Gas Oven Won’t Light? Try These 5 Fixes

Gas ovens have a lot of advantages—they’re cheap to run, heat up quickly, and allow for better control of your cooking experience. Best of all, some models still work even when there’s a power outage, so you can be prepared for any scenario. But what if your gas oven is refusing to light?
Not every gas oven utilizes a pilot light though so keep in mind that you might be better off searching by model number for a specific guide on handing your oven.

It can be frustrating, but don’t give up! You can try a few troubleshooting options to solve the problem—let’s dive into our five fixes. 

1. Check the gas supply

First things first—if your gas oven has no gas, it won’t be able to function! Determining if there’s a problem with the gas supply is an easy way to rule out the most obvious issue, and can even be an easy fix. 

• First, check to see if any part of your gas oven is functioning. If the burners are still lighting, the gas supply is not your problem. 
• If you have piped gas and other gas appliances in your home, check to see if they work. 
• If you use a propane tank, check to see if the tank is empty. 
• Check the gas shutoff valve. It should be fully open to allow gas to flow to your oven. 
• See if you can smell gas when trying to light your oven. Although gas is naturally odorless, a distinctive smell is added to allow people to detect leaks. 
• Contact your gas supplier to find out if there are any known issues in the gas supply in your region. 
• If the problem continues, get a licensed professional to come and have a look at the issue. 

2. Check the power supply

While gas ovens use gas to cook your food, some models also use a small amount of power to power the electronics, display, and igniters. A power outage can mean that your gas oven won’t light, as the igniter cannot provide the spark needed to light the gas. To fix this:

• Check to see if other electricity-powered parts of the stove are working, such as the clock display. 
• Check to confirm that the electricity is working in your home.
• Inspect your oven’s plug to ensure it is properly plugged into the electrical outlet. 
• Check your home’s circuit breaker, and ensure that the breaker that corresponds to your oven is flipped to the “on” position. 
• Once you’re confident the power is working, try lighting your oven again. If it still doesn’t ignite, try the next step. 

3. Check the igniter

The igniter provides the spark needed to light the stream of gas required to heat your gas oven. Normal use and wear and tear can cause igniters to become less effective, eventually leading to your oven failing to ignite. It’s also possible for grease and food debris from cooking to coat the ignitor, blocking it from sparking. To fix:

• Make sure your oven’s gas and power supply is turned off and completely cool. 
• Locate the igniter —you can check your manual if you’re not sure of the location. 
• Use a soft, damp cloth to thoroughly clean the igniter, getting rid of as much visible grease as possible. 
• Once clean, restore gas and power and try lighting the oven again. Pay particular attention to whether you can see a spark or a glow coming from the igniter. If nothing happens, the igniter will need to be replaced. 
• Purchase a replacement igniter compatible with your gas oven’s make and model, then install it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 
• Once installed, test to see if your oven is lighting properly. 

4. Check the pilot light

Some gas ovens utilize a pilot light to ignite the gas. This small, continually burning light fulfills the same function as an igniter. Your oven won’t light or heat if the pilot light is out. To fix:

• Consult your manual to help you locate the pilot light. In most models, this is located at the bottom of the oven. 
• Check to see if the pilot light is lit. If it is lit, you will see a small blue flame coming out of the pilot light assembly. If the flame is there, you can disregard the rest of this step and move on to the next one. 
• If the flame is not lit, follow the instructions in the oven’s manual to relight the flame. 
• If it still won’t light, disconnect the gas and thoroughly clean the pilot light assembly to remove any grease or debris.
• Once clean, turn the gas back on and try lighting the pilot light again. If it still won’t work, there may be an issue with the thermocouple, which detects whether the pilot light is on. Move on to the next step to fix this issue. 

5. Check the thermocouple (if it has one)

Gas ovens with pilot lights also have a thermocouple, which monitors whether the pilot light is lit. If the thermocouple is faulty, it might incorrectly determine that the pilot light is lit even when it isn’t, which can prevent your oven from lighting. To fix:

• Disconnect your oven from both the power and the gas supply. 
• You can refer to your manual for help locating the thermocouple. It is located near the pilot light assembly and looks like a thin metal rod. 
• Check the thermocouple for any visible damage. It might impact its functionality if bent or heavily coated in debris. 
• Thoroughly clean the thermocouple, then test to see if the oven lights. 
• If the issue persists, purchase a replacement compatible thermocouple and install it according to your user’s manual instructions. 
• Once the new part is in place, restore gas and power and test to see if your gas oven will light.