Wolf Gas Burner Clicking: Stop the Igniter From Sparking

Wolf Gas Surface Burner Clicking (Igniter Keeps Sparking): Safe Troubleshooting

If your Wolf surface burner keeps clicking, the igniter is still being “asked” to spark. In most cases, the cause is moisture after cleaning or a boil-over, burner parts not seated flat, or airflow issues that make the flame unstable. The steps below are homeowner-safe and require no disassembly beyond normal cleaning access.

Stop now (do not troubleshoot) if any of these are true
• You smell gas, hear hissing, or suspect a leak
• A burner will not shut off
• You see flame coming from an unexpected area
• The unit is sparking when not in use and you cannot stop it by turning all knobs fully OFF

What the clicking usually means (quick guide)
• Clicking and NO flame = ignition is sparking but gas is not lighting (wet, dirty, mis-seated cap/ring, air in line, gas supply issue)
• Clicking AFTER flame lights = flame is unstable or not “seen” correctly (cap/ring seating, moisture, airflow, oversized cookware)
• Clicking when the burner is OFF = knob not fully OFF, moisture in switch area after a spill, or an ignition switch/module issue

5-minute reset that solves many cases

1. Turn the burner knob fully to OFF
2. Confirm all other burner knobs are fully OFF
3. If the burner area is wet from cleaning or a spill, let it dry completely before retrying
4. Turn on your ventilation hood for better airflow, then retry ignition

Step-by-step: Wolf-recommended checks (homeowner-safe)

1. Dry the burner area if it was recently cleaned or had a spill
   • Remove grates and lift off the burner cap and ring (once fully cool)
   • Wipe everything dry
   • Let it air-dry, or use a hairdryer on a low setting to speed drying
   • Reinstall parts only when fully dry and cool
2. Re-seat the burner ring and cap (most common “clicking after flame” cause)
   • Make sure the burner ring and cap are centered over the burner head
   • Confirm the parts sit flat with no rocking
   • If your unit uses a screw-in cap style (older designs), confirm it is secure before testing
3. Clean lightly (do not scrape aggressively)
   • Use a soft, dry toothbrush to gently clean the ignitor area
   • If food is lodged in burner-ring holes, clear it carefully with a toothpick (do not enlarge openings)
   • Reassemble and test
4. If the burner hasn’t been used in a while, purge air with short ignition attempts
   • Turn the burner ON
   • If it does not light within about 10 seconds, turn it OFF
   • Wait one minute, then try again
   This can help clear air in the line and allow gas to reach the burner.
5. Check cookware and airflow if clicking happens after ignition
   • If you are using an extra-large pot/pan, reduce the burner setting and see if clicking stops
   • Keep the ventilation hood ON to increase airflow
   Oversized cookware can reduce oxygen at the burner and cause the flame to lift, which can trigger continued clicking.
6. Make sure the knob is not physically stuck in
   • Push in (or down) on the knob and release
   • The knob should spring back to its normal position
   A stuck knob can keep the ignition circuit active.
7. Power-cycle the unit (safe reset)
8. Turn the home circuit breaker to the unit OFF for 30 seconds
9. Turn it back ON
10. Retest
    If the unit sparks when not in use, Wolf advises consulting an electrician.

If it clicks when OFF (constant clicking with all burners OFF)

1. Turn every burner knob fully OFF (do not leave a knob between settings)
2. If there was a spill or recent cleaning, leave the unit OFF and allow time to dry
3. If clicking continues after drying, the issue may be a stuck/failed ignition switch or related component and typically requires service
   If the appliance sparks when not in use, treat this as an electrical safety issue and involve a qualified electrician.

What we verify on-site (how a tech confirms the root cause)
• Burner cap/ring fitment and correct assembly, including warpage or seating issues
• Ignitor condition and positioning, contamination, and whether the spark is consistent
• Whether the ignition circuit is being commanded continuously (switch/knob assembly behavior)
• Spark module behavior and output under normal conditions
• Flame stability factors (airflow, cookware effects) and whether flame is lifting under load
• Gas supply and ignition consistency across burners (especially if “some burners work, others don’t”)

Prevention (to reduce repeat clicking)
• Avoid flooding the burner area during cleaning
• After wiping, allow caps/rings and ignitor area to dry fully before lighting
• Keep burner parts seated flat and centered after every cleaning
• Use cookware that matches burner size, and run the hood for heavy cookware or high-output burners

Need diagnosis in NYC
Volt & Vector Appliance Repair
Phone: +1 (332) 333-1709
Email: voltnvector@gmail.com
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
Service area: Brooklyn, Manhattan below 96th St, selected Queens ZIPs