5 Common Reasons Your Gas Oven Isn’t Working

If your gas oven isn’t working, it can be hard to know where to start. It can be difficult to tell if there is an issue with the gas supply itself, with the wiring, or one of the components. By methodically going through the steps in this guide, you can pinpoint the source of the malfunction – and hopefully, have your gas oven back up and cooking! Let’s get started!

1. Gas Supply Failure

Before you look any further, make sure the gas supply is functioning properly. It sounds obvious, but a gas oven can’t work without an adequate supply of gas. If the supply is interrupted or your gas is running low, your gas oven won’t function. 

To check your gas supply:

• Make sure the gas supply valve is turned to the ‘on’ position. The valve is usually located at the back of your gas oven. 
• Check to see if any part of your gas oven is functioning. Try all the burners – if nothing is working, this indicates an issue with the gas supply. 
• If you have any other gas appliances in your house, check to see if they are functioning. This can help you figure out if the issue lies with the gas supply itself or with the supply lines to your oven. 
• Check your gas meter to see if the numbers on the meter are going up. If the numbers change, it means that gas is flowing, which indicates there is an obstruction somewhere in the gas line. 
• If you determine that there is a gas supply issue or you suspect a gas leak, call in a professional. Working with gas can be dangerous and requires a qualified technician to fix it. 

2. Power Supply Problems

While gas ovens use gas to cook your food, most models still require some electricity. This is used to power the display and the igniters. If your gas oven does not have a functioning power supply, then the igniter won’t glow to light the stream of gas, and your oven won’t work. 

To troubleshoot this issue:

• Check your gas oven to see if the display is working. If it is, then the power supply is not your issue. 
• Check if any other appliances in your home are having power supply issues. If they are, contact your electricity provider. 
• Make sure your gas oven is properly connected to the power supply. Check the power cord and ensure none of the connections are loose or damaged. 
• Make sure the circuit breaker that powers the oven is turned on. Check your circuit board and make sure the breaker that corresponds to the oven is in the ‘on’ position. 
• Once you’ve ensured the power supply is functioning, test to see if the gas oven is now working. If not, move on to the next step in this guide. 

3. Clogged Burners

Gas ovens use a burner to cook your food, which is located at the bottom interior of the oven underneath a panel. If the burner gets clogged with grease or food debris, this can block the hole that lets out the gas, preventing the burner from lighting. 

To clean the burner:

• Turn the gas supply valve off and make sure the oven is disconnected from the power. 
• Open the oven and remove any racks. 
• Remove the lower oven panel – in most models, this will need to be unscrewed. 
• Unscrew the burners and remove them from your oven. Refer to your oven manual if you have issues with this. 
• Soak the burners in a mild detergent solution for about an hour, then wipe away any grease or debris. Use a toothpick to clear away any grease stuck in the burner holes. 
• If there is stubborn grime, make a paste of baking soda and water and spread this on the worst spots. Leave it for an hour, and then wipe away. 
• Put the burners somewhere warm to dry completely before putting them back in place. 
• Put your oven back together, restore power and gas supply, and test to see if the gas oven is working. 

4. Damaged or Faulty Burners

If, during the above step, you notice that the gas burners appear rusty or otherwise damaged, they will need to be replaced. This is a simple process – the most important thing is making sure you purchase the right replacement parts. 

• Purchase some new burners to ensure you get ones that are compatible with your make and model of gas oven. 
• Follow the steps above to gain access to the burners. 
• Remove and discard the damaged burners. 
• Install the new burners in place of the faulty ones. 
• Put your oven back together and test to see if your gas oven is now working. 

5. Faulty Igniter

If you’ve tried all the above fixes and your gas oven still isn’t working, the culprit might be the igniter. The igniter is powered by electricity – it glows and ignites the stream of gas from the burner. If the igniter is faulty, it won’t be able to light the gas, and your oven won’t work. 

To check the igniter:

• Cut power and gas supply to your oven. 
• Remove the lower panel to access the burners and igniter, as outlined in Step 3. 
• Test the igniter with a multimeter for continuity. You can find the recommended reading in your manual, but in general, it should read between 200 and 300 ohms. 
• If the igniter is found to be faulty, it will need to be replaced. Remove it, ensuring you take note of how the igniter is connected to its wiring harness. 
• Source a replacement igniter that is compatible with your model of the oven, and install it in place of the faulty igniter. 
• Put your oven back together, restore the power and gas supply, and test to see if the oven is now functioning.