The basic reset: relight the pilot and restore heat

A gas hot water heater reset means relighting the pilot light and letting the system warm back up. Most resets take 10 to 15 minutes and require nothing but a lighter or long match. The pilot light is a small flame that ignites the main burner; when it goes out, no heat reaches the water, and you get cold showers.

The reset process is the same whether the pilot died from a draft, a faulty thermocouple, or straightforward age. You turn the gas control knob to "Pilot," hold the ignition button, light the flame, and hold the button for 30 to 60 seconds while the thermocouple warms. Once you release the button and the pilot stays lit, you turn the knob back to "On" and wait for the main burner to ignite.

If the pilot lights but won't stay lit after you release the button, or if it won't light at all, the thermocouple or gas supply line may need attention. Those repairs usually require a technician, but the reset itself is something any homeowner can do.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn the gas control knob to "Pilot," press and hold the ignition button, and light the pilot flame with a lighter or long match.
  • Keep the ignition button pressed for 30 to 60 seconds after the flame appears so the thermocouple can heat and hold the gas valve open.
  • If the pilot light stays lit after you release the button, turn the knob to "On" and the main burner should ignite within a minute.
  • A pilot that won't light or won't stay lit after reset usually points to a faulty thermocouple or blocked gas line, which a technician will need to diagnose.
  • Never force the ignition button or turn the gas knob past "Pilot" if you smell gas; turn off the gas supply and call a technician instead.

Step-by-step reset procedure

Locate the gas control knob on the front of your water heater. It has three positions: "Off," "Pilot," and "On." Turn it all the way to "Off" and wait five minutes. This purges any gas that may have accumulated in the combustion chamber.

Turn the knob to "Pilot." You will see a small button next to the knob labeled "Ignition" or sometimes just a red or black button. Press and hold this button down. While holding it, use a long lighter or long match to light the small opening where the pilot flame should appear. You may need to lean down and look into the access panel to see the flame ignite.

Keep the ignition button pressed for 30 to 60 seconds after the flame appears. During this time, the thermocouple—a metal rod in the pilot flame—heats up and signals the gas valve to stay open. If you release the button too soon, the valve closes and the pilot goes out. After 30 to 60 seconds, slowly release the button while watching the pilot flame. If it stays lit, you are done with the pilot reset.

Turn the gas control knob from "Pilot" to "On." The main burner should ignite within 30 to 60 seconds. You will hear a whoosh as the larger flame starts. If it does not ignite, turn the knob back to "Off," wait a minute, and try again. If the main burner still will not light after two attempts, stop and contact a technician.

Why the pilot light goes out

The most common cause is a draft or wind blowing out the flame. If your water heater is in a garage, basement, or outdoor closet, a door opening or an air current can extinguish the pilot. Closing doors slowly and keeping the area around the heater clear of clutter reduces this risk.

A faulty thermocouple is the second most common reason. The thermocouple is a safety device that detects whether the pilot is burning. If it fails, the gas valve closes even when the pilot is lit, and the flame goes out as soon as you release the ignition button. A thermocouple typically lasts 4 to 7 years. If your pilot keeps going out when ready after reset, the thermocouple is likely worn and needs replacement by a technician.

Sediment buildup in the pilot opening can also block gas flow. If the pilot flame is very small or yellow instead of blue, or if it won't light at all, sediment may be clogging the opening. A technician can clean or replace the pilot assembly.

When to call a technician instead of resetting

If you smell gas at any point during the reset, do not attempt to light the pilot. Turn the gas control knob to "Off" when ready and call a technician. A gas leak is a serious safety hazard and requires professional diagnosis.

If the pilot light will not ignite after three attempts, or if it lights but goes out the moment you release the ignition button, stop trying. These signs point to a thermocouple failure, a blocked pilot opening, or a problem with the gas supply line. Repeated attempts waste gas and time.

If your water heater is more than 15 years old and the pilot keeps going out, a reset may work temporarily, but the heater itself may be nearing the end of its life. A technician can assess whether repair or replacement makes more sense.

How long the reset takes to restore hot water

The reset itself takes 10 to 15 minutes from start to finish. Once the main burner is lit, the water inside the tank begins to heat. How long until you have hot water at the tap depends on how far your bathroom or kitchen is from the heater and how much cold water is in the pipes between them.

In a small apartment or a house where the heater is close to the main bathroom, you may have hot water within 5 to 10 minutes. In a larger home or if the heater is in a basement far from the fixtures, it can take 15 to 20 minutes for hot water to reach the tap. Running a hot-water tap while the heater reheats can speed this up slightly by pushing the cold water out of the pipes faster.

Preventing pilot light outages

Keep the area around your water heater clear of boxes, cleaning supplies, and other items. A cluttered space can trap drafts or block airflow, which can affect the pilot flame.

If your heater is in a garage or outdoor closet, close doors gently and avoid leaving them open for long periods. Sudden temperature changes and air movement are the most common reasons pilots go out in these locations.

Have your water heater serviced every two to three years. A technician can inspect the thermocouple, clean the pilot opening, and check the gas line for leaks or corrosion. Regular maintenance catches problems before they leave you without hot water.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if the pilot light is actually out?

If you have no hot water and the heater is not making any noise, the pilot is likely out. Look through the access panel at the front or bottom of the heater. If you see no small blue flame, the pilot is off. Some heaters have a window you can look through; others require you to remove a panel.

What if the ignition button does not click or respond?

The ignition button may be stuck or broken. Try pressing it several times firmly. If it does not click or if nothing happens, use a long lighter or long match to light the pilot manually instead. If the button is truly broken, a technician can replace it, but the heater will still work with manual lighting.

Can I reset the pilot light if I smell a little gas?

A faint gas smell during reset is normal—you are releasing gas into the combustion chamber. But if the smell is strong, lingers after you turn the knob to "Off," or comes from anywhere other than the heater itself, turn off the gas and call a technician. Do not attempt to light the pilot.

How many times can I try to reset before I should give up?

Try the reset procedure up to three times. If the pilot will not stay lit after the third attempt, stop. Repeated ignition attempts waste gas and suggest a problem that reset alone cannot fix. Contact a technician to inspect the thermocouple and gas line.

Will resetting the pilot light fix a water heater that is not heating water?

Only if the pilot light is out. If the pilot is already lit and the water is still cold, the problem is elsewhere—the thermostat may be set too low, the main burner may not be igniting, or the heating element may be failing. Check the thermostat setting first, then call a technician if that does not solve it.