Gas stove not lighting? Try these DIY fixes.

Step 1: Deactivate the Control Lockout feature.

One of the most common reasons for a gas stove not lighting is a feature called the Control Lockout.

Most modern gas stoves have a gas/control lock function. This feature automatically deactivates the flow of gas to the burners in the event of a power outage. You can also manually activate the Control Lockout to avoid someone accidentally turning on a gas burner. Stoves will often have some kind of indicator if the lockout is on.

Follow these steps to deactivate the control lock:

1. Press and hold the Gas/Control Lockout button for about 3 seconds.
2. Listen for a tone, and watch the display for signs of deactivation.
3. Check to see if the burners work again.

Your particular stove may have a different protocol for deactivating the control lock. Refer to your user manual for specific instructions.

If deactivating the Control Lockout feature doesn't work, go to the next step.

Step 2: Position the burner heads and caps correctly.

Sometimes, a stove won't light if the burner heads and caps aren't properly installed. If you recently cleaned your stove, you may have positioned these parts the wrong way when reassembling. Make sure the burner cap is completely flat.

Move on to the next steps if the stove still isn't igniting.

Step 3: Check the power and gas supply.

If your gas stove is not lighting but it's clicking, you may have an issue with your gas supply. Make sure your power and gas are on by doing the following:

1. Make sure the stove is plugged in and that the circuit breaker isn't tripped.
2. Check the gas supply. Ensure the gas valve is connected and turned on.
3. If you're not connected to the gas or power, hire a qualified gas technician and an electrician.
4. If you're connected to the power and gas, but the stove still won’t light, try turning the valve on and off a few times.

Important note: If you suspect there's a problem with your gas supply, don't try to DIY. Instead, hire a contractor and/or call your local gas company for help. If you smell a strong stench of rotten eggs, you may have a gas leak. In this case, immediately evacuate your home and call your local authorities.

Continue on to the next steps if you can confirm there's nothing wrong with the gas supply.

Step 4: Clean and dry the burners.

When turning on the stove, you may hear a clicking noise and see sparks — but the stove won't light. In this case, food debris or moisture is probably the culprit. Your burners might be dirty, clogged, or wet.

Follow these steps to ensure the burners are clean and dry:

1. Turn off the gas supply and unplug the appliance.
2. Remove the burner grate.
3. Remove the burner cap, and disconnect the burner.
4. Check the gas ports (small holes around the burner head) for food residue.
5. Use a small metal pin to clear the ports, making sure not to distort or bend the holes. (Don't use a wooden toothpick to clean ports, as they can leave splinters behind.)
6. Make sure there isn’t any moisture on the burner. If so, pat them dry with a cloth.
7. Put everything back together, and turn on the stove to see if that fixed the problem.

If cleaning and drying the burners doesn't fix the problem, proceed to the next step. Or, schedule an appointment with an appliance repair service.

Related: How to clean your cast iron stove grates and burners.

Step 5: Check the igniter connections.

If you've confirmed that your gas supply is working properly but the stove still won’t light, there may be an issue with your spark igniter connections. This is the component that creates a small spark to ignite the gas.

You can check the spark igniter by following these steps:

1. Unplug the stove and turn the gas off.
2. Remove the stove grates and burner components.
3. Examine the wiring and connections.
4. If any of the connections are loose, we recommend hiring a repair professional who can secure them.
5. If there are no loose connections and the burner still won't light, you may still need a professional to replace the igniter.

Hire a pro to repair your gas stove.

If you’ve tried all of these tips and still can’t get your gas stove to light, consider hiring a pro. The best way to find a qualified appliance repair technician is with Thumbtack. 

Download the Thumbtack app today to get free price quotes on stove and oven repair.

FAQs.

My gas stove won't light, but I smell gas — what do I do?

If you smell gas but you can’t get the stove to light, the issue could be any of the following:

• The burners are clogged.
• There's an issue with your igniter.
• There's something wrong with the valve or gas line (like a kink or an obstruction).
• There's a gas leak (leave your home and call the authorities).

You can try some of the troubleshooting tips above to fix the problem. But when in doubt, hire a professional to inspect and repair your stove and/or gas supply line.

Related: Why is there an orange flame on my gas stove?