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Fix a gas grill that will not light

We'll rule out gas smell first, then help you fix a gas grill that will not light—propane, valve, regulator, igniter, burner ports, orifice—or tell you when to call a pro.

Troubleshooting · Home appliances
10–30 min
What you'll need
  • Long match or lighter (for manual lighting if igniter fails)
  • Needle or pipe cleaner (for clearing burner ports and orifice)
  • Replacement igniter battery (if applicable)
Step 1 of 9

Quick triage — pick your path

Quick triage — pick your path

Choose the option that matches what you see. You can jump straight to that section.

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Steps

Goal: Rule out gas smell, then fix a gas grill that will not light.

  • Step back and sniff. If you smell gas, evacuate and call 911 or your gas utility from outside. Do not troubleshoot.
  • Check propane level, gas valve fully open, and regulator. Proceed to Propane, valve, and regulator.
  • Good: You have ruled out fuel and gas flow. Proceed to Igniter and burner path.
  • Bad: Gas smell—evacuate. Empty tank or closed valve—fix and retest.

Gas smell check

Goal: Confirm there is no gas leak before troubleshooting.

  • Step back from the grill and sniff. Gas has a rotten egg odor.
  • Good: No gas smell. Proceed to Propane, valve, and regulator.
  • Bad: You smell gas. Evacuate everyone. Do not turn anything on or off. Call 911 or your gas utility from outside.

Propane, valve, and regulator

Goal: Rule out fuel and gas flow issues.

  • Check propane level—gauge or tank weight. A 20-lb tank when empty weighs roughly 18 lb. Replace or refill if empty.
  • Confirm the gas valve is fully open (turn counterclockwise until it stops). Wait a minute for gas to reach the burners.
  • If the grill has not been used in a while, reset the regulator: turn off gas, disconnect hose from tank, wait 30 seconds, reconnect, open valve slowly.
  • Good: Tank has fuel, valve is open, regulator is working. Proceed to Igniter and burner path.
  • Bad: Empty tank or valve closed—fix and retest. Regulator faulty—replace or call a pro.

Igniter and burner path

Goal: Fix the igniter and clear burner blockages.

  • Turn the control knob to the ignite position. Listen for a click and look for a spark at the burner. If no click, replace the igniter battery. If click but no spark, clean the electrode with a soft brush and check that it is close to the burner port.
  • If the igniter sparks but no flame appears, the gas valve has failed—call a pro. Do not work on gas valves yourself.
  • Check burner ports for spider webs or grease. Turn off gas, remove grates and heat plates, clear each port with a needle or pipe cleaner—do not enlarge the holes.
  • Check the orifice for clogs. Turn off gas, disconnect supply, use a needle or compressed air to clear—do not enlarge. Reconnect and test.
  • If the igniter fails but gas flow is confirmed, light manually with a long match or lighter at the burner port.
  • Good: Flame lights. The grill works.
  • Bad: Igniter sparks but no flame—gas valve. Call a pro. All checks done and still no light—call a pro.

When to get help

If you smell gas, evacuate immediately. Do not turn on lights or appliances. Call 911 or your gas utility from outside. Do not troubleshoot an active gas leak.

Call a pro if:

  • The igniter sparks but no flame appears (gas valve issue).
  • You have checked propane, valve, regulator, igniter, burner, and orifice and it still will not light.
  • You are not comfortable working with gas.

Never work on gas valves or gas lines yourself.

Verification

  • Flame lights when you turn the knob and press the igniter, or when you light manually at the burner. Steady blue flame.
  • No gas smell. No hissing from connections.
  • All burners light if you test them one at a time.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Gas smell check If you smell gas, evacuate and call 911 or gas utility from outside.
  2. Propane, valve, regulator Check propane level, gas valve open, regulator not locked.
  3. Igniter Replace igniter battery, clean electrode, confirm spark at burner.
  4. Burner and orifice Clear burner ports and orifice of spiders, debris, or grease.
  5. Call a pro Gas smell—evacuate, call 911. Igniter sparks but no flame—gas valve; call a pro.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Propane level (if propane grill)
  • Whether igniter clicks and sparks
  • Whether burner ports and orifice are clear
  • Steps already tried

Do you smell gas?

Before any troubleshooting, step back and sniff. Gas has a rotten egg odor. If you smell it, evacuate and call 911 or your gas utility from outside.

Step back and sniff. Good: No gas smell—proceed to check propane and valve. Bad: You smell gas—evacuate immediately. Do not turn anything on or off. Call 911 or your gas utility from outside. Do not troubleshoot.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Evacuate and call 911

Evacuate everyone from the area. Do not turn on lights or appliances. Call 911 or your gas utility from outside. Do not return until the leak is resolved.

Done

Is propane level sufficient and gas valve open?

Check the tank gauge or weigh the tank. Confirm the gas valve is fully open (counterclockwise).

Check propane level—gauge or tank weight. Open the gas valve fully (counterclockwise). If empty, replace or refill. Good: tank has fuel and valve is open. Bad: empty tank or valve closed—fix and retest.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Refill or replace propane, open valve, retest

Refill or replace the propane tank. Open the gas valve fully. Wait a minute for gas to reach the burners. Try to light. If it lights, you are done. If not, proceed to check the regulator and igniter.

Done

Does the regulator need resetting?

Regulators can lock after long periods of non-use. Disconnect, wait, reconnect, open valve slowly.

Turn off gas, disconnect hose from tank, wait 30 seconds, reconnect, open valve slowly. Good: flame is steady. Bad: weak or sputtering flame—regulator may be faulty; replace or call a pro.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Does the igniter click and spark?

Turn the knob to ignite. Listen for click, look for spark at burner. Dead battery or dirty electrode can prevent spark.

Turn the control knob to ignite. Click and spark: igniter works—check burner ports and orifice. No click: replace igniter battery. Click but no spark: clean electrode with soft brush, check that it is close to burner port. Igniter sparks but no flame: gas valve failed—call a pro. Do not work on gas valves yourself.

Yes (sparks) No

You can change your answer later.

Replace battery or clean electrode, retest

Replace the igniter battery if no click. If click but no spark, clean the electrode and align it near the burner port. Retest. If the igniter sparks but no flame appears, the gas valve has failed—call a pro.

Done

Are burner ports and orifice clear?

Spiders and debris can block burner ports and orifice. Turn off gas, clear with needle or brush.

Turn off gas. Remove grates and heat plates. Inspect burner ports for webs or grease—clear with needle or pipe cleaner. Check the orifice—clear with needle or compressed air. Do not enlarge holes. Reconnect and test. Good: flame lights. Bad: still no light—call a pro.
Question

Are burner and orifice clear?

Done

Call a pro

If you smell gas, evacuate and call 911 or your gas utility from outside. Call a pro if: the igniter sparks but no flame (gas valve); you have checked propane, valve, regulator, igniter, burner, and orifice and it still will not light; or you are not comfortable working with gas. Never work on gas valves or gas lines yourself.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would a gas grill not light?
Common causes: empty or low propane tank, gas valve closed, regulator locked, failed igniter, clogged burner ports or orifice. Check propane and valve first, then the igniter. If the igniter sparks but no flame appears, the gas valve has failed—call a pro.
Can I fix a gas grill that will not light myself?
Yes. You can check propane level, open the gas valve, reset the regulator, replace the igniter battery, clean the electrode and burner ports, and clear the orifice. Gas valve or regulator replacement may require a technician.
When should I call a pro for a gas grill that will not light?
If you smell gas, evacuate and call 911 or your gas utility from outside. Call a pro if the igniter sparks but no flame appears (gas valve), if you have checked propane, valve, regulator, igniter, and burner and it still will not light, or if you are not comfortable working with gas.

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