The basic steps to relight a pilot light
To relight your oven's pilot light, first turn off the gas at the control knob and wait five minutes for any gas to clear. Then locate the pilot light opening — usually a small hole near the burner or at the base of the oven interior. Hold a long lighter or lit match near the opening while slowly turning the gas control knob to the pilot position. The flame should catch within a few seconds. Once it does, keep the knob in the pilot position for another 30 to 60 seconds, then turn it to the on position.
If the pilot light goes out when ready after you release the knob, the thermocouple — a safety device that senses heat — may be dirty or failing. Try relighting it once more. If it fails a second time, the thermocouple usually needs replacement, which is a job for a service technician.
The exact location and procedure vary by oven model. Check your owner's manual for the specific steps and the location of your pilot light opening. If you no longer have the manual, search the manufacturer's website using your oven's model number, which is usually printed on a sticker inside the oven or on the back panel.
Key Takeaways
- Turn off the gas and wait five minutes before attempting to relight the pilot to let any gas dissipate safely.
- Use a long lighter or match held near the pilot opening while turning the control knob to the pilot position.
- Hold the knob in the pilot position for 30 to 60 seconds after the flame catches to let the thermocouple warm up.
- If the pilot light will not stay lit after two attempts, the thermocouple likely needs replacement by a technician.
Where to find the pilot light on your oven
The pilot light opening is usually a small hole located near the main burner or at the base of the oven interior, just inside the door. On some models it sits to the left or right of the burner; on others it is directly below it. Look for a small brass or metal tube pointing downward or to the side.
If you cannot spot it, check the oven's interior with a flashlight. The opening is typically no larger than a pencil tip. Do not confuse it with the burner itself, which is larger and has multiple holes. Your owner's manual will show a diagram of the exact location for your model.
Some newer ovens do not have a pilot light at all — they use an electric ignition system instead. If you see no pilot opening and the oven has a control panel with buttons or a digital display, it likely has electronic ignition. In that case, the oven should light automatically when you turn on the gas; if it does not, contact a technician.
What to do if the pilot light will not stay lit
A pilot light that goes out when ready after you release the control knob usually signals a problem with the thermocouple. This is a small metal rod that sits in the pilot flame and generates a tiny electrical signal that tells the gas valve to stay open. When it gets dirty or fails, the valve closes as soon as you let go of the knob.
Before assuming the thermocouple is bad, try cleaning it. Turn off the gas, wait five minutes, and locate the thermocouple — a thin metal rod about three inches long sitting just behind or beside the pilot opening. Gently rub it with fine steel wool or a soft cloth to remove any soot or buildup. Then try relighting the pilot. If it still will not hold, the thermocouple needs replacement.
Thermocouple replacement is not a task for most homeowners. The part itself costs between $15 and $40, but installation requires disconnecting gas lines and ensuring they are sealed properly. Call a licensed appliance repair technician to do this work safely.
Safety steps before you start
Gas ovens carry real risks if handled carelessly. Before you touch anything, turn off the gas at the control knob and wait at least five minutes. This gives any gas that may have accumulated time to disperse. Do not skip this step — a spark from a lighter or match near a pocket of gas can cause a small explosion or flash.
Make sure the kitchen is well ventilated. Open a window or turn on the exhaust fan. If you smell gas at any point — a rotten-egg odor — stop when ready, leave the kitchen, and call your gas company's emergency line. Do not use matches, lighters, or anything that could create a spark.
If you are uncomfortable working with gas appliances, or if the pilot light will not stay lit after two attempts, call a technician. A service call costs $100 to $200 but is worth the safety and peace of mind.
How to use a long lighter safely
A long lighter — the kind with an extended nozzle designed for candles and grills — is the safest tool for relighting a pilot. Your hand stays farther from the flame and the oven opening. You can find them at any hardware store or supermarket for $3 to $8.
If you do not have a long lighter, a lit wooden match works, though your fingers will be closer to the heat. Strike the match, hold it near the pilot opening, and turn the control knob to pilot at the same time. Never use a regular short lighter — your hand will be too close to the opening and the flame.
Do not use a stove burner to light a match or lighter. Lean over the oven opening instead, keeping your face and hair away from the opening. Once the pilot catches, step back and let the flame stabilize for a few seconds before moving your hand away.
Differences between manual and automatic pilot systems
Older ovens have a manual pilot light that you light by hand and that stays on all the time, even when the oven is off. Newer ovens often have an automatic pilot system that lights only when you turn on the oven. Some very new models skip the pilot entirely and use an electric spark igniter instead.
If your oven has an automatic pilot, you may see a small spark near the burner when you turn on the gas — that is the igniter working. If you hear clicking but see no spark, or if the oven does not light after 30 seconds, the igniter may be broken and needs professional repair.
Manual pilot systems are more common in older homes. They are simpler and cheaper to repair, but they waste a small amount of gas because the pilot burns continuously. If your oven has a manual pilot and you are away for long periods, you can turn off the gas at the control knob to save fuel, then relight when you return.
When to call a technician instead
Some pilot light problems are beyond a straightforward relight. If the pilot lights but the main burner does not ignite, the problem is likely in the burner valve or the gas line, not the pilot itself. If you smell gas but cannot find a leak, or if the pilot keeps going out even after you clean the thermocouple, a technician needs to inspect the oven.
You should also call a technician if you are not comfortable working with gas appliances, if the oven is still under warranty, or if you have tried relighting twice and failed both times. A service call typically costs $100 to $200 for diagnosis and repair, depending on your area and the problem.
To find a technician, search online for "appliance repair near me" or ask your oven's manufacturer for a list of authorized service centers. Get a quote before authorizing any work, and ask whether the repair comes with a warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I light the pilot with just a match instead of a long lighter?
Yes. Strike a wooden match, hold it near the pilot opening, and turn the control knob to pilot at the same time. Your fingers will be closer to the heat than with a long lighter, so work quickly and step back once the flame catches. Never use a short plastic lighter — your hand will be too close to the opening.
How long should I hold the knob in the pilot position?
Hold it for 30 to 60 seconds after the flame catches. This gives the thermocouple time to heat up and generate the signal that tells the gas valve to stay open. If you release too quickly, the pilot may go out. If it still goes out after holding for a full minute, the thermocouple is likely failing.
What does it mean if the pilot light keeps going out?
A pilot that goes out when ready after you release the knob usually means the thermocouple is dirty or broken. Try cleaning it with fine steel wool first. If it still will not hold after a second attempt, the thermocouple needs replacement by a technician. A pilot that goes out after staying lit for a while may indicate a draft or a problem with the gas line.
Is it safe to relight the pilot myself, or should I call a technician?
Relighting a pilot is safe if you follow the steps: turn off the gas, wait five minutes, and use a long lighter or match. The real risk is if you do not wait long enough for gas to clear, or if you smell gas and ignore it. If you are uncomfortable with the process or if the pilot will not stay lit after two attempts, call a technician.
What if I cannot find the pilot light opening on my oven?
Check your owner's manual — it will show the exact location for your model. If you do not have the manual, search the manufacturer's website using your oven's model number, which is printed on a sticker inside the oven or on the back panel. If your oven is very new, it may have electronic ignition instead of a pilot light, in which case the oven should light automatically.