Gas Oven Burners Not Lighting? Here’s How to Diagnose the Problem

When one or more gas burners won’t light, it’s one of the most common oven repair calls we get at S&W Service & Repair. The good news: this is often a straightforward diagnosis. Watch the video above to see how we approach it in the field.

Symptoms That Match This Problem

• Burner clicks repeatedly but doesn’t light
• Burner lights but flame is uneven or immediately goes out
• No click at all when you turn the knob
• Only some burners are affected, not all

Top Causes (Most to Least Common)

• Clogged burner cap or burner head — food debris blocks gas flow
• Faulty igniter switch — worn out from repeated use
• Dirty or wet spark module
• Bad igniter wire or loose connection
• Failed spark module (controls all burners)

Quick DIY Check

Start by removing the burner cap and burner head and cleaning both thoroughly with a toothbrush and warm soapy water. Make sure they’re completely dry before reinstalling. This alone fixes the problem about 40% of the time. If the burner still won’t light after cleaning, the igniter switch likely needs replacement.

When All Burners Stop Lighting at Once

If none of your burners will light, the spark module (the central ignition control) is the likely culprit. This is a $30–$80 part and a relatively straightforward swap. The module is usually located under the cooktop — you’ll need to remove it to access it.

Brands We See Most Often With This Issue

This is common across all gas range brands — GE, Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, Maytag, and KitchenAid. The repair process is similar across brands, though part numbers differ.