Spark Plus Gas Equals Flame
A sealed gas burner lights when a spark igniter fires next to a clean stream of gas. When it clicks without lighting, one of those two ingredients is off. The most common culprit is the burner cap: after a spill or a cleaning, a cap that is wet or seated slightly off keeps the spark from reaching the gas, or blocks the ports that let gas out. Dry it, seat it flat, and clear the ports, and many burners light again. If the spark itself is weak or absent, the spark module or the switch under the knob is failing.
The Usual Causes
- Wet or misaligned cap: the most common and the easiest to fix.
- Clogged burner ports: food or grease blocking the gas outlets.
- Weak spark module: the component that generates the ignition spark.
- Shorted spark switch: fires all igniters at once, causing nonstop clicking.
- Gas-flow issue: a partially closed valve or a supply problem starving the burner.
Notes by Brand
Wolf sealed burners rely on a spark igniter at each burner; a burner that clicks but will not light most often needs the cap dried and re-seated or the spark module replaced. Viking and Thermador star and pro-style burners follow the same pattern, and Thermador cooktops that click continuously usually have a shorted spark switch. Dacor, Monogram, Jenn-Air, and La Cornue gas burners share the spark-and-port logic. On any of them, a clean, dry, correctly seated cap is the first thing to confirm.
Quick Reference
| What You Notice | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Clicks, no flame | Wet cap or clogged port | Dry, re-seat, and clear the burner |
| No spark at all | Spark module | Replace the spark module |
| All burners click | Shorted spark switch | Replace the failed switch |
| Weak, slow flame | Gas flow or port | Clear the port, check the valve |
Burner Will Not Light?
Book a visit for a safe, written diagnosis. Diagnostic and travel fees, if applicable, are confirmed before the appointment and before repair approval.