If you attempt to fire up your gas oven and the igniter is glowing but there’s no flame, there are several possible reasons why it isn’t working correctly.
Oftentimes, an oven igniter that worn out and lost efficiency or a faulty gas valve are the reasons why the igniter is glowing but no flame.
Reasons Why Your Gas Oven Igniter Glows but There’s No Flame
Gas Igniter Failed
What is it: The gas igniter is responsible for igniting gas burner and thus heating the oven.
A normal operating oven’s igniter will come on and glow bright orange when you set the oven to bake something.
When the igniter is hot enough, the oven’s gas valve will open up and deliver gas through the oven’s burner.
The igniter then lights that gas that’s coming through the oven’s burner. If all is functioning properly, the oven will heat up accordingly.
If the igniter is worn out and lost efficiency, it will not getting hot enough and thus your oven won’t light.
This is usually followed by the smell of gas. If your igniter isn’t working properly, there’s no reason to be alarmed.
The gas valve is equipped with a safety shutoff that turns off the gas in the event that the igniter isn’t functioning properly.
Why it fails: The most common issue associated with a failed igniter is that glowing igniter isn’t drawing enough current to open the gas valve, mostly due to the age of the igniter.
So, even if you see your oven igniter glowing, but it takes much more time to finally ignite burner, there is a big chance that igniter is lost efficiency and needs to be replaced.
How to fix: There are a few steps to follow to check the igniter. First, make sure that you turn off the circuit breaker to your oven.
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Next, you want to confirm that the power is off by examing the user interface panel, light, and other electrical units. If they aren’t working, you’ll know that the power is off.
Follow this by removing the oven racks, as well as any metal plating on the bottom of your oven. Doing this will give you access to the gas burner and igniter.
Check the igniter for any discoloration. This could be on the element or coil. Basically, anything that looks different from other parts of the igniter. The discoloration is often a dead giveaway that the igniter has failed.
If, however, the igniter looks to be OK, you may turn back on the power and set the oven to heat. Make sure you examine the igniter at the start of its heating cycle.
It should start glowing bright orange in just a few seconds. If it doesn’t and the gas isn’t igniting quickly, turn off the oven so as to halt the ignition function.
This tells you that the igniter is faulty and needs to be replaced.
Gas Valve Malfunctioned
What is it: The gas valve is what ensures gas safely comes through to the oven’s burner.
This happens only when the igniter is hot enough and drawing the proper amount of current.
When the igniter reaches a certain point of heat, gas is delivered to the burner and is properly ignited.
Why it fails: The gas valve rarely malfunctions. In fact, it’s often one of the last things to go bad on a gas oven. If there’s an issue, it’s usually related to insufficient voltage.
How to fix: You should hire a qualified professional to perform a live voltage check. This will allow him to determine if the oven’s gas valve is getting the proper electrical continuity. If there isn’t continuity present at the terminals, they may need to use a multimeter to determine if there is a break somewhere in the electrical flow.
This is usually between the bi-metal within the gas valve itself. If that’s the case, you’ll know that the valve needs to be replaced with a functioning one.
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What Are the Symptoms When Gas Ignitor Failing/ When Its Time to Get a New Ignitor
The oven takes a long time to preheat
What is it: The majority of gas ovens take about 8 to 15 minutes to reach 350 degrees.
Why it fails: A weak igniter could be to blame for why it’s taking so long for your oven to preheat. This can ultimately result in an improper gas flame, as well as high carbon dioxide emissions.
How to fix: Replacing the igniter could resolve your heating issue. To be sure that this is the problem, be sure to refer back to the previous steps to ensure that you are following the proper protocol for checking your igniter.
The gas smell coming from the oven when preheating
What is it: It’s normal to smell the faint scent of gas when starting your oven. This is due to the combustion of gas in the oven when it’s ignited.
Why it fails: A faulty igniter can result in you smelling more gas than usual. To ensure that your home is safe from high carbon dioxide emissions, have your igniter checked right away.
How to fix: Oftentimes, replacing the igniter will remedy the strong smell of gas from your oven. Remember, though, you are likely to continue smelling gas every time you light your oven. This is normal. Only when your oven doesn’t get hot should you be concerned.
Mini explosion or “woof sound” when the oven is Preheating
What is it: This happens when the gas improperly builds up in the oven before igniting. The “woof sound” can usually occur about two to five minutes after turning on the oven.
Why it fails: Many times, when gas igniter can’t provide enough current to open gas valve in a certain time, gas igniter will open valve slow (when the igniter is new its opens fast) allowing some amount of gas to “leak” through the valve without ignition.
How to fix: Replace igniter with a new one. First, make sure that you turn off the circuit breaker to your oven.
Next, you want to confirm that the power is off by examing the clock, light, and other electrical functions. If they aren’t working, you’ll know that the power is off.
Follow this by removing the oven racks, as well as any metal plating on the bottom of your oven. Doing this will give you access to the gas burner and igniter.
If needed, carefully pull the oven out from its place in order to get access to the back panel.
Remove the back panel and you will see an oven igniter wire connection. Or on some models in order to reach igniter wire connection, you need to remove the bottom drawer (underneath the oven)
Conclusion
Always be sure to let a licensed professional take care of any gas parts and valves within your oven. Going so on your own can be dangerous. If it is determined that your gas valve is faulty, it might be more cost-effective to replace the parts rather than having them repaired.
It’s important to examine your igniter the moment it begins giving you trouble. Failure to do so could result in even more problems. With the proper recourse, you can ensure the safety of your oven, and your home.
Hi I have a gas stove that does not won’t to light, but if I crack the oven door it ignites Immediately . It will also ignite Immediately if I close off the damper That lets air in the line with my handand then quickly let go any suggestions. Any help would be much appreciated
Thanks
Have no idea, Kyle
I have a Frigidaire gas stove. The oven heats up but there are no flames . How is this possible?
Could this be caused by dirty gas or moisture in gas?
No
I replaced ignitor. It glows when I turn on oven. When ignitor glows gas comes out and starts. Sometimes ignitor glows gas comes out and it doesn’t starts. Gas odor so I shut off. What could b wrong
Aftermarket ignitor not positioned close enough to the gas burner, may need to slightly bend bracket closer to gas burner
We have an apartment size natural gas range. I’m wondering if one could replace an oven pilot light with an igniter.
Mom has a stove with a double oven. Neither the ovens or the broiler ignite. I can see the igniter glow but no gas is flowing through on either oven. I’m hoping it’s not the gas valve but it looks like multiple igniters doing the same thing.
This kind of issue requires proper troubleshooting by an experienced tech. But, I would check the resistance of the gas valve coils and check if its getting power.
Besides the gas valve, it can be a weak ignitor or faulty control board.
I have a Whirlpool stove oven ignites heat up the temp perfect but then when it calls for heat again the igniter glows but does not release gas
Replace igniter, it is getting weaker.
Hi I have a Kenmore gas stove and when I first turn my stove on it says bake and preheat. The only thing that I see is a orange glow but no flames. Does it take awhile for you to see flames when you first start it? Or is there something wrong with it. And I don’t smell no gas.
You need to replace a weak gas ignitor
I have a GE Hotpoint model RGB530DEP1WW. The oven igniter lights but does not light. Probably the igniter. For this model, I only see a single igniter so I am assuming that the broiler (which also does not light) is controlled by the same igniter. Can you verify, please? Thanks.
That is correct. I also checked the diagram and it seems, they are using the same igniter for the bake and broil. here is the igniter you are looking for.
Thank you for your response. I’ve used both. The first time I replaced the unite I used an OEM part. The second time a substitute from Amazon. I supposed the OEM lasted a little longer (a year or two instead of just a few months!).
I diagnosed my oven with a faulty ignitor and replaced it it. A few months later, we’re having the same problem–basically, ignitor glows, gas comes out but does not light. There’s a strong smell of gas and a “woof” sound when the gas does come on. Did I just get bad luck with the new ignitor? Is there something else going on? This would be the third ignitor in six years, which seems excessive. It’s a GE Hotpoint. Thank you for any help you can offer.
Yeah, sounds like you need a new ignitor… Just wondering, did you buy an OEM part or just a substitute from Amazon?