Having your gas water heater pilot light go out is inconvenient and frustrating. When your water heater pilot light won’t stay lit, you’re left without hot water to shower, wash dishes, or do laundry. Naturally, you wonder, “Why did the water heater pilot go out? Are there any tips or tricks on how to light a pilot light on a water heater? If it’s broken, how do I get it repaired? What does it cost to fix it if a pilot light keeps going out?” If your water heater pilot won’t light or stay on, you have a common problem. Luckily, it is easy to repair.
If your water heater pilot light won’t stay lit, and you don’t know much about water heaters, you are in the right place. Here are common reasons why your water heater pilot light keeps going out and how to solve this issue.
How do I know if my pilot light is out?
If you are asking yourself, “How do I know if my pilot light is out?” you are probably experiencing problems.
- Open the front cover panel on your furnace. It should be easy to open.
- You should be able to see a little flame if your pilot light is lit.
- If you don’t see an obvious flame, your pilot light is out and you must relight it.
- While you are there, check the flame color. It should be blue. If it is yellow, orange, red, or another color, it is a sign of dirt or corrosion. You should have a licensed plumber address the issue.
Other than visually checking your hot water pilot light, other signs can point to a problem. You might not have hot water or hear your heater running. Here is how to check.
7 reasons why your pilot light keeps going out
If your water heater pilot light keeps going out, it may be due to one or more of these common problems.
1. Thermocouple issues
Your thermocouple is a device that senses when your pilot light is burning. The tip of the thermocouple sits over the pilot flame, generating a voltage that keeps the gas valve open. If it senses that your water heater pilot light keeps going out, the thermocouple will shift off the gas supply to the heater. Over time, thermocouples can malfunction, accumulate dust buildup, or get bent away from the pilot light’s flame. Either way, the thermocouple will struggle to sense the pilot light and stop the gas supply.
Solution: Schedule a water heater repair.
2. Lack of combustible air
Another reason your gas water heater pilot light won’t stay lit is that it is not getting enough combustible air. Your water heater requires fresh air with oxygen to keep the pilot light burning. Otherwise, the flame goes out.
Solution: Make sure that the water heater is not surrounded by clutter, lint, or debris to increase the amount of combustible air. Keep the surrounding area as clean as possible.
3. Changes in gas pressure
If the gas pressure in your home is too low, it may not be able to keep your hot water pilot light burning. You may not have adequate supply to your home or your gas utility could be having other problems.
Solution: Contact your gas utility so that they can diagnose and resolve the cause of low gas pressure in your home.
4. Ignition system failure
The ignition system that supports your water heater pilot light can break or wear out. The result is that it no longer generates a spark and cannot reignite the pilot light.
Solution: You can typically find replacements at your local hardware store or order them online. They typically come with easy instructions for swapping the broken one for the new one.
5. Residual gas
If unburned gas is left in the line when the burner shuts off, it can disrupt the gas flow or cause the pilot light to flicker or go out.
Solution: A professional will need to check your system to understand why gas is building up or not flowing evenly.
6. Faulty pipes or hoses
The tube that brings gas to your pilot light can become clogged, shutting off the gas flow to the pilot light.
Solution: Though you may be able to clear the blockage yourself, it’s best to contact a licensed plumber to handle the repair.
7. Control valve failure
The valve that regulates the flow of gas to your water heater can malfunction. This can result in low or inconsistent gas flow, which can extinguish the pilot light on your water heater.
Solution: Contact a professional technician trained to repair or replace control valve components.
What do I do if my water heater pilot light keeps going out?
First, attempt to relight the flame on your own. Then, take these general steps:
- Find the gas shut-off knob and turn to the “Off” setting. This stops the flow of gas. Wait a few minutes for the gas to dissipate.
- Remove the access panel to access the burner.
- Turn the knob to “Pilot” to start the flow of gas. You’ll want to press and hold the knob down.
- While still holding the gas knob, light the pilot with a long lighter. If your gas water heater has an igniting button, press that instead.
- Once ignited, release and turn the gas knob to the “On” position and listen for the main burner to turn on.
If you can’t relight the pilot or your pilot light keeps going out, consider the possibility of another issue, like a bad thermocouple.
Note: Refer to your water heater unit’s instruction manual.
Call Constellation Home for further pilot light troubleshooting
If your water heater pilot light won’t light or keeps going out, give Constellation Home a call at 888-243-4663 or reach us online. Our certified technicians are available 24/7 to come out, take a look, and recommend the best way to get your water heater working safely and efficiently.
