Furnace Clicking But Not Starting? 5 Things to Check (Albuquerque Guide)

That Clicking Sound Means Your Furnace Is Trying—But Failing—to Light

It's mid-winter in Albuquerque, the temperature is dropping, and your furnace is making a rhythmic clicking sound every time the thermostat calls for heat. But no warm air is flowing through the vents. Your house is getting cold, and you're frustrated.

Here's what's actually happening: that clicking sound is your furnace's igniter attempting to light the gas burner. In modern furnaces, there's no traditional pilot light like older systems had. Instead, your heating system uses either a hot surface igniter (a ceramic element that glows red-hot) or an electronic spark igniter to ignite the gas. When the igniter works, you get heat. When it doesn't, you get clicking—over and over again.

The good news? Many furnace clicking problems can be solved with simple DIY checks. The better news? You don't have to freeze while figuring it out. Let's walk through five things you can check right now.

Check #1: Your Thermostat Settings (It's Easier Than You Think)

Start with the simplest fix. A surprising number of "furnace won't start" calls turn out to be thermostat issues—not furnace issues.

• Is it set to HEAT, not COOL or OFF? Check the mode dial or digital display. It should clearly show HEAT.
• Is the temperature setting higher than your current room temperature? If your thermostat is set to 68°F but your house is already 70°F, the furnace won't run. Raise the setpoint 5–10 degrees and wait 30 seconds.
• Are the batteries dead? Programmable and digital thermostats run on batteries. Low batteries can cause the thermostat to lose power and stop communicating with your furnace. Replace them with fresh AAs or AAAs.

If you raise the thermostat and hear your furnace kick in—congratulations, you just saved yourself a service call. If the clicking persists, move to check #2.

Check #2: The Air Filter (One of the Most Common Culprits)

A clogged air filter is the #1 reason furnaces shut down and fail to ignite. Here's why: when the filter is too dirty, airflow through the furnace drops. Modern furnaces have safety sensors that detect low airflow and automatically shut down the system to prevent overheating or damage. Your furnace clicks, but the igniter never gets far enough in the cycle to light.

Check your air filter now:

• Locate your furnace (usually in a basement, garage, or utility closet). Follow the large air return duct to the filter slot.
• Pull out the filter. Hold it up to a light. Can you see light through it, or is it dark gray/black and caked with dust? A dirty filter looks like a blocked sponge.
• Replace it with a new one (standard 1-inch filters are $10–$20, available at any hardware store). Make sure the arrow on the filter points toward the furnace.
• Turn your furnace back on and listen.

Many furnace clicking problems disappear after a filter change. While you're at it, mark your calendar to check the filter monthly during heating season (October–March here in Albuquerque).

Check #3: Your Gas Supply (Safety First)

For your furnace to click and attempt ignition, it needs gas. If the gas isn't reaching the burner, the igniter will try endlessly but fail.

Is your gas valve open? Look at the gas line leading into your furnace. There should be a small knob or lever on the gas shutoff valve. It should be parallel to the gas pipe (in line with the flow). If it's perpendicular (perpendicular to the pipe), it's closed. Turn it to open, wait a few minutes, and try your thermostat again.

Is gas flowing to other appliances? Check your stove, water heater, or any other gas-powered device. Do they work? If other gas appliances are operating normally, gas is flowing. If nothing is working, you may have a service issue with your gas provider.

Did you turn off the furnace gas valve during summer? It happens. Some homeowners shut off the furnace's gas supply in warm months. If you did, turn it back on now. You shouldn't have to, but it's worth checking.

Important safety note: If you smell natural gas anywhere near your furnace or in your home, do not ignore it. Natural gas is odorless, so the smell you're detecting is an added chemical marker that indicates a leak. Leave your home immediately, go to a neighbor's house, and call the NM Gas Company emergency line at 1-888-664-3629. Do not use electrical switches, lighters, or create any spark. After the gas company clears the area, contact a licensed HVAC contractor.

Check #4: The Igniter Glow (Can You See It Working?)

This check requires you to look inside your furnace while it's trying to start. It's safe to do—just don't touch anything hot or moving.

Here's how:

• Turn off the power to your furnace at the switch or breaker.
• Open the furnace access panel or cover (usually held on by a few clips or screws).
• Turn the power back on and raise your thermostat to trigger the startup cycle.
• Look into the combustion chamber. During startup, you should see a red or orange glow—that's the igniter heating up. The glow should appear within 10–15 seconds.
• If you see the glow and smell gas but the burner doesn't light, there's a gas valve or safety issue that needs a professional. Stop here and call a licensed tech.
• If you see no glow at all, your igniter is dead. This is a $80–$200 part replacement, depending on your furnace model.

A dead igniter is one of the most common furnace failures. It's a wear item and can fail even on newer furnaces. If you see no glow, you'll need a professional to replace it, but at least you'll know that's the problem.

Check #5: The Safety Lockout Reset

Your furnace is smarter than you might think. If the igniter fails three times in a row, the furnace enters a lockout mode—it stops trying to light to prevent danger. The clicking will stop, but you won't get heat, either.

To reset the lockout:

• Turn off the power to your furnace at the switch (usually a switch right on the furnace) or at your circuit breaker.
• Wait 30 seconds. (This is important—it clears the furnace's memory.)
• Turn the power back on.
• Raise your thermostat to trigger a startup attempt.

The furnace will try to light again. If it succeeds, great—you're back in business. If the clicking resumes and then stops again, you're in lockout, and you'll need professional service.

When to Stop Troubleshooting and Call a Pro

DIY steps are helpful, but some furnace problems are not safe to handle alone. Call a licensed HVAC contractor if:

• You smell natural gas — Leave immediately and call NM Gas Company (1-888-664-3629).
• The igniter glows, but the burner won't light — This usually means a faulty gas valve, which is a safety issue.
• Your furnace is 15+ years old and this is a recurring problem — Frequent ignition failures suggest your system is aging and replacement may be more cost-effective than repeated repairs.
• You see an error code flashing on the control board — Most furnaces display LED error codes that tell a technician exactly what's wrong. (Different blink patterns mean different issues.) A pro can decode it quickly.
• You suspect a cracked heat exchanger — This is rare but serious. A cracked exchanger allows combustion gases (including carbon monoxide) to mix with your home's air. If you notice a burnt smell or feel sick when the furnace runs, leave your home and call 911 or a pro immediately.

Albuquerque-Specific Considerations: Altitude and Seasonal Heating

Albuquerque sits at 5,312 feet above sea level. That altitude affects how your furnace operates. At high elevation, the air is thinner, and gas pressure must be adjusted for proper ignition and combustion. Many furnaces installed by national chains in Albuquerque are not properly altitude-adjusted, which can cause ignition and efficiency issues over time.

Our heating season runs from October through March—that's six months of relying on your furnace. If your furnace is clicking and won't light during peak season, you need heat now, not weeks from now.

A licensed Albuquerque HVAC contractor familiar with ABQ's altitude and climate can inspect your furnace, verify gas pressure settings, and ensure it's configured correctly for our elevation.

Next Steps: Get Professional Help if You Need It

If you've walked through all five checks and your furnace is still clicking without igniting, or if you encountered a situation that requires professional attention, you're ready for a furnace repair estimate.

ABQHVACQuotes.com connects you with licensed, local Albuquerque HVAC contractors who can diagnose the exact problem, replace parts, and get your heat running. Whether it's a simple filter change you missed or a more complex igniter or gas valve issue, our trusted pros have seen it all.

• Get a free quote for furnace repair — Describe your situation and we'll match you with the right contractor.
• Learn more about our heating services — From repairs to replacements and seasonal maintenance.
• Is it time to replace your furnace? — When repair costs add up, replacement often makes financial sense.
• What is a furnace red tag? — If your furnace has been red-tagged, understand what it means and your options.

You don't have to freeze while waiting for service. The troubleshooting steps above are designed to help you identify quick fixes—and give you confidence when you call a professional. Either way, you'll get to the bottom of that clicking sound and restore heat to your Albuquerque home.