A sealed gas burner lights when the spark igniter throws a spark at the same moment gas flows past it at the burner port. If either half of that is off, the burner clicks without catching, or the gas comes but no spark arrives. Because it is a two-part problem, the fastest diagnosis separates the gas side from the ignition side, then narrows to the exact part rather than replacing the whole burner assembly.
What Is Usually Happening
- Burner cap out of place. A cap seated crooked or shifted after cleaning misaligns the ports with the spark, so the burner clicks but never lights.
- Clogged burner ports. Food debris or grease blocking the small ports around the burner starves the flame path.
- Moisture in the cap. Water from a boil-over or a wet cleaning sits in the cap and prevents ignition until it dries; it can also make the cooktop click continuously.
- Fouled or cracked igniter. A spark electrode coated in residue or with a cracked ceramic sparks weakly or not at all.
- Failed spark module or switch. The module that fires the igniters, or the switch behind a knob, can fail so a burner gets no spark, or the whole cooktop clicks nonstop.
- Gas supply or valve fault. A closed valve, an air-locked line after service, or a faulty burner valve can stop gas from reaching the burner.
Notes by Brand
Sealed-burner spark ignition works the same way across pro ranges, but the burner design and switch wiring differ. Here is how ignition complaints tend to present on the roster we service around Wilton and the Greenwich–Lower Fairfield service corridor.
- Wolf. Dual-fuel and gas ranges and rangetops with sealed burners and spark ignition and no fault codes. A crooked cap, a fouled igniter, or a stuck switch is the common cause; a clicking cooktop usually means moisture or a switch.
- Thermador. Star-burner ranges where the distinctive burner shape needs a correctly seated cap; ignition issues sometimes pair with an F-code on the range control.
- Viking. Professional and Tuscany sealed-burner ranges, mostly symptom-diagnosed, where a clogged port, a wet cap, or a weak igniter leads.
- Dacor. Modernist and Heritage ranges where a fouled igniter or a switch fault is typical; newer smart models may show a code.
- La Cornue. Hand-built Chateau and CornuFe ranges with no codes, diagnosed by the same gas-side and ignition-side checks, with care taken around the specialized burners.
- Bosch and Monogram. Sealed-burner cooktops and ranges where a spark module, switch, or igniter is the usual culprit; Monogram may post a GE-style F-code.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| One burner clicks but will not light | Crooked cap or clogged ports | Clean and reseat the cap, clear the burner ports |
| Burner will not light after a spill or cleaning | Moisture in the cap or on the igniter | Dry the cap and electrode, verify ignition |
| Weak or no spark at one burner | Fouled or cracked igniter | Clean or replace the spark igniter |
| Whole cooktop clicks continuously | Wet switch or failing spark module | Dry the surface, test switches and replace the module if faulty |
| Spark present but no gas at the burner | Closed valve, air lock, or faulty burner valve | Verify supply, purge the line, test and replace the valve |
Every failed light releases a little unburned gas. If a burner does not catch within a few seconds, turn the knob fully off, let the gas clear, and ventilate before trying again. If you smell gas that will not clear, leave the burner off, open a window, avoid any spark, flame, or switch, and do not use the range until it has been inspected. When the smell is strong or persistent, leave the home and contact your gas utility from outside.
What We Do on the Visit
We separate the gas side from the ignition side: cleaning and reseating the cap, clearing the ports, then testing the igniter, switch, spark module, and gas valve. We verify safe, clean ignition on every burner before we finish. You get the named cause and a written price before any repair, backed by a 365-day repair warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Does My Burner Click but Not Light?
Why Do All My Burners Keep Clicking Even When One Is Lit?
Is It Safe to Keep Trying to Light a Gas Burner That Will Not Catch?
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