The basic steps to relight your pilot light

Most gas ovens have a pilot light that stays lit all the time and ignites the main burner when you turn the oven on. If it goes out, you can relight it yourself in about five minutes. The process is the same whether the pilot went out from a draft, a power outage, or straightforward age.

First, locate the pilot light assembly. Open the oven door and look at the bottom of the oven interior. You will see a small metal tube with a tiny opening — this is the pilot burner. It sits near the main burner, usually toward the back left or center. If you cannot see it from inside, check your oven manual for its exact location; some models hide it behind a removable panel at the base of the oven.

Turn the oven temperature dial to the lowest setting, or to "Pilot" if your oven has that option. This prevents gas from flowing to the main burner while you work. Wait three to five minutes for any residual gas to clear from the oven.

Key Takeaways

  • The pilot light is a small flame at the bottom of your oven that ignites the main burner, and you can relight it by hand using a long lighter or match.
  • Always turn the temperature dial to the lowest setting or "Pilot" mode before attempting to relight, and wait several minutes for gas to clear.
  • Hold a flame to the pilot opening for 10 to 15 seconds while watching for a small blue flame to appear and stay lit.
  • If the pilot light will not stay lit after three attempts, the thermocouple (a safety sensor) may be faulty and will need replacement by a technician.
  • Never use your face or hands to look directly into the pilot opening, and do not force the dial or attempt to disassemble the burner assembly yourself.

Using a lighter or match to ignite the pilot

You will need a long lighter — the kind used for candles or grills — or a long wooden match. A regular lighter or short match will not reach safely into the oven. Hold the lighter or match to the pilot opening and watch for a small blue flame to appear. The flame should be about the size of a grain of rice.

Keep the flame at the pilot opening for 10 to 15 seconds. This gives the thermocouple (a safety sensor near the pilot) time to heat up and signal that the pilot is burning. If the pilot lights but goes out when ready after you remove the flame, the thermocouple is not heating properly — try again, but hold the flame there for a full 20 seconds this time.

Once the pilot stays lit, turn the temperature dial back to your desired setting. The main burner should ignite when you do. If it does not, turn the dial back down and wait 30 seconds, then try again. The oven may need a moment for gas to reach the main burner.

What to do if the pilot light will not stay lit

If the pilot light goes out within seconds of you removing the flame, even after you hold it there for 20 seconds, the thermocouple is likely worn out. The thermocouple is a thin metal rod that sits in the pilot flame and generates a small electrical signal that tells the gas valve to stay open. When it fails, the valve closes automatically as a safety measure.

A faulty thermocouple cannot be repaired — it must be replaced. This is not a task for a homeowner; the part costs $15 to $30, but the labor to remove and install it safely requires a technician. Contact a local appliance repair service or your oven manufacturer's service line to schedule a visit.

Do not attempt to relight the pilot more than three times in a row. If it will not stay lit after three attempts, stop and call a technician. Repeated attempts waste gas and create a safety hazard.

Safety steps to follow every time

Before you light the pilot, make sure the kitchen is well ventilated. Open a window or turn on the exhaust fan. If you smell gas but do not see a flame after waiting five minutes, turn off the oven, leave the kitchen, and call your gas company's emergency line. Do not use any electrical switches, lighters, or matches — gas may be leaking into the room.

Never put your face close to the pilot opening to look inside. The flame can flare up, and you risk burning your face or eyebrows. Use a long lighter or match so your hand stays a safe distance away. If you wear loose clothing, tie it back or change into fitted clothes before working near the oven — fabric can catch fire.

If you have a gas oven with an electronic ignition instead of a pilot light, do not attempt to light it by hand. Electronic ignition ovens have no pilot light and should not be opened to access the burner. If the oven will not heat, contact a technician.

Knowing the difference between pilot light and electronic ignition

Not all gas ovens have a pilot light. Newer models often use electronic ignition, which means the oven lights itself when you turn it on — there is no standing flame. If you open your oven and see no small flame burning at the bottom, you have an electronic ignition oven.

Electronic ignition ovens are more energy-efficient because they do not waste gas keeping a pilot flame alive all day. However, they require electricity to work, so they will not heat if the power goes out. Pilot light ovens work even during a power outage, which is why some people prefer them.

If you have an electronic ignition oven and it will not heat, the problem is not a dead pilot — it is likely a faulty igniter, a broken spark electrode, or a gas valve issue. These repairs require a technician and cannot be done by hand.

When to call a professional instead

Call a repair technician if the pilot light will not stay lit after three attempts, if you smell gas but see no flame, if the main burner does not ignite after the pilot is lit, or if the pilot flame is yellow or orange instead of blue. A blue flame means complete combustion; yellow or orange means incomplete combustion, which can produce carbon monoxide.

You should also call a technician if the oven is very old and the pilot light goes out frequently, even if you can relight it each time. Frequent outages often signal that the thermocouple is beginning to fail and will need replacement soon. Replacing it now prevents the oven from dying at an inconvenient moment.

If you are not comfortable working with gas appliances, or if you have never done this before and feel uncertain, there is no shame in calling a professional for the first time. A technician can show you how to do it safely, and you will have peace of mind knowing the job was done correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I light the pilot if the oven smells like gas?

No. If you smell gas, turn off the oven, open windows, and leave the kitchen. Call your gas company's emergency line. Do not use lighters, matches, or electrical switches. Gas may be leaking, and ignition could cause a fire.

What if the pilot light is yellow instead of blue?

A yellow or orange pilot flame means the burner is not getting enough air for complete combustion. This can produce carbon monoxide. Turn off the oven and call a technician. Do not use the oven until it is inspected and repaired.

How long should I hold the flame at the pilot opening?

Hold it for 10 to 15 seconds on your first attempt. If the pilot goes out when ready, try again and hold the flame for 20 seconds. If it still will not stay lit after three attempts, stop and call a technician — the thermocouple likely needs replacement.

Will the pilot light work if the power is out?

Yes. A pilot light oven does not need electricity to stay lit or to heat. Electronic ignition ovens do need power and will not work during an outage. Check your oven manual to see which type you have.

Is it safe to relight the pilot myself?

Yes, if you follow the steps carefully and use a long lighter or match to keep your hand away from the flame. If you are uncomfortable doing it, or if the pilot will not stay lit, call a technician. There is no penalty for asking for help.