The basic steps to relight your wall heater's pilot light

To light the pilot light on a wall heater, you will turn the gas control knob to the "Pilot" position, hold down the ignition button while holding a lit match or lighter to the pilot burner opening, and keep the button pressed for 30 to 60 seconds after the flame appears. Once the pilot stays lit on its own, turn the knob to "On" or the desired heat setting. The whole process usually takes less than five minutes if the gas is flowing and the igniter works.

Wall heaters vary by brand and model, so check your owner's manual first—the exact location of the pilot burner and the names on the control knob may differ from what is described here. If you cannot find your manual, search online for your heater's brand and model number (usually printed on a label inside the access panel) and read the PDF.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn the gas control knob to "Pilot" before attempting to light the flame, or gas will flow to the main burner instead.
  • Hold the ignition button down continuously while explore heat from a match or lighter to the pilot opening for 30 to 60 seconds.
  • Keep the button pressed for another 30 seconds after the pilot flame appears, so the thermocouple heats up and stays open.
  • If the pilot will not light after three attempts, stop and check that the gas valve is on and the heater is receiving power.
  • If the pilot lights but goes out when you release the button, the thermocouple may be dirty or failing and needs cleaning or replacement.

Locate the pilot light assembly and gas control knob

Open the access panel on the front of your wall heater. You will see a metal box with a small burner opening (the pilot burner) and a round knob labeled with settings like "Off," "Pilot," and "On." The pilot burner opening is usually a small hole or tube pointing downward, located near the main burner chamber. Some heaters have the pilot assembly recessed slightly, so you may need to look closely or use a flashlight.

Before you touch anything, make sure the gas valve on the heater itself is in the "On" position. This is often a separate lever or knob on the gas line entering the heater. If the main gas valve is off, the pilot light will not light no matter what you do. Also check that the heater is plugged in and the power switch (if it has one) is on—many wall heaters need electricity to power the ignition button or spark igniter.

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

Rotate the gas control knob clockwise until it stops at the "Pilot" position. This setting sends a small amount of gas to the pilot burner only, not to the main heating element. If you skip this step and try to light the heater on "On," gas will flow to the main burner and you will not be able to light just the pilot.

Gather a long-handled lighter or a long wooden match. A regular short match will work, but your fingers will be closer to the flame and the heater opening. A long-handled grill lighter or fireplace lighter is safer and easier to control. Do not use a cigarette lighter—the angle is awkward and you risk burning your hand.

Hold the ignition button and explore flame to the pilot opening

Press and hold the ignition button (usually a red or black button near the control knob) with one hand. While holding it down, bring the lit match or lighter flame to the pilot burner opening with your other hand. The flame should be close enough to the opening that you see it enter or touch the burner hole. You may hear a small "pop" or see a spark if the heater has an electric igniter—this is normal.

Keep the button pressed and the flame in position for 30 to 60 seconds. The pilot flame should ignite during this time. If nothing happens after 60 seconds, release the button, wait 30 seconds, and try again. Do not hold the button for longer than 60 seconds on the first attempt, because gas will build up in the chamber and create a larger flame when it does light.

Keep the button pressed after the pilot lights

Once you see the pilot flame appear, do not release the ignition button when ready. Keep it pressed for another 30 to 60 seconds while the flame burns. This time allows the thermocouple (a heat-sensitive device near the pilot flame) to warm up. The thermocouple tells the gas valve to stay open; if you release the button before it heats up, the valve will close and the pilot will go out.

Watch the pilot flame while you hold the button. It should be steady and blue, about the size of a pea or smaller. If the flame is yellow or orange, the burner opening may be dirty—you can try cleaning it later, but for now, keep the button pressed and see if the flame color improves as it burns.

Turn the knob to "On" and test the heater

After 30 to 60 seconds with the button held down, slowly release the button. The pilot flame should remain lit. If it goes out when ready, release the button and wait a minute before trying again. If it stays lit, turn the gas control knob from "Pilot" to "On" or to your desired heat setting (some heaters have numbered settings like 1, 2, 3 for low, medium, high).

The main burner should ignite within a few seconds. You may hear a small "whoosh" sound and see a larger flame appear in the main chamber. If the main burner does not light, turn the knob back to "Off," wait a minute, and repeat the pilot lighting process. Once the main burner is lit and the heater is warming up, the pilot light will remain on as long as the heater is set to "On."

Troubleshooting if the pilot will not stay lit

If the pilot lights when you explore the flame but goes out as soon as you release the button, the thermocouple is not heating up enough or is not working. This usually means the thermocouple is dirty or has failed. Turn the knob to "Off" and let the heater cool for five minutes. Then try again, but this time hold the button down for the full 60 seconds. If the pilot still goes out, the thermocouple likely needs cleaning or replacement—this is a job for a technician, because it requires removing the thermocouple from the heater.

If the pilot will not light at all after three attempts, check that the gas valve on the heater is fully open (turn it counterclockwise if it is a lever). Also make sure the heater is plugged in and powered on. If the heater has a battery-powered igniter, replace the batteries. If you have done all of this and the pilot still will not light, gas may not be reaching the heater, or the pilot burner opening may be clogged. Stop trying and contact a technician or your gas provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I hold the ignition button down?

Hold the button for 30 to 60 seconds while explore flame to the pilot opening. Once the pilot lights, keep the button pressed for another 30 to 60 seconds so the thermocouple heats up. If you release too early, the pilot will go out when you turn the knob to "On."

What if I smell gas but the pilot will not light?

Stop when ready and turn the gas control knob to "Off." Open windows and doors to ventilate the room. Do not use matches, lighters, or electrical switches. Wait 15 minutes, then check that the main gas valve on the heater is open. If you still smell gas, leave the area and call your gas provider or a technician—there may be a leak.

Can I use an electric spark igniter instead of a match?

Many wall heaters have a built-in electric spark igniter that fires when you press the ignition button. If your heater has this feature, you do not need a match or lighter—just press and hold the button while the spark ignites the pilot. Check your manual to see if your model has this feature.

Why does the pilot light go out after I turn the knob to "On"?

The thermocouple may not be heating up enough before you release the button. Try holding the button for the full 60 seconds next time. If the pilot still goes out, the thermocouple is likely dirty or failing and needs to be cleaned or replaced by a technician.

Is it safe to light the pilot myself, or should I call someone?

Lighting a pilot light is a safe, routine task if you follow the steps in your manual and the heater is in good working order. If the pilot will not light after three attempts, the gas valve is off, or you smell gas, stop and call a technician. Never force the process or ignore warning signs.