Screwdriver set
Use it for: To remove the access panel, front panel, or burner cover depending on your dryer design.
Shop screwdriver setsDryer repair
How to Replace a Dryer Gas Igniter
If your gas dryer tumbles but does not heat, or it clicks without lighting the burner, replacing the dryer gas igniter is a common fix.
This repair is usually straightforward, but you do need to work carefully around gas and fragile parts. Start by confirming the igniter is the likely failure, then swap it without touching the new igniter tip with bare fingers if the replacement instructions warn against it.
Before you start: Match the igniter shape, mounting style, wire connector, and dryer model compatibility before ordering.
Safety first
- Unplug the dryer before opening any panels.
- Turn off the gas supply before working near the burner assembly.
- Sheet-metal edges inside dryers are sharp, so wear gloves and move slowly.
- Handle the igniter carefully. It is fragile and can break easily.
- If you smell gas at any point, stop and do not keep testing the dryer.
Tools you may need
Nut driver set
Use it for: Many dryers use hex-head screws on the lower panel and burner assembly.
Shop nut driver sets
Work gloves
Use it for: To protect your hands from sharp sheet-metal edges inside the dryer cabinet.
Shop work gloves
Flashlight
Use it for: To see the burner housing, igniter bracket, and wire routing clearly.
Shop flashlights
Multimeter
Use it for: To check for a broken igniter or confirm the old part is open if you want extra diagnosis before replacing it.
Shop multimetersAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Repair Riot may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Step-by-step fix
Step 1: Confirm the igniter is the right repair
- Run the dryer on a heat cycle and listen near the lower front or rear service area for the normal burner sequence.
- A bad igniter often shows up as a dryer that tumbles but never heats, or one that clicks and never lights the flame.
- If you can access the burner view port or lower panel safely, look for an igniter that never glows during a call for heat.
- If you have a multimeter and the dryer is unplugged, you can test the removed igniter later for continuity; a visibly cracked igniter is also a strong clue.
If it works: The symptoms point to a failed igniter and not just a lint blockage or no-gas condition.
If it doesn’t: If the dryer heats sometimes, shuts off early, or has weak airflow, check venting and other heat-control parts before replacing the igniter.
Stop if:
- You smell gas before starting the repair.
- The dryer will not start or tumble at all.
- You find burned wires, melted connectors, or obvious flame rollout damage near the burner.
Step 2: Shut the dryer down and open the burner area
- Unplug the dryer from the outlet.
- Turn off the gas supply valve to the dryer.
- Pull the dryer out enough to work safely and avoid kinking the gas connector.
- Remove the access panel or front lower panel to reach the burner assembly. On some dryers, you may need to remove the front panel or drum support panel first.
- Use a flashlight to locate the igniter mounted at the burner tube near the gas valve and flame opening.
If it works: The dryer is safely isolated and you can clearly reach the burner assembly and igniter.
If it doesn’t: If the panel layout is not obvious, look for hidden screws along the lint screen housing, lower kick panel, or rear edge and work slowly so you do not bend the cabinet.
Stop if:
- The gas shutoff valve will not fully close.
- You have to force a panel and it feels like another fastener is still hidden.
- You see heavy rust, soot, or signs the burner area has been overheating.
Step 3: Remove the old igniter
- Take a clear photo of the igniter position, wire routing, and connector before disconnecting anything.
- Disconnect the igniter wire plug or release the wire from its connector. Do not pull on the wires themselves.
- Remove the mounting screw or screws holding the igniter bracket to the burner assembly.
- Lift the old igniter out carefully. Handle it gently since igniters are brittle and can snap easily.
- Compare the old igniter to the new one for bracket position, connector style, and overall shape.
If it works: The old igniter is out and the replacement matches the original setup.
If it doesn’t: If the new part does not match the old one closely, pause and verify model fit before installing it.
Stop if:
- The wire connector is heat-damaged or crumbling.
- The burner bracket is bent or loose enough that the igniter will not sit in the same position as the original.
Step 4: Install the new igniter
- Set the new igniter into the same position and orientation as the old one.
- Install the mounting screw or screws snugly without overtightening into the bracket.
- Reconnect the wire plug and route the wires away from the burner flame path and moving parts.
- Avoid bumping the igniter tip against the burner housing while tightening and routing the wires.
- Double-check that the igniter sits in front of the burner opening the same way the original did.
If it works: The new igniter is mounted securely, connected properly, and positioned like the original.
If it doesn’t: If the igniter seems misaligned, remove it and reset the bracket position before reassembling the dryer.
Stop if:
- The new igniter cracks during installation.
- The connector will not seat firmly or the wires are too short to route safely.
Step 5: Reassemble the dryer and restore power and gas
- Reinstall the access panel, front panel, or any supports you removed.
- Move the dryer back carefully without crushing the vent or straining the gas line.
- Turn the gas supply back on.
- Plug the dryer back in.
- Set the dryer to a heat cycle and stay nearby for the first test.
If it works: The dryer is back together and ready for a live heating test.
If it doesn’t: If the dryer will not reassemble cleanly, reopen the cabinet and make sure no wires or panels are pinched or out of place.
Stop if:
- You smell gas after turning the supply back on.
- A panel will not sit flat because something inside is interfering.
Step 6: Verify the burner lights and the repair holds
- Start the dryer on a heated cycle and listen for the burner sequence.
- Watch through the burner view area if possible. The igniter should glow and the burner should light shortly after.
- Let the dryer run for several minutes to make sure it cycles heat normally instead of failing after the first ignition.
- Dry a small load or a few damp towels and confirm the dryer produces steady heat in real use.
If it works: The burner lights normally, the dryer heats consistently, and the repair holds during a real drying cycle.
If it doesn’t: If the igniter glows but the burner does not light, or the dryer still does not heat, the problem may be elsewhere in the gas valve, flame sensor, thermal protection, or power supply.
Stop if:
- You smell gas during operation.
- The burner area flashes, booms, or behaves erratically.
- The dryer overheats, shuts down, or shows signs of scorched wiring.
Replacement Parts
Find a dryer gas igniter on Amazon
Match the igniter shape, mounting style, wire connector, and dryer model compatibility before ordering.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Repair Riot may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Verify the repair
- The dryer tumbles and produces heat on a normal cycle.
- The igniter glows and the burner lights without repeated failed attempts.
- There is no gas smell before, during, or after the test cycle.
- A small damp load dries normally without unusually long run time.
FAQ
How do I know the dryer gas igniter is bad?
A common sign is a gas dryer that tumbles but never heats, especially if the igniter never glows. A cracked igniter or one that tests open with a multimeter is also a strong sign it has failed.
Can a dryer gas igniter glow and still be bad?
Yes. An igniter can glow but still be too weak or out of position to light the gas reliably. If it glows and the burner still does not light, other burner parts may also be involved.
Do I need to shut off the gas to replace the igniter?
Yes. You are working in the burner area, so turn off the gas supply and unplug the dryer before opening the cabinet.
Can I touch the new igniter with my fingers?
Handle it carefully and follow any instructions that come with the replacement. Some igniters are sensitive to contamination or rough handling, so it is best to hold the bracket or insulated base when possible.
What if the new igniter does not fix the heat problem?
If the dryer still does not heat, the issue may be with the flame sensor, gas valve coils, thermal fuse, thermostat, wiring, airflow, or power supply. The igniter is only one part of the burner system.