Relighting a pilot light is usually a five-minute job you can do yourself

Most gas stoves have a pilot light—a small flame that stays on all the time and ignites the burners when you turn a knob. If that pilot light goes out, your stove won't work, but you can relight it yourself without calling a technician. The process is straightforward: find the pilot light opening (usually under the stovetop or at the back), locate the ignition button or switch, and follow the stove's printed instructions to relight it. Most stoves relight in under a minute once you know where everything is.

Before you start, check whether your stove has a piezo igniter (a button you press to create a spark) or an electric igniter (which sparks automatically). You'll also need to know if your stove has a safety valve that requires you to hold the ignition button down for a set time. This information is usually printed on a label inside the stove or in your owner's manual.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn off the gas at the stove's control knob and wait five minutes before attempting to relight the pilot light.
  • Locate the pilot light opening (usually a small hole under the cooktop or at the back of the stove) and the ignition button nearby.
  • Hold the ignition button down while directing a long lighter or match into the pilot opening until the flame catches and holds steady.
  • If the pilot light won't stay lit after three attempts, or if you smell gas, turn off the gas supply and call a technician—do not keep trying.

Locate the pilot light and ignition controls

Open the stove door or remove the cooktop grates if your stove has them. Look underneath or at the back of the cooking surface for a small opening about the size of a pencil tip—this is the pilot light. Next to it, you should see a button labeled "Ignite," "Pilot," or "Start," or a small switch. Some stoves have the pilot light and controls at the back of the unit instead of underneath; check your owner's manual if you can't find them when ready.

If your stove is built into cabinetry and you can't access the pilot light from the top, you may need to open the cabinet door below the oven or look at the side of the unit. Write down or photograph the location and any labels you see—this will help if you need to call a technician later.

Turn off the gas and wait

Turn the stove's main control knob to the "Off" position. Then wait at least five minutes. This allows any gas that may have accumulated to disperse, which makes relighting safer. Do not skip this step, even if you're in a hurry.

While you wait, gather a long lighter or long fireplace matches. A regular lighter or short match won't reach the pilot opening safely. If you don't have a long lighter, a rolled-up piece of paper lit at the end can work in a pinch, though a long lighter is much easier to control.

Press the ignition button and light the pilot

Press and hold the ignition button (or switch, depending on your stove). You should hear a clicking sound as the igniter sparks. While holding the button, bring your long lighter or match to the pilot opening and direct the flame into it. The pilot light should catch within a few seconds and burn with a small, steady blue flame.

Keep holding the button for 10 to 15 seconds after the pilot light ignites. This allows the thermocouple (a safety device) to heat up and signal the gas valve to stay open. If you release the button too soon, the pilot light will go out again. Once you've held it long enough, slowly release the button and watch the pilot light. It should stay lit.

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

If the pilot light goes out as soon as you release the button, the thermocouple may not be heating up properly. Try again: wait five minutes, press the button, light the pilot, and hold the button for a full 20 seconds this time before releasing. Sometimes the thermocouple just needs more time to warm up.

If the pilot light still won't stay lit after two or three attempts, stop trying. A pilot light that won't hold usually means the thermocouple is faulty or the gas valve needs adjustment—both require a technician. Repeated attempts won't fix these problems and waste gas. Turn off the stove's gas control and call a repair service.

Confirm the burners work and check for gas smell

Once the pilot light is holding steady, turn one of the burner knobs to test it. The burner should ignite when ready. If it does, your pilot light is working. Turn the burner back off and test one more burner to be sure.

Before you finish, smell around the stove and pilot light area. You should not detect any gas odor. If you do smell gas—a rotten-egg or sulfur-like smell—turn off the stove's gas control when ready, open windows, and call your gas company's emergency line or a technician. Do not use the stove until the smell is gone and a professional has checked it.

When to call a technician instead

Call a technician if the pilot light won't light at all after you've followed these steps, if it won't stay lit even after holding the button for 20 seconds, or if you smell gas. Also call if the burners don't ignite even though the pilot light is on, or if the pilot light is yellow or orange instead of blue—a discolored flame can mean incomplete combustion or a dirty burner.

If your stove is still under warranty, check the warranty terms before calling a repair service; some warranties cover pilot light issues at no cost. If your stove is very old and the pilot light fails repeatedly, a technician can tell you whether repair or replacement makes more sense.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I hold the ignition button down?

Hold it for 10 to 15 seconds after the pilot light catches, or up to 20 seconds if the light keeps going out. The button heats the thermocouple, which tells the gas valve to stay open. Releasing too soon prevents the thermocouple from warming enough.

What if I don't have a long lighter?

A long fireplace match works well. You can also light a rolled-up piece of paper or cardboard at one end and use that to reach the pilot opening. Avoid using your fingers to hold anything near the flame—the pilot opening gets hot.

Is it dangerous to relight the pilot light myself?

No, if you follow the steps and wait five minutes before starting. The main risk is gas accumulation, which is why the wait is important. If you smell gas at any point, stop and call your gas company's emergency line.

Why does my pilot light keep going out?

A pilot light that won't stay lit usually means the thermocouple is worn out or the gas valve needs adjustment. Both require a technician. Repeated relighting attempts won't solve the underlying problem.

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

A regular match is risky because you have to hold your fingers very close to the pilot opening and the flame. A long lighter or long match gives you distance and control. If you only have regular matches, roll paper around them to extend the reach.