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Water Heater Pilot Light Problems

Three common causes, what is safe to check yourself, and when to call a pro.

The pilot has simply gone out and needs relighting

DIY OK

Most common

Safe to check yourself

  • Check for a gas smell near the unit before doing anything else
  • Look at the manufacturer's label on the tank for that model's relighting steps
  • Look for a sealed igniter button (a push-button piezo igniter) on the control valve

Relighting is fine to try yourself, but only by following the exact steps printed on your unit's label, only if there is no gas smell, and only if your model has a sealed igniter button. If you smell gas at any point, stop, leave the house, and call your gas utility or 911 from outside instead of continuing.

The thermocouple has worn out or shifted out of position

Pro required

Common

Safe to check yourself

  • Check whether the pilot lights but goes out again within about a minute
  • Check how old the water heater is, since this part wears out over years of use

Adjusting or replacing this part means working directly on the gas control valve. That's a job for a licensed technician.

A gas supply problem (closed valve, empty propane tank, or a utility issue)

Pro required

Less common

Safe to check yourself

  • Look at the gas shutoff handle to see whether it appears open, without touching it
  • Check whether other gas appliances in the home are also affected

Supply problems need a technician or the gas utility to confirm safely. This is not something to test yourself.

DIY or pro, at a glance

  • The pilot has simply gone out and needs relightingDIY OK
  • The thermocouple has worn out or shifted out of positionPro required
  • A gas supply problem (closed valve, empty propane tank, or a utility issue)Pro required

When more than one cause is possible, start from the most common one above. If you are not sure which cause applies, this one is a pro job.

Not sure if it is worth fixing?

Run the numbers on repair versus replacement cost for your water heater.

See repair or replace costs for a water heater

Last updated 2026-07-03.