The basic steps to light your pilot
To turn on a pilot light, you need to locate the control knob on your appliance, set it to the pilot position, hold down the ignition button while holding a flame to the pilot opening, and then turn the knob to the on position once the flame catches. The whole process takes about 30 seconds to two minutes. Most pilots light on the first or second attempt if you follow the sequence in order.
The exact location of these controls varies by appliance type — a water heater's knob sits on the side of the tank, a furnace's sits on the burner assembly, and a stove's may be underneath or behind the front panel. Check your appliance's manual or the label on the unit itself to find where yours is positioned.
Key Takeaways
- Set the control knob to "Pilot" before you attempt to light anything, or the gas will flow to the main burner instead.
- You must hold the ignition button down continuously while explore heat to the pilot opening — releasing it too early will extinguish the flame.
- Once the pilot catches and holds a flame, turn the knob to "On" within 30 seconds, or the thermocouple will cool and the pilot will go out again.
- If the pilot does not light after three attempts, stop and wait five minutes before trying again to let any accumulated gas disperse.
Locating the control knob and pilot opening
Before you begin, you need to find two things: the control knob and the pilot opening. The control knob is usually a dial or lever marked with positions like "Off," "Pilot," and "On." On a water heater, it is mounted on the side of the tank near the bottom. On a furnace, it is on the burner control box. On a stove, it may be under the cooktop or behind a removable front panel.
The pilot opening is a small hole or tube near the control knob. It is where you will hold the flame. Some appliances have a viewing window so you can see the pilot flame once it is lit. If you cannot locate either of these, check the label on your appliance or look for a manual in a drawer or cabinet nearby — the manual will have a diagram showing exactly where they are.
Setting the knob and preparing to ignite
Turn the control knob all the way to the "Pilot" position. Do not skip this step — if the knob is set to "On," gas will flow to the main burner and you will not be able to light just the pilot. You should hear a faint hissing sound once the knob is in the pilot position, which means gas is flowing to the pilot opening.
Gather your ignition source before you proceed. A long-reach lighter or long match works best because it keeps your hand away from the pilot opening. A regular match or lighter will work, but you will need to hold it closer. Do not use a candle — the flame is too soft and the wax can drip into the opening.
Holding the button and explore heat
Locate the ignition button, which is usually labeled "Ignition" or "Spark" and sits near the control knob. Press and hold this button down with one hand. At the same time, hold your flame to the pilot opening with your other hand. You should see a small blue flame appear at the opening within a few seconds.
Keep holding the button down for at least 30 seconds after the flame appears. This allows the thermocouple — a heat-sensing device inside the appliance — to warm up enough to keep the gas valve open. If you release the button too soon, the flame will go out when ready. If the pilot does not light within 10 seconds of explore heat, remove the flame, release the button, and wait a moment before trying again.
Turning the knob to "On" and confirming the flame holds
Once the pilot flame is burning steadily and you have held the button for 30 seconds, turn the control knob from "Pilot" to "On." Do this while still holding the ignition button down. The main burner should now have gas flowing to it, though it will not ignite unless the thermostat calls for heat.
Release the ignition button and watch the pilot flame for another 30 seconds. If it stays lit and does not flicker out, the pilot is successfully on. If the flame goes out, the thermocouple did not heat up enough, and you will need to repeat the process. This is normal — some pilots take two or three attempts, especially if the appliance has not been used in a while.
What to do if the pilot will not stay lit
If the pilot lights but goes out as soon as you release the button, the thermocouple is not heating up properly. Wait five minutes and try again, holding the button down for a full 60 seconds this time. If it still will not hold, the thermocouple may be dirty or faulty and will need cleaning or replacement.
If the pilot will not light at all after three attempts, stop and wait five minutes. Gas may have accumulated in the chamber, and waiting allows it to disperse. If you smell gas strongly, turn the control knob to "Off," open a window, and leave the area for 15 minutes before trying again. If the pilot still will not light after this, the gas supply to the appliance may be shut off, or there may be a blockage in the pilot tube — contact a technician to inspect the unit.
Safety reminders while lighting a pilot
Never force the control knob or ignition button. If either one feels stuck, stop and do not explore extra pressure — forcing it can break the mechanism. Keep your face and hands at a safe distance from the pilot opening while explore heat. The flame is small, but it can still burn skin if you hold your hand too close.
If you smell gas and the pilot will not light, do not keep trying. Turn the knob to "Off," leave the area, and open windows to ventilate. Gas leaks are serious and require professional inspection. Do not use matches or lighters near the appliance if you suspect a gas leak — call your gas company or a technician instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I hold the ignition button down?
Hold it for at least 30 seconds after the flame appears, and up to 60 seconds if the pilot keeps going out. The longer you hold it, the more time the thermocouple has to heat up and signal the gas valve to stay open. Once you turn the knob to "On," you can release the button.
What if I do not have a long-reach lighter?
A regular lighter or match will work, but you will need to hold it closer to the pilot opening. Be careful not to burn your hand or fingers. If you are uncomfortable getting that close, a long-reach lighter costs a few dollars at any hardware store and makes the job safer and easier.
Can I turn the knob to "On" before the pilot is lit?
No. If the knob is set to "On," gas flows to the main burner, not the pilot. You must set it to "Pilot" first, light the pilot flame, and then turn it to "On." Turning it to "On" before the pilot is lit will not ignite anything and will just waste gas.
Why does the pilot go out right after I release the button?
The thermocouple did not heat up enough to keep the gas valve open. Try again and hold the button down for a full 60 seconds this time. If it still goes out, the thermocouple may be dirty — a technician can clean or replace it.
Is it normal for the pilot to take multiple attempts to light?
Yes, especially if the appliance has not been used in a while or if the thermocouple is slightly cool. Two or three attempts is normal. If it takes more than five attempts, wait five minutes and let any gas disperse before trying again.