Quick answer
When a gas oven will not light but the cooktop burners do, the usual cause is a weak hot-surface igniter: it glows, but not hot enough to open the gas valve, so the oven stays cold. Confirm the oven has power and is not locked, then watch the igniter on bake. A glow that lasts over 90 seconds with no flame points to the igniter; no glow points to the igniter, wiring or control. If you smell gas, turn it off and air the room. HomeAdvisor puts typical oven repairs at $130–$310. Call (888) 217-0236 to reach an appliance repair company taking calls in your ZIP; the line is answered 24/7.
Follow the short menu, then your 5-digit ZIP. The line goes quiet for a few seconds while it connects; stay on. If it does not connect, call once more: companies taking calls change minute to minute.
Written & reviewed by Marcus ReedIICRC WRT
Reviewed October 27, 2026· Next review Apr 2027
In a modern gas oven, the part that lights the gas is a hot-surface igniter, a small element that glows orange and lets the gas valve open only once it is hot enough. When it weakens with age it still glows, but not hot enough to open the valve, which is why the most common gas oven fault looks like this: the igniter glows, nothing lights, and the oven stays cold.
Check These First
- 1Confirm the oven has power. The display, the igniter and the valve are all electric. No display means check the outlet and the breaker first.
- 2Confirm gas is reaching the range. Light a cooktop burner. If the burners light, gas is reaching the range.
- 3Watch the igniter through the window or by removing the floor panel. Set the oven to bake and look at the igniter at the back or the bottom. Note whether it glows, how long it glows before anything happens, and whether you hear the burner light.
- 4Make sure the oven is not locked. A control lock or a just-finished self-clean will stop the bake cycle.
What the Igniter Tells You
| What you see | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Igniter glows for over 90 seconds, no flame | Weak igniter, the most common cause |
| No glow at all | Failed igniter, a wiring fault or the control not calling for heat |
| Flame lights, then goes out | Weak igniter or a faulty safety valve |
| Bake will not light, broiler will | Bake igniter |
| Clicking, as on a cooktop | Older spark-ignition oven: the spark module or electrode |
Talk to an appliance repair technician
One call reaches an appliance repair company taking calls in your ZIP, answered 24/7.
Safety
A gas oven is designed so the valve stays closed until the igniter is hot. If you smell gas when the oven fails to light, turn it off and air the kitchen. If the smell is strong or persists, leave the house and call your gas utility from outside. Do not try to light an oven burner with a match.
What a Repair Costs
HomeAdvisor puts typical oven and stove repairs at $130–$310. An igniter is one of the most common oven repairs. See the oven repair page for the table and sources.
When to Call
Call once you have confirmed power and gas, and the oven still does not light. (888) 217-0236 is answered 24/7 and connects you to an appliance repair company taking calls in your ZIP for washers, dryers, ovens, stoves, cooktops and freezers. Follow the short menu, enter your 5-digit ZIP and stay on while it connects; if it does not connect, call once more.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my oven igniter glow but not light?
Igniters weaken with age. They still glow but draw too little current to open the gas safety valve, so no gas flows. Replacing the igniter is one of the most common oven repairs.
Is it safe to light a gas oven with a match?
NoModern ovens are designed to keep the valve closed until the igniter is hot.
Turn it off, air the room, and call for repair; leave and call the gas utility if the smell is strong.
Why does my broiler work but not the bake burner?
Many gas ovens have a separate bake igniter. If the broiler lights and bake does not, the bake igniter is the likely part.
Sources
Methodology: How we source and verify data · Report an error
Disclaimer: HearthDry is an independent educational resource. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional, legal, or insurance advice. Consult licensed professionals before making decisions about your property or insurance claims.