Your stove is at the center of pretty much every meal you make, so it’s genuinely disruptive when something stops working right. The good news: whether you have a gas or electric stove, most common problems are fixable with a bit of troubleshooting, and only a handful actually require calling in a professional. Here’s exactly how to work through the most common issues on both types.
At Maydone, we handle stove installations and repairs daily, so here are a few starter tips before diving into specific problems:
- Be mindful of both gas and power connections at all times
- Disconnect power and close the gas supply before doing any repair work
- Get a second person to help if possible — stoves are heavy and awkward to maneuver alone
- Have your tools ready before you start
- Keep cleaning supplies on hand — buildup from cooking is behind a surprising number of these issues
Troubleshooting Common Gas Stove Problems
Ignition Problems
Your gas stove won’t ignite when you turn the knob or push the ignition button.
- Confirm the stove is plugged in (for the ignition system) and has a working gas supply
- Clean the burner caps and ports of food debris and residue
- Check the ignition switch and wiring for visible damage
- If cleaning doesn’t resolve it, the ignition switch or igniter module likely needs replacing
- Check your stove’s manual for the correct igniter model if you plan to replace it yourself
- Otherwise, call a professional technician for the replacement
Uneven Flames
Flames on your gas stove burn unevenly, making cooking harder because the heat isn’t consistent.
- Clean the burner caps and ports thoroughly
- Check your manual to locate the air shutter, and adjust it (if accessible) until the flame balances out
- If cleaning and adjusting don’t resolve it, the issue may be with the gas supply or the burner itself — at that point, a professional technician is the better call
Gas Odor
This one matters more than the others — if you smell gas when the stove is off, address it immediately.
- Turn off the gas supply to the stove right away
- Check your manual for the gas connection line and test its integrity
- You can check for leaks around connections using a soapy water mixture — rub it along the gas line, and bubbles forming will show you exactly where the leak is
- If you find a leak, tighten the connection or replace the faulty part
Gas leaks are a serious health and safety hazard. We always recommend calling a professional technician to locate and repair the source of a gas leak rather than continuing to troubleshoot it yourself once you’ve confirmed there’s a leak.
Troubleshooting Common Electric Stove Problems
Burner Not Heating
One or more of your electric burners won’t heat up.
- Confirm the burner is properly seated and the stove is plugged in
- Check that the power connection is working correctly
- Look for visible damage or loose connections at the heating element
- Test the outlet with another appliance to rule out an electrical issue elsewhere
- Test each burner individually to see which ones are actually affected
- If a burner still won’t heat, it likely needs replacing — check your manual for the correct part, or have a technician handle it
Inconsistent Temperature
Your electric stove has trouble maintaining a consistent temperature, leading to uneven cooking results.
- Use a separate oven thermometer to verify the stove’s actual temperature accuracy
- If it’s inconsistent, recalibrate the thermostat if your model allows it
- If recalibration doesn’t fix it, the thermostat or control panel likely needs professional attention
Faulty Indicator Lights or Controls
The indicator lights or control knobs stop responding properly.
- Check the power supply and circuit breaker to confirm the stove is receiving electricity
- Inspect the control knobs for damage or loose connections
- If power and connections both check out fine, the issue is likely the control panel or internal wiring — this is a job for a professional
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Gas or Electric Stove?
Cost depends heavily on which issue you’re dealing with. Cleaning burner ports or recalibrating a thermostat costs nothing beyond your time. When a technician visit is needed, a stove repair with Maydone starts with a flat diagnostic fee, applied toward the repair cost if you move forward. An ignition switch or heating element replacement tends to be on the more affordable end, while control panel or gas line repairs cost more depending on the part and the labour involved. We confirm pricing before any work begins, and first-time customers get $30 off.
When to Call an Appliance Repair Professional
Some minor issues with both gas and electric stoves are genuinely fixable through troubleshooting and basic DIY repair, as long as you have the patience and the right tools. But given the complexity and risk involved, it’s important to recognize when it’s time to bring in a professional.
For Gas Stoves
- A suspected gas leak should never be treated lightly — turn off the gas supply, ventilate your home, leave the stove off, and call a professional technician immediately to locate and fix it
- Any issue involving gas supply lines or complex electrical components needs a trained technician to handle safely
For Electric Stoves
- Problems with the control panel, thermostat, or internal electrical connections are best left to a professional appliance repair service
- Electrical repairs carry real risk, and attempting complex electrical fixes without proper knowledge can lead to injury
Book an Appointment With Our Technicians Today
A gas leak or a control panel fault isn’t something to keep troubleshooting alone — our licensed technicians handle both gas and electric stove repairs safely, with same-day service available across the GTA. Call +1 (647) 558-5825 or reach out online to get it sorted properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won’t my gas stove ignite even though I can smell gas at the burner?
This usually points to a faulty ignition switch or igniter module rather than a gas supply issue, since gas is clearly reaching the burner. Clean the burner ports first, and if that doesn’t help, the igniter itself likely needs replacing.
Is it normal for gas stove flames to look slightly yellow at the tips?
A small yellow tip on an otherwise blue flame can be normal, but a flame that’s mostly yellow or orange usually means incomplete combustion — often from dirty burner ports or an air shutter that’s out of adjustment. It’s worth cleaning and checking before assuming it’s a bigger issue.
Can I fix a gas leak myself if I find it with the soapy water test?
Only in very limited cases — a loose fitting that just needs tightening is sometimes fine to handle yourself. Anything beyond that, including any leak inside the appliance itself, should be handled by a licensed technician given the safety risk involved.
Why does only one burner on my electric stove not work?
This is usually isolated to that specific burner’s heating element or its connection, rather than a stove-wide electrical issue. Testing other burners first helps confirm whether the problem is localized before you assume it’s the control panel.
How often should I clean my stove’s burner ports to avoid problems?
Every 1 to 3 months for gas stoves, depending on how often you cook, is a reasonable habit. Buildup on burner ports is one of the most common causes of both ignition problems and uneven flames.
Is it safe to keep using my electric stove if the indicator lights aren’t working but the burners heat fine?
Generally yes in the short term, since the lights are a display issue rather than a functional one. That said, it’s worth having it checked eventually, since a failing control panel can sometimes affect more than just the display over time.
Smelling gas, or a burner that just won’t cooperate?
Book an Appointment With Our Technicians Today
Our licensed technicians handle both gas and electric stove repairs across our Ontario-wide coverage area, spanning the GTA through to Ottawa and Orillia, seven days a week. Call +1 (647) 558-5825 or book online for fast, safe service.
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