A gas water heater that suddenly stops heating can be frustrating, but a dark pilot light doesn’t always mean the heater is broken. Many older models can be relit at home if you follow the instructions for that exact unit. Before you start, though, take gas safety seriously: if you smell gas, hear a hiss, or feel unsure about what you’re looking at, don’t try to relight it. Step away and call for help.
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First, Check What Kind of Water Heater You Have
Not every gas water heater has a pilot light you can relight by hand. Older models often use a standing pilot: a small flame that stays lit and ignites the main burner when the water needs heating. Newer heaters may use electronic ignition, which lights the burner automatically and may have no standing flame at all.
Look for the lighting instructions on the heater’s label, usually near the gas control valve or burner access area. You can also find the model number on the rating plate and look up the owner’s manual. Follow that manual over any general instructions, because control labels and lighting steps vary between brands and models.
| Ignition type | What you may see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Standing pilot | A “Pilot” setting and lighting instructions on the unit | Use the manufacturer’s relighting procedure |
| Electronic ignition | An igniter button, status light, or electronic control | Follow the manual; don’t try to light it with a match |
| Unclear or damaged controls | Missing labels, unusual wiring, or a sealed burner area | Don’t guess. Contact a qualified technician |
Safety Checks Before You Relight a Gas Water Heater
A pilot-light procedure is only appropriate when there’s no sign of a gas leak and the appliance appears undamaged. Stop if you notice a rotten-egg smell, hear gas hissing, see soot around the burner, or find water or damage near the controls. Don’t operate lights, appliances, or electrical switches if you smell gas. Leave the building, then call your gas utility or emergency services from outside.
Before continuing, check that the area around the heater is clear. Keep paper, cleaning products, paint, and other flammable materials away from the burner. Make sure the room has the ventilation required by the heater’s manual, and never block an air intake or vent.
- Read the lighting instructions on the heater before touching the controls.
- Don’t smoke or use an open flame nearby.
- Don’t remove sealed panels or reach into a burner compartment unless the manual specifically tells you to.
- If the heater has been flooded, moved, or visibly damaged, leave it off and call a professional.
- Make sure you have working carbon monoxide alarms near sleeping areas and on each level of your home.
Carbon monoxide has no smell, so you can’t rely on your nose to detect it. If an alarm sounds, or anyone in the home develops a headache, dizziness, nausea, or confusion, leave the building and contact emergency services. Don’t re-enter until it’s been checked and declared safe.
How to Relight a Standing Pilot Water Heater
The steps below describe a common standing-pilot setup, but your heater’s own label and manual come first. If their instructions differ, use those instructions. If you can’t find them or can’t identify the controls with confidence, stop and call a technician rather than improvising.
1. Set the gas control to “Off” and wait
Turn the water heater’s gas control to “Off” if the manufacturer’s instructions tell you to. Wait for the period shown on the label or in the manual. Many procedures call for waiting at least five minutes so any unburned gas near the burner can clear, but use the time specified for your model.
Don’t skip the wait, and don’t shorten it because you’re in a hurry. If you smell gas at any point, don’t continue. Leave and call for help from outside.
2. Find the correct pilot-light instructions
Locate the printed lighting directions and identify the control marked “Pilot,” “On,” and “Off,” if your model uses those settings. Some heaters have a separate igniter button; others use a different control arrangement. Don’t assume a nearby button is an igniter, and don’t remove covers to get a better view unless the manual directs you to.
3. Turn the control to “Pilot” and hold it as directed
On many standing-pilot models, you turn the gas control to “Pilot,” then press and hold a control knob while lighting the pilot. Holding the knob allows gas to reach the pilot assembly. The exact control and timing vary, so follow the unit’s label rather than relying on a generic sequence.
4. Use only the ignition method the manufacturer allows
If the heater has a built-in piezo igniter, the manual may tell you to press it while holding the pilot control. You may hear a click and see the pilot light through a viewing window. Never use a match or lighter unless the manufacturer’s instructions explicitly say that method is allowed and explain how to do it safely.
If you can’t see the pilot through the proper viewing window, don’t open a sealed burner compartment or place your hand inside. A model designed for a built-in igniter may not be safe to light by another method.
5. Keep holding the control for the specified time
Once the pilot is lit, the instructions may tell you to keep holding the control for a short time before releasing it. This gives the flame sensor time to warm up. Depending on the heater, that sensor may be a thermocouple or thermopile. It helps the gas valve determine whether the pilot flame is present; if it isn’t warm enough, the valve may shut off the gas when you release the control.
Release the control slowly and check the viewing window. If the pilot stays lit, follow the manual to turn the control to “On” and set the temperature to the desired level. If the pilot goes out, don’t repeatedly try to relight it.
6. Watch for normal operation
After the pilot remains lit and you’ve restored the control to its normal setting, the main burner may start when the heater calls for heat. It might not fire immediately if the water is already warm. Follow the manual for how to confirm normal operation, and don’t touch hot pipes or burner parts while checking.
It takes time for a tank of water to heat, so a lack of hot water right away doesn’t necessarily mean the relighting failed. If the pilot stays on but hot water doesn’t return after the period given in the manual, the issue may be elsewhere.
What If Your Water Heater Has Electronic Ignition?
An electronic-ignition water heater typically lights its burner automatically when needed. It may have a status light, an ignition control, or a power cord. It usually doesn’t have a pilot flame for you to light with a match, so don’t apply standing-pilot steps to it.
Check the manual for the meaning of any flashing status light and the correct reset procedure. If the manual calls for a power reset, use only the stated steps. Don’t open electrical or burner compartments, bypass a safety switch, or keep resetting the unit if it repeatedly fails to ignite. Repeated ignition failures can point to a fault that needs professional attention.
Why Does a Water Heater Pilot Light Go Out?
A pilot can go out for several reasons, and relighting it may only fix the immediate symptom. A draft or blocked air supply can disturb the flame. A dirty pilot opening may prevent a steady flame, while a worn thermocouple or thermopile may fail to signal that the pilot is lit. Problems with the gas supply or control valve can also stop the pilot from staying on.
If the pilot goes out once, you can follow the manual’s procedure if the area is safe. If it won’t light, goes out again, or the main burner behaves strangely, stop trying. Repeated attempts won’t repair a faulty part and can create a safety risk. A qualified technician can inspect the pilot assembly, flame sensor, venting, gas pressure, and controls.
When to Call a Professional
Call a licensed or otherwise appropriately qualified gas-appliance technician if you smell gas, can’t identify the controls, see soot or scorching, or notice a damaged vent or burner area. Professional help is also the right choice if the pilot repeatedly goes out, the electronic ignition keeps failing, or the heater makes unusual popping or rumbling sounds.
Don’t try to clean gas jets, adjust the gas valve, or defeat safety devices yourself. These components affect combustion and venting. A repair that seems small can create a fire or carbon monoxide hazard if it’s done incorrectly.
Read more related posts:
- 10 reasons your water heater runs out in the shower what to do
- How to keep a bathroom warm without a heater? winter months easily
- Discover why does a bathroom air vent drip water safely and how to fix
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I relight a gas water heater with a match?
Only if the manufacturer’s instructions for your exact model explicitly allow it and explain the procedure. Many heaters use a built-in igniter or a sealed burner design. Never use a match just because you can’t find the igniter.
How long should I wait before relighting the pilot?
Use the wait time printed on the heater or given in its manual. Many common procedures specify at least five minutes with the control off, but instructions differ. If you smell gas, don’t relight it at all; leave and call for help.
Why does the pilot light go out when I release the knob?
The flame sensor may not have warmed for long enough, or it may be dirty or failing. Follow the manual’s hold time once. If the pilot still won’t stay lit, stop and arrange a professional inspection.
Is it safe to relight a water heater after a power outage?
It depends on the model. A standing-pilot heater may not be affected by a power outage, while an electronic-ignition or power-vent model may need electricity to operate. Check the manual before resetting or relighting it, and don’t open the appliance’s electrical compartment.
Conclusion
You can relight some standing-pilot gas water heaters yourself, but the safe procedure depends on the exact model. Read the heater’s instructions, wait as directed, and use only its approved ignition method. If you smell gas, the pilot won’t stay lit, or anything looks damaged, stop and call a professional. A little caution is worth far more than a quick attempt to get hot water back.
