Gas Oven Not Working? Common Causes and What to Do Next

When your gas oven, a kitchen appliance that uses natural gas or propane to generate heat for cooking. Also known as gas range oven, it stops heating, it’s not always a sign you need a brand-new unit. Many times, it’s a simple fix—like a faulty pilot light, a small, continuous flame that ignites the main gas burner in older gas ovens or a clogged gas valve, a component that controls the flow of gas to the oven burner. Unlike electric ovens, gas ovens don’t rely on heating elements, so when they fail, the problem is usually about gas flow, ignition, or safety sensors—not broken wires or faulty controls.

Most gas ovens today use an electronic ignition system instead of a pilot light, but if yours is older, a blown-out pilot light is the #1 reason it won’t heat. You’ll know this is the issue if you don’t see any flame when you open the oven door. Sometimes, it’s just dust or grease blocking the gas port. Other times, the thermocouple—a safety device that shuts off gas if the flame goes out—has gone bad. If your oven lights manually but shuts off after a few seconds, that’s almost always the thermocouple. Newer models use spark igniters, and if those aren’t clicking when you turn the oven on, the issue could be the control board, a faulty spark module, or even a blocked gas line. And don’t forget the gas supply, the line that delivers fuel from your home’s main gas pipe to the appliance. A turned-off valve or a kinked line can stop the oven cold, even if everything else is working.

It’s easy to assume a gas oven that won’t heat means a full replacement, but that’s rarely true. Most repairs cost under £150 and take less than an hour. If you smell gas, turn everything off and call a professional immediately—no DIY here. But if there’s no smell and the oven just won’t turn on, you’ve got options. Check the simplest things first: is the gas shut-off valve open? Is the oven set to bake, not broil? Are the knobs turned properly? A lot of "broken" ovens are just misused or misunderstood. The posts below cover real fixes from UK repair techs who’ve seen it all—from dirty burners to faulty safety locks. You’ll find step-by-step checks, cost estimates, and when it’s smarter to replace than repair. No fluff. Just what actually works.