I guess you mean you are touching the torch to the workpiece to start the arc? If so, can you move the torch away from the workpiece and keep the arc going?
Check your consumables first, they should be clean and any moving parts should be free. Then check the pilot arc return wire from the torch back to the machine, you should be able to check for continuity from the nozzle to the connector at the machine end if it works the way I would expect it to.
