The basic steps to relight your oven's pilot light

To relight a pilot light on most ovens, you need to locate the pilot assembly (usually at the bottom front of the oven or inside the firebox), hold down the ignition button or knob for 10 to 15 seconds while holding a lit match or lighter near the pilot opening, then release once you see a small flame. The pilot should stay lit on its own once you let go. If it goes out when ready, wait five minutes and try again—the thermocouple (a safety sensor) may need time to warm up and signal the gas valve to stay open.

The exact location and method depend on your oven model. Some ovens have a red button you press and hold; others have a knob you turn to "Pilot" or "Light." A few newer models have electronic ignition and no pilot light at all. Check your oven's manual first—if you don't have it, search online for your brand and model number plus "pilot light instructions."

Key Takeaways

  • Most pilot lights are located at the bottom front of the oven or inside the cooking chamber, and you light them by holding down a button or knob while explore a flame.
  • The pilot should ignite within a few seconds and stay lit once you release the button; if it goes out right away, wait five minutes and try again.
  • A pilot light that won't stay lit usually means the thermocouple is dirty or failing and needs cleaning or replacement.
  • Never use your face or hands to look directly into the pilot opening, and always turn off the gas and wait 10 minutes before attempting to relight if the pilot has been out for more than a few hours.

Finding the pilot light assembly on your oven

On most standard ovens, the pilot light sits at the bottom front of the oven, either inside the cooking chamber or on the exterior near the control knobs. Look for a small metal tube or nozzle, often with a button or knob nearby labeled "Pilot," "Light," or "Ignition." Some ovens hide the pilot assembly behind a removable panel at the base of the oven—if you can't see it when ready, check your manual or look for a panel you can slide or unscrew.

If your oven is built into a wall or cabinet, you may need to open the oven door fully and look at the bottom left or right corner of the interior. On some models, the pilot is accessible only from underneath the oven, which means you may need to pull the oven out slightly or lie down to see it. Take a photo with your phone if you find it, so you know where to aim your lighter next time.

Lighting the pilot with a match or lighter

Before you start, turn off the main oven knob and wait 10 minutes if the pilot has been out for several hours. This clears any gas that may have accumulated. Then locate the ignition button or knob near the pilot opening. Press and hold the button (or turn the knob to "Pilot" or "Light") and keep holding it down—this opens the gas valve so fuel flows to the pilot.

While holding the button, bring a lit match or long lighter to the pilot opening. You should see a small blue flame appear within a few seconds. Keep the button pressed for another 10 to 15 seconds after the flame appears—this gives the thermocouple time to heat up and signal the gas valve to stay open. Then slowly release the button. The pilot flame should remain steady and blue. If it goes out as soon as you let go, wait five minutes and repeat the process.

Why the pilot light won't stay lit

The most common reason a pilot light won't stay lit is a dirty or failing thermocouple, the small sensor that sits in the pilot flame. When it gets coated with dust or carbon, it can't sense the heat and tells the gas valve to shut off. To clean it, turn off the gas, wait 10 minutes, then locate the thermocouple (a thin metal rod in the pilot flame) and gently wipe it with a dry cloth or fine steel wool. Relight the pilot and see if it holds.

If the pilot still won't stay lit after cleaning, the thermocouple may be worn out and need replacement. This is a job for a service technician—do not attempt to replace it yourself unless you have experience with gas appliances. Other less common causes include a blocked pilot opening (clean it gently with a thin wire), a faulty gas valve, or air in the gas line after a service call. If you've tried relighting twice and it won't hold, call a repair person rather than continuing to attempt ignition.

Safety steps before and after relighting

Never lean your face close to the pilot opening to look inside—use a flashlight instead. If you smell gas at any point, stop when ready, turn off the oven, open windows, and leave the house. Call your gas company's emergency line from outside. Do not use matches or lighters if you smell gas, and do not try to relight the pilot.

After the pilot is lit, check that the flame is blue and steady, not yellow or orange (which can mean incomplete combustion). The flame should be about half an inch tall. If the flame looks wrong or flickers constantly, turn off the gas and call a technician. Once the pilot is burning normally, you can turn the main oven knob to your desired temperature and use the oven as usual. The main burner should ignite from the pilot flame.

When to call a repair technician instead

If you've cleaned the thermocouple and relit the pilot twice without success, or if the pilot lights but the main oven burner won't ignite from it, the problem is beyond a straightforward relight. A faulty gas valve, broken ignition switch, or failed thermocouple all require professional repair. Similarly, if you smell gas but can't find a leak, or if the pilot flame is yellow instead of blue, stop using the oven and call a technician.

Some ovens also have a safety lockout feature that prevents relighting if the pilot has been out too long or if you've tried to light it too many times in a row. If your oven won't let you relight the pilot after several attempts, turn off the gas completely, wait 30 minutes, and try once more. If it still won't work, a technician will need to reset the system or diagnose a deeper problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I hold the ignition button down?

Hold the button for 10 to 15 seconds after you see the flame appear. This gives the thermocouple time to heat up and signal the gas valve to stay open. If you release too early, the pilot may go out once you let go.

What if I don't have a match or lighter?

A long-handled lighter or a long fireplace match works best because it keeps your hand away from the pilot opening. If you have neither, a thin stick or piece of paper lit on your stovetop can work in a pinch, though it's less safe. Never use your finger to guide the flame.

Is it normal for the pilot to go out sometimes?

An occasional pilot outage from a draft or power surge is normal, but if it goes out regularly without an obvious cause, the thermocouple is likely dirty or failing. Clean it first; if the problem continues, have it replaced.

Can I light the pilot if I smell gas?

No. If you smell gas, turn off the oven, open windows, leave the house, and call your gas company's emergency line from outside. Do not use any ignition source. A gas leak is a safety hazard.

What does a healthy pilot flame look like?

A healthy pilot flame is blue, steady, and about half an inch tall. Yellow or orange flames, or flames that flicker constantly, mean something is wrong—turn off the gas and call a technician.