Among range service calls, a gas burner that clicks repeatedly without catching is one of the most frequent, and it’s usually an affordable, straightforward repair. But there’s an important safety distinction to understand.
The Common, Low-Risk Cause
Most of the time, a burner that clicks but won’t catch comes down to one of two things: a worn-out igniter, or a burner cap and port clogged with food debris or moisture that’s keeping the spark from reaching the gas.
The Scenario That Requires Immediate Action
Smell gas at any point — clicking igniter or not — and the response is the same: don’t try to relight it, don’t touch any switch, leave the house, and call your gas utility or 911 from outside; stay out until it has been made safe and a technician has inspected it.
What Causes the Difference
A worn igniter or dirty burner port is an ignition problem. A gas smell indicates a supply issue, potentially a loose fitting or valve problem, which is a different and more serious category of problem.
Getting It Fixed
For routine igniter issues, visit our range repair page to book a standard visit. If you ever smell gas, get everyone out and call your gas utility or 911 from outside right away; we come after it has been made safe.