Is Your Gas Stove Clicking? Here’s What To Do

Are you trying to use your stovetop, and all you hear is that clicking sound without it lighting up? Gas stove owners might be concerned or frustrated with this problem. Luckily, they aren't alone and can often resolve this problem easily (sometimes even on their own). There is a wide range of common issues that lead to a gas stove clicking, including dirty, wet, or misaligned burner caps, insufficient gas supply levels, or faulty ignitor modules.

This article will discuss why your gas stove is clicking and how to resolve this problem. When any of our cleaning, drying, or repositioning tips don't resolve the problem, you can count on our expert Atlanta appliance repair team at Mr. Appliance of Greater Atlanta for effective and reliable solutions with our professional services.

Keep on reading to find out more about why your gas stove is clicking and what to do about it!

Is It Dangerous When My Gas Stove is Clicking?

If your gas stove is clicking, it can understandably strike as a safety concern for a homeowner. Thankfully, in most circumstances, the culprit of the clicking noise is not a cause for alarm. This is a normal sound that is produced when the stove is attempting to light the gas. That being said, you should be proactive about the signs that the gas stove clicks indicate something more serious, such as a gas leak.

While these instances are rare, it is important to recognize that a clicking gas stove can sometimes relate to a gas leak or supply line issue. If this were to occur, you would be able to hear a hissing noise coming from the gas pipes and smell the distinct odor of gas. In this case, you should take immediate action by evacuating the premises and calling a professional for a gas line repair.

Gas Stove Clicking When You Haven’t Used Your Burners Recently

When you have been on vacation or just haven't used your stovetop very often, you may experience long gas-clicking noises. However, if this is the case, the ignition should start after a couple of tries since the accumulated air needs to be cleared out by the gas. Try turning the stove knobs on and off in increments to see if this is the culprit of the issue. These are common ignition issues that are easy to fix.

Gas Stove Clicking from Dirty Burner Heads or Burner Ports

Constant clicking without ignition may be due to a dirty burner head. Burned-on food will cause inefficient ignition. To get rid of food scraps off of your burners, you can clean them yourself. Some of our cleaning tips for your gas stove include:

  • Remove the stove grates and burner caps for separate cleaning in your sink
  • Use gentle bristle cleaning tools with dish soap and a bit of water to scrub off tough food debris from the stovetop
  • Never submerge the burner or stovetop with water. While a little bit is okay, excess amounts can cause a faulty spark module
  • Properly scrub down and wipe off any soap, water, or remaining debris

A regular cleaning schedule is crucial to prevent this in the future. You can wipe down loose food debris after every use and then perform a deep clean whenever you notice grease spills or any other food residue.

Gas Stove Clicking Because of Misaligned Burner Caps or Burner Ports

That continuous clicking noise coming from your gas stove could be the cause of misaligned burner caps. Gas stoves have cast iron burner ports and caps that go on top of the igniter system. When these become misplaced or not in their secure position, they can block off the spark switch from the igniter. This disruption of the flow of gas will significantly affect the performance of your stovetop, which is why it's crucial to make sure they are in their correct position.

To fix this problem, you can easily reassemble the placement of your burner caps and ports. The first step is to remove all of the stove grates so that you can access the burner caps. From there, you can easily lift the burner cap from its base and realign the cap so that it fits properly. Once you have gotten the ports and caps back to their correct position, you can reassemble your stove grates and try to turn on your stove!

Gas Stove Clicking Due to Excess Moisture on Gas Burners or Burner Ports

As we all know, fire and water don't mesh well, and any accidental spills can make your gas stove prone to ignition failure. It is important to clean spills up whenever you notice them to prevent residual moisture from building up within the system. Here is our recommended drying process for your wet stovetops:

  • Wipe the surface down with a cloth thoroughly
  • Use a vent fan or an air fan to circulate airflow and remove lingering moisture
  • Leave your stove turned off for a few hours, even a day, depending on how much water the unit absorbed

This proactive drying method can help your gas flame failures dissipate, causing you to use your gas stove again. It is important to dry out your stovetop anytime you notice significant amounts of water spilling onto your burners to prevent electrical failures and ignition disruptions.

Gas Stove Clicking Because Your Gas Supply Valve Is Turned Off

Sometimes, your gas stove is clicking because your gas supply valve is turned off. To resolve this issue, locate your gas supply valve and see if the knob is turned to the off or on position.

Another reason for your gas stove clicking could be a gas line problem. Although rare, a clicking gas stove can indicate issues with your gas line. This can be alarming for homeowners since gas line leaks can pose serious health and safety hazards. Some of the potential issues with your gas supply line could be either insufficient gas levels or a gas line break. If you suspect any damage to your gas line, it's best to call professionals for assistance so that you can identify whether there is a gas leak in your home.

Gas Stove Clicking Due to a Faulty Igniter, Spark Module, or Spark Switch

One of the main common problems for persistent clicking gas stoves is a faulty ignition system. Your stove is comprised of the igniter, spark module, and spark switch to cause flames to ignite. When any of these components are worn out or damaged, they will hinder the performance of your gas stove, causing it to make a clicking noise without ignition.

Here is more information about each of the ignition components of your stove and why they may be the reason your gas stove is clicking:

  • Faulty spark modules: Spark modules are the electrical component that allows the igniter to light the gas. However, if the spark module is defective, it can prevent the igniter from producing the spark to light the gas.
  • Faulty spark switch: Spark switches work alongside the spark module. It is a switch that sends voltage over to the spark module, and if it fails to send a signal over, it can cause the gas stove to click and fail to ignite.
  • Faulty igniter: The igniter is a very small component that ignites the gas, causing the flame. If these are damaged, they will cause your gas stove to malfunction.

If you suspect that any of these components are faulty, contact an experienced appliance team for an inspection and gas stove repair. They will either re-wire loose connections or replace faulty parts to ensure that your stove heats up smoothly and efficiently again.

Call Mr. Appliance Today to Get Professional Repair Service for Your Clicking Gas Stove

If any of our tips and tricks, such as cleaning, drying, repositioning, or checking your gas valve, haven't been a success in your gas stove failure, we are here to take care of the problem from here on out.

If you need reliable gas stove repair services, look no further than our trusted team at Mr. Appliance of Greater Atlanta. We have the skills and expertise to properly inspect the entire stove system, including the igniter, gas lines, and electrical connections, to find out why your gas stove is clicking. From there, we will perform the proper repairs necessary, whether it's re-wiring your spark switch, replacing your faulty igniter, or tightening any loose connections.

It's easy to schedule a gas stove repair appointment. Our customer care team always responds to any phone calls promptly and kindly and allows for flexible appointment times that work around your busy schedule.

Whether you’re in Atlanta or the nearby areas of Buckhead or Brookhaven, call us today to schedule service with our trusted team of professionals at Mr. Appliance of Greater Atlanta. We can help with not only your gas stove issues but also any of your other home appliance concerns.