GE Oven Igniter (WB2X9998)

The GE Oven Igniter is the component responsible for lighting the gas burner in your oven so it can reach the set cooking temperature. When you start a bake or broil cycle, the igniter draws electrical current, glows hot enough to open the gas valve, and ignites the gas flowing into the burner. Without a working igniter, the oven cannot light or maintain heat.

GE oven igniters weaken over time because the element is under constant thermal stress every time the oven cycles on and off. A worn igniter may still glow but draw too little current to open the gas valve, meaning the oven tries to light but never does. Physical cracks, breaks from impact, or contamination from grease and spills can also cause the igniter to fail entirely.

If you are having trouble with your oven, these symptoms may point to a faulty igniter:

- Oven does not heat up at all when set to bake or broil

- Igniter glows orange but the burner never lights

- Oven takes much longer than usual to preheat

- Smell of gas without the burner igniting

- Igniter is visibly cracked, broken, or burned out

- Oven lights occasionally but shuts off before reaching temperature

- Clicking or repeated ignition attempts with no flame