Gas Burner Won't Light, Keeps Clicking or Burns Yellow

What usually causes it

• Burner cap misaligned. If the cap is not seated evenly, gas does not reach the igniter and the flame is uneven.
• Clogged ports. Boil-overs fill the small ports in the burner head.
• Wet igniter or burner. Water from cleaning or spills makes the spark weak or makes it click without lighting.
• Spark switch. Grease and moisture in the switch behind a knob keep the igniters clicking after the burner lights.
• Spark module. A failing module clicks constantly or not at all.
• Yellow or lazy flame. Usually dirt on the ports, a cap out of place, or the wrong orifice for the gas type, such as an appliance set up for propane running on natural gas.
• Low gas supply. Several weak burners at once can mean a supply or regulator problem.

Cooktop burner not lighting

A burner that clicks but will not light usually has a dirty or wet igniter, a misplaced cap, or clogged ports.

Check first: Make sure the cap sits flat and the burner is dry after cleaning.

Cooktop igniter keeps clicking

Clicking that does not stop usually means moisture in a switch or a failing spark module.

Check first: Let the cooktop dry completely after a spill or deep cleaning.

Weak or yellow cooktop flame

A yellow or lazy flame often means clogged ports, a misaligned cap, or a fuel setting that does not match your gas type.

Check first: Clean the burner ports gently with a pin and reseat the cap.

Safe checks you can do

• Turn the burner off and let it cool. Lift the cap, clean the head and ports with a soft brush, dry completely and reseat.
• Let a burner that has just been cleaned dry for several hours.
• If clicking will not stop, turn the knob off, and if needed turn off the breaker for the cooktop until it dries.
• Check that knobs turn smoothly and return to off.
• If you smell gas, turn burners off, do not touch switches, leave the home and call the gas company.

Parts that fail most often

• Spark switches fail after spills drip down the knob shafts.
• Burner caps get misaligned after cleaning.
• Igniters crack with age.

How your home affects it

In older homes

Older homes in the Houston area often have smaller kitchens and laundry closets built for smaller appliances, older wiring, and shut-off valves that have not been turned in years. Older ranges and gas lines deserve a careful check, and some older kitchens share a circuit between appliances.

In new construction

Newer homes in the Houston area usually come with builder-grade appliances, and many early problems are installation issues rather than failed parts. A missing anti-tip bracket or a gas range that was never converted correctly can cause problems from day one.

In apartments and condos

In apartments, condos and townhomes around the Houston area, space is tight and the building often has its own rules for access, parking and shut-off valves. Compact and slide-in ranges are common, often on a single small circuit.

In garages

Plenty of homes in the Houston area keep a second fridge, a freezer or the laundry in the garage, where summer heat regularly passes 100°F. Outdoor and garage cooking setups see more heat, dust and humidity than kitchen ranges.

During storm season

Storm season around the Houston area brings power outages, surges and sometimes flooding, and appliances often show problems right after the lights come back on. Surges can damage oven controls and igniters. If a gas appliance was underwater, do not use it until it is inspected.

When to call for repair

• Clicking continues after the cooktop is dry.
• The flame stays yellow or lifts off the burner.
• You smell gas when the burner is off.

If a glass cooktop is cracked, turn it off at the breaker. If you smell gas, leave the house and call the gas utility from outside.

Need help? We do cooktop repair across Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties. Call (832) 345-9300, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM. Every repair comes with a 1-year warranty on labor.

Common questions