Gas Oven Igniter Not Working? Why the Burner Will Not Light

When a gas oven igniter is not working, it may glow but the burner never lights, or it stays dark. Usually, a weak hot surface igniter is the cause, and less often the safety valve or control. First, watch the igniter during a bake call. Then, work through the gas parts below.

Safety first. Unplug the range or turn off its breaker before you open it. Also shut off the gas supply before you reach the burner, igniter, or valve. Do resistance and continuity checks with the power off, because those are the do-it-yourself steps. Leave live checks, like igniter current draw, to a qualified technician with the right meter. If the burner does not light within a few seconds, shut off the gas at once and let the area air out. If you smell gas, leave the area and call your gas utility.

Gas work should be done by a licensed or qualified technician. After any gas repair, leak-test every connection before you put the range back in service.

Parts to inspect for a gas oven igniter not working

1. Hot Surface Igniter

The hot surface igniter glows to light the gas, and it also signals the safety valve to open. When it weakens, it may still glow yet no longer draw enough current to open the valve. So watch it glow, then test its resistance and the current it pulls. Replace the igniter if it is cracked, stays dark, or reads out of range.

Turn off power to the range at the breaker and shut off the gas supply before you touch this part.

2. Oven Safety Valve

The oven safety valve releases gas to the bake burner once the igniter is hot enough. When the valve fails, the igniter glows but the burner never lights. Therefore, confirm the igniter draws proper current first, since a weak igniter is the usual cause. Replace the valve only after the igniter tests good but the burner still will not light.

Turn off power to the range at the breaker and shut off the gas supply before you touch this part.

3. Electronic Control Board

If the igniter and valve test good, the control that fires them is next. The electronic control board runs the oven, reads the sensor, and switches the elements or gas valve. When it fails, the oven may not heat, hold temperature, or respond to the pad. So look for burnt spots and relays that will not click, and confirm it powers each output. Replace the board if it no longer controls the oven.

Turn off power to the range at the breaker before you reach this part.

4. Oven Temperature Sensor

For a no-light complaint, confirm the sensor is not telling the control the oven is already hot. The oven temperature sensor reports the cavity temperature to the control so it can hold the set heat. When it drifts or fails, the oven runs cold, runs hot, or throws an error. So measure the sensor resistance, which should read near 1080 ohms at room temperature. Replace the sensor if the reading is off or open.

Turn off power to the range at the breaker before you reach this part.

Get the parts

We supply OEM and replacement parts in bulk. Browse the Appliance Parts catalog, or request a bulk quote for volume orders.

Is the range old or failing often? So weigh a repair against a new unit, and browse complete ranges and ovens when a replacement makes more sense.

Most of the time, a gas oven igniter that will not light the burner traces back to one worn part. So replace it, then run a short test and confirm the fix.

In short, a gas oven igniter not working is usually the igniter itself, so test it first.