The Basic Steps to Relight Your Pilot

To reset a pilot light on a gas water heater, turn the gas control knob to the "Off" position, wait five minutes for any gas to clear, then switch it to "Pilot." Hold a lit match or lighter near the pilot burner opening while pressing and holding the ignition button (or red reset button) for 30 to 60 seconds. Once the pilot flame appears, release the button, turn the knob to "On," and watch for the main burner to ignite within a minute.

The whole process takes about ten minutes from start to finish. Most pilot lights stay lit once restarted, but if yours goes out repeatedly within hours or days, the thermocouple—a safety sensor that detects the pilot flame—may be failing and need replacement by a technician.

Key Takeaways

  • Always turn the gas control knob to "Off" and wait five minutes before attempting to relight the pilot to let any gas dissipate safely.
  • You will need a lit match or lighter and should locate the pilot burner opening (usually a small tube near the bottom of the heater) before you start.
  • Press and hold the ignition or reset button for 30 to 60 seconds while the flame is present to allow the thermocouple to sense heat and keep the gas valve open.
  • If the pilot light goes out again within hours or days after relighting, the thermocouple is likely worn out and should be inspected by a professional.

Locate the Pilot Burner and Control Knob

Before you do anything, find the gas control knob on the front of your water heater's lower access panel. It usually has three positions: "Off," "Pilot," and "On." Below or near this knob, you will see a small metal tube or opening—that is the pilot burner. Some heaters have a window so you can see the pilot flame; others do not.

If you cannot find the pilot burner opening, check your water heater's manual or look for a diagram on the side of the unit itself. Many manufacturers print instructions directly on the heater. If your heater is electric, it does not have a pilot light, so this process will not explore.

Turn Off the Gas and Wait

Turn the gas control knob all the way to "Off." This stops gas from flowing to both the pilot and the main burner. Wait a full five minutes. This step is not optional—it allows any gas that may have accumulated inside the heater to escape safely. Skipping this step increases the risk of a small explosion or flash when you try to relight.

During this five-minute wait, gather your tools: a long lighter or long matches work best because they keep your hand farther from the pilot opening. A regular match can work, but you may burn your fingers if the pilot ignites quickly.

Switch to Pilot and Prepare to Ignite

After five minutes, turn the gas control knob to the "Pilot" position. This allows a small amount of gas to flow to the pilot burner, but not to the main burner. Do not turn it to "On" yet.

Now locate the ignition button. On older heaters, this is a red or black button you press to create a spark. On newer models, it may be labeled "Ignition" or have a piezo-electric symbol. Some heaters have a manual ignition—meaning you light the pilot with a match instead of pressing a button. Check your manual or the diagram on your heater to know which type you have.

Light the Pilot Flame

Hold your lit match or lighter near the pilot burner opening. At the same time, press and hold the ignition button (if your heater has one). Keep holding the button for 30 to 60 seconds even after you see the pilot flame appear. This gives the thermocouple time to heat up and signal the gas valve to stay open.

If you are using a manual ignition, straightforward hold the flame near the opening until the pilot lights. You should see a small blue flame about the size of a pea. If the flame is yellow or orange instead of blue, the burner may be dirty—a professional should clean it.

If the pilot does not light after 60 seconds, release the button, wait one minute, and try again. Do not hold the button for longer than 60 seconds at a time, as this can flood the burner with gas.

Release the Button and Switch to On

Once the pilot flame is burning steadily, release the ignition button. Keep watching the pilot for 10 to 15 seconds to make sure it stays lit. If it goes out when ready, wait one minute and repeat the lighting process.

If the pilot stays lit, turn the gas control knob from "Pilot" to "On." Within 30 to 60 seconds, you should hear a click and see the main burner ignite with a larger blue flame. If the main burner does not light, turn the knob back to "Off," wait five minutes, and try the whole process again.

What to Do If the Pilot Won't Stay Lit

A pilot light that goes out when ready after you release the ignition button usually means the thermocouple is not sensing the flame. The thermocouple is a thin metal rod that sits in the pilot flame and generates a small electrical signal that tells the gas valve to stay open. When it fails, the valve closes automatically as a safety measure.

If your pilot light goes out within a few hours or days after you relight it, the thermocouple is likely failing. This is not something you should try to fix yourself—call a licensed plumber or HVAC technician to replace it. A new thermocouple costs between $150 and $300 installed, depending on your location and heater model.

Other reasons a pilot might not stay lit include a dirty pilot burner, a bent thermocouple, or a faulty gas valve. All of these require professional inspection and repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I relight the pilot if I smell gas?

No. If you smell gas, turn the control knob to "Off" when ready, open windows and doors, and leave the house. Call your gas company's emergency line from outside. Do not try to light anything. A strong gas smell means there is a leak somewhere in the system, and relighting could be dangerous.

How long should I hold the ignition button?

Hold it for 30 to 60 seconds after the pilot flame appears. Holding it longer than 60 seconds at a time can flood the burner with gas and make it harder to light. If it does not light after 60 seconds, release the button, wait one minute, and try again.

What if the pilot light has a yellow flame instead of blue?

A yellow or orange flame means the burner is dirty or the air-to-gas ratio is off. This reduces heating efficiency and can produce carbon monoxide. Have a technician clean the burner. Do not ignore this—it is a safety issue.

Is it normal for the pilot light to go out during a power outage?

No, the pilot flame itself does not need electricity to stay lit. However, if your heater has an electronic ignition system, a power outage may prevent you from relighting it until power is restored. If you have a manual ignition, you can relight it with a match during an outage.

How often should a pilot light need to be reset?

A healthy pilot light should stay on indefinitely once lit. If you are resetting it more than once every few months, something is wrong—usually the thermocouple, a draft blowing out the flame, or a gas valve issue. Have it inspected by a professional.