LG Gas Range Burner Keeps Clicking: Causes and Fixes

A gas burner lights when a spark ignites the gas that flows through the burner ports. The clicking you hear is that spark repeating until the system senses flame, or until you turn the knob off. If the clicking continues after the burner has lit, or continues without any flame, something is interfering with the spark, the gas path or the burner position.

The complaint is common in San Francisco kitchens, where steam, cooking splatter and fog-damp air all find their way into a cooktop. It also shows up after a deep clean, when a burner cap goes back on a fraction out of place.

The three scenes

Ask yourself which of these you are seeing, because each points to a different cause. First, the burner lights, but the clicking carries on for a long time. Second, the burner lights briefly and then goes out, with clicking resuming. Third, you hear clicking from a burner that is not even turned on. The third scene usually means moisture or a switch that is stuck, while the first two point to a misaligned cap, a dirty electrode or an uneven gas flow.

Common causes

• A burner cap that is not seated. If the cap rides crooked, gas and spark do not meet in the right spot.
• Wet or greasy ignition electrodes. The small ceramic tip beside the burner needs to be clean and dry to spark properly.
• Blocked burner ports. Food or cleaning residue can obstruct the tiny slots where the flame forms.
• Spills inside the knob switch. Liquid that reaches the ignition switch can make it fire on its own.
• A weak or worn spark module. The part that creates the spark ages and may click without producing a strong spark.
• An unbalanced flame from low gas flow. A partial supply issue can cause the flame to lift or flicker and lose the sensing signal.

Safety comes first

Gas leaks are never a guessing game. If you smell gas, leave the home immediately, do not touch light switches or phones inside, and call the gas utility or 911 from outside. If you see sparks outside the burner area or smell something burning, switch off power at the breaker. The ignition system runs on household current, and an electrical fault may be the cause.

Checks that stay on the surface

1. Turn every burner off and wait until the grates and caps are cool.
2. Lift off the grate and the burner cap. Wipe the cap with a damp cloth and let it dry fully, ideally for a good while, because trapped water can keep the clicking going.
3. Look at the ceramic electrode beside the burner head. Wipe it gently with a barely damp cloth, never poking at it with metal.
4. Use a soft brush or a toothpick to clear any port that looks blocked, taking care not to enlarge it.
5. Place the cap back so it sits flat and the lugs lock into their notches. Press down lightly to confirm it does not rock.
6. Wipe around the knob and the control area, then try the burner again.

If the clicking stops after that, the cause was moisture or position. If it persists, a technician must look at the module or the switch, since those require opening the cooktop.

Why it happens so often in damp kitchens

Cooking steam, a steamy dishwasher beside the range and the damp air that drifts through many Bay Area homes all leave a thin layer of moisture on burner parts. A cap that looked dry to the eye can still hold enough water in its seams to keep the spark from finding a clean path. That is why the same burner may click on a foggy morning and behave in the afternoon. Letting parts rest in a warm, ventilated spot instead of drying them with a towel gives a good chance of settling it for good.

Keep a note of which burner clicks and when. If it happens only on one knob, tell us which position on the cooktop it is, front left for example, since each burner has its own electrode and switch. If it started right after you wiped up a boil-over, say so, because spills near the knobs are a frequent trigger.

What to avoid

• Do not disconnect or loosen any gas fitting.
• Do not light a clicking burner with a match or lighter, and do not hold a flame near it to test the spark.
• Do not spray cleaner into the ignition area or onto the electrodes.
• Do not ignore a burner that clicks all night. A constant spark is a wear problem and a fire risk.

When it is time to book

Book a visit if the clicking continues after cleaning and drying, if the burner lights unevenly or goes out, if several burners click together, or if you notice a smell, a flame that looks yellow or lifted, or scorching on a knob. Technicians check the cap fit, the electrode, the spark module and the gas flow, in that order. We diagnose before repair, provide a written estimate and wait for your approval before starting.

The gas range is the LG LSGL5831F repair model, a slide-in gas range, and gas cooktops are covered under their own guides. For burner and oven coverage see our LG range and oven repair service, and find your range among the LG Ranges and Ovens. The model label is usually under the oven door frame or on a drawer edge.

Frequently asked questions