The basic steps to relight your water heater

If your water heater's pilot light has gone out, you can relight it yourself in most cases. The process takes about five minutes and requires only a long lighter or long matches — no tools. You will turn the gas control knob to a specific position, hold down a button, light the flame, and wait for the thermocouple to sense heat before releasing the button.

The exact sequence matters because the gas control knob has three positions, and you must move through them in order. Skipping steps or rushing the timing is the most common reason people have to start over.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn the gas control knob to the "Pilot" position, never directly to "On," or you risk flooding the chamber with unlit gas.
  • Hold the ignition button down for 30 to 60 seconds after you see the pilot flame, so the thermocouple heats up enough to hold the flame steady.
  • If the pilot will not stay lit after you release the button, the thermocouple may be dirty or failing and will need replacement.
  • If you smell gas but see no flame after three attempts, turn the knob to "Off" and wait five minutes before trying again.

Locate the pilot light assembly and control knob

Open the access panel at the bottom front of your water heater. You will see a small burner chamber with a control knob mounted on the side or front. The knob has three positions marked "Pilot," "On," and "Off." Below or beside the knob is a small button labeled "Ignition" or sometimes just a red or black button you press to spark the lighter.

Inside the chamber, you will see a small brass or steel tube with a tiny opening at the end — this is the pilot light nozzle. The flame should sit at the tip of this nozzle when lit. If you see a long thin rod running from the nozzle toward the back of the chamber, that is the thermocouple, and it must be in the flame's path to work.

Turn the knob to "Pilot" and press the ignition button

Turn the gas control knob clockwise to the "Pilot" position. This setting allows a small amount of gas to flow to the pilot nozzle without igniting the main burner. Do not skip this step or turn directly to "On" — doing so sends too much gas into the chamber and makes the pilot hard to light.

Once the knob is set to "Pilot," hold down the ignition button with one hand. You should hear a clicking sound as the igniter sparks. If your water heater has a manual ignition, you will use a long lighter or long match instead of a button. Keep the button pressed or the flame near the nozzle opening until you see a small blue flame appear at the pilot nozzle.

Hold the button down while the thermocouple heats

Once you see the pilot flame, keep holding the ignition button down for another 30 to 60 seconds. This wait time is critical — the thermocouple must heat up enough to generate a small electrical signal that tells the gas valve to stay open. If you release the button too soon, the flame will go out the moment you let go.

Watch the flame while you hold the button. It should be steady and blue, about half an inch to an inch tall. If the flame is yellow or orange, the nozzle may be dirty, but you can still proceed with lighting — you may need to clean it later if the pilot will not stay lit.

Release the button and turn the knob to "On"

After 30 to 60 seconds, slowly release the ignition button while keeping your eye on the pilot flame. If the flame stays lit, you have succeeded. Wait another 10 to 15 seconds to confirm the flame is stable, then turn the gas control knob from "Pilot" to "On." This opens the gas line to the main burner and allows the water heater to heat water normally.

You should hear a soft whoosh as the main burner ignites from the pilot flame. The main burner flame will be much larger than the pilot flame and will sit in the main combustion chamber below the pilot nozzle. If the main burner does not light within a few seconds, turn the knob back to "Off" and wait a minute before trying again.

What to do if the pilot will not light or stay lit

If you do not see a flame after pressing the ignition button three times, turn the knob to "Off" and wait five minutes. This allows any unlit gas in the chamber to clear. Then try again from the beginning. If the pilot lights but goes out the moment you release the button, the thermocouple is likely too cold or too far from the flame — try holding the button for a full 60 seconds next time.

If the pilot lights and stays lit for a few seconds but then goes out after you turn the knob to "On," the thermocouple may be dirty or failing. A dirty thermocouple can sometimes be cleaned by gently rubbing the tip with fine sandpaper or a soft cloth, but if cleaning does not work, the thermocouple will need to be replaced by a technician. If you smell gas but see no flame after three attempts, do not continue trying — turn the knob to "Off" and contact a service professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I hold the ignition button down?

Hold it for 30 to 60 seconds after you see the pilot flame. The longer hold time ensures the thermocouple gets hot enough to signal the gas valve to stay open. If you release too early, the flame will go out.

What if I smell gas but do not see a flame?

Turn the knob to "Off" when ready and wait five minutes for the gas to clear. Do not keep trying to light it. If the same thing happens after you try again, stop and call a technician — gas may be leaking into the chamber without igniting.

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

Yes, if your water heater has manual ignition. A long match or long lighter works the same way. Hold it near the pilot nozzle opening while pressing the ignition button or while gas is flowing to the nozzle.

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

The thermocouple may not be hot enough yet, or it may be dirty or failing. Try holding the ignition button for the full 60 seconds next time. If the problem continues, the thermocouple likely needs cleaning or replacement.

Is it safe to relight the pilot myself?

Yes, relighting a pilot light is a standard maintenance task and is safe if you follow the steps in order. If you smell a strong gas smell, see no flame after three tries, or the pilot will not stay lit, stop and contact a technician instead of continuing to try.