April 19, 2023

Gas Grill: Why won't some burners light on my gas grill?

When one or more gas grill burners won't light, often there are clogs in the non-working burner tubes. Remove the grates and the flavor bars and check the non-working burner tubes for clogs, such as spider webs inside the burner tubes. Check the ports on the sides of the burner tubes for clogs as well, or for damage.

If the grill has an igniter for each burner, look for cracks in the ceramic insulators of the igniter electrodes that can cause the electrodes to fail. Check wiring connections on the igniters. Reconnect any loose wires and repair any broken wires.

Test the ignition module and replace the ignition module if it isn't sending spark current to the affected burners.

A failed grill manifold could also prevent some burners from lighting. Replace the manifold if it doesn't allow gas flow to the affected burners when you turn on those burners' gas valves.

gas grill

THESE REPAIRS MAY HELP SOLVE YOUR GAS GRILL PROBLEM

JC-GG-Clean-repair-or-replace-the-gas-grill-burner

Clean, repair or replace the gas grill burner

Regularly check and clean the burner tubes of spider webs and debris. Clean the burner tubes with a bottle brush or stiff wire, such as a straightened coat hanger. Check the gas ports (holes) for spills that could glog them. Clean the burner if necessary. Look for rust or damage on the burner bodies and replace a burner if it's damaged or rusted.

Clean, repair or replace the gas grill burner

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-GG-Replace-a-Gas-Grill-Burner-Intro-Image
November 01, 2016

How to replace a gas grill burner

If your gas grill has an uneven flame or makes a low flame even on a high-heat setting, you might need to replace the gas grill burner. This repair guide shows how to install a new gas grill burner. It’s an easy fix.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
JC-GG-Clean-repair-or-replace-the-gas-grill-igniter-electrode

Clean, align or replace the gas grill igniter electrode

If the igniter electrode-also called the spark electrode-isn't sparking properly, first check the alignment and adjust it if it's misaligned. Clean the electrode if needed. If it's damaged, replace the igniter electrode. If it still won't spark, the battery could be weak, if your ignition system uses a battery. Replace the battery if necessary. If the igniter still won't spark, the electric spark control module might need to be replaced.

Clean, align or replace the gas grill igniter electrode

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-GG-Replace-a-Gas-Grill-Igniter-Electroder-Intro-Image
November 01, 2016

How to replace a gas grill igniter electrode

If a burner on your gas grill won’t light because it isn’t getting the spark it needs to ignite the gas, you might need to replace the igniter electrode. This repair guide shows how to replace a failed igniter electrode if a good cleaning and alignment doesn’t fix the problem.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
JC-GG-Replace-the-gas-grill-manifold

Replace the gas grill manifold

The manifold on a gas grill has the burner control valves and the connecting gas tubing. If the manifold fails, burners won't heat sufficiently or won't light at all. If a valve is stuck and not working, replace the valve. If the individual valve isn't available as a separate replacement part, replace the entire manifold.

Gas grill manifold

Find the required part specific to your product.

JC-GG-Repair-or-replace-the-gas-grill-ignition-module

Repair or replace the gas grill ignition module

Check the wiring connections between the ignition module and the igniter electrodes and repair any broken wires. If the spark control module has a battery, replace the battery if it's dead. Test the ignition module using a multimeter and replace the ignition module if it isn't sending spark current to the igniter electrodes.

Repair or replace the gas grill ignition module

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-GG-Replace-a-Gas-Grill-Ignition-Module-Intro-Image
November 01, 2016

How to replace a gas grill ignition module

If your gas grill ignition module won’t send current to the igniter electrode to light the gas for the burner, you might need to replace the ignition module. This repair guide shows how to replace a broken ignition module.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

Symptoms for gas grills

Choose a symptom to see related gas grill repairs.

Main causes: nearly empty fuel tank, faulty pressure regulator, burner tube clogs, bad burner tube alignment to gas valv…

Main causes: empty fuel tank, tripped flow-limiting device on the pressure regulator, faulty manifold valves, burner tub…

Main causes: damaged or dirty flame tamers, corroded firebox, accumulated grease and debris in the grease pan…

Main causes: clogged burner tubes, cracked insulators on igniter electrodes, wiring failures, bad ignition module, manif…

Repair guides for gas grills

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your gas grill.

How to replace a gas grill wheel

How to replace a gas grill wheel

Replace a broken or damaged wheel in less than 15 minutes.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
How to replace a gas grill igniter electrode

How to replace a gas grill igniter electrode

Replace the igniter electrode on your gas grill if it won’t light the burner.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
How to replace a gas grill ignition module

How to replace a gas grill ignition module

Follow these steps to replace the ignition module if it doesn't produce a spark. …

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

Effective articles & videos to help repair your outdoor grills

Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your gas grill.

What are the main parts of a gas BBQ grill?

What are the main parts of a gas BBQ grill?

Learn about the main parts of gas grills and get DIY tips for replacing gas grill parts.…