How to Relight Water Heater Pilot Light

If your gas water heater has stopped producing hot water, the pilot light may have gone out. Relighting it is a simple process that most homeowners can do safely in under 5 minutes. This guide walks you through exactly how to do it.

Before You Start: Safety First

• If you smell a strong gas odor, do not attempt to relight the pilot. Leave the house immediately and call your gas company.
• A faint smell of gas when you first turn the knob to PILOT is normal — this is gas flowing to the pilot.
• Always wait at least 5 minutes after turning the gas off before attempting to relight, to let any accumulated gas dissipate.

What You'll Need

• A long-reach lighter or long fireplace matches
• Your water heater's instruction label (usually on the front of the unit)

How to Relight a Water Heater Pilot Light: Step by Step

Step 1: Locate the Gas Control Valve

Find the gas control valve on the front of your water heater near the bottom. It has a knob with settings: OFF, PILOT, and temperature settings (or HOT/WARM/VAC).

Step 2: Turn the Knob to OFF

Turn the gas control knob to the OFF position. Wait 5 full minutes before proceeding. This allows any gas that may have accumulated to safely dissipate.

Step 3: Turn the Knob to PILOT

After waiting, turn the knob to the PILOT position.

Step 4: Press and Hold the Pilot Button

Press and hold the pilot button (on some models this is the gas control knob itself — push it down). This opens the gas flow to the pilot tube.

Step 5: Ignite the Pilot

While holding the pilot button down, bring a long lighter or match to the pilot burner. The pilot burner is located inside the access panel at the bottom of the heater — look for a small metal tube.

On newer models with an electronic igniter, press the igniter button repeatedly while holding the pilot button until the flame lights.

Step 6: Hold the Button for 30–60 Seconds

Once the pilot flame is lit, keep holding the button down for 30 to 60 seconds. This is critical — it heats up the thermocouple, which is the safety sensor that keeps the gas valve open.

Step 7: Release and Check

Slowly release the pilot button. Watch the flame — if it stays lit, you've successfully relit the pilot.

If the flame goes out when you release the button, wait 5 minutes and try again, holding the button longer this time (up to 90 seconds).

Step 8: Set the Temperature

Once the pilot is burning steadily, turn the gas control knob to your desired temperature setting. Most households use 120°F (49°C) as a safe and energy-efficient setting.

Allow 30–60 minutes for the water to heat up fully.

Pilot Light Won't Stay Lit After Relighting?

If the pilot lights but goes out as soon as you release the button, the thermocouple is likely faulty. The thermocouple is a small sensor that detects the pilot flame and keeps the gas valve open. When it fails, the gas valve closes and the pilot goes out.

The fix is to replace the thermocouple — it's an inexpensive part and a straightforward DIY repair.

💡 Recommended Part: Resideo CQ100A1013/U 24-Inch Replacement Thermocouple — universal fit for most gas water heaters, furnaces, and boilers. Easy to install in under 30 minutes.

Pilot Light Keeps Going Out Repeatedly?

If you find yourself relighting the pilot every few days or weeks, consider these causes:

• Weak or failing thermocouple — replace it
• Draft near the heater — check for air leaks or vents blowing air toward the unit
• Dirty pilot orifice — a clogged orifice produces a weak flame that can't heat the thermocouple properly; call a technician to clean it
• Faulty gas valve — if the thermocouple is new and the pilot still won't stay lit, the gas valve may need replacement

💡 Recommended Part: Gas Valve 70000 BTU — replacement gas valve for residential water heaters, 1/2" inlet size.

When to Call a Professional

Call a licensed plumber or gas technician if:

• You smell strong gas at any point
• The pilot won't light after multiple attempts
• The pilot lights but the main burner never ignites
• The gas valve needs replacement

Summary

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