Gas Range Igniter or Gas Flow Issues: Why Your Burners Won’t Ignite

If your gas oven or cooktop burners won’t ignite, the issue likely stems from a faulty igniter or ignition component that’s preventing gas flow.

A gas oven depends on the igniter to produce enough heat to open the safety valve and allow gas to flow. Meanwhile, cooktop burners require a strong spark to ignite the gas.

How to Identify Gas Flow Issues

Even with a working igniter, gas flow problems can prevent the burners from lighting. Look out for these signs:

• No gas smell when attempting to ignite the burner.
• Weak or flickering flames.
• Burners lighting unevenly or not at all.
• Hissing sounds near the gas line, indicating a possible leak.

If gas flow seems restricted, try these steps:

• Inspect the gas valve to confirm it is fully open.
• Check for kinks or obstructions in the gas line.
• If using propane, verify that the tank has enough fuel.
• Contact a professional if you suspect a gas leak.

Safety First

Before troubleshooting, always:

• Unplug the appliance.
• Turn off the gas supply valve.
• Check that the range is getting 120 volts of power.

5 Reasons Why a Gas Range Won’t Start

Now, let’s go over the top reasons why your gas range isn’t starting and how to fix each issue.

1. Faulty Oven Igniter

The oven igniter lights the gas burner inside the oven cavity. It’s typically a ceramic glow bar that:

• Heats up to over 1,200°F when working correctly.
• Signals the gas valve to open.

Signs of a Faulty Igniter:

• Loose mounting or visible cracks.
• Glows faint orange but doesn’t get hot enough.

Fix:

If the igniter shows any of these signs, it needs to be replaced.

2. Faulty Spark Module

The spark module generates the electric spark that ignites the gas for cooktop burners. If the burners aren’t lighting, the module could be defective.

Fix:

• Check if the spark module is clicking.
• If there’s no spark or clicking sound, consider replacing the spark module.

3. Damaged Cooktop Igniter

Each surface burner has its own igniter to spark and light the gas. If the igniter is sparking but the flame won’t ignite—even after cleaning the burner head and base—the igniter is likely faulty.

Fix:

Replace the burner igniter if it fails to light the flame after cleaning.

4. Defective Oven Temperature Sensor

The oven temperature sensor monitors the internal temperature and sends signals to the control board. A faulty sensor can prevent the oven from functioning properly.

Fix:

• Test the sensor with a multimeter.
• If it’s not providing the correct resistance reading, replace it.

5. Malfunctioning Oven Control Board

The oven control board controls all oven functions. If it’s defective, both the oven and sometimes the cooktop may stop working.

Fix:

• Inspect the board for burnt spots or damage.
• If faulty, replace the control board.

Read More: Gas Range Won’t Start: Top 5 Reasons and Fixes

How to Troubleshoot and Fix a Gas Range That Won’t Start

Follow these steps to identify and fix common issues preventing your gas range from starting.

1. Check the Oven Igniter

1. Turn on the oven and observe the igniter’s glow. It should glow bright orange.
2. If the igniter glows dim orange or not at all, it may be defective.
3. Turn off the range and unplug it from the power source.
4. Open the oven door and remove the oven racks.
5. Take out the bottom oven panel to expose the bake burner.
6. Remove the flame spreader shield to access the igniter.
7. Inspect the igniter for loose mounting, cracks in the ceramic body, or disconnected wires.
8. If damage is visible, replace the igniter.
9. Set a multimeter to the continuity test setting.
10. Disconnect the igniter wiring harness.
11. Touch the multimeter probes to the igniter wire terminals.
12. If there is no continuity, the igniter is faulty and needs replacement.
13. If the igniter appears intact but the oven still won’t start, it may be weakened and unable to reach the correct temperature to open the gas valve.
14. Replace the igniter if it fails to function correctly.

2. Check the Spark Module

1. Locate the spark module under the cooktop or inside the back cabinet or console.
2. Unplug the range from the power outlet.
3. Disconnect the incoming power wires to the spark module.
4. Set a multimeter to the AC volts setting.
5. Touch the multimeter probes to the incoming power terminals on the module.
6. Turn on a burner knob to the ignition position.
7. Plug the power cord back in.
8. Check if the multimeter reads 120 volts AC at the module during ignition.
9. If 120 volts are present but there is no spark, the spark module is faulty and must be replaced.
10. If there is no power at the module, check the wiring or control board.

3. Check the Cooktop Igniter

1. Turn off the range and unplug it from the power source.
2. Shut off the gas supply for safety.
3. Lift the cooktop to access the igniter.
4. Remove burner caps and heads if required.
5. Inspect the igniter for cracks in the ceramic body or damage to the wire terminal.
6. If there is any visible damage, replace the igniter.
7. Clean any debris off the igniter tip and burner head.
8. Reassemble the burner components.
9. Turn on the gas and try igniting the burner.
10. If the igniter does not spark, replace it.

4. Check the Oven Temperature Sensor

1. Locate the oven temperature sensor at the back of the range.
2. Detach the sensor wires.
3. Set a multimeter to the Ohms setting.
4. Touch the multimeter probes to the sensor terminals.
5. Compare the resistance reading to the reference chart for your model.
6. If the reading does not match the normal range, the sensor is faulty.
7. Replace the sensor if it is defective.

5. Check the Oven Control Board

1. Locate the control board inside the range console or behind the control panel.
2. Find the tech sheet for your range model.
3. Follow the troubleshooting tree or error code diagnostics on the tech sheet.
4. Run the recommended tests to determine if the board is functioning properly.
5. If the board fails any test, it needs to be replaced.
6. Verify that the new board has the same part number as the old one.
7. Transfer all removable wires from the old board to the new one.
8. Install the new control board and reassemble the panel.

Key Takeaways

When a gas range won’t start, it could be a real safety risk. If the burners keep clicking without a flame or the oven refuses to heat, something is wrong. The issue might be a weak spark, a faulty igniter, or a problem with gas flow. Some fixes are easy, like clearing debris or tightening loose parts. Others, like swapping out a control board, might call for expert help. Waiting too long isn’t an option. Gas appliances don’t fix themselves, and safety should always come first.