The basic steps to light a pilot light

To light a pilot light, locate the control knob on your appliance — usually labeled "Pilot," "On," or "Off" — and turn it to the "Pilot" position. Hold a long lighter or lit match near the pilot opening (a small hole or tube near the main burner) while pressing and holding the ignition button or knob. Keep the button pressed for 30 to 60 seconds after the pilot flame appears. Once it stays lit on its own, turn the control knob to "On."

The exact location and appearance of the pilot light varies by appliance type and manufacturer. Water heaters usually have the pilot opening at the bottom of the tank. Furnaces have it near the burner chamber, often accessed through a small door. Stovetops have pilot lights either under the burners or inside the oven. Check your appliance's manual or the label on the unit itself to find the exact spot before you start.

If the pilot light will not stay lit after you release the button, the thermocouple (a safety device that senses heat) may be dirty or failing. Try cleaning the pilot opening gently with a thin wire or compressed air, then attempt to light it again. If it still will not hold, the thermocouple likely needs replacement — a job that usually requires a technician.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn the control knob to "Pilot," hold a lighter near the pilot opening, and press the ignition button for 30 to 60 seconds while the flame appears.
  • The pilot opening location differs by appliance: bottom of water heater tank, near the burner chamber in furnaces, and under or inside stovetops.
  • If the pilot light goes out when ready after you release the button, the thermocouple may need cleaning or replacement.
  • Always refer to your appliance's manual or the label on the unit to confirm the exact procedure and safety steps for your model.

Safety steps before you light the pilot

Before lighting any pilot light, turn off the gas supply at the control knob and wait five minutes. This clears any gas that may have accumulated in the chamber. If you smell gas, do not attempt to light the pilot — leave the area, open windows, and call your gas company or a technician. Gas leaks are serious and require professional attention.

Make sure the area around the pilot opening is clear of dust, debris, or flammable materials. Use a long lighter or long fireplace match rather than a short match or regular lighter, so your hand stays safely away from the flame. Never use a cigarette lighter near a gas appliance — the risk of burns is high.

Water heater pilot lights

Water heater pilot lights are usually found at the bottom of the tank, behind a small access panel or door. Open the panel and locate the control knob, which is typically labeled with "Pilot," "On," and "Off" positions. Turn the knob to "Pilot," then use a long lighter to ignite the small flame while pressing the ignition button. Hold the button down for 30 to 60 seconds after the flame appears to allow the thermocouple to heat up and sense the flame.

Once the pilot light stays lit on its own, turn the knob to "On" and listen for the main burner to ignite. If the main burner does not light within a minute or two, turn the knob back to "Off," wait a few minutes, and try again. If the pilot light repeatedly goes out, the thermocouple may be failing or the pilot opening may be clogged with sediment — both issues that benefit from professional inspection.

Furnace pilot lights

Furnace pilot lights are accessed through a small door or panel on the furnace itself, usually near the bottom or side of the unit. Inside, you will find the control knob and the pilot opening, which is a small tube or hole near the main burner. Turn the knob to "Pilot," hold a long lighter to the pilot opening, and press the ignition button while the flame appears. Keep the button pressed for 30 to 60 seconds.

After the pilot light stays lit, turn the knob to "On." The furnace should begin its normal startup cycle. If the pilot light goes out within minutes, the thermocouple may be dirty or positioned incorrectly. A gentle cleaning with compressed air or a thin wire sometimes helps, but if the problem continues, a technician should inspect the thermocouple and the gas line for leaks or blockages.

Stovetop and oven pilot lights

Stovetop pilot lights are usually located under the burners or inside the oven. For under-burner pilots, remove the grates and burner caps to access the small opening. For oven pilots, look inside the oven near the back or side wall — the opening is typically a small hole or tube. Turn the control knob to "Pilot," hold a long lighter near the opening, and press the ignition button while the flame appears. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds.

Once the pilot light is lit, turn the knob to "On." If you are lighting an oven pilot, the main oven burner should ignite. If you are lighting a stovetop pilot, the burner should light when you turn the corresponding burner knob. If the pilot light will not stay lit or the main burner will not ignite, the thermocouple may need cleaning or replacement, or there may be a blockage in the gas line.

What to do if the pilot light will not stay lit

If the pilot light goes out as soon as you release the ignition button, the thermocouple is usually the culprit. This safety device senses the heat of the pilot flame and tells the gas valve to stay open. When it fails or becomes dirty, the valve closes and the gas stops flowing. Try cleaning the pilot opening and the thermocouple tip with compressed air or a thin wire, then attempt to light the pilot again.

If cleaning does not work, the thermocouple likely needs replacement. This is a relatively inexpensive part — usually between $15 and $50 — but installation requires turning off the gas, removing the old thermocouple, and installing the new one in the correct position. Many homeowners can do this themselves by following the manual, but if you are uncomfortable working with gas appliances, a technician can handle it in under an hour.

A pilot light that goes out repeatedly even after a new thermocouple may indicate a gas line blockage, a leak, or a problem with the control valve itself. These issues require professional diagnosis and repair. Do not attempt to force the pilot light to stay lit by adjusting the gas valve or ignition button — this can create a safety hazard.

When to call a technician instead

Call a technician if you smell gas, hear a hissing sound near the pilot opening, or see liquid pooling around the appliance. These signs point to a gas leak, which is dangerous and requires when ready professional attention. Do not attempt to light the pilot under these conditions.

Also call a technician if the pilot light will not light at all after you have tried multiple times, if it lights but the main burner will not ignite, or if it goes out repeatedly even after you have cleaned the thermocouple. A technician can test the thermocouple, check for gas line blockages, inspect the ignition system, and determine whether the control valve is working correctly. The cost of a service call is usually $75 to $150, but it saves you from damaging the appliance or creating a safety risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I hold the ignition button down?

Hold the button for 30 to 60 seconds after the pilot flame appears. This gives the thermocouple time to heat up and signal the gas valve to stay open. If you release too early, the flame will go out. If you hold it longer, it does not hurt — just keep holding until the flame is clearly stable.

What if I do not have a long lighter?

A long fireplace match works just as well. Light the match, then hold it near the pilot opening while pressing the ignition button. Keep the match in place for 30 to 60 seconds. Avoid using a regular short match or a cigarette lighter, as they put your hand too close to the flame and the heat.

Can I light the pilot without pressing the ignition button?

Some older appliances do not have an ignition button — you straightforward hold a lighter near the pilot opening and the flame ignites from the heat. Check your manual to see whether your model has a button. If it does, pressing it sends a spark that makes lighting easier and safer than relying on the lighter flame alone.

How often do pilot lights go out?

A healthy pilot light should stay lit indefinitely unless the gas is turned off or there is a power outage (for electric ignition systems). If your pilot light goes out once a month or more often, the thermocouple is likely wearing out or the pilot opening is clogged. Have a technician inspect it to prevent repeated outages.

Is it safe to light a pilot light myself?

Yes, lighting a pilot light is a safe task if you follow the steps in your appliance's manual and check for gas leaks first. If you smell gas, hear hissing, or see pooling liquid, do not attempt it — call a technician or your gas company instead. When in doubt, ask a professional to show you how to do it safely on your specific appliance.