The basic steps to relight a pilot light

A gas oven pilot light that has gone out can usually be relit in under five minutes without calling a technician. The process is the same on most ovens: locate the pilot light opening (usually at the bottom front of the oven or inside the firebox), turn the gas knob to the pilot position, hold down the ignition button while you light the pilot with a long lighter or match, and keep the button pressed for 30 to 60 seconds after the flame catches. Once the pilot stays lit on its own, turn the knob to the on position and your oven is ready to use.

The reason this works is that holding the button down keeps a safety valve open long enough for the thermocouple—a heat-sensing device next to the pilot—to warm up and signal that gas is safe to flow. If you release the button too soon, the valve closes and the pilot goes out again. If the pilot won't stay lit even after you hold the button for a full minute, the thermocouple itself may be failing, and that is the point to call a repair technician.

Key Takeaways

  • Most pilot lights relight by turning the gas knob to pilot, pressing the ignition button, and lighting the flame with a long lighter while holding the button for 30 to 60 seconds.
  • The ignition button must stay pressed after the flame catches so the thermocouple can heat up and keep the safety valve open.
  • If the pilot lights but goes out the moment you release the button, the thermocouple is likely worn and needs replacement by a technician.
  • A pilot light that won't ignite at all may indicate a gas supply problem or a faulty igniter, both of which require professional service.
  • Relighting a pilot light is safe to do yourself, but if you smell gas and the pilot won't stay lit, turn off the oven and call for service.

Locating your pilot light opening

The pilot light opening is usually a small hole or tube at the bottom front of your oven, just inside the door frame, or sometimes inside the firebox itself if you have an older model. On many ovens you can see it without removing anything—it looks like a small brass or steel nozzle. If you cannot spot it easily, check your oven's manual for a diagram, or look for a small access panel at the bottom of the oven that you may need to remove.

Some ovens have the pilot light mounted on the side wall of the firebox rather than the front. If you are looking at the front and do not see it, open the oven door fully and look to the left or right side of the interior, near the bottom. The pilot opening will have a small tube running to it from the gas line, and you should be able to see a small flame there once it is lit.

Getting the right tools ready

You will need a long lighter or long matches to reach the pilot opening safely without putting your hand too close to the oven. A standard kitchen lighter or short match will not reach far enough, and you risk burning yourself. Long fireplace lighters (sometimes called wand lighters) are sold at hardware stores and supermarkets for a few dollars and are worth keeping on hand.

Before you start, make sure the oven is completely cool. If you have just been using it, wait at least 15 to 20 minutes. You should also have good light—a flashlight or phone light helps you see the pilot opening clearly. If the oven is in a dark corner, position your light source so you can see what you are doing without leaning too far into the oven.

The step-by-step relighting process

Turn the oven's gas control knob to the pilot position. This is usually marked with a small flame symbol or the word "pilot" on the knob itself. You may need to push the knob in slightly while turning it—check your manual if the knob does not turn easily. Once it is in the pilot position, you should hear a faint hissing sound as gas flows to the pilot opening.

Press and hold the ignition button (usually located next to or below the gas knob) while you bring your long lighter to the pilot opening. The button may be labeled "ignite" or have a spark symbol. Light the pilot flame with the lighter—you should see a small blue flame appear at the opening. Keep holding the ignition button down for at least 30 to 60 seconds after the flame catches. This allows the thermocouple to heat up enough to keep the safety valve open on its own.

After 30 to 60 seconds, slowly release the button while watching the pilot flame. If the flame stays lit, turn the gas knob from pilot to the on position (or to the temperature you want if your oven has a dial). The main burner should ignite. If the pilot goes out the moment you release the button, wait a minute for things to cool, and try again—but this time hold the button for the full 60 seconds. If it still goes out, the thermocouple needs service.

What to do if the pilot won't light at all

If you hear gas hissing but the lighter will not ignite the pilot, the opening may be clogged with dust or debris. Turn the gas knob back to off, wait a minute, and try gently blowing into the pilot opening to clear it. You can also use a thin piece of wire or a straightened paperclip to carefully clear the opening, but do this gently—the pilot nozzle is delicate. After clearing, turn the knob back to pilot and try lighting again.

If you do not hear any hissing sound when the knob is in the pilot position, the gas supply to the pilot may be shut off. Check that the main gas valve to your oven (usually located behind or below the oven) is fully open. If it is already open and you still hear no hissing, there may be a problem with the gas line or the pilot gas valve itself, and you will need a technician to diagnose it.

If you smell gas but cannot get the pilot to light, turn the gas knob to off when ready and do not try again. Open a window and call your gas company's emergency line or a may have access to repair technician. A strong gas smell with no ignition can indicate a leak or a more serious problem that requires professional attention.

When the pilot light keeps going out

A pilot light that ignites but goes out as soon as you release the button almost always means the thermocouple is failing. The thermocouple is a small metal rod that sits in the pilot flame and generates a tiny electrical signal when heated. If this signal is weak or absent, the safety valve closes and shuts off the gas. This is a safety feature—it prevents gas from flowing if there is no flame to burn it.

Replacing a thermocouple is a job for a technician because it requires disconnecting gas lines and ensuring everything is sealed properly. The part itself is inexpensive (usually $20 to $50), but the labor will vary depending on your location and the oven model. If your oven is still under warranty, contact the manufacturer before paying for a repair.

Preventing pilot light problems

Pilot lights go out most often because of drafts, dust buildup, or a failing thermocouple. You can reduce the risk by keeping the area around your oven clear of clutter and making sure there are no strong drafts blowing across the oven opening. If you live in a very drafty kitchen or near a door or window, a draft shield or even a straightforward cardboard barrier can help protect the pilot flame.

Check your oven's manual to see if the pilot opening has a removable cover or screen. If it does, remove it once a year and gently clean away any dust with a soft brush or cloth. Do this only when the oven is completely cool and the gas is off. Keeping the pilot opening clear of debris reduces the chance it will clog and fail to light.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to relight a pilot light myself?

Yes, relighting a pilot light is safe as long as you follow the steps carefully and the oven is cool. The process uses only a small amount of gas and a standard lighter. If you smell a strong gas odor or the pilot will not stay lit after multiple attempts, stop and call a technician instead of continuing to try.

How long should I hold the ignition button down?

Hold it for at least 30 to 60 seconds after the flame catches. The longer you hold it, the more time the thermocouple has to heat up and signal the safety valve to stay open. If 30 seconds is not enough, try holding it for the full 60 seconds on your next attempt.

What if my oven does not have an ignition button?

Older ovens sometimes have a manual ignition system where you turn the knob to pilot and then light the flame with a match or lighter without pressing a button. The knob itself may have a small button built into it that you push while turning. Check your manual for the exact procedure for your model.

Can a clogged pilot opening be cleaned without taking the oven apart?

Yes. Turn the gas off, wait a minute, and try blowing gently into the pilot opening to dislodge dust. You can also use a thin wire or straightened paperclip to carefully poke the opening, but be very gentle—the nozzle is fragile. If this does not work, a technician can clean it properly.

How often do pilot lights normally go out?

A well-maintained pilot light should stay lit indefinitely. If yours goes out regularly—more than once a month—something is wrong. This could be a draft, a clogged opening, or a failing thermocouple. After relighting it once, if it goes out again within a few days, call for service to find the underlying cause.