Burner clicking nonstop, or no flame at all? Learn what normal clicking sounds like, how to clean burner caps safely, and when a gas range needs a technician.
Most burner trouble on a gas range starts with something simple. Spills, boil-overs and wet parts stop the igniter from lighting the gas or from sensing the flame. A range whose burners all fail at once has a different problem, usually power or gas supply.
What clicking is normal
Igniters click while they light a burner. A Whirlpool gas range manual (opens in a new tab) describes short clicks, like tapping a nail on glass, that stop once a flame is detected. Clicking that continues after the burner is lit, or starts with every knob off, is not normal.
Clean the burner safely
- Turn off all the knobs and let the cooktop cool completely.
- Lift off the grate and burner cap, and wash them as your manual directs.
- Clear food from the gas opening with a damp cloth. Do not push debris into the opening.
- Dry every part. The same manual warns not to put caps back on burners while they are wet.
- Seat each cap flat and centered, then try the burner again.
Reading the flame
A healthy burner has a steady flame all the way around. A flame that is uneven or missing on one side often means a clogged port or a crooked cap. If only one burner fails while the others light, the fault is usually at that burner. If none light but the clicking works, check that the gas valve behind the range is open.
A safety check many people skip
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (opens in a new tab) warns that a range can tip over. Check that your range is secured with its anti-tip bracket, especially if it has been pulled out for cleaning or service.
When to call
Call if the clicking will not stop after a full cleaning and drying, or if a burner lights and then goes out. If you smell gas, do not touch the knobs or light switches. Leave the house and call your gas utility from outside. See our range repair page for more faults, and our cooktop guide if yours is a built-in unit.
Sources
- Gas Range User Instructions (opens in a new tab)Whirlpool
- Range and Oven Safety (opens in a new tab)U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
