Whirlpool Range Hot Surface Igniter Element (W11590294) (Replaces W11208965)

The hot surface igniter is the part in a gas range that generates enough heat to light the burner when you start a bake or broil cycle. It works by drawing electrical current through a resistive element that glows red hot, which then ignites the gas flowing into the burner and signals the gas valve to open once it reaches the right temperature.

Important Compatibility Note: Part number W11590294 is the current manufacturer-approved replacement for the following discontinued part number(s): W11208965. If your appliance documentation or old part uses any of these numbers, this is the correct, updated component for your repair.

Igniters commonly fail after years of repeated heating and cooling cycles, which causes the element to crack, weaken, or burn out entirely. A weak igniter may still glow but not get hot enough to open the gas valve, while a broken igniter may not glow at all, leaving the burner unable to light.

If you notice any of these symptoms on your gas range, a faulty igniter may be the cause:

- Oven burner does not light even though you can smell gas

- Igniter glows orange or red but the burner never ignites

- Igniter takes several minutes to light the burner instead of lighting quickly

- Oven lights sometimes but fails inconsistently

- Igniter element appears cracked, broken, or visibly damaged

- Oven runs hotter or cooler than expected due to a weak igniter affecting gas valve timing

- Igniter does not glow at all when the oven is turned on