If your gas hob clicks but won’t light, or lights and then goes straight out, the cause is usually simple: wet or misaligned burner caps, food blocking the igniter, or a flame failure device that needs the knob held in a little longer. You can check all of those safely. If you smell gas, see yellow or uneven flames, or the hob still won’t stay lit, stop and call a Gas Safe registered engineer. With Christmas cooking coming up, it’s a good time to get gas appliances serviced in Bexley and nearby.
If you smell gas, stop
A hob that won’t light can leave unburnt gas in the room. If you can smell gas, turn all the knobs off, don’t try to light anything, open windows and doors, and don’t use switches. If the smell doesn’t clear quickly, or it’s strong, turn off the gas at the meter, leave the property and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. Our post on the signs of a gas leak covers what to do next.
Hob clicks but won’t light
This usually means the spark is there but the gas isn’t igniting properly. With the hob off and cool:
- Check the burner caps. Lift them off, make sure they’re dry and clean, then refit them so they sit perfectly flat. A cap that’s slightly off-centre is one of the most common causes.
- Clean the burner ports. Spills and boiled-over pasta water block the small holes around the burner. Wash and dry the parts as the manufacturer’s manual describes, and make sure they’re completely dry before refitting.
- Wipe the igniter. The small ceramic tip next to the burner can get coated in grease. Wipe it gently with a dry cloth or old toothbrush.
- Try a match. If the burner lights with a match but not the igniter, the spark side is the problem, not the gas.
Hob lights but goes out when you let go
Most modern gas hobs have a flame failure device, a small probe that senses the flame and cuts the gas if it goes out. It needs a few seconds to warm up.
- Push in and turn the knob, light it, and keep holding for 10 to 15 seconds before letting go
- Make sure the probe isn’t bent away from the flame or coated in grime
- Check the burner cap is seated properly, as an uneven flame may not reach the probe
If it still goes out every time, the probe or its connection may have failed. That’s a repair for a Gas Safe registered engineer.
No gas at all
If nothing happens on any burner, check other gas appliances such as the boiler or oven. If they’re all off, check for credit on a prepayment meter and whether the meter valve is open. Some kitchens also have an isolation valve on the hob’s gas supply behind the unit. If you’re not sure, don’t go hunting behind the cooker. Call an engineer.
Warning signs to take seriously
Stop using the hob and get it checked if you see:
- Yellow or orange flames instead of crisp blue ones
- Soot marks on pans or around the burners
- Flames lifting off the burner or roaring
- Gas smell even when the hob is off
These can point to poor combustion, which can produce carbon monoxide. A working alarm in the kitchen area is a sensible extra layer of protection, and our carbon monoxide alarms page explains the options.
Gas cookers in Dartford and Bexley homes
Many kitchens in Dartford and Bexley still have freestanding gas cookers that have been in place for years, often with flexible hoses and bayonet connectors behind them. Those hoses perish over time. If your cooker has been pulled out for cleaning or decorating, have the connection checked before you rely on it for Christmas dinner.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my gas hob keep clicking after it’s lit?
Usually moisture or spilt food around the igniter or switch, which makes the spark keep firing. Turn the hob off, let it dry fully, and clean around the knobs and igniters. If it carries on clicking when everything’s dry, the ignition switch may be faulty and needs a qualified engineer to look at it.
Can I replace a gas hob myself?
No. Connecting or disconnecting any gas appliance in the UK must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. It’s a legal requirement, not just advice. A poor connection can leak gas. Swapping burner caps or cleaning parts is fine, but anything involving the gas supply isn’t.
Do gas cookers need servicing?
There’s no legal requirement for homeowners, but it’s sensible to have gas cookers checked periodically, especially older ones. An engineer can test the flame failure devices, check the hose and connection, and confirm burners are burning cleanly. Landlords must include gas cookers they supply in the annual gas safety check.
Need your hob or cooker checked?
If your hob still won’t light properly, or you want your gas appliances checked before Christmas, give us a call on 020 3722 5095 or drop us a message and we’ll book a Gas Safe engineer to take a look.