Step-by-step fix
Step 1: Make sure the igniter is the likely problem
- Confirm the oven is getting power and that the control is set to Bake, not just the clock or timer.
- Listen and watch when you start a bake cycle. A bad igniter often causes no glow at all, or a glow that never leads to flame.
- Notice whether the broiler still works while the bake burner does not. That can point to the bake igniter instead of a full gas supply problem.
- Let the oven sit off for a few minutes before opening it so hot parts can cool.
If it works: The symptoms point to a failed or weak oven igniter and the oven is cool enough to work on.
If it doesn’t: If the oven has no power, shows broader control problems, or neither bake nor broil works, troubleshoot power, controls, or gas supply before replacing the igniter.
Stop if:- You smell gas before starting the repair.
- The oven recently sparked, smoked, or tripped breakers repeatedly.
- The symptoms do not match an ignition problem and point to a different failure.
Step 2: Shut the oven down and open the burner area
- Turn off power to the oven at the breaker or unplug it if the plug is accessible.
- Turn off the gas supply valve if it is easy to reach safely.
- Open the oven door and remove the racks so you have room to work.
- Lift out the oven bottom panel and any flame spreader or burner cover above the bake burner, using the screwdriver or nut driver as needed.
- Use a flashlight to locate the igniter mounted near the burner tube.
If it works: You can clearly see the old igniter and have safe access to its mounting area.
If it doesn’t: If you cannot reach the igniter from inside the oven, check for an access panel behind the lower drawer or at the rear of the appliance.
Stop if:- A panel is badly stuck because of rust or damage and forcing it may bend or break parts.
- You find burned insulation, melted connectors, or heavy corrosion around the igniter wiring.
Step 3: Remove the old igniter carefully
- Take a photo of the igniter position and wire routing before disconnecting anything.
- Remove the screws holding the igniter to the burner bracket.
- Follow the igniter wires to the connector or splice point. Disconnect the plug, or cut the old leads only if the replacement is designed to be spliced in.
- Handle the old igniter gently. The element is brittle and can break easily.
- Pull the old igniter out without dragging the wires across sharp metal edges.
If it works: The old igniter is out and you know how the new one needs to sit and connect.
If it doesn’t: If the screws are seized, apply steady pressure with the correct driver and try again without stripping the heads.
Stop if:- The burner bracket is cracked or the mounting area is too damaged to hold the new igniter securely.
- The wire connection is hidden inside insulation or a sealed area you cannot access safely.
Step 4: Install the new oven igniter
- Compare the new igniter to the old one for bracket shape, connector style, and wire length before installing it.
- Mount the new igniter in the same position as the original, keeping the glowing tip aligned with the burner area it serves.
- Reconnect the wires using the factory-style plug if provided. If the replacement uses bare leads, use the supplied high-temperature connectors or ceramic wire nuts only.
- Route the wires away from the burner flame path and any sharp edges.
- Tighten the mounting screws snugly without over-tightening and cracking the igniter bracket or stripping the screws.
If it works: The new igniter is mounted firmly, connected correctly, and the wires are protected from heat and abrasion.
If it doesn’t: If the new igniter does not match the old one closely enough to mount and connect the same way, pause and verify the replacement part before going further.
Stop if:- The replacement part clearly does not fit the burner or connector setup.
- You cannot make a safe high-temperature wire connection with the parts provided.
Step 5: Reassemble the oven and restore power
- Reinstall the burner cover, flame spreader, oven bottom panel, and racks in the reverse order you removed them.
- Make one last check that no tools, screws, or loose wires are left in the oven cavity.
- Turn the gas supply back on if you shut it off.
- Restore electrical power at the breaker or plug the oven back in.
- Set the oven to Bake and watch through the bottom openings or listen for ignition if the burner is not directly visible.
If it works: The oven is reassembled and the new igniter begins the normal ignition sequence.
If it doesn’t: If the igniter glows but the burner still does not light, shut the oven back off and recheck the connector, wire routing, and part fit.
Stop if:- You smell gas after restoring supply or during the test.
- You see arcing, smoke, or wires heating up abnormally.
Step 6: Verify the repair holds during real heating
- Let the oven run long enough to confirm the burner lights reliably and the oven begins to heat normally.
- Watch for a normal cycle: igniter glows, burner lights, and the oven continues heating without long delays.
- Preheat the oven to a common cooking temperature and make sure it reaches and maintains heat instead of stalling.
- Run one more short bake cycle later the same day to confirm the repair is consistent, not just a one-time ignition.
If it works: The oven lights promptly, heats normally, and repeats the cycle without delayed ignition.
If it doesn’t: If heating is still slow or inconsistent, the issue may also involve the gas valve, temperature sensor, control, or wiring and may need further diagnosis.
Stop if:- The burner lights with a loud whoosh, delayed ignition, or repeated gas odor.
- The new igniter works briefly and then fails again, suggesting a wiring or control problem.
Replacement Parts
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FAQ
How do I know the oven igniter is bad?
A bad igniter often will not glow at all, or it glows but the burner never lights. Another common clue is very slow preheating because the igniter has weakened and cannot open the gas valve reliably.
Can I replace an oven igniter myself?
Many homeowners can handle it if they are comfortable shutting off power, opening the oven interior, and reconnecting the new part carefully. Stop if you find damaged wiring, gas odor, or a replacement that does not fit correctly.
Do all oven igniters connect the same way?
No. Some plug into a connector, while others use high-temperature wire splices. Match the connector style and mounting bracket before ordering so you do not end up with the wrong part.
Why does the igniter glow but the oven still not heat?
An igniter can glow and still be too weak to draw enough current to open the gas valve. That is why a glowing igniter is not always a good igniter.
Should I replace the broil igniter too?
Not unless it has the same problem. If broil works normally and only bake fails, replacing the bake igniter is usually the right repair path.