Whirlpool Gas Furnace Will Not Stay Lit

Air Flow

• Air flow refers to how easily air can enter the combustion chamber of your Whirlpool gas furnace. The gas furnace has a separate venting system to draw in air from the outside. If this vent becomes blocked, not enough air will reach the burner and the burner will stop working. Air vents can be clogged by snow and debris, and always should be kept clear for proper burner function. Whirlpool also reminds users that the filter may be too dirty to allow proper air flow, and may need to be replaced for efficient results.

Gas Flow

• Gas flow refers to the flow of gas from the natural gas line your furnace uses. Like air flow, gas flow must reach the combustion chamber in the proper amount for the burner to work correctly. If your burner cannot stay lit, it is a sign that something is wrong with the gas flow. The burner may have a blockage, or a valve may be malfunctioning and will not open. This requires a closer look by a professional to narrow down the problem. According to Whirlpool, there also is a chance that the manual gas valve has been closed and simply needs to be opened again.

Sensor Problems

• Your Whirlpool furnace has sensors that monitor its temperature carefully. Some of these sensors are used to ensure that the furnace does not overheat and does not create a fire danger. If these sensors malfunction, they may read a properly performing burner as an overheating furnace and shut down all systems automatically. Replacing the safety control sensors on your furnace can help solve this problem.

Ignitor Issues

• Your furnace uses an electric ignitor to spark and start the gas furnace. This ignitor is responsible for lighting the burner, and if the burner will not light at all it is a sign that the ignitor has failed. Sometimes it is in the wrong condition to create a spark. It also may have burnt out or become unable to operate correctly. Cleaning, adjusting and replacing the ignitor may be necessary to fix the problem.