My Gas Stove Pilot Light Is On But the Oven Won't Start

Power Supply

• Check the power supply on the oven, as the gas supply is typically separate from the power supply. If you can reach the power cord, plug the power cord firmly into a power outlet. If the power cord is not accessible or visible, reset or replace the fuse or circuit breaker as necessary.

Gas Supply

• Another element to check is the gas supply valve, which may not be turned on completely. The gas valve is usually behind or next to the oven, sometimes underneath a nearby counter. Turn the valve counterclockwise, until completely open, to ensure that the gas supply is flowing freely. Some ovens are connected to a gas supply lever on the left side of the oven. Push the lever down to turn on the gas supply.

  If you detect the smell of gas, turn the valve off, open the windows and leave the house immediately. Contact your local gas company.

Oven Controls

• Sometimes simple user error is to blame for an oven that does not seem to start. Press or select “Bake” and then turn the temperature control knob to the desired temperature or use the key pads to enter the cooking temperature, and then touch “Start.” Remember that most ovens take approximately 10 minutes to preheat to the selected temperature.

Weak Bake Igniter

• The bake igniter might still light up, but can be defective or failing and is not providing a strong enough pilot light to heat the oven adequately. If the pilot light is low, yellow or glowing red, contact the oven manufacturer for service to replace the bake igniter.

Gas Safety Valve

• The gas safety valve may not be working correctly and may be preventing proper gas flow to the oven. This allows the pilot light to ignite but will limit the heat provided by the oven, which makes it seem as if the oven is not starting or heating. Contact a service professional for service.