At my Houston house, as of mid-September 2026, the reflex when a gas burner clicks but will not light is to turn the knob and try again. I used to treat the click like a sign that the stove was almost there. Here in Texas, I know how easy it is to stay focused on getting dinner going instead of stopping to think about the gas.
That familiar knob turn is the part worth reconsidering. In Houston, CenterPoint Energy tells customers who smell gas to leave on foot, then call 911 and the utility from a safe location. That is a different response from standing at the stove and giving the burner another chance.
Get help with a burner that won’t light.Nia asks quick questions, then you can ask qualified local pros to reach out.“My stove burner clicks but won’t light; I need service.”→Free for homeowners · Your number stays private
What CenterPoint Energy says
CenterPoint Energy’s instruction for a gas smell indoors is direct: “Leave immediately on foot! Do not use electric switches, telephones (including cell phones), drive or start a car or anything that could cause a spark.” Its guidance says to make the calls after reaching a safe location. The order matters: get away from the smell first, and use the phone once you are safely away…