Turn off the gas supply, then the pilot light itself
To turn off a pilot light, you first shut off the gas to the appliance at the control knob, then use the same knob to extinguish the flame. Most appliances have a three-position dial: On, Pilot, and Off. Turn it to Off and hold it there for a few seconds to make sure the gas stops flowing. The pilot light will go out on its own once the gas is cut.
The exact steps depend on your appliance type — a water heater, furnace, or stove each have slightly different control panels — but the principle is the same. You are stopping the flow of gas to the pilot burner, which kills the flame. This is different from turning off the whole appliance, which you would do if you were leaving for an extended period or performing maintenance.
Never use a tool or your fingers to blow out the pilot light. The flame is small and the gas is still flowing; you need to cut the gas supply itself. Trying to extinguish it by force can be dangerous and will not stop the gas from coming out of the burner.
Key Takeaways
- Locate the control knob on your appliance and turn it to the Off position, then hold it there for three to five seconds.
- The pilot light will extinguish automatically once the gas supply stops; you do not need to do anything else.
- If the pilot light does not go out after you turn the knob to Off, turn it back on, wait a minute, and try again.
- Turning off the pilot light is safe and does not damage the appliance, but you will need to relight it before using the appliance again.
Locate your control knob and understand the positions
The control knob is usually on the front or side of the appliance, near the bottom. On a water heater, it is typically on the gas valve at the base. On a furnace, it is on the control panel inside the access door. On a stove, it is the dial you use to turn on the burners. The knob has three or four marked positions: Off, Pilot, On, and sometimes a reset position.
Read the label on your knob before you touch it. The words or symbols tell you which direction to turn. Off is usually at the bottom or to the left. Pilot is the middle position. On is where the appliance runs normally. If your knob has a Reset position, that is used only when relighting the pilot after it has gone out.
If you cannot see the labels clearly, take a photo of the knob with your phone and zoom in. Do not guess. Turning the knob to the wrong position can cause gas to flow without ignition, which is a safety hazard.
Turn the knob to Off and hold it steady
Grasp the knob firmly and turn it clockwise or counterclockwise to the Off position — the label will show you which way. Once it reaches Off, hold it there without moving it. Count to five slowly. This gives the gas valve time to close completely and stop the flow of gas to the pilot burner.
You should not hear any hissing or smell gas after five seconds. If you do, turn the knob back to On, wait one minute, and try again. Sometimes the valve needs a second attempt to seat properly. If gas continues to flow after a second try, stop and contact a technician. A stuck valve is a safety issue and should not be forced.
Once the knob is in the Off position and you have held it for five seconds, the pilot light is off. You do not need to do anything else. The flame will have gone out automatically.
Wait before relighting if you turned off the gas
If you turned off the pilot light because you smelled gas or suspected a problem, wait at least five minutes before attempting to relight it. This allows any stray gas in the burner chamber to disperse. Relighting too quickly can cause a small pop or flame surge as the gas ignites.
If you turned off the pilot light for routine maintenance or because you are leaving the house for a while, you can relight it whenever you are ready. There is no waiting period for a normal shutdown. Just turn the knob back to Pilot, hold a lit match or lighter near the burner opening, and turn the knob to On once the flame catches.
If the pilot light will not relight after you have tried twice, stop and call a technician. A pilot that will not stay lit usually means the thermocouple (a safety sensor) is dirty or failing, and that is not a repair to attempt yourself.
Know when to turn off the pilot light versus the whole appliance
Turn off only the pilot light if you are doing a quick maintenance task, cleaning the burner, or troubleshooting a problem. The pilot stays off, but the appliance is ready to use again as soon as you relight it. This takes a few minutes.
Turn off the whole appliance — usually by switching off a breaker or closing a gas shut-off valve — if you are leaving for more than a few weeks, performing major repairs, or if you suspect a gas leak. When the whole appliance is off, the pilot light is also off, and the gas supply to the entire unit is cut. Restarting the appliance after a full shutdown takes longer and may require a technician if you are not comfortable with the process.
For a water heater, turning off just the pilot light means the tank will cool down over time, but you can reheat it quickly. Turning off the whole appliance means the tank will stay cold until you restart it, which can take several hours to reach full temperature again.
Safety checks before and after turning off the pilot
Before you turn off the pilot light, make sure the area around the appliance is clear of clutter and that you can see the control knob clearly. If you smell gas before you start, open a window and do not use any electrical switches or create sparks. Leave the house and call your gas company from outside.
After you have turned off the pilot light, check that you do not smell gas in the room. A faint smell for a few seconds is normal as the burner cools, but a strong or persistent smell means the valve did not close properly. If that happens, turn the knob back to On, wait one minute, and try Off again. If the smell continues, leave the area and call a technician.
Never turn off the pilot light and then when ready try to use the appliance. The pilot must be relit first, or the appliance will not work. If you forget and try to turn on a stove burner or furnace without a lit pilot, you will just release gas without ignition.
Troubleshooting a pilot light that will not turn off
If you turn the knob to Off and the pilot light stays on, the valve is stuck. Turn the knob back to On, wait one full minute, and try Off again. Sometimes a valve needs a second cycle to close. If it still stays on after the second attempt, do not force it.
A stuck valve usually means debris or mineral buildup inside the valve seat. This is a job for a technician. Forcing the knob or trying to disassemble the valve yourself can damage it further or create a gas leak. Call a repair person and describe what happened — they can clean or replace the valve in about an hour.
While you wait for a technician, you can still use the appliance normally. The pilot light being on all the time uses a small amount of gas but is not dangerous. Just do not attempt to force the knob or take apart the control panel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to turn off the pilot light myself?
Yes. Turning off the pilot light is a normal, safe operation that you can do without tools or special training. You are straightforward closing a gas valve using the control knob. Millions of people do this regularly without incident.
Will turning off the pilot light damage my appliance?
No. The pilot light is designed to be turned on and off. Turning it off does not harm the appliance, the valve, or any other part. You can turn it off and on as many times as you need.
How long does it take to relight the pilot after turning it off?
Relighting usually takes two to five minutes. You turn the knob to Pilot, hold a lit match or lighter near the burner opening, and turn the knob to On once the flame catches. Some appliances have an ignition button you press instead of using a match.
What should I do if I smell gas after turning off the pilot light?
Open a window when ready and leave the house. Do not use electrical switches, lighters, or anything that could create a spark. Call your gas company from outside using a phone away from the house. They will send someone to check for a leak.
Can I turn off the pilot light to save money?
Turning off the pilot light saves a small amount of gas, but the savings are usually less than a dollar per month. Most people turn off the pilot light only for maintenance, troubleshooting, or extended absences, not as a regular money-saving measure.