Gas BBQ igniter not working: causes and fixes

Safety first

Before any troubleshooting, open the lid fully. If you have pressed the igniter several times with the gas on and nothing lit, turn the burner and the bottle off and wait several minutes for unburned gas to clear before trying again. Never lean over the grill while lighting it.

Note:If you smell gas when the burners are off, turn off at the bottle and check every joint with soapy water, never a flame. Do not use the grill until any leak is fixed. For faults with valves, regulators or hoses, use the maker's parts or a qualified gas engineer.

Check the gas supply

No gas means no flame, however good the spark. Check that the bottle valve is fully open and that the bottle is not empty; lifting it gives a rough idea, and a gauge helps. After changing a bottle, a low flow can also be caused by the regulator's safety device, which can restrict flow if the valve is opened while the burners are on. Our gas regulator problems guide explains the reset most makers describe.

In cold weather, butane may not vaporise well enough to light. Propane copes far better in winter; see what gas bottle you need.

Check the igniter and battery

Many Weber grills use a battery-powered electronic igniter with a push button; others use a piezo or rotary igniter with no battery. Work through these checks in order.

1. 1

   Replace the battery with a new one of the type given in the manual and check it is the right way round.

2. 2

   Look or listen at the burner end, ideally in shade, while pressing the button. You should see a blue spark at the electrode tip.

3. 3

   If there is no spark, check that the wires are pushed fully onto the igniter module and the electrode.

4. 4

   Wipe the electrode tip with a dry cloth to remove grease and soot.

5. 5

   Check the gap between the electrode tip and the burner or collector box; the manual gives the correct position if it has been knocked.

6. 6

   If the wiring or module got wet, dry the area and leave the grill in a dry place before trying again.

Spark but no flame: blocked burners

If you can see a strong spark but the burner will not catch, gas is probably not reaching the electrode area. Spiders and insects build webs in the venturi tubes, where air and gas mix, and this is a well-known cause on grills left over winter. Grease and rust can also block the burner ports near the igniter.

With the gas off and the grill cold, remove the grates and flavouriser bars, brush the burner ports and clear the venturi tubes with a venturi brush. Our how to clean a gas BBQ guide covers this step by step. Badly corroded burners should be replaced with the maker's parts.

Lighting by hand until it is fixed

Most gas grill manuals describe a way to light a burner with a long match or a long lighter, often using a match holder clipped under the grill or a lighting hole. The steps differ by model, so follow your manual exactly: lid open, match lit and in position first, then gas on for that burner only.

If an igniter has failed completely, replacement modules and electrodes are usually available from the maker or its dealers. Weber publishes parts lists by model, so note the model and serial number from the label on the grill. If your grill is old and parts are scarce, compare replacements in best gas BBQs for UK gardens.

See Weber gas BBQs compared →

Frequently asked questions

Why does my BBQ igniter click but not spark? Usually a flat battery, a loose wire or a dirty electrode. Replace the battery, push wires firmly on and clean the tip.

Why is there a spark but no flame? Gas is not reaching the electrode: check the bottle valve, the regulator and for blocked burner ports or venturi tubes.

Is it safe to light a gas BBQ with a match? Only in the way your manual describes, with the lid open and the match lit before the gas is turned on.

Does rain stop the igniter working? Moisture in the wiring or on the electrode can stop the spark. Let the grill dry out and keep it covered.