Gas Hob Not Working? Common Causes and Quick Fixes

When your gas hob, a kitchen cooking appliance that uses natural gas or propane to generate flame for cooking. Also known as a gas cooker, it's one of the most relied-on appliances in any home. If it suddenly stops working, you're not just inconvenienced—you're stuck without a way to cook meals, boil water, or heat food quickly. Unlike electric hobs that just need power, gas hobs depend on gas flow, ignition, and airflow working together. A single small issue—like a clogged burner hole or a worn-out spark module—can shut the whole thing down.

Most gas hob problems fall into three buckets: gas supply, the line that delivers fuel from your main pipe to the burners, ignition system, the part that creates sparks to light the gas, and burner blockages, buildup of food, grease, or debris that stops gas from flowing properly. If the gas isn’t reaching the hob, check if your gas valve is open and if other gas appliances in your home are working. If the igniter clicks but doesn’t light, the spark module or electrode might be dirty or broken. If it doesn’t click at all, the issue could be a faulty switch or power connection to the ignition system.

Many people assume a gas hob not working means a full replacement is needed. But in most cases, it’s a simple fix. Cleaning the burner caps and ports with a toothbrush and warm soapy water solves over 60% of no-light issues. Replacing a worn-out spark electrode costs less than £20 and takes 15 minutes. Even a blocked gas jet can often be cleared with compressed air or a thin wire—just make sure the gas is turned off first. You don’t need to be a technician to handle these. What you do need is the right info and a little patience.

What you’ll find below are real fixes from actual repairs done in homes across Weymouth. From how to test if your igniter is still sparking, to what to do when only one burner works, to why your hob suddenly stopped after a power cut—these posts cut through the guesswork. No fluff. No theory. Just what actually works when your gas hob won’t light.