Gas burner clicking but won't light? How to fix it

By the technicians at Maximum Appliance Repair. Updated October 25, 2026

If you smell gas in the room, turn the knob off, open a window, and don't use the stove. If the smell is strong, leave and call your gas company from outside. Otherwise, these steps fix most clicking burners.

Safety first: unplug the appliance or switch off its breaker before you open panels, and shut off gas or water if you'll be near those lines.

1. Let it dry

Spills and boil-overs soak the igniter and keep it clicking or sparking weakly. Turn the burner off, wipe it, and give it a few hours to dry. A hair dryer on low helps.

2. Seat the burner cap

The cap has to sit flat and centered on the burner base. A cap that's tilted or put back on the wrong burner after cleaning won't light evenly, or at all.

3. Clean the burner ports

With the burner cool and off, remove the cap and base and clean the small gas ports with a straightened paper clip or a sewing needle. Don't use a toothpick; it can break off inside. Let everything dry completely.

4. Clean the igniter tip

Gently clean the small white ceramic igniter with a dry toothbrush. Don't bend it or soak it.

5. Check if the other burners work

If no burner lights and you don't hear clicking, check the power to the range (the igniters need electricity). If no burner lights but they all click, check that the gas valve is open.

When to call a technician

Call us if a burner keeps clicking after it's dry, if only one burner won't spark, or if the flame is yellow, lifting or uneven. A worn spark switch, igniter or spark module is a safe, simple repair for a technician.

Questions