Quick answer
One dead burner is usually a fault in that burner alone. On a gas stove, a burner that clicks but will not light is usually wet, clogged or has its cap seated crooked: dry it, seat the cap and clear the ports with a pin. On an electric coil stove, swap the cold coil into a working socket: if it heats there, the socket or switch has failed; if not, the coil has. Smooth-top elements, igniters and switches need a technician. Typical stove repairs run $130–$310 (HomeAdvisor). 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
One dead burner on a stove that otherwise works is usually a fault in that burner alone: the coil or its socket on an electric coil top, the switch behind the knob, or a clogged or wet burner on a gas stove. When every burner fails at once, look at power or gas supply first.
Gas Stove: Burner Clicks but Will Not Light
- 1Let it dry. A boil-over soaks the burner cap and igniter. Remove the cap and grate, dry them fully and wait an hour before trying again.
- 2Seat the burner cap. A cap that sits crooked by a few millimeters will click and not light, or light with a lopsided flame.
- 3Clear the ports. Use a straight pin or a needle to clear the small flame ports. Do not use a toothpick, which can snap off inside.
- 4Check for a spark. In a dim room, turn the knob to light. No spark at one burner points to its igniter; no spark anywhere points to the spark module or power.
If you smell gas with the knobs off, turn everything off, leave the house and call the gas utility from outside.
Electric Stove: One Burner Stays Cold
- 1Swap the coil. On a coil top, unplug a cold coil and plug it into a working socket of the same size. If it heats there, the socket or the switch is the fault; if it stays cold, the coil is.
- 2Look at the socket. Burned, loose or pitted contacts in the socket are common and cause a coil to work only when pressed down.
- 3Smooth tops. On glass and ceramic cooktops the element sits under the glass, so a single dead zone is a job for a technician. A cracked glass top should not be used.
Talk to an appliance repair technician
One call reaches an appliance repair company taking calls in your ZIP, answered 24/7.
What Each Sign Points To
| What you see | Likely cause | Who fixes it |
|---|---|---|
| Gas burner clicks, no flame | Wet or clogged burner, misaligned cap | You, then a technician if it persists |
| Gas burner never clicks | Igniter or spark module | Technician |
| Coil works in another socket | Socket, wiring or infinite switch | Technician |
| Coil cold in any socket | Failed coil element | Replace the coil |
| Smooth-top zone dead | Radiant element or switch under the glass | Technician |
| Burner stuck on high | Failed infinite switch | Technician; switch it off at the breaker meanwhile |
What a Repair Costs
HomeAdvisor's typical range for oven and stove repairs is $130–$310, about $200. A coil or a socket is a small job; a switch or a spark module is mid-range; a glass cooktop element costs more. The stove and cooktop repair page has the details.
When to Call
Call once drying, the cap and the coil swap have not fixed it, and right away for a burner stuck on high or a cracked glass top. (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 gas stove click but not light?
The burner is usually wet from a spill, clogged, or the cap is not seated flat. If drying and cleaning do not help, the igniter or the gas flow to that burner needs a technician.
Why is one burner on my electric stove not working?
On a coil top it is usually the coil, the socket it plugs into or the infinite switch behind the knob. Swapping the coil into a working socket tells you which.
How much does it cost to fix a stove burner?
HomeAdvisor's typical range for oven and stove repairs is $130–$310, about $200. A coil or socket is a small job; a smooth-top element costs more.
What should I do if a burner is stuck on high?
The infinite switch has likely failed. Switch the stove off at the breaker until a technician replaces it.
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.
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