stove back together and plug the oven back in. 
  6. Test your stove to see if it is working.
  7. If the issue has not been solved, move on to step 5

Step 5 – Replace the igniter

If you have followed the steps above and your stove is still not lighting, you will need to replace the old igniter completely. It is not as hard as it seems, just ensure you have the right part. 

Here’s how to remove your old or faulty igniter and replace it with the new one:

  1. Ensure your stove is disconnected from its power source.
  2. Ensure the gas supply is turned off.
  3. Carefully lift the burner head off the stove and turn it over.
  4. You will need to use a screwdriver to disconnect the wires from the igniter.
  5. Visually inspect the wires for damage and ensure they are fine. If any of the wires are damaged, they will need to be replaced before you attach the new igniter.
  6. Attach the new igniter by carefully reattaching the wires using a screwdriver and then putting it into the place where the old one was.
  7. Put your stove back together, reconnect the power, and test to see if the problem has been solved. 

If you are still having issues, you will need to call in a licensed professional.

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