Is your oven taking forever to heat up? Bread not baking, or dinner stuck in the broiler for far too long? A faulty igniter might be the problem. The good news is that replacing it is simpler than you might think. Instead of calling for professional repair or buying a new appliance, you can swap out the igniter yourself and save money. Here’s how.
Signs Your Oven Igniter Needs Replacing
If your oven won’t heat or takes much longer than usual to reach temperature, the igniter may be failing. A gas oven should hit 350°F within 10 to 15 minutes—if yours is struggling to get there, the igniter could be the culprit.
How to Check If Your Igniter Is Bad
- Turn on the oven and open the broiler drawer.
- Observe the igniter—it should glow white-hot.
- If it doesn’t glow at all or only turns red or yellow, the heating element is failing.
- Even if it glows a little, it may not get hot enough to fully open the safety valve, preventing gas from igniting.
What About Gas Smells?
A failing igniter can sometimes cause a noticeable gas smell. A faint gas odor when turning on the oven is normal, but if the smell is strong or lingers, something is wrong.
- If the igniter isn’t getting hot enough, it won’t ignite the gas properly.
- Use a multimeter to check whether the igniter is the issue.
- If you suspect a gas leak, shut off the gas supply, leave the house, and contact your utility company immediately.
Common Reasons for Igniter Failure
Oven igniters don’t last forever. A few factors can shorten their lifespan, leading to replacement sooner than expected.
- Frequent use – The more often the oven is used, the more wear the igniter experiences.
- Power surges – Electrical surges can damage internal components, causing failure.
- Grease and food buildup – Residue can coat the igniter, reducing its ability to heat up properly.
- Age – Most igniters last between 3 to 7 years before wearing out.
- Improper handling – Rough handling during previous repairs or cleaning can lead to cracks or loose connections.
Also Read: Oven Repair Solutions for Common Oven Issues
Tools You’ll Need
This repair is quick and requires just a few basic tools:
- OEM-compatible oven igniter (check your model for compatibility)
- Phillips and flathead screwdrivers
- Nut driver
- Work gloves
How to Replace an Oven Ignitor
Follow these steps to safely and effectively replace your oven ignitor, restoring proper function to your appliance.
Preparation
- Turn off the power to the oven at the wall outlet or circuit breaker.
- Turn off the gas valve to prevent leaks.
- Allow the oven to cool completely before starting any repairs.
- Check if the ignitor’s wire harness can be accessed from inside the oven.
- If the wire harness is not accessible from inside, remove the rear access panel by unscrewing the four screws.
- Locate the ignitor’s wire harness and disconnect it.
- Use a flathead screwdriver if needed to release the harness.
- Feed the wire through the oven cavity for easier removal later.
Accessing the Ignitor
- Open the oven door and remove the oven racks.
- Remove the bottom oven panel by unscrewing any securing hardware.
- Lift the bottom panel slightly and slide it toward the back to release it from the tabs.
- Remove the panel from the oven.
- Remove the flame spreader by unscrewing the securing screws.
- Slide the flame spreader forward to detach it from the tabs and lift it out.
Removing the Old Ignitor
- Locate the ignitor near the burner tube.
- Remove the screws or nuts securing the ignitor.
- Carefully pull out the old ignitor while keeping the wires accessible.
Preparing the New Ignitor
- Compare the new ignitor with the old one to check for differences.
- If the new ignitor has raw wires, cut the plastic connector off the old ignitor.
- Leave a few inches of spare wire when cutting the connector.
- Strip the ends of the wires on the old ignitor’s connector.
- Use wire nuts to attach the old connector to the new ignitor’s wires.
Installing the New Ignitor
- Pre-thread the screws into the new ignitor to make mounting easier.
- Place the new ignitor in position and secure it with screws or nuts.
- Check if the wires have enough slack to connect the ignitor to the safety valve.
- If the wires reach, connect the ignitor to the safety valve.
- If the wires do not reach, feed the ignitor’s wires through the rear opening for later connection.
Reassembling the Oven
- Replace the flame spreader by positioning it on its tabs and securing it with screws.
- Reinstall the bottom oven panel by seating the front lip first.
- Lower the back portion onto the tabs and secure with screws if necessary.
- Place the oven racks back inside.
- Close the oven door.
Final Wiring and Testing
- If the ignitor’s wires were not connected earlier, return to the rear access panel.
- Connect the ignitor’s wire harness to the safety valve harness.
- Make sure the connection is secure.
- Reinstall the rear access panel if it was removed.
- Push the oven back into place.
- Restore power by plugging in the oven or turning the circuit breaker back on.
- Turn the gas valve back on.
- Test the oven by setting it to bake and checking if it heats up properly.
Also Read: Gas Oven Igniter Glows But Won’t Light: Top 3 Reasons and Fixes
How to Extend the Life of Your New Igniter
Once the new igniter is installed, taking a few preventive steps can help it last longer.
- Keep the oven clean – Regularly remove grease, crumbs, and spills that can build up near the igniter.
- Avoid slamming the oven door – Sudden impacts can damage delicate components.
- Use a surge protector – Protects the igniter and other electronic parts from power fluctuations.
- Check for gas leaks periodically – Addressing leaks quickly prevents excessive strain on the igniter.
- Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines – Using the oven as recommended reduces unnecessary wear on the igniter.
Closing Thoughts
A slow oven can turn cooking into a hassle, making meals take longer than they should. Swapping out a faulty igniter might seem like a big job, but it’s actually a simple fix. With a few tools and some time, you can get your oven working properly again without spending money on a repair service.
A weak igniter doesn’t just slow things down—it can cause uneven heating and even gas buildup. If your oven isn’t reaching the right temperature, replacing the igniter now can prevent bigger issues later.
Fixing it yourself means fewer baking failures, faster preheating, and no more waiting around for dinner. Follow the steps, get it done, and enjoy a working oven again.