The basic steps to relight your pilot light

Most gas stoves let you relight the pilot yourself in under five minutes. Turn the control knob to the "Off" position and wait a full minute for any gas to clear. Then turn the knob to "Pilot" (or sometimes marked with a flame symbol), press and hold it down, and use a long lighter or match to ignite the small flame at the pilot opening — you'll see a tiny blue flame appear. Keep holding the knob down for 30 to 60 seconds after the flame lights; this heats a safety device called a thermocouple that tells the stove the pilot is burning. Release the knob slowly. If the pilot stays lit, turn the knob to "On" and your burners should work normally.

If the pilot won't stay lit after you release the knob, wait another minute and try again — sometimes the thermocouple needs longer to warm up. If it goes out a second time, the thermocouple itself may be faulty and need replacement by a professional.

Key Takeaways

  • The pilot light opening is usually a small brass tube near the bottom of the stove, and you light it with a long lighter or match while holding the control knob in the "Pilot" position.
  • You must hold the knob down for 30 to 60 seconds after lighting so the thermocouple heats up and signals the stove that the pilot is burning.
  • If the pilot goes out when ready when you release the knob, the thermocouple is likely worn out and requires professional replacement.
  • A pilot light that won't light at all after several tries may indicate a gas supply problem or a blocked opening that needs professional inspection.

Locating the pilot light opening on your stove

The pilot opening is a small hole or tube, usually brass-colored, positioned near the bottom front of your stove. On most models it sits just below or beside the main burner controls. Look for it before you start — knowing where it is makes the process much faster. Some stoves have a small access panel you may need to remove first; check your owner's manual if you can't spot the opening easily.

The opening is tiny, so use a long lighter (the kind made for candles or grills) rather than a short match. Regular kitchen matches work but are harder to hold steady. If you don't have a long lighter on hand, a rolled-up piece of paper lit at one end can work in a pinch, though it's less safe.

Why the thermocouple matters and what happens when you hold the knob

The thermocouple is a small metal rod that sits in the pilot flame. When it gets hot, it generates a tiny electrical signal that tells the stove's safety valve "the pilot is burning, so it's safe to release gas to the burners." If you release the knob too soon — before the thermocouple heats up — the safety valve closes and the pilot goes out. That's why holding the knob for a full 30 to 60 seconds is essential, even though it feels longer than necessary.

This safety feature exists to prevent gas from flooding your kitchen if the pilot ever goes out while the stove is in use. It's one of the few things on a gas stove you cannot skip or rush.

What to do if the pilot light won't stay lit

If the pilot lights but goes out the moment you release the knob, the thermocouple is almost certainly the problem. Try relighting once more to be sure, holding the knob for the full 60 seconds. If it fails again, the thermocouple has worn out and needs replacement — this is a job for a professional because it involves disconnecting gas lines.

If the pilot won't light at all after three or four attempts, stop and check for a blocked opening. Use a straightened paper clip or thin wire to gently clear any debris from the pilot hole, then try again. If it still won't light, the problem is likely a gas supply issue or an ignition system failure, both of which require a professional technician.

When to call a professional instead of relighting yourself

Call a technician if the pilot light goes out repeatedly even after you've relit it successfully, if you smell gas while trying to relight it, or if the stove has no spark or clicking sound when you turn the knob to "Pilot." A persistent gas smell is a sign of a leak, and you should turn off the stove and call your gas company or a repair service when ready — do not keep trying to light it.

If your stove is very old or you're uncomfortable working near the gas line, it's also reasonable to call a professional for the initial relight. A service call typically costs between $100 and $200, but it gives you peace of mind and a professional diagnosis if something is actually broken.

Preventing pilot light outages

Pilot lights usually go out because of a draft, a bump to the stove, or normal wear on the thermocouple. You can reduce the risk by keeping the area around your stove free of clutter and not leaning against the stove or slamming cabinet doors nearby. If your stove sits in a drafty kitchen — near an exterior door or a window — consider whether you can reduce the draft, as strong air movement can blow out the pilot.

If the pilot goes out more than once or twice a year, the thermocouple is probably aging and will fail soon. Having it replaced before it fails completely saves you the frustration of a dead stove when you're trying to cook.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I hold the knob down after lighting the pilot?

Hold it for 30 to 60 seconds. The longer hold time ensures the thermocouple gets hot enough to signal the safety valve. If you're unsure, 60 seconds is the safer choice. Releasing too early is the most common reason pilots go out when ready.

What if I smell gas while relighting the pilot?

Stop when ready, turn the knob to "Off," and open windows to ventilate the kitchen. Do not try to relight. Call your gas company's emergency line or a professional technician — a gas smell usually means a leak or a problem with the gas line that needs professional attention.

Can I use a regular match instead of a long lighter?

Yes, but a long lighter is safer because your hand stays farther from the flame. If you use a match, light it first, then hold it to the pilot opening while pressing the knob. Be careful not to burn your fingers.

How do I know if the thermocouple is broken?

If the pilot lights and stays lit while you hold the knob down, but goes out the moment you release it, the thermocouple is faulty. A professional can confirm this and replace it — it's not a repair you can do yourself because it involves the gas line.

What's the difference between a pilot light and an igniter?

A pilot light is a small flame that burns continuously and lights the burners when you turn them on. An igniter is an electric spark that lights the burners directly without a pilot light. Newer stoves often use igniters instead of pilots, so check your manual to see which your stove has.