Gas hob clicking but not lighting (Beko, Zanussi & Smeg)
⚠️ This needs a qualified professional
This fault involves gas or mains electrical work. Don't attempt a DIY repair — UK law requires gas work to be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Below is what to check and describe to them, not step-by-step repair instructions.
A clicking or sparking sound with no flame catching is one of the most common gas hob complaints, and one of the few gas-appliance symptoms with a genuinely safe, simple DIY check before you call anyone — but the moment gas is actually escaping without igniting, that changes.
What’s safe to check yourself
- If your hob uses a battery-powered spark igniter (common on freestanding and some built-in hobs), check or replace the ignition battery — a weak battery causes exactly this “clicking but no flame” symptom and is the single most common cause.
- Check the burner cap and igniter electrode (the small ceramic/metal spike near the burner) are clean, dry, and correctly seated — spilled liquids or food debris on the burner can prevent the spark from reaching the gas, and a damp electrode after cleaning is very common.
- Check the small gas port holes around the burner cap aren’t blocked with debris — clean gently with a soft brush or pin if needed, with the gas supply off.
- Try lighting it manually with a match/lighter held to the burner while turning the control knob, just to confirm gas is actually reaching the burner (if it lights this way, the fault is isolated to the ignition spark, not gas supply).
If you smell gas at any point — whether it lights or not — turn off the hob’s control knob and the gas supply if safe to do so, don’t operate any electrical switches nearby, open windows, and don’t attempt further troubleshooting yourself. Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. Any repair beyond cleaning the burner cap and checking the igniter battery — including anything involving the gas valve, pipework, or burner assembly — must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer; this is a legal requirement in the UK, not just good practice.