If you were all set for a great cookout, but your Char-Broil grill igniter not working has ruined the moment, I know how frustrating that can be. The most common reasons behind it are:
- A dead battery.
- Moisture or corrosion inside the igniter.
- Blocked burner tubes.
- A faulty igniter module.
- Loose or misplaced wires.
But don’t worry. I’ll walk you through how to fix each of these issues step by step. I’ve dealt with this myself—and with a little troubleshooting, you’ll have your grill firing up like new. Let’s get into it!
What To Do When A Char Broil Grill Won’t Ignite? Some Quick Fixes
Before diving deep into why your Char-Broil grill may not ignite, you should check out the basics first. For the grill to fire and for the burner to catch flame, make sure you have a proper gas supply.
If you’re using a propane tank, make sure it has sufficient gas and is properly connected to the grill. Make sure there are no leaks in the gas lines. Use soapy water to check whether there are any leaks due to the formation of bubbles. For natural gas lines, the valve has to be open.
Then, make sure all the burner knobs are off before you start lighting. If possible, open the grill lid and make sure the burners are placed in the right position. Clear any debris you see.
If you do all that and the igniter still doesn’t work, you have to move on to the more advanced troubleshooting steps.
Char Broil Grill Igniter Not Working [5 Easy Fixes]
Still wondering why my grill igniter is not working even after trying the basics. Here are the main reasons behind it:
1. Dead Battery
Nine times out of ten, the main reason behind the igniter not working is a dead battery. It’s frustrating when you don’t hear the igniter click after following the right startup procedure. Sure, you can put a lighter in the hole and make it work for the time being. But that doesn’t always work.
So, you’re gonna have to troubleshoot this. Luckily, I know where to look. Even better, I can guide you through this. Most Char-Broil grills are battery-powered. Besides that, the igniter itself is also powered by an AAA battery. When it runs out of charge, the igniter won’t click.
Solution:
Start by making sure that the battery is oriented in the correct + and – position. There’s an icon on the battery cap or button. Use that as a guide on positioning the battery correctly.
How To Do Char Broil Igniter Battery Replacement?
You’d have to unscrew the battery to check whether it’s in the right orientation. If it was placed in the right manner, then the reason behind the igniter not clicking could likely be a dead battery.
In most cases, these igniters are powered by AAA batteries. So, get a new battery. Then, just unscrew the old battery, put the new one in the right position, and screw the battery cap back in.
That’s how easy it is. Now, it’s time to test it. The main sign that the fix has worked is if the igniter makes a clicking sound when you turn on the grill. Then, it should be blazing flames.
2. Moisture & Corrosion
If your Char-Broil igniter isn’t clicking, moisture or corrosion could be to blame. These grills often sit outdoors, which makes them prone to moisture buildup—especially around the ignition system. Rain, humidity, or even steam from cooking can cause the igniter contacts to get wet and stop working.
But moisture isn’t the only problem. Sometimes, the issue comes from inside the igniter module itself. Old or overheated batteries can leak acid, leading to corrosion in the battery compartment.
You’ll usually see a white, crusty residue where the battery connects. This corrosion can block the power flow and keep the igniter from sparking—just like moisture does.
In both cases, the result is the same: no click, no spark, no flame.
Solution:
Take out the battery and inspect the igniter contacts. If you notice moisture or corrosion, clean the contacts using rubbing alcohol or WD-40 with a Q-tip. Gently scrub the area until it’s clean and dry.
If the corrosion came from a leaking battery, make sure to replace it with a fresh one. Just let everything dry before putting the new battery in.
Once the contacts are clean and the battery is fresh, your igniter should start working again.
3. Blockages
Another simple issue that can prevent your Char-Broil grill from igniting is spiderwebs, nests, or other debris. It can block the gas flow in the burner or the tubes. When the gas flow is obstructed, the grill won’t ignite.
Solution:
Be on the lookout for these blockages. If you see anything like this, then clean it as soon as you can. Use compressed air, or you can also clean manually and get the dirt out. Once you do that, it should be easy to fix the blockages.
4. Faulty Igniter
Sometimes the issue goes beyond batteries, moisture, or blockages—it’s the igniter itself that’s faulty. If your Char-Broil grill still won’t ignite even after changing the battery and cleaning out the contacts, the problem could lie in the internal igniter unit.
Over time, igniters just wear out. It’s one of those components that doesn’t last forever. If pressing the igniter button does nothing—no click, no spark, and no flame—and you’ve already checked the basics, then chances are you’re dealing with a dead igniter.
A clear sign of a faulty igniter is when your grill lights up manually with a match or lighter but fails to ignite using the push button. That means gas is reaching the burners just fine, but the spark that’s supposed to ignite it isn’t happening anymore.
Solution:
When the igniter itself goes bad, replacing it is the best fix. You’ll need to get a compatible replacement igniter for your specific Char-Broil model.
Thankfully, these are widely available and easy to install with some basic tools. Once the new igniter is in, your grill should spark right back to life with a single press of the button.
How To Do Char Broil Igniter Replacement
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to replace a faulty igniter:
Step 01 – Open Up the Grill and Locate the Igniter
Start by removing the grill grates and flame tamers (the metal covers over the burners). This gives you clear access to the burner tubes and the igniter system. Look for the burner that has the igniter attached to it. You’ll notice a wire running from this igniter back toward the control panel.
Step 02 – Disconnect the Old Igniter
Gently remove the cotter pin that holds the burner tube in place and slide the burner out. Follow the wire from the igniter to the ignition button. You don’t have to unscrew the front panel. Simply pull the wire connector from the back of the igniter button. The old igniter is now disconnected.
Step 03 – Install the New Igniter
Take your new igniter and attach it to the burner tube using the built-in clip. If the clip doesn’t fit perfectly, you can use needle-nose pliers to bend it slightly for a snug fit.
It’s important that the igniter line up right where the gas exits the burner. Run the wire back through the same path and plug it into the igniter button on the control panel. Make sure it clicks firmly into place.
Step 04 – Reassemble the Grill
Slide the burner tube back into position and secure it with the cotter pin. Put the flame tamers and grill grates back on. If you cleaned the grill during the process, make sure everything is dry before lighting.
Step 05 – Test the Igniter
Open the propane valve, turn a burner knob, and press the igniter button. You should hear the familiar clicking sound, followed by the ignition of a clean blue flame. If that happens, mission accomplished.
So if your Char-Broil grill igniter wasn’t working because of a dead unit, this replacement should take care of the problem for good. It’s a pretty simple fix that gets your grill back in action fast—no matches required.
5. Wire Misplacement or Loose Connection
If you’ve already replaced the battery or even swapped out the igniter module, but your Char-Broil grill still isn’t igniting, the problem might be something simple: the wires aren’t connected properly.
This is an easy mistake to make, especially if you have disconnected the wires without paying attention to where each one goes. Every wire connects to a specific port on the igniter module.
Even if just one of the wires is in the wrong spot or not pushed in all the way, the igniter won’t click or spark. It may look like everything’s in place, but if the wires are loose or misaligned, the system can’t complete the circuit, and nothing happens when you press the button.
Solution:
Before disconnecting any wires, take a quick photo or make a note of where each wire is connected. That way, you’ll know exactly where everything goes when it’s time to reconnect.
Once you’ve installed the new module, reconnect each wire to its correct port. Then, give them a gentle tug to make sure they’re snug. Wires can shift or pop out during reassembly, so it’s worth double-checking before you close everything up.
A secure and properly placed wire connection ensures the spark goes where it’s supposed to, right to the burner.
How To Prevent Your Char Broil Heater From Going Bad?
Maintenance is the way to go when it comes to using grills. I’d always recommend doing your most to take care of your grill so that you don’t face any issues with it.
The most important tip I have for you is to always keep the grill covered. Doing so protects the grill from being dirty or affected by outside weather. Yes, you can light up these Char-Broil grills manually with a long match. But it’s not recommended in the long run.
And, of course, it’s also important to clean the heater from time to time. Grease, food drippings, and soot build up fast—especially if you use your grill regularly.
If left unchecked, that buildup can start affecting how your Char-Broil grill performs. You might notice uneven flames, weaker heat, flames shooting out, or even ignition issues that make you think something’s broken—when it’s just dirty. So here’s what you should do.
Every few uses, take a few minutes to give the grill a proper cleaning. Remove the grates and flame tamers, then spray down the inside of the firebox with a grill-safe cleaner.
Let it sit for a few minutes, scrub it with a brush, and rinse it off with water. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but getting the grease and grime off really helps.
Make sure everything’s dry before you fire it back up. Especially around the igniter area—moisture near the ignition system can cause it to stop clicking or sparking.
It’s a small effort that pays off big in the long run. Clean burners mean better gas flow, faster ignition, and more even cooking.
So if you want to keep your Char-Broil heater working like new, clean it, cover it, and take care of the little things before they turn into big problems.
FAQs:
What should I use for cleaning?
Rubbing alcohol or WD40 are good options. If not available, you can also use distilled water. Use a Q-tip or a microfiber cloth to clean them.
How can I get a replacement igniter for my Char Broil grill?
Visit charbroil.com and order using your grill’s model and serial number. It’s the quickest and safest way to get the right replacement part for your grill.
Is the igniter module covered under warranty?
Yes, many parts—including the igniter—are covered under Char-Broil’s warranty if registered.
Where can I find my Char Broil grill’s model number and serial number?
Look for a sticker or metal plate on the back or inside of the grill cabinet. You should be able to locate the model and serial number easily from there.
Conclusion
Now, you know the main reasons behind your Char Broil grill igniter not working properly. It’s usually a battery issue, moisture, or a faulty igniter. The good thing is that all of them are easy to fix.
Start by checking the battery and cleaning the contacts. If needed, replace the igniter or secure the wiring. Regular cleaning and proper storage can prevent most problems in the future.
With a little care, your grill will stay reliable for every cook you make. And if you’re also having trouble with a Comfort Zone heater not turning on, check out my guide on how you can solve that.
