What it looks like
Most no-light calls fall into a few patterns. You turn the knob, hear the igniter clicking, and nothing catches. Or you hear nothing at all. Or one burner lights fine and the one next to it refuses. Sometimes a burner lights with a long match but never with the button, and sometimes it lights, burns for a few seconds, and dies.
Each of those points somewhere different. Clicking with no flame tells you the spark module has power. Silence points at the battery, the button or the module. A burner that lights by match but not by spark points at the electrode or its wire. A flame that won't stay lit, on a burner with a push-and-hold knob, usually means a thermocouple or safety valve problem, which has its own page.
Likely causes, most common first
This is roughly the order our techs find them on Los Angeles service calls.
Dead battery or corroded contacts
Most battery ignition modules run on a single AA or AAA behind the push button. A weak cell gives a slow, lazy click that won't jump the gap.
Learn moreDirty or misaligned electrode
Grease and carbon build up on the ceramic electrode tip, or the tip gets bumped away from the burner during cleaning. The spark goes to ground somewhere useless.
Learn moreSpiders in the venturi tubes
Webs and egg sacs in the burner inlet starve the burner of gas and air. The spark is there, but the mixture isn't.
Learn morePropane regulator in bypass
If a tank valve gets opened with a burner knob already on, the regulator's safety device can trip and pass only a trickle of gas.
Learn moreCracked wire or failed module
Igniter wires run close to hot metal and get brittle. Modules die from heat and moisture, especially on older built-ins.
Learn moreGas supply or valve problem
A closed shutoff, an empty tank, a clogged orifice or a stuck valve. These need more care than the items above.
Learn moreWhat you can safely check yourself
With all burner knobs off and the grill cool:
- Swap the ignition battery for a fresh one and wipe any white crust off the contacts.
- Press the igniter in a shaded spot and watch each electrode. You should see a sharp blue spark at every burner.
- Make sure the gas supply is actually on: tank valve open, or the natural gas shutoff handle in line with the pipe.
- Lift the grates and heat plates and look at the electrode tips. Brush off carbon with a dry toothbrush and check the tip sits about an eighth of an inch from the burner ports.
- On propane, reset the regulator (steps below) if the flames have been small or a burner won't catch.
- Try lighting one burner with a long lighter through the match-light hole. If it lights by match, the gas side is working and the problem is spark.
Resetting a propane regulator
Turn every burner knob off. Close the tank valve and unscrew the regulator from the tank. Wait about a minute, reconnect it hand tight, then open the tank valve slowly, a quarter turn at first and then the rest of the way. Wait a few seconds before turning a burner on, then light one burner at a time. Opening the tank fast, or with a knob already open, is what trips it in the first place.
If you want to confirm there are no leaks at the tank connection afterward, our soap test guide walks through it.
How we fix it
- 1
Confirm spark and gas separately
We test the module output, look at each electrode, and check supply pressure at the manifold so we're not guessing which side has failed.
- 2
Pull the burners
Burners come out so we can clear the venturi tubes, check the ports, and look at the orifices for blockage or damage.
- 3
Repair the ignition path
Electrodes get cleaned and regapped or replaced, and brittle wires are swapped. If the module is the problem, we replace it with an OEM or matched part.
- 4
Address the gas side
Regulators, hoses or stuck valves get replaced where needed. Every connection we touch is leak tested before the grill goes back together.
- 5
Light every burner
We light each burner from the button, several times, and check flame color and height before we leave.
When it's more than a lighting problem
On an older built-in, a no-light call sometimes turns up burners that are rusted through or valves that have gone stiff. We'll tell you what we see and what it means for the grill. If the repair list gets long, our repair or replace guide lays out how we think about it, and we can always fit a new grill into the existing island through grill replacement.
Grill won't light: questions
The igniter clicks but only one burner lights. Why?
Each burner usually has its own electrode and wire. If one lights and the others don't, the spark module is fine and the fault is at that burner: a dirty or bent electrode, a cracked wire, or a blocked venturi tube.
Is it safe to light my grill with a match?
Most grills have a match-light hole or a lighting rod for exactly this. Open the hood, hold the flame at the burner first, then turn the knob. If it doesn't light within a few seconds, turn it off and wait a few minutes before trying again.
My grill sat all winter and now won't light. Is that normal?
Very. Spiders move into burner tubes when a grill sits, and batteries die. Start with a new battery and a regulator reset if you're on propane. If that doesn't do it, the burners probably need to come out and be cleared.
Can you fix it on the same visit?
Usually. We carry common igniters, electrodes, modules and regulators on the truck. Brand-specific parts for some premium grills may need to be ordered.
How much does the repair cost?
It depends on the brand, what failed and which parts it needs. Send us a couple of photos, including the model tag if you can find it, and we'll give you a quote.
Related guides
BBQ Grill Repair
On-site repair for gas grills: ignition, burners, valves, regulators, gas leaks and the hardware that wears out, with common parts carried on the truck.
TroubleshootingSpiders in Burner Tubes
Spider webs in burner venturi tubes are a common cause of weak flames and flashback fires. Here's how to spot it, clean it and prevent it.
TroubleshootingWhy Your Grill Won't Get Hot
The common reasons a gas grill runs cold, in the order techs check them, including the regulator reset that fixes many propane grills.
SafetyHow to Do a Gas Leak Soap Test
How to check a propane or natural gas grill for leaks with soapy water, step by step, and what to do if you find bubbles.
Care & how-toWhat to Expect on a Grill Repair Visit
A walk-through of a mobile grill repair visit, from what to send ahead of time to the gas checks and testing before the tech leaves.
Grill still won't light?
Call or text us, or send a couple of photos of the control panel and burners. We'll tell you what we think is going on and get a tech out.