Homeowner guide · Last reviewed: August 18, 2026

Gas stove keeps clicking? Check the knobs, moisture, and burner caps

Clicking while a burner ignites—and several igniters clicking together—can be normal. Clicking with every knob off may follow a spill or cleaning, but persistent sparking needs service.

Short answer: If you smell or hear escaping gas, leave immediately without touching switches, appliances, or a phone indoors; call 911 or the gas utility from outside. If there is no gas odor, turn every burner knob fully to OFF and let the cooktop cool. Clicking only while lighting a burner may be normal, and several burners may click together even when only one is selected. If clicking continues with all knobs off after a spill or cleaning, stop using the stove and allow it to dry naturally. With the appliance cool and electrical power disconnected, clean and dry only the removable grates and burner caps as the exact model manual directs, then reinstall each cap flat on its matching burner. Restore power and test once. Persistent clicking, delayed ignition, damaged parts, abnormal flame, or any need to access an igniter, switch, wiring, valve, or gas line requires a qualified gas-appliance technician.

Why it matters

Electronic gas igniters create a spark and clicking sound during normal lighting. GE Appliances explains that multiple igniters may spark together even when one burner is selected, while clicking in the OFF position can follow moisture from cleaning. Whirlpool says a burner cap must be on the correct burner, sit flush, and have very little movement. GE also identifies wet or dirty burner parts and mismatched caps as common contributors to continuous clicking or slow ignition. Because an unintended gas flow can create fire or explosion risk, Con Edison advises leaving immediately and avoiding switches, matches, appliances, electronics, and phones whenever a gas leak is suspected.

Safe checks, step by step

1
Check for a gas emergency first. If you smell a rotten-egg or sulfur-like odor, hear hissing or roaring, or suspect gas for any reason, do not turn a knob, light a flame, unplug the stove, use a switch, or use a phone inside. Take everyone outside immediately, call 911 or the gas utility from a safe location, and stay out until responders say it is safe.
2
If there is no gas odor or other leak signal, look at every burner control without operating it. Confirm each knob is fully at OFF and has returned to its normal resting position. Do not force, remove, lubricate, or repair a knob or switch. If clicking stops when a knob is placed fully at OFF, leave the burner unused until you understand why it was not fully off.
3
Separate normal from abnormal clicking. Clicking while a knob is in the ignition position is expected, and on many sealed-burner cooktops all igniters click when one burner is being lit. Clicking that continues after every control is off, starts by itself, or repeatedly returns when nobody is cooking is not normal.
4
Think about recent spills or cleaning. Moisture can make igniters click intermittently. Keep every control off, stop using the cooktop, and let the appliance air-dry for several hours. Wipe only cool, visible surfaces with a dry cloth. Do not apply heat, spray cleaner into knob shafts, pour liquid near an igniter, or repeatedly test the burner while it is wet.
5
After the cooktop is completely cool and only when there is no gas odor, disconnect its electrical power using the normal plug or correctly labeled breaker if safely accessible. Remove only grates and burner caps that the owner’s manual identifies as removable. Clean and dry them exactly as directed, without probing gas openings or touching the ceramic electrode, wiring, tubing, or valves.
6
Return each dry cap to its matching burner so it sits flat, centered, and secure. Restore power only after every part is dry and correctly installed, then test one burner once according to the manual. Turn it off promptly if ignition is delayed, the clicking continues, the flame is abnormal, or the burner does not light normally.

Stop and call a professional if

You smell gas, hear hissing or roaring, or suspect a leak—leave immediately and call 911 or the gas utility from outside
Clicking continues with every knob fully off after the appliance has had several hours to dry
A burner releases gas without lighting promptly, ignition is delayed with a small flare or whoosh, or clicking continues after the flame is established
Flames are lifting, mostly yellow across multiple burners, uneven after the correct dry cap is installed, or soot appears around cookware or the cooktop
An igniter is cracked, loose, continuously sparking, or wet below the visible surface, or a knob, switch, cord, outlet, or wiring looks burned, melted, loose, or damaged
Diagnosis would require removing the cooktop, opening a panel, adjusting an electrode, probing burner ports, testing energized parts, moving the appliance, disconnecting a gas line, repairing a valve or switch, or bypassing any safety feature

Related guides and tools

Sources

Last reviewed: August 18, 2026. This date changes only when the content is reviewed or revised. Always follow the instructions for your exact model.

Need professional help?

Find an appliance technician near you.

Enter your ZIP code to open a local Google Maps search. No account or personal contact information is required here.

This opens an independent Google Maps search in a new tab.