Lighting a pilot light depends on your heater type and whether it has an ignition system

Most modern heaters have either a piezo igniter (a button you push) or an electronic igniter (powered by batteries or the heater's circuit). Older heaters require a match or lighter. The process takes five to ten minutes, and you do not need tools—just steady hands and the ability to follow the heater's label instructions, which are the real guide here.

If your heater has no label, or if you smell gas and cannot see a flame after trying once, stop and call a technician. A failed pilot light that leaks gas is a safety issue, and troubleshooting it yourself beyond one careful attempt can make things worse.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn the gas control knob to "Pilot" and hold it down while you ignite the pilot—the knob must stay pressed for 30 to 60 seconds after the flame appears.
  • Piezo igniters (push-button) work without electricity; electronic igniters need working batteries or power from the heater itself.
  • If you smell gas but see no flame after one attempt, turn the gas off and wait five minutes before trying again—do not keep trying.
  • The pilot flame should be blue and steady; a yellow or flickering flame means the burner needs cleaning, which a technician should do.
  • If the pilot will not stay lit after you release the knob, the thermocouple (a safety sensor) may be failing and needs replacement by a professional.

Locate the pilot light assembly and the gas control knob

Open the heater's access panel or door—usually held by one or two screws or a latch. Inside, you will see a small burner (the pilot) and a metal knob labeled "Off," "Pilot," and "On." The pilot burner is smaller than the main burner and sits nearby. Look for the igniter next to or above the pilot: it will be either a red or black button (piezo) or a small electrode with wires running to it (electronic).

Before you touch anything, read the label on the heater itself. It will show the exact sequence for your model. If the label is missing or illegible, take a photo of the heater's model number and look it up online, or call the manufacturer's support line. Do not guess the sequence—different heaters have different safety interlocks, and following the wrong steps can damage the ignition system or create a gas hazard.

Turn the gas control knob to "Pilot" and prepare to ignite

Turn the knob clockwise to "Pilot." You should hear a faint hiss as gas flows to the pilot burner. Do not turn it to "On" yet—"Pilot" is the setting that lets you light it safely. If you smell a strong gas smell, stop, turn the knob to "Off," and wait five minutes for the gas to clear before trying again.

Position yourself so you can see the pilot burner and reach the igniter at the same time. Have your match or lighter ready if you are using one. If you are using an electronic igniter, make sure the batteries are fresh—a weak battery will not produce a spark strong enough to ignite the gas.

Ignite the pilot using your heater's ignition method

For a piezo igniter (push-button): Press and hold the button while watching the pilot burner. You should see a spark and then a small blue flame appear within a few seconds. Keep holding the button for 30 to 60 seconds after the flame appears—this warms up the thermocouple, a safety sensor that tells the heater the pilot is burning. Then release the button slowly.

For an electronic igniter (with wires): Press and hold the ignition button while watching for a spark at the electrode. The spark should jump to the pilot burner and light it. Hold the button for 30 to 60 seconds after the flame appears, then release. If nothing happens after 10 seconds of holding, release, wait 30 seconds, and try again—repeated sparking can flood the burner with gas.

For a match or lighter: Hold the flame near the pilot burner opening while turning the gas knob to "Pilot." The pilot should light when ready. Hold the knob in "Pilot" for 30 to 60 seconds after the flame appears, then release slowly.

Hold the knob down and watch for the flame to stay lit

After you ignite the pilot, keep the gas control knob pressed in "Pilot" for at least 30 seconds—some heaters require up to 60 seconds. This time allows the thermocouple to heat up and signal the gas valve that it is safe to keep the gas flowing. If you release too early, the pilot will go out.

Watch the flame while you hold the knob. It should be blue and steady, about the size of a pea or smaller. A yellow or orange flame means the burner is dirty and needs professional cleaning. A flame that flickers or dances suggests air is getting in where it should not, which also requires a technician to diagnose and fix.

Turn the knob to "On" once the pilot stays lit

After holding the knob in "Pilot" for the required time, slowly release it. The pilot flame should stay burning. If it goes out when ready, wait five minutes, then try again. If it goes out a second time, the thermocouple is likely failing and needs to be replaced by a professional—do not keep trying.

Once the pilot stays lit on its own, turn the knob to "On." The main burner should ignite, and you should feel heat coming from the heater within a minute or two. If the main burner does not light, turn the knob back to "Off" and call a technician.

Troubleshoot if the pilot will not light or stay lit

If you see no spark or flame after three attempts, stop and wait five minutes. A flooded burner (too much gas in the chamber) will not ignite. After waiting, turn the knob to "Off," open the heater's access panel to let air flow through, then try again. If it still does not light, the problem is beyond a straightforward relighting.

If the pilot lights but goes out the moment you release the knob, the thermocouple is not heating up properly. This is a safety feature—the heater is designed to shut off gas if it thinks the pilot is not burning. A failing thermocouple cannot be cleaned or adjusted by a homeowner and must be replaced by a technician.

If you smell gas continuously or see no flame after one careful attempt, turn the gas control knob to "Off" and call a heating technician or your gas company's emergency line. Do not try again, and do not ignore the smell. Gas leaks are serious.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I hold the knob down after the pilot lights?

Hold it for 30 to 60 seconds—check your heater's label for the exact time. This warms the thermocouple so it signals the gas valve to stay open. Releasing too early will cause the pilot to go out.

What if the pilot flame is yellow instead of blue?

A yellow flame means the burner is dirty or the air-to-gas ratio is wrong. This is not dangerous in the short term, but it reduces efficiency and can damage the burner over time. A technician can clean the burner and adjust the air shutter.

Can I light the pilot with a lighter instead of a match?

Yes, a long-reach lighter works fine. A regular lighter is harder to use safely because your hand gets closer to the burner. A match is easier and safer if you have one available.

Why does the pilot go out right after I release the knob?

The thermocouple is not heating up enough to signal the gas valve. This usually means the thermocouple is failing and needs replacement. A technician should handle this—it is not a repair you can do yourself.

Is it normal to smell gas when I am lighting the pilot?

A faint gas smell for a few seconds is normal. If the smell is strong or does not go away after the pilot lights, turn the knob to "Off" and wait five minutes. If the smell persists, call your gas company—there may be a leak.