Why does my gas burner ignite but won't stay on?

Author: Mrs. Marian Keebler  |  Last update: Thursday, December 18, 2025

The thermocouple is responsible for sensing the flame of a gas stove. When it is defective, the stove may still start like normal but will then go off once you release the knob. The thermocouple may have just worn out over time or been damaged.

Why is my gas burner igniting but not staying on?

There are many possible reasons why the burner will not stay lit - the gas jet may be blocked, the valve may be set too low, the air flow may be restricted, there may be an issue with the pilot light, and so on.

Why is my gas fire igniting but wont stay on?

Your gas pressure is too high, and the flame is blowing itself out. Turn the pressure down a fraction on the regulator until it doesn't do that any more. If that doesn't work, call in a (licensed) gas engineer. Have them fix it and the other gas devices - it will likely have been many years since it was done.

Why does my gas stove ignite then go out?

The reason is likely due to a broken thermocouple in the stove system. When the gas is ignited, the thermocouple heats up and activates the keep-on mechanism in the stove, which is a safety feature to prevent gas from being deliverred without a flame.

Why does my gas stove burner keep turning off?

Your gas oven could be turning off because its ventilation system is blocked. Additionally, your gas ignitor could be damaged or failed to light, you could have a broken thermostat, or you may be low on gas. Finally, your gas line may be blocked.

Gas Stove Top Hob Burner Not staying lit, Thermocouple How it works & Test if lights but goes out

Why does my gas burner keep cutting out?

This happens when a burner is partially clogged, causing the level of the gas flowing into the burners to be reduced. If you haven't cleaned your stovetop in a while, grease and other cooking residue can build up and clog the burner and reduce the flow of gas.

How do I get my gas stove to stay on?

Gas hob won't stay lit
  1. Let us take you through some of the reasons why your gas hob burner is going out. ...
  2. Don't ignite on a minimum position. ...
  3. Assemble the burner correctly. ...
  4. Clean the hob. ...
  5. Remove excess moisture. ...
  6. Check the power.

Why does my gas fire keep turning itself off?

Thermocouple and Thermopile Issues

They generate a small amount of electricity when heated by the pilot flame, signaling that the pilot light is lit and allowing the gas valve to open. Over time, these components can get dirty or fail, causing the gas fireplace to shut off abruptly or prevent it from staying lit.

Why does my gas burner pop and go out?

Dirty or Clogged Burner Ports

Over time, debris like dirt, grease, and food particles can accumulate in the burner ports of a gas stove. These clogs can disrupt the flow of gas to the burner, leading to irregular burning patterns and popping noises.

Why does my gas flame keep going out?

Low gas pressure or a faulty gas valve can interrupt the gas supply, causing the fire to burn out. If you can smell gas near the fire, hear hissing sounds, or the gas leak detectors activate, you must contact a professional right away to check for safety.

Why is my furnace igniting but not staying on?

Insufficient airflow or insufficient gas pressure. A defective, malfunctioning ignition board, flame sensor, light switch, thermostat, thermocouple, fan limiter, or draft inducer fan. The drainage line is blocked, resulting in a full condensate pan. Temperatures are so low that the furnace cannot stay lit.

What does a dirty thermocouple look like?

Once you've located the thermocouple, do a visual inspection. You're looking for a few things. The first is signs of contamination on the tube, which can include discoloration, cracks, or pinholes.

Why is my gas fire not staying on?

A gas fireplace burner needs to be checked if the burner or igniter is not functioning properly. A defective burner will simply stop the gas supply to the fireplace, and the absence of gas will not allow the fireplace to burn. You'll need to replace the burner or igniter to fix this problem.

Why wont my gas heater burner stay lit?

The gas burners may have developed a layer of dust and dirt, or a build-up of carbon, that makes it difficult for them to access the oxygen needed to light and stay lit. (This is one of the reasons you have a filter to protect the furnace's interior.)

What is a thermocouple on a gas stove?

The thermocouple, which operates as a safety device, turns the gas supply off when the pilot light goes out. It consists of a heat sensor connected to a solenoid; when the sensor is not heated by the pilot flame, the solenoid closes the gas supply line. When a thermocouple fails, the pilot light won't stay lighted.

Why does my gas burner shut off after ignition?

Flame Sensor Problems

If the heat is at the appropriate level, the sensor will trigger the furnace's control board to blow warm air into the combustion chamber to complete the heating cycle. If a furnace's main burner shuts off after ignition, it could be due to dirt, dust, and other debris covering the flame sensor.

Why does my gas furnace fire then shut off?

If dirt or dust covers the sensor, the flame isn't detected, and the furnace shuts down. Sometimes all that is needed is a simple cleaning of the flame sensor, but it may also be worn out and need to be replaced.

Why does my fire keep turning itself on and off?

Faulty thermostat settings can cause your electric fireplace to turn on and off by itself. Adjusting or replacing the thermostat might fix the issue. Remote control interference from other electronic devices can disrupt your fireplace's operation. Fresh batteries and relocating interfering devices often help.

How to tell if a thermocouple is bad?

There's really just one telltale sign of letting you know when the thermocouple isn't working, and that's when the pilot light won't stay lit. If you experience this problem, it's important to have your thermocouple assessed as soon as possible.

Can you clean a thermocouple without removing it?

Clean the thermocouple - using the emery cloth sandpaper, sand the ends of the thermocouple and then give it a finishing touch with the lint-free cloth. Hopefully, you can get to the ends of the thermocouple without having to detach it from the assembly, but you may have to do that.

Do you need to be gas safe to change a thermocouple?

We understand if you are fitting it to your own appliance that you may not need to be Gas Safe registered But if this caused a problem you may be liable to prosecution. Therefore we would recommend that you contact a Gas Safe registered engineer to carry out the work. Try Repaircare for a fixed price repair quote.

Why is my gas burner lighting but not staying lit?

If your burner lights for a short time but then goes out, you may have a blockage in the gas valve. The gas line is what provides fuel to the burner to keep it lit.

Why does my burner keep turning off?

Depending on power setting and number of burners in use, burners on an Electric Cooktop may shut off as a precaution to avoid overheating. Turn the home circuit breaker to the unit off for 30 seconds and back on again.

Why is my gas oven igniting but not staying on?

An oven that won't stay lit could be due to a faulty or weak igniter, gas supply problems, or clogged burner ports, which are common culprits for this issue. A weak igniter is often the primary cause of a gas oven not staying lit, necessitating replacement by a service technician to ensure proper heating.

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