My Stove is Making a Clicking Noise

Even for the advanced do-it-yourselfer, it can be difficult to diagnose mysterious issues with appliances. Is your stove making a clicking noise? It’s a common problem, but not always easy to understand and fix. Whether it’s just you or an entire family relying on your stove, you can’t afford to lose time, effort, and money over a strange clicking noise, this guide will help you to understand why your stove is making a clicking noise, and what you can do to solve the problem or call us at (800)657-0765.

Before Getting Started

Remember a few safety tips before getting started: always unplug the appliance before servicing the inside cabinet, and always be sure that the natural gas supply to your appliance is shut off. Be sure to wait until the appliance is cool to service it, wear protective eyewear and clothing when necessary, and don’t be afraid to call in a stove repair professional when needed.

Once you’ve made the proper safety considerations inspect and assess the following components to understand why your stove is making a clicking noise.

Spark Ignitor

The first component you should check is the spark ignitor. This is the most common cause for a clicking noise in a stove, so it should be your first concern. If the gas stove is making a clicking noise, whether turned off or with a burner lit, it could be a signal that the spark ignitor or another part of the electric ignition system is being affected by moisture, dirt, or built up stove debris.

Modern gas stoves don’t use standing pilot lights. Instead, they use electric ignition system and a spark ignitor to ignite the natural gas supply coming from the burners. Over time and with regular use, it’s possible that moisture, dirt, grease, or other kitchen grime can spill on and affect the performance of the spark ignitor, causing that fateful clicking sound that you’ve been hearing.

Try doing some cleanup around the spark ignitor and its surrounding area. Clean the burner cap, and the holes around the burner cap as well. A toothbrush makes a great tool for this purpose, but you can use a lightly abrasive cloth or another similar tool to do the job. If you want to go a step further, take apart the burner by removing the burner cap. Follow your stove’s owner’s manual instructions to prop up your cooktop so that you can clean beneath it. After cleaning, be sure to leave the cooktop open so that it can dry. Just call us at (800)657-0765.

After cleaning up under the cooktop, the spark ignitor, and the burner area reassemble everything and close the cooktop again. Restore power and gas to your oven, and try the stove burners again. If you still hear clicking, consider checking your ignitor switch or spark module.

Ignitor Switch

If your stove is making a clicking noise, and you’ve already assessed the area around the spark ignitor and burner assembly, you should check the ignitor switch next. The ignitor switch controls the voltage sent to the spark module and is controlled by the controls on your stove top. Over time and regular use, an ignitor switch can fail. If it does, it can cause the telltale clicking noise that your oven has been making.

Refer to your owner’s manual for more information about the specifics and location of your ignitor switch. After accessing them, observe them for signs of failure or breakage. The bad news is that, in some ovens, the ignitor switch system is wired together, so if one switch fails, they must all be replaced. This is a job best suited for an appliance professional, so consider getting help if you suspect your ignitor switches have failed.

Spark Module

A final component to check should be your spark module. The spark module is usually located at the back of the range, underneath the cooktop. Open the cooktop as you did when cleaning in the first step, and find your spark module. It’s usually located at the back, but your owner’s manual can lead you to a more specific location if necessary.

The spark module sends the electronic pulse that allows the surface ignitor to light the gas supply coming from the burners. If you’re checked the ignitor and the switches in your oven, do a visual inspection of your spark module, as it is the next most likely cause of a stove making clicking noises. If it appears to have failed, looks worn out, or is damaged, it will have to be replaced.

Call us at (800)657-0765.