Stove burner not working: gas, coil and glass-top fixes

Gas stoves: clicking but not lighting

This is the single most common stove complaint. Each gas burner has an igniter that sparks and a burner cap that distributes the flame. A burner that clicks but does not light usually has one of three problems: the cap is not sitting correctly, the ports in the burner head are blocked with food, or the igniter is wet or dirty.

1. Turn off the burner and let it cool.
2. Lift off the cap and head.Dry them completely if there was a spill or recent cleaning.
3. Clear the ports.Use a soft brush or a straight pin or needle to clear food from each small port without enlarging it. Do not use toothpicks that can break off.
4. Clean the igniter.Gently wipe the ceramic tip with a barely damp cloth or a cotton swab, then let it dry.
5. Reseat the head and cap.The cap should sit flat and centered. A slightly crooked cap can produce a weak or uneven flame that will not light properly.

Other gas burner symptoms

• Constant clicking after the flame lights. A wet burner, a stuck switch or a misaligned cap.
• Flame lifts, goes out or is weak. Clogged ports, low gas pressure or a failing valve.
• Yellow or orange flames. Dirty burner or poor air mixture. Persistent yellow flames with soot deserve a professional inspection.
• No click at all on one burner. The switch or igniter for that burner. If no burner clicks, think about power to the range or the spark module.

Electric coil stoves

Coil burners are simple. Turn everything off and let it cool, then unplug a non-working coil and swap it with one from another burner. If the coil now works in the other receptacle, the original receptacle or switch is at fault. If the swapped coil does not work in the first burner but the original coil heats in the other, the coil itself has failed. Burned or pitted receptacle contacts and loose connections are common causes, and coils themselves are inexpensive.

Smooth glass-top (radiant) stoves

• A burner that will not heat at all may have a failed element or a burner switch.
• A burner that cycles on and off more than normal may be a limiter or sensor issue; some cycling is normal at low settings.
• A “hot surface” light that stays on after the cooktop cools suggests a sensor or control problem.
• A crack in the glass, even a hairline one, means stop using the burner until it is replaced.

Safe to try, or time to call

Power outages and manual lighting

Many gas burners can be lit with a match when the power is out, because the spark is only an ignition aid. Whether it is advised depends on the model, so read the manual before trying it. Never light any burner if you smell gas.

What helps the technician

Note which burners fail, whether the oven works, how old the stove is and what the burner does (clicks, nothing, or clicks and glows). If a pot boiled over just before the problem began, mention it; liquid in the switch or igniter area is a classic trigger. When you are ready, find a technician for your stove in Austin through our home page or send a request here. Related reading: cooktop repair and range and stove repair. The Austin appliance repair homepage lists every appliance we cover.

Questions people ask

Last updated October 13, 2026. This page offers general information to help you describe and understand a problem; it is not a diagnosis. Always follow your appliance manual and local safety rules.