Maytag Gas Range Burner Not Lighting or Clicking Continuously

Burner Clicks But Will Not Light

Clogged Burner Ports

Food spills and boilovers block the small gas ports around the burner cap. When ports are clogged, gas cannot exit evenly and the burner may not ignite even though the igniter is working.

1. Turn off the burner and allow everything to cool completely.
2. Remove the burner grate, then lift off the burner cap.
3. Use a straightened paper clip or thin wire to clear each port hole around the cap circumference.
4. Wipe the cap clean and dry thoroughly before reinstalling.

Misaligned Burner Cap

After cleaning or bumping, if the burner cap is not seated flat and centered on the burner base, gas flow is uneven and the burner may not light. Ensure the cap sits flush with no tilt.

Failed Igniter

If the igniter does not spark at all (no clicking sound, no visible blue spark), the igniter itself or the spark module has failed. A cracked ceramic igniter tip is often visible upon inspection. Test by switching to an adjacent burner — if that igniter also does not spark, the spark module is the issue rather than an individual igniter.

Burner Lights But Clicks Continuously

Continuous clicking after the burner is lit is almost always caused by moisture:

• Clean up any spills around the burner immediately — liquid entering the igniter well causes continuous clicking
• Remove burner caps and let the area dry completely. A hair dryer on low directed into the igniter wells speeds this up.
• If moisture is ruled out, check the burner cap alignment — an improperly seated cap can trigger the igniter sensing circuit

Oven Igniter (Bake or Broil)

If the oven will not heat, watch the igniter through the oven window. It should glow bright orange within 60 seconds and then gas should ignite. If the igniter glows but gas never lights, the igniter has weakened — it draws enough current to glow but not enough to open the gas safety valve. Igniter replacement is the fix.

Safety Note

If you smell gas without ignition, turn all burner knobs to OFF, open windows, and do not operate any electrical switches. Leave the home and call your gas utility from outside. Do not attempt to diagnose a gas leak yourself.

Why Professional Service May Be the Right Choice

While many Range issues can be addressed with the steps in this guide, there are situations where attempting a DIY repair can make the problem worse or void your warranty. If you've followed the steps above and the issue persists, or if you're not comfortable working with electrical components or water connections, calling a factory-certified technician is the safest and most cost-effective path forward.

Maytag Appliance Solutions technicians are trained directly to Maytag's service specifications. They arrive with the most common OEM replacement parts already on the vehicle, which means most repairs are completed in a single visit — no waiting for parts to be ordered.

Preventing the Problem from Recurring

Most Range issues that require repair are preventable with regular maintenance. Key habits that extend appliance life and reduce fault frequency:

• Clean filters regularly. Lint filters, drain pump filters, and water inlet screens accumulate debris over time. A clogged filter is one of the most common causes of performance issues and error codes.
• Don't overload. Consistently running your Range beyond its rated capacity puts extra stress on the motor, drum bearings, and suspension components.
• Use the correct detergent and amounts. Excess detergent — especially non-HE detergent in HE appliances — causes buildup, mold, and sensor errors over time.
• Check hoses and connections annually. Inspect inlet and drain hoses for cracks, kinks, or loose connections at least once a year, especially if your appliance is more than five years old.
• Level the appliance. An unlevel Range vibrates excessively during operation, accelerating wear on internal components and causing noise and balance errors.

Maytag Warranty and Service Coverage

Maytag offers a standard one-year parts and labor warranty on most appliances, with extended coverage on specific components. If your appliance is still within its manufacturer warranty period, contact Maytag directly before scheduling an independent repair, as unauthorized service may affect warranty coverage.

For appliances outside the warranty period, Maytag Appliance Solutions provides a 30 day parts and labor warranty on every repair we complete. All replacement parts are genuine Maytag OEM components sourced directly from Maytag's authorized parts network.