The Basic Steps to Relight a Pilot Light

Relighting a pilot light takes about five minutes and requires no tools. Turn the gas control knob to OFF, wait three minutes for any gas to clear, then switch it to PILOT. Hold down the ignition button (usually red or black) while you hold a lit match or lighter to the pilot opening — a small hole near the burner. The flame should catch within 10 seconds. Once it does, release the button and turn the knob to ON.

The pilot opening is small and sits just below the main burner assembly. You will see a thin metal tube running to it. The ignition button is mounted on the control panel itself, typically labeled IGNITE or PILOT. Some newer units have a spark igniter instead of a button — in that case, press the button repeatedly while holding the flame near the opening, as the spark and flame work together.

If the flame does not catch after 10 seconds, remove the match, wait 30 seconds, and try again. Do not hold the button down for more than 30 seconds at a time, as this can flood the chamber with gas and make relighting harder.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn the gas knob to OFF, wait three minutes, then switch to PILOT before attempting to relight.
  • Hold the ignition button down while you hold a lit match or lighter to the pilot opening until the flame catches.
  • If the pilot does not light after three attempts, stop and check for a clogged opening or a faulty thermocouple.
  • Once the pilot is lit, turn the knob to ON and listen for the main burner to ignite within a minute.
  • A pilot light that goes out repeatedly usually signals a thermocouple problem, not user error.

Why Your Pilot Light Went Out

A pilot light can go out for several reasons. A draft from an open window or door, a gust from an exhaust fan, or vibration from nearby traffic can blow out the flame. A power outage will also extinguish it if your unit relies on electricity for the ignition system. These are one-time events — relight the pilot and it should stay on.

If the pilot goes out repeatedly within days or weeks, the problem is usually a thermocouple, a small safety device that sits in the pilot flame. When the thermocouple senses heat from the pilot, it tells the gas valve to stay open. If the thermocouple is worn or dirty, it stops sending that signal, and the valve closes even though the pilot is burning. This is a safety feature, not a malfunction — it prevents gas from flowing if the pilot is not actually lit. A thermocouple costs $15 to $30 and takes 10 minutes to replace, but it requires removing the burner assembly. If relighting does not hold, call a technician rather than trying to replace it yourself.

Locating the Pilot Light on Different Units

On a water heater, the pilot opening is at the bottom of the tank, near the floor. You will see a small metal box (the burner assembly) with a control knob on the side. The ignition button is on this knob or mounted just below it. The pilot opening itself is a hole about the size of a pencil lead, usually with a small metal tube running to it.

On a furnace, the pilot is inside the unit, and you will need to open the access panel on the front. The burner assembly sits below the main heat exchanger. The control knob and ignition button are on the side of the assembly, and the pilot opening faces downward toward the floor of the furnace. Furnaces are more enclosed than water heaters, so you may need a flashlight to see clearly.

On a gas stove, the pilot is usually a small flame that burns continuously near the burner knobs. Some stoves have a single pilot that lights all burners; others have individual pilots under each burner. The ignition button is typically on the control panel. If your stove has no pilot button, it uses electric ignition instead, and relighting is not necessary — the spark igniter will light the burner when you turn the knob.

What to Do If the Pilot Will Not Light

If you have tried three times and the pilot still will not catch, stop and check two things. First, make sure gas is actually reaching the pilot. Smell near the opening — you should detect a faint gas odor. If you smell nothing, the gas supply may be shut off at the meter or the control valve itself may be stuck. Check that the main gas valve (usually a lever on the pipe leading into the unit) is turned parallel to the pipe, not perpendicular to it.

Second, check whether the pilot opening is clogged. Dust and debris can block the small hole. Turn the gas off, wait three minutes, and look closely at the opening with a flashlight. If you see debris, you can try to clear it gently with a thin wire or needle, but do not force anything into the hole — you can damage the burner. If the opening looks clear and gas is flowing, the ignition system itself may be faulty. At that point, a technician should inspect it.

Do not attempt to relight if you smell a strong gas odor in the room. Turn off the gas at the meter, open windows, and call your gas company or a technician. A strong smell means gas is leaking somewhere, and relighting could be dangerous.

Safety Precautions While Relighting

Keep your face and hands away from the pilot opening while you hold the flame near it. The ignition can happen suddenly, and you do not want your hand or face in the way. Use a long lighter or a long match rather than your fingers, so you have distance between yourself and the flame.

Make sure the area around the unit is clear of clutter and flammable materials. Newspapers, cardboard, cleaning supplies, and other items should be at least three feet away. If you are relighting a furnace, make sure the access panel is fully open so you have a clear view and good airflow.

If you have a gas leak detector or carbon monoxide detector in your home, check it after relighting. If either alarm sounds, turn off the gas when ready, leave the house, and call your gas company from outside. Do not re-enter until a technician has cleared the unit.

When to Call a Technician Instead

Call a technician if the pilot goes out more than once in a month, if you smell gas but cannot relight the pilot, or if the main burner does not ignite within one minute after you turn the knob to ON. These are signs of a thermocouple failure, a gas valve problem, or a leak — none of which you should try to fix yourself.

Also call a technician if you are uncomfortable working near the pilot light, if you have never done it before and the instructions in your unit's manual differ from what is described here, or if the ignition button does not respond when you press it. A service call costs $100 to $200, but it is cheaper and safer than damaging the unit or creating a gas hazard.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I hold the ignition button down?

Hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the flame is at the pilot opening. If the pilot does not light in that time, release the button, wait 30 seconds, and try again. Do not hold the button for more than 30 seconds in one attempt, as this can flood the chamber with gas.

What if I do not have a lighter or matches?

You can use a long taper candle, a barbecue lighter with an extended nozzle, or even a rolled-up piece of paper lit from your kitchen stove. The goal is to get a flame to the pilot opening safely. A long lighter is safest because it keeps your hand far from the ignition point.

Should the pilot flame be blue or yellow?

A healthy pilot flame is mostly blue with a small yellow tip. If the flame is entirely yellow or orange, the opening may be clogged with dust or the gas mixture may be off. A blue flame means the pilot is burning correctly and should stay lit once you turn the knob to ON.

How often do pilot lights normally go out?

A working pilot light should stay on indefinitely unless there is a strong draft, a power outage, or a thermocouple problem. If your pilot goes out once every few months due to weather or a door slam, that is normal. If it goes out weekly or more often, the thermocouple is likely failing and needs replacement.

Can I relight the pilot if the power is out?

Yes, if your unit has a manual ignition button. You can relight it with a match or lighter even without electricity. However, if your unit has an electric spark igniter (no manual button), you will not be able to relight it until power is restored.