The basic steps to relight a gas stove pilot

To light the pilot on a gas stove, you need a long lighter or match, access to the pilot opening (usually under the cooktop or behind a panel), and a steady hand. The process takes less than a minute once you locate the pilot burner. Most stoves have a pilot light that stays lit all the time and ignites the main burners when you turn a knob—if that pilot goes out, the stove won't work until you relight it.

Start by locating your pilot light. On most gas stoves, it sits beneath the cooktop surface, near the front or back edge. You may need to remove a panel or lift the cooktop to see it. Once you find it, you'll see a small brass or steel tube with a tiny flame opening at the tip. If the pilot is out, there will be no flame there at all.

Hold a long lighter or long match near the pilot opening and turn the pilot control knob to the "Pilot" or "Light" position (not "On"). You should see a small blue flame appear at the tip of the pilot tube within a few seconds. Once it lights, keep the knob in the pilot position for 30 to 60 seconds while holding the flame near the opening. This warms a safety device called a thermocouple, which tells the stove it's safe to keep the pilot burning on its own.

Key Takeaways

  • The pilot light sits beneath your cooktop, usually near the front or back edge, and you may need to remove a panel or lift the top to reach it.
  • Use a long lighter or long match to ignite the pilot while the control knob is set to "Pilot" or "Light"—never "On".
  • Hold the flame near the pilot opening for 30 to 60 seconds after it lights so the thermocouple warms up and keeps the pilot burning.
  • If the pilot won't stay lit after you release the knob, the thermocouple may be dirty or failing and will need professional inspection.
  • If you smell gas but see no flame, turn off the stove, open windows, and call a technician—do not keep trying to light it yourself.

Finding the pilot light on your stove model

The location of the pilot varies by stove design. On older stoves and many modern ones, the pilot sits in a small opening on the firebox—the metal chamber where the burners sit. You'll usually find it at the front left or front right corner, or sometimes at the back. Lift the cooktop by gently raising the front edge, or remove the panel beneath the burners if your model has one.

Some stoves have the pilot mounted on the side of the firebox rather than underneath. If you can't find it under the cooktop, check the left and right sides of the burner area. Look for a small tube with a tiny opening at the end, often with a wire running to it (that's the thermocouple). The pilot opening is usually no larger than a pencil tip.

If you cannot locate the pilot after checking these spots, consult your stove's manual. The manual will have a diagram showing exactly where the pilot sits on your specific model. If you no longer have the manual, search online for your stove's brand and model number—most manufacturers post manuals as free PDFs on their websites.

What to do if the pilot won't light

If you've held the flame near the pilot opening for a full minute and nothing happens, the problem is usually a clogged pilot opening. Dust, debris, or old carbon can block the gas flow. Turn off the stove and let it cool for 10 minutes. Then use a thin needle or a straightened paper clip to gently poke into the pilot opening, moving it in and out a few times to clear any blockage. Do not force it or push hard—you're just loosening debris, not drilling.

After clearing the opening, try lighting the pilot again. If it still won't light, the issue may be a broken thermocouple, a faulty pilot valve, or a gas supply problem. These are not repairs you should attempt yourself. Turn off the stove and call a may have access to appliance technician or your gas company's service line. They can test the thermocouple, check the gas line, and replace any failed parts safely.

Do not repeatedly try to light the pilot if it fails multiple times. Each attempt releases unburned gas into your kitchen, which is a safety hazard. If the pilot won't light after two or three careful attempts, stop and call for help.

Keeping the pilot lit after you light it

Once you've held the flame near the pilot for 30 to 60 seconds, slowly release the control knob and let it move to the "On" position. The pilot should stay lit on its own. If it goes out when ready after you release the knob, the thermocouple did not warm up enough. Wait a moment, then try again—this time hold the flame near the pilot for the full 60 seconds before releasing the knob.

If the pilot lights but goes out within a few minutes, the thermocouple is likely failing. A thermocouple is a safety device that senses the pilot flame and signals the gas valve to stay open. When it wears out, the valve closes even though the pilot is burning. This is a common reason pilots won't stay lit, and it requires a technician to replace the thermocouple.

Once the pilot is lit and holding steady, you should see a small blue flame about half an inch tall at the tip of the pilot tube. This flame should be steady and not flicker or dance. If it flickers constantly, there may be a draft in your kitchen—close nearby windows or doors. If it still flickers, the pilot may be misaligned and will need professional adjustment.

Safety steps before you start

Before you attempt to light the pilot, make sure the stove's main gas valve is on. This valve is usually located on the gas line behind or below the stove. It should be parallel to the pipe (pointing in the same direction as the gas flow). If it's perpendicular to the pipe, the gas is shut off and the pilot won't light no matter what you do. Turn the valve handle so it's parallel to the pipe, wait 30 seconds for gas to reach the stove, and then try lighting the pilot.

If you smell gas but do not see a flame after trying to light the pilot, do not try again. Turn off the stove when ready, open all nearby windows, and leave the house. Call your gas company's emergency line from outside or from a neighbor's phone. Do not use your phone indoors, do not light any matches or lighters, and do not turn on any electrical switches. A gas leak is a serious hazard and requires professional response.

If you have never lit a pilot before and feel uncertain, there is no shame in calling a technician for the first time. Many gas companies will send someone to light a pilot for free or for a small fee, and watching them do it will teach you how for next time.

When the pilot light control knob is stuck or broken

If the control knob won't turn to the "Pilot" position, or if it turns but feels loose or broken, do not force it. A broken knob can damage the valve underneath and create a gas leak. Instead, turn off the stove at the main gas valve and call a technician. They can replace the knob and check the valve for damage.

Some older stoves have a push-in knob instead of a turn knob. To use it, push the knob in while holding a flame near the pilot opening. The knob should stay pushed in for 30 to 60 seconds while the thermocouple warms up. If the knob won't stay pushed in or pops back out when ready, the internal spring may be broken and the stove will need service.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I hold the lighter near the pilot before releasing the knob?

Hold the flame near the pilot opening for 30 to 60 seconds after the pilot lights. This gives the thermocouple time to warm up and signal the gas valve to stay open. If you release the knob too soon, the pilot will go out. If you hold it longer, that's fine—it won't hurt anything.

What does the thermocouple do and why does it matter?

The thermocouple is a safety device that senses heat from the pilot flame. When it's warm, it tells the gas valve to stay open so the pilot keeps burning. If the pilot ever blows out, the thermocouple cools down and the valve closes, stopping gas flow. This prevents unburned gas from filling your kitchen. When a thermocouple wears out, the valve closes even though the pilot is still burning, so the pilot won't stay lit.

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

Yes, but a long lighter is safer and easier. A regular match will burn your fingers if you hold it near the pilot opening long enough for the thermocouple to warm up. If you only have matches, light one and hold it as close as you can without burning yourself, then light a second match and hold that one while the first burns down. A long lighter or grill lighter lets you keep your hand at a safe distance.

Why does my pilot light keep going out even after I light it?

The most common reason is a failing thermocouple—it's not warming up enough to keep the gas valve open. Less common causes are a clogged pilot opening, a draft blowing out the flame, or a faulty pilot valve. If clearing the pilot opening and eliminating drafts don't solve it, call a technician to test and replace the thermocouple.

Is it normal for the pilot to be blue, or should it be yellow?

A healthy pilot flame is blue with a small yellow tip. If the flame is mostly yellow or orange, the pilot opening may be clogged or the gas mixture may be off. Try clearing the opening with a needle. If the flame is still mostly yellow after that, call a technician—the stove may need adjustment or cleaning by a professional.