Why Your Gas Stove Won’t Light But Smell Gas?

Gas stove won’t light but smell gas? You might be having a clogged burner, a broken igniter, electrical issue, gas pressure issue, faulty thermostat, a faulty valve, an obstruction in the gas line, or even a leaking gas. 

There may also be an obstruction in the gas line. You will find out the solution to all these issues in this article. So read on until the very end!

Key Takeaway

Why Gas Stove Won’t Light But Smell Gas?

When a gas stove is not lighting but you can smell gas, there are several possible reasons why this is happening. Here are some of the basic mechanisms that can cause this issue:

Dirty Burner Head

A dirty burner head can cause a gas stove not to light but smell of gas. Over time, the burner head can become clogged with food residue, grease, or other debris. 

This clogging prevents the gas from flowing properly. When this happens, the gas may not ignite. So you get a non-lit stove. 

The gas smell is still there because the gas is still flowing. But the burner head is not letting it light up. 

Electrical Issues

Electrical issues can cause a gas stove not to light but smell of gas. The igniter is responsible for sparking the gas to ignite the flame. If it is broken or malfunctioning, the gas will smell but not light. 

Another possible electrical issue is a tripped circuit breaker. Sometimes, the electrical circuit that powers the stove’s igniter can overload. You may not get continuity in this case.

It makes the circuit breaker trip and cut the power supply to your stove. If this happens, the stove won’t light, but you may still smell gas.

Loose Or Damaged Wiring

A loose or damaged wire in the electrical system that controls the igniter causes the gas to smell but not light. This can happen if the wiring is old, frayed, or damaged in some way.

Gas Pressure Issues

A malfunctioning gas pressure regulator or a problem with the gas supply makes the gas pressure too low. The gas may not flow properly, causing it to smell but not light. 

Dirty Or Damaged Spark Electrode

The spark electrode produces the spark that ignites the gas. If the spark electrode is defective, the burner will make a clicking sound.

But will either not produce a spark or produce a weak spark. Such sparks can’t ignite the gas. 

Gas Regulator Issues

The gas regulator controls the flow of gas to the stove. If the regulator is faulty, it can affect the stove’s ability to light. 

The regulator becomes a problem if the vent hole is clogged. The gas may not flow properly, causing it to smell but not light.

Dirty Or Damaged Flame Sensor

The flame sensor is responsible for detecting the flame. It ensures that the gas valve is opening only when the flames are burning. 

If the flame sensor is dirty or faulty, it will automatically shut down the heating unit if it doesn’t detect a flame. That’s why the gas stove smells of gas but doesn’t light.

Gas Leak

A gas leak can occur anywhere in the gas line. The connection points, the valve, or the burners etc. A leaking gas valve in the oven or one of the burners can cause the gas stove to smell of gas but not light. 

Smelling gas even when you’re sure the gas stove is off means a bad gas line or valve is the likely problem. 

Corroded gas pipe, broken seals and faulty pipes are some of the causes of leaking gas.

Thermocouple Issues

The thermocouple is a safety device that senses the temperature changes in a gas stove. It acts as a safety device. 

The thermocouple prevents flooding the burners with too much gas and creating potential combustion problems. When the thermocouple malfunctions or burns out, it will not be able to sense the temperature changes. So, the gas flow will shut down.

It will prevent the burners from running. This can cause the gas stove to smell of gas but not light.

How To Stop Gas Smell When Gas Stove Won’t Light But Smell Gas?

There are several things you can do to stop the gas smell, light the gas stove and ensure your safety:

Clean Burner Head

Remove the burner caps and bases from the stove. Soak them in a mixture of liquid dish soap and warm water for about 20 to 30 minutes. This will help soften the clogged debris stuck on the burners.

Use a wire brush and alcohol or an electrical cleaner to clean the metal burner head. Remove any debris or residue that may be clogging the burner head. 

Use a non-abrasive plastic scrubbing pad and a mildly abrasive cleaner to clean the burner caps and bases. 

Clean the gas tube opening under the base. You could use a straight metal pin or needle to clean the gas tube opening under the base. 

But first, spray the dirty areas with a cleaning solution. For stubborn messes, let it soak for 10 minutes.

Once the burner head is clean, the gas should flow properly.

Replace Electrical Components

Replace the igniter or reset the circuit breaker. Replace the wiring or repair any damaged wires. Additionally, replace the spark electrode or inspect the spark wires. 

For the next step, you can clean or replace the flame sensor. You can also replace the thermocouple. This is if the issue persists, that is. 

If you are not comfortable working with electrical systems, seek professional assistance. 

Adjust Gas Pressure 

Have your gas provider check the gas pressure. Ensure that it meets the requirements for your gas stove. If the gas pressure is too low, the regulator may need to be replaced or adjusted.

Gas Regulator Issues

Replace the regulator or clear the vent hole. Gas line issues are best handled by professionals.

Gas Leak

Firstly, turn off the gas to the stove at the shutoff valve behind the stove. 

Now, open windows to ventilate. Please don’t turn any electric items like light switches on or off. Conduct a soap test to check gas leaks.

Perhaps safer to call your gas supplier emergency number to fix this issue. Gas line issues are best handled by professionals anyway.

Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]