A water heater pilot light that goes out leaves cold water coming from every hot tap in the house. Sometimes the heater itself is failing. More often the cause is a swing in gas pressure, and you can relight it yourself.
Key points
- Cold water at every hot tap is the usual first sign the pilot light is out
- Shut the gas regulator valve and wait at least five minutes before you touch anything
- The pilot assembly sits beneath the tank and looks like a small silver tube
- Smell for rotten eggs and listen for hissing before you strike any spark
- Hold the regulator valve down for at least a minute so the thermocouple reheats
Why does a water heater pilot light go out?
Your water heater pilot light can go out for several reasons. A dead pilot sometimes points to a problem with the heater itself, such as a failing thermocouple or a worn gas control valve. Fluctuations in gas pressure knock it out just as often, and that has nothing to do with the age of your tank.
Either way, the symptom is the same. Cold water flows from your hot water valves because the burner has nothing to ignite it. The Department of Energy’s Energy Saver guide to water heating covers how gas storage tanks operate and what drives their running cost.
A pilot that dies once is normal. A pilot that dies every week is a repair, and our water heater repair service diagnoses the cause with the price agreed before any work starts.
How to relight a water heater pilot light in 5 steps
1. Turn off the gas
Find the gas regulator valve first. It usually sits on the outside of the water heater where the main gas pipe enters the unit.
Turn the valve to the off position. Wait at least five minutes so any lingering gas dissipates before you go further.
2. Where is the pilot light on a hot water heater?
Grab a flashlight. The pilot light sits beneath the water tank, and you may need to remove an access panel to reach it. Some newer models place it behind a glass panel instead.
Look for a small silver tube. If a flame is already burning at the end of that tube, your pilot is lit and something else is wrong. Call a plumber to diagnose the rest of the system.
3. Check for gas leaks first
Never strike a spark near leaking gas. Confirm the unit is not leaking before you go any further, and a simple smell test tells you most of what you need to know.
Stand next to the water heater and sniff the air. Natural gas is odorless, so gas companies add a compound called mercaptan to make a leak detectable. Leaking gas smells like rotten eggs or sulfur.
If the air near the unit smells clean, move closer and sniff the valves, pipes, and connection points around the tank. Listen for a hissing sound at the same time, which also signals a leak.
Smell gas, even faintly? Leave the house immediately, then call your plumber from outside. If the smell is strong, call 911 and report a potential gas leak. Do not flip any light switch on your way out, because the spark can ignite the gas. Leaking natural gas makes you sick, and every extra minute near it raises your risk. Damaged supply piping needs professional gas line installation and repair, not a DIY fix.
4. Ignite the water heater pilot light
Once you are certain there are no leaks, turn the regulator valve to pilot and hold it down. Some models add a separate button that controls gas to the pilot, usually red and labeled pilot. Check the front of the unit for the manufacturer’s instructions if you cannot find the controls.
Now provide the spark while you hold the valve. Newer models have a black or red button labeled ignition, and pressing it should light the pilot with an audible click.
Older or manual models need your own spark. Use a long-nosed lighter, the kind sold for lighting grills. Never use a match or a cigarette lighter, because both put your hand right where the flame will jump.
5. Make sure the flame stays lit
Keep holding the regulator valve down for at least a minute after the pilot lights. That gives the thermocouple sensor time to reheat. The sensor detects a dead pilot and shuts the heater off when it cools, which is why releasing too early kills the flame again.
Release the valve slowly and watch the pilot. If it holds, turn the regulator valve to on. A whoosh means the main burner has reignited and you are done. Replace the access panel and collect your tools.
Frequently asked questions about a water heater pilot light
Why does my water heater pilot light keep going out?
A pilot that will not stay lit usually points to a failing thermocouple, since that sensor shuts off gas when it reads the flame as dead. Drafts and gas pressure swings cause it too. One outage is routine, but a repeat outage is a repair worth booking.
Can I relight the pilot light myself?
Yes, if you can confirm there is no gas leak first. The five steps above are the same sequence a technician follows. If you cannot locate the controls on your model, or the flame dies each time you release the valve, hand it to a licensed plumber.
What should I do if I smell gas near the water heater?
Leave the house before you do anything else, and do not touch a light switch on your way out. Call your plumber from outside, and call 911 if the smell is strong. Do not attempt to relight anything until the leak is found and repaired.
Is a dead pilot light a sign I need a new water heater?
Not by itself. A pilot outage is often just gas pressure. Repeated outages alongside rusty water, pooling at the base, or a tank past its service life point toward water heater replacement instead of another repair.
Call a Duncanville plumber before you strike a spark
Natural gas is intimidating, and it should be. Follow the five steps and you can relight a water heater pilot light safely. If you cannot figure out your model, or you would rather a licensed technician handle the gas, that is the right call to make.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Duncanville serves Cedar Hill, Dallas, DeSoto, Duncanville, Glenn Heights, Grand Prairie, Maypearl, Midlothian, Oak Cliff, Oak Leaf, Ovilla, Red Oak, and Waxahachie with certified plumbers. You approve the price before work begins, and if there’s any delay, it’s you we pay. Annual plumbing maintenance service catches a weak thermocouple before it strands you with a cold shower.
Stop relighting the same pilot every month. Schedule your appointment today or call 972-263-5010 and we will find out why it keeps going out.
