Furnace lights up then immediately goes out
Even after replacing the igniter, gas valve, and flame sensor, a furnace can fail to stay lit if the new igniter isn't drawing the correct amount of electrical current. This prevents the control board from sensing proper operation and keeping the gas valve open, stopping the system from completing its heating cycle.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- People have been saying this in most months since September 2026.
- This comes up 18.6× more often in r/hvacadvice than across the site as a whole.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
Furnace lights up then immediately goes out
- 1Replacing multiple parts sequentiallyDid this help you?
- 2Checking incoming gas pressure and flame signalDid this help you?
- 3Consulting forums for diagnostic stepsDid this help you?
- 4Consulting AI tools like Google Gemini for troubleshooting adviceDid this help you?
- 5Checking the amp draw of the ignitorDid this help you?
- 6Calling the gas company to verify gas is flowingDid this help you?
- 7Calling a professional technician for helpDid this help you?
- 8Pressing the reset buttonDid this help you?
- 9Calling a technicianDid this help you?
- 10Checking continuity across control board componentsDid this help you?
- 11Testing rollout switches, limit switches, and inducer motor vacuum switchesDid this help you?
- 12Checking the thermostat switch settingsDid this help you?
- 13checking if the gas supply is turned onDid this help you?
- 14clearing the pressure switch hose nipple with a paper clipDid this help you?
- 15Pulling and cleaning the flame sensor with an emery clothDid this help you?
- 16Replacing the furnace entirelyDid this help you?
- 17Replacing components like the flame sensor based on online researchDid this help you?
- 18Using a multimeter to test continuity across switches and trace powerDid this help you?
- 19Replacing the igniterDid this help you?
- 20Swapping out the inducer motorDid this help you?
- 21Turning off the system and running the fan to de-ice coilsDid this help you?
- 22Bleed air from the fuel line until oil flowsDid this help you?
- 23Replace the fuel filterDid this help you?
- 24Check and reset or replace the primary control unitDid this help you?
- 25Check for a tripped motor reset buttonDid this help you?
- 26Replace the relay in the AC ready kitDid this help you?
- 27Tapping the gas valve in case it is stuck from lack of useDid this help you?
- 28Testing the thermopile with a multimeterDid this help you?
- 29Checking or replacing the wall thermostatDid this help you?
- 30whack the gas valve with the back of a screwdriverDid this help you?
- 31use a multimeter to check if the gas valve is getting 24 voltsDid this help you?
- 32call a technician from a small to medium independent companyDid this help you?
- 33Using AI chatbots to interpret multimeter readings and suggest parts.Did this help you?
- 34Replacing the entire aged HVAC system instead of attempting piecemeal repairs.Did this help you?
- 35Trying different MERV rated air filtersDid this help you?
- 36Having a technician clean the evaporator and heat exchangerDid this help you?
- 37Using a manometer to check the gas pressure going into and out of the valveDid this help you?
- 38Using a multimeter to test the pressure switches for proper functionDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“My carrier furnace will try to ignite, fail and retry, just has difficulty starting, even when ignited the flames are no burning smoothly.”source ↗
“This has been going on since I bought the house new in 21.”source ↗
“I replaced the inducer on my furnace but it’s not manually lighting.”source ↗
“I replaced the gas valve and the igniter and flame sensor on this furnace, did I get a bad gas valve possibly? Old one Was doing the same thing. Any advice would be nice. I’m just a new tech trying to figure it out.”source ↗
“Last winter, i would notice the furnace going through the ignition cycle several times before it would actually ignite.”source ↗
“Now, the furnace starts the ignition cycle, but I see no glow.”source ↗
“When I first turned it on, it flickered, but all of the burners eventually lit up blue. However, it shut off after about a minute. Now this is happening, and I’m not sure what’s causing it.”source ↗
“I am work travel and trying to remotely help my wife diagnose the furnace problem so that I can order some parts and have them there for when I get back.”source ↗
“Now it will not complete the start cycle and it show 6 flashes and then will go into 6-1 just as the manual describes.”source ↗
“My furnace quit working last night, it has power and gas going to it, it only attempts to start when I pull one wire off the limit switch but still fails to start.”source ↗
“My system was apparently powered off at the new house. Trying to get it restarted without having a tech come out.”source ↗
“I tried 15 second hard reset one time”source ↗
“I have only touched it once.”source ↗
“The igniter is working and lights the pilot, but the mains never kick on.”source ↗
“Very erratic while the pilot is lit. Of course, it eventually times out.”source ↗
“I completely left out that I did that first. Pulled it and took emery cloth to it. This was after.”source ↗
“I have a Keeprite furnace and i have been having issues with the burners not igniting.”source ↗
“they ignite randomly leaving the house cold during certain times.”source ↗
“I can't get the furnace to prime. It's getting power, I have the thermostat set to call for heat, I hold the red button for 15 seconds until the yellow prime light comes on, then let go. Prime light turns off and nothing happens.”source ↗
“I had the same issue last fall and managed to get it going and it ran all winter but I can't remember how. I want to say it was something with the lockout sequence. Because it seems to do this when it goes unused from spring to fall.”source ↗
“It doesn't sound like it's trying to pull any fuel and it's not even trying to ignite. I think it may be something with lockout?”source ↗
“The blower kicks on. The igniter ignites. No gas. No audible click.”source ↗
“Forgot to add that no 24v hitting the gas valve during sequence.”source ↗
“That's what ours was like and I even posted about it here. We got an entry level American Standard split system for about $14k to replace it this year and so far the heating is more effective and consistent.”source ↗
“Is there any way I can rule some of these out? I live on the outskirts of town, so finding someone willing to come out here thats knowledgeable enough to handle this is difficult and will cost an arm and probably half a leg.”source ↗
“Google gemini says I need to replace the igniter, can anyone confirm?”source ↗
“What’s the amp draw of the ignitor? I’ve never seen an ignitor cause a valve to act like this and I don’t hear the valve closing and opening.”source ↗
“100% new igniter. Not drawing enough amps to keep the valve open.”source ↗
“Yep looks like you need a new ignitor to me.”source ↗
“I got the pilot light on and was able to turn the dial to the on position. There's a dial on the wall to control the fireplace but even when it's turned all the way up, the fireplace isn't catching.”source ↗
“All the fuses are on and I'm not aure what I'm missing to get this thing going.”source ↗
“We don't want to spend money for a professional to fix an easy problem.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 4Furnace won't turn on after new AC installation
- 4Why is my older furnace running long cycles?
- 7Why is my furnace blowing cold air with a red blinking light?
- 9Why won't my water heater pilot light stay lit or spark?
- 2How to test a car ignition switch with a multimeter
- 5Why does my thermostat keep losing power and resetting?