How to Troubleshoot Gas Stove Burner Ignition Problems

Turn the gas burner control knob to the correct starting point to ignite the burner. On some brands of gas stove top, this setting may say “lite,” “light” or “start.” If the knob is not turned to the correct starting point, it may not light. Turn the knob to this setting before pushing down and lighting the burner.

Clean the burner ports. These are the tiny holes where gas comes out. Over time, the holes may become clogged with debris or grease. Ensure the stove is completely off, and then poke a needle through the holes to unclog them. Cleaning the burner ports this way should be a part of regular stove cleaning and maintenance and will fix other burner issues, such as when the flame only ignites halfway around the burner or burns poorly.

Ensure the power cord is plugged in. Even though the gas range uses gas for flame, it uses an electric spark to start the stove, which will not be available if the unit is unplugged.

Light the stove manually during a power outage by pushing down the burner knob and lighting the stove with a long-handled lighter.