Nothing feels worse than hearing the steady click of a cooker hob and seeing no flame. It breaks the flow of cooking and leaves you staring at cold pots. The good news is most of these issues are simple to fix if you follow a clear plan. This guide gives you that plan in plain steps without extra fluff.
A quick look at how ignition works
A gas hob lights when gas reaches the burner and the igniter sparks. The spark lights the gas, giving you a steady flame. If either gas or spark is missing, you’ll get clicking sounds with no flame. Keeping this in mind makes troubleshooting easier.
Gas supply and safety checks
Is the gas supply reaching the hob?
The most common reason for no flame is a blocked or closed gas supply. Without gas reaching the burner, the igniter keeps clicking but nothing lights.
Check the gas valve near the hob to see if it’s turned on. If you’re using a gas cylinder, make sure it isn’t empty. With piped gas, pressure problems can stop the flame from forming, so confirm with your supplier if the issue is widespread.
Sometimes gas hoses bend or get kinked, stopping flow. Straighten the line carefully and see if the clicking stops once gas flows again. If you smell gas but don’t see a flame, turn off the supply immediately and don’t use open fire for testing.
What if there’s a leak?
A gas leak can cause clicking without ignition because the gas escapes before it reaches the right point for lighting. This is dangerous and needs immediate attention.
Do a quick soap-bubble test by brushing soapy water along the pipe joints. If you see bubbles forming, you’ve got a leak. Shut the supply, open windows, and call a technician. Don’t try to fix leaks yourself since gas is highly flammable.
Burner issues (dirty, wet, or misaligned)
Can dirt stop the flame?
Yes, food debris, grease, or soot can block burner holes, stopping gas from reaching the igniter. A dirty burner often causes clicking with no flame.
Lift the burner cap and look for blocked ports. Use a pin or needle to clear them, but avoid wood toothpicks since they can break inside. Clean grease with warm water and mild soap. Make sure every port is free and gas can flow out evenly.
Can moisture cause trouble?
Moisture inside the burner or igniter blocks proper sparking, leading to endless clicking sounds.
Spills during cooking or over-wet cleaning are the main causes. If you recently wiped the hob or had a boil-over, leave the burners to dry fully. Speed things up with a hair dryer on a low setting. Once dry, the flame should appear normally.
What about misaligned caps?
A burner cap that isn’t seated correctly breaks the path between gas and spark, causing clicking but no flame.
Check that the cap sits flat and snug over the base. Even a slight tilt is enough to stop ignition. Realign the parts carefully and try again. Most times, fixing alignment solves the problem instantly.
Ignition system faults
What happens if the igniter itself is bad?
A worn or cracked igniter can’t spark strong enough to light gas, leading to clicking without flame.
Look at the tip of the igniter. If it’s chipped, blackened, or loose, it may need replacing. Igniters wear out over time, so if cleaning and drying don’t help, consider swapping it out with a new one.
Can wiring cause the clicking?
Loose, corroded, or broken wires in the ignition system can send sparks to the wrong place, giving you sound but no flame.
Check the wires connected to the igniter and make sure they’re not burnt or frayed. A technician can test current flow if you’re unsure. If wiring is damaged, replacement is the safest route.
Could the spark module be the issue?
If multiple burners click without lighting, the spark module that powers them may be failing.
This small box controls the spark across all burners. A faulty module can produce weak or misdirected sparks. This is not a quick home fix since it involves internal wiring, so getting professional help is the safer option here.
Step-by-step troubleshooting checklist
Follow this order to save time and avoid repeating steps:
- Check gas supply – Is the valve open, and is there enough gas?
- Listen and smell – Do you hear hissing or smell gas? If yes, shut off and call for help.
- Look at the burner – Remove caps and clean blocked holes.
- Dry the hob – If spills or wet cleaning happened, let it dry.
- Seat the burner cap – Make sure it’s sitting flat.
- Check the igniter tip – Clean dirt, see if it’s cracked or loose.
- Inspect wiring – Look for burnt or disconnected wires.
- Test other burners – If all fail, the spark module or main supply may be at fault.
Using this order keeps you from going in circles and narrows down the real problem quickly.
Safety precautions and when to call a professional
Never use matches or lighters to test gas leaks. Always keep windows open when testing or smelling for leaks. Unplug the hob if you’re inspecting wires or parts. Gas and electricity together can be risky, so if you’re unsure, stop and call a licensed technician.
Call for help if:
- You smell gas strongly.
- Cleaning, drying, and realigning don’t work.
- Sparks are weak or missing completely.
- Multiple burners fail at the same time.
It’s better to spend on a professional visit than risk a fire or gas poisoning.
Simple habits to prevent future problems
Clean the burners once a week instead of waiting for them to clog. Wipe spills right after cooking so grease doesn’t harden. When washing burners, dry them fully before putting them back. Keep the caps aligned after each cleaning session.
Schedule a yearly gas safety check with a qualified service. It catches leaks, weak igniters, and faulty wiring before they interrupt your cooking.
Wrapping it up
A hob that clicks but doesn’t light is usually telling you one of three things: gas isn’t flowing right, burners are blocked or wet, or the ignition system needs attention. Start with the easy checks like gas valves and burner caps, then move to cleaning and drying. If nothing works, the issue is deeper and needs expert repair. With a simple order of checks and some basic cleaning, you’ll often bring your hob back to life in minutes.