How to relight a water heater pilot light

Step by step instructions for relighting a gas water heater pilot light.
Caution: If you smell gas do not proceed with lighting the pilot on your water heater. Instead contact your local gas company to isolate and solve whatever the problem may be.

[@ivavasseva2230]

Dude you just saved us $200 for a technician to come diagnose! THANK YOU from 2 young homeowners! God bless you man

[@Iscaper]

+Iva Vasseva That's great, thanks for watching.

[@onebrokenwriter]

At least once a year my pilot light goes out due to high winds here in Southern California. This video helps me review the steps each time before I begin. The pace is perfect, as is the clear video. It's empowering to take care of this small but somewhat complex task and rescue myself instead of having to call someone. Thank you so much.

[@fk9305]

same

[@mistyn2089]

I recently moved & I do not know anyone yet, so I called a few plumbers to get a price to light the pilot, service call lowest price $80! It has been two days since mine went out, your video is great, however, I am so terrified to light it, so today I either commit to lighting it or pay $80... update: I did it!!!!!! THANK YOU for the instructional video.

[@JohnDoe-xu2vx]

Sometimes your gas co will lite it for you.

[@gsman1]

No more or less dangerous than lighting a gas grill, or a gas stove...unless you smell gas. The hardest part of the job is to get down on the floor so you can see the pilot light when lighting it.

[@kylieperron161]

How'd it turn out lol

[@andreamaecatalan]

Was also so scared to do this but i just had to! Thankful for this video but does the flame stays on 24/7??? Ddnt know this before now im terrified

[@michellehammond1]

As a single woman and homeowner, I am thankful for you and your very helpful video. It took me a while, but I was able to relight my pilot light and get some hot water back to the house. It's 19 degrees outside and all I want is a hot shower!!

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Michelle and I'm glad the video helped.

[@lleneferse]

Michelle Hammond This helped me as well. Straight forward and directly to to the point.

[@skooby_doobie_doonkann3334]

Michelle Hammond it's easy to do

[@cernstormrunner7263]

Got back from 4 days of camping last night, worked from home today. Went to take a shower and got an unpleasant surprise

[@SSGTru]

These instructions were awesome! In my particular case I had a electronic ignition system; but by basically following all the steps shown I was able to re-light my water heater in under a minute! Thank you, sir!

[@ArtundertheSun1]

Used this tutorial three times now over the past years to relight mine after it goes out. Great video thank you so much! I was very worried about doing it wrong and causing an explosion lol.

[@ephraimgray3148]

That concern is exactly what brought here lol

[@FatLittleOldLady]

me too.

[@rebeccadanger9214]

Thank you so much for your wonderfully clear instructions! You wouldn't believe how many videos I went through to find the exact spot where the pilot light is! Most videos are just showing heaters with electric ignitions, which wasn't remotely helpful when I was just randomly flailing around my stick lighter and waiting for an explosion! I was able to relight the pilot IMMEDIATELY after watching this. Thank you!

[@FatLittleOldLady]

I can relate to the random thing. :D

[@SantyDJ555]

You are a lifesaver 👍🏼 I've never done this before but with your step-by-step instructions it was a breeze. Thank you!!!

[@rhondaj3117]

Thank you so much for this video. My husband is the one who usually lights it up, but he happen to be unavailable at the time this decides to go blank and I had no idea what to do. I followed your steps and it lights. So proud of me. Thanks again.

[@MZMACHIEJSB]

THANK U SOOOOOOO VERY MUCH!! I read the directions on the water heater and couldn't figure out where the pilot actually was. You explaining that at the end of smaller line was were I would fine the pilot made ALL of the difference! Thanks again!

[@Iscaper]

Thanks, I'm glad the video was helpful.

[@Teeim]

Another happy watcher here. Haven't had to do this task in years and I was getting confused on why it wasn't working until realizing I was trying to light the gas outlet instead of the pilot itself 🤦. Thanks for saving me the headache!! Now the wife is happy too. Always a win.

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Timothy for watching.

[@rochelleleewillett]

Thank you! This was more thorough than most videos I found. Specifically, I wasn’t sure where to put the flame, but you covered it! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@bazsgirl2]

God bless you! I got home tonight to no hot water and could not get the pilot re-lit by myself. I thought I'd have to call someone to come do it, but thanks to your video I was able to do it with the help of my husband. Thanks for the very clear video. I don't have the same brand water heater, but it has the same workings for the pilot light.

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Cindy, I'm glad the video helped.

[@WeCreatedCool]

awesome. and i like the speed of it, its calming and allows you to absorb all the instructions

[@scooz1663]

Thanks for this really clear, straight-forward video. It gave me the confidence to proceed with a slightly scary fix (gas!) on my elderly parent's water heater. Everything went just as you showed and I got it to re-light the very first time!

[@Iscaper]

Susan Castle That's awesome, congratulations.

[@BacusJT]

thank you. At first I was upset because it felt like your video was so slow. then I sat through it and your video is the only one that gives all the details needed. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!

[@Iscaper]

Thanks John. I'm working on the pacing on my newer videos.

[@rocket45man]

Wonderfully straightforward and simple. I have the same control valve on my heater and relighting was a piece of cake. Thanks.

[@dominiquegrant2984]

Great Video! You took your time to explain what you were about to do n why. As a single mother and no man in the house and 1st time home owner this was a BIG help! I know have hot water again 🙌🏾. Thank you

[@sharrapooh]

I wanna really appreciate you for this video I'm a single mom and my 17 yrs old son followed this video and successfully got the hot water back on. We went a week with cold water because I didn't know what to do. I've always had electric and my new home has gas. Certainly he was scared he could be blown up but he put his fear aside and wanted his mom to not take another cold shower.

[@Iscaper]

sharrapooh Wow, a week with out hot water! I'm glad your son was able to get the water heater lit and I'm glad the video was helpful.

[@SeverinGaranzuay]

Thank you very much! We recently had a new pool heater installed and the gas line was shut off for a day. Needless to say, the tech failed to relight our pilot light and I was forced to learn how myself. I was a bit timid at first, but your video gave me the confidence to relight the pilot and get back my hot water! Many thanks!!!

[@marytayloryoungauthor587]

What a well-done, methodical and easy-to-follow instructional. Your calm voice and slow pace were just right and helped increase my understanding. Excellent. Thank you.

[@christinaperkins2074]

It worked and thank you for explaining I detail because not everyone dries on these videos. You're the only one who said to move the dial to pilot lighting. Had a plumber here yesterday and she didn't tell me to do that. THANK YOU!!

[@Iscaper]

Glad I could help 🙂

[@lizardqueen360]

Thank you! Simple instructions, easy to follow, got my pilot relit, and hot water again.

[@Iscaper]

Thanks for the feedback, it's much appreciated.

[@DivineSurya]

Thank you so much. I read the water heater directions and couldn't figure out where the pilot was. Your directions were very helpful. Got it right on the first attempt.

[@ramesherrabolu1590]

Thanks for posting this short helpful segment. After watching this I was confident that I could try it on our water heater. Our system was different, but going through the instruction on the heater I was able to get it started. Thanks once again.

[@sewfastdancer]

Thank you! I have never had to do this before and my aunt sent me your link to do it properly. It was so much easier than expected. Thanks for the great explanation.

[@morningsidepark66]

My pilot light was out. I watched your video and followed your instructions. The pilot is now on! Thank you

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Morningside for watching and I appreciate the feedback.

[@Maidenvoyager1]

Very well done. Thank you. Love how you can see inside when you point the lighter.

[@Iscaper]

Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback.

[@marthar4370]

I did it!! Husband leaves for a camp out and sure enough when he's gone the pilot light goes. He says to go to YT for instructions. I tried another but that one was for auto pilot light...I was hoping we had that kind but NOOO ours required manual lighting. I followed this video pausing constantly on 2:36...I was so scared but I did it...so happy thank you :)

[@jerryamato8623]

Thanks!! What I was doing was just pressing the igniter button 4-5 times while holding the gas control button down. Wasn't lighting. I followed your instructions and kept pressing the igniter button while holding down the gas control button for 90 seconds and got it to light. Thanks bud. That was a nice public service. One thing I want to add is that the pilot light view window is so low that you really need to almost lie down to view through this window. I just took a guess that it lit while following iscapers instructions and it did and I couldn't see it light from the angle I was at. Thanks again.

[@Iscaper]

Great, I'm glad you got it lit.

[@IamGeekIncarnate]

It's 3:30 in the morning and just realized I had no hot water. Thanks for saving my butt! This was a huge help, especially in the end showing what the pilot was doing. I was really worried it wasn't suppose to be like that, then you showed the flames so I knew I had done it right. Thank you!

[@Iscaper]

What are you doing up at three in the morning?

[@IamGeekIncarnate]

Got sucked into a video game and lost track of time

[@Iscaper]

Yeah, video games will do that.

[@Jester77o7]

Thank you for the very helpful video. I followed your steps and got it lit again. Man was it unnerving though because, neighbors were lighting off firecrackers so I would hear a loud boom here and there. lol

[@Iscaper]

4th of July weekend is a bad time for the pilot to go out especially when neighbors are letting off firecrackers. That would unnerve me too.

[@Jester77o7]

So, it turned out the water heater was leaking and putting out the pilot light and get this, the unit (Made by Rheem) was from 1978. I'm shocked it lasted that long. Is that normal?

[@Iscaper]

Wow, 1978, that's a dinosaur. Plumbers I know say 8-12 years is the average life of a water heater.

[@veebabee04]

Thank you soooo much for this! I just lit the pilot for the first time by myself and I'm a dainty little lady. Thank you! :-)

[@pami6272]

This was beyond helpful!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to share.

[@TheJatinderAU]

Thanks mate. That was really helpful. was out of hot water for 2 days after plumber forgot to turn it back on, cheers

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Jatty.

[@fall9848]

Thank you! I just followed the instructions and was able to light the pilot light to get hot water. No need to call anyone to do this.

[@xihuipaulzhang]

Thank you! I followed your steps and relit my gas water heater. We have been short of hot water for a while.

[@FatLittleOldLady]

Thank you! My boyfriend just got a major rough surgery so it's up to me to do this. Never did it before, but I now understand how. God bless you. Edit: The on/off/pilot knob was cracked so that it was non functional, so I took a cue from youtubers and used baking soda and super glue to fix it, then I realized some genius bound all those little tubes together so it was impossible to tell where the pilot light was, so my boyfriend, (likely the genius), had to get on his knees and light it but I did manage to make a permanent fix to the knob but he is super pissed and cussing at me because he had to do it. Lotta screaming and animosity being hurled my way for no good reason at all except his pilot light went out and I tried to fix it but couldn't with the previous 'fixes' that had been done by someone else before I moved in 9 years ago.

[@Iscaper]

Thanks!

[@Glen.Danielsen]

Carey, thanks so much for this helpful video! Clear and succinct!

[@coreyluv6]

I can't thank you enough for the time,money,and headaches you just saved me

[@ronaldwenzlick2229]

Don't know how many people watch this but this helped me out thank you so much

[@Iscaper]

Thanks for watching!

[@rogueriver1000]

Thank you so much for posting this!!! Ours went out tonight and we had no clue what to do.

[@spectrum3720]

Appreciate you posting this video. My pilot light is now lit! Thank you much.

[@Iscaper]

Glad it helped!

[@ConservativeAnthem]

His voice is like Hal, from 2001, A Space Odyssey.

[@cubbyguy1]

This is the second time I've used your video but I think I've got it memorized by now. Thanks for the help!

[@Iscaper]

+cubbyguy1 I'm glad the video helped (twice) :)

[@cubbyguy1]

+iScaper1 Think I got it memorized now ;)

[@kethilwyvernsbane51]

Thank you. First time I lit one of these and it was vexing me as I knew it was easy to do as I had seen my mom do it before. Finally got it lit as you explained the steps very clearly. Very grateful for this

[@Iscaper]

+Kethil Wyvernsbane Thanks Kethil, I'm glad the video was helpful.

[@marcomarcello3337]

Thanks...as a home owner I never gave a second thought to my gas water heater...had a minor leak...turned everything off...found this video on how to relight...especially handy if you don't have an igniter!

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Marco for watching.

[@follybeachtrikker]

Really appreciate that. Saved $75. Exact same waterheater.

[@katespage254]

This was great, thank you. One thing I might add - my HWH has an electric starter, and you have to practically put your cheek on the ground to see whether the pilot light is lit or not. I kept thinking it hadn't lit because you couldn't see it through the window at the angle I was looking, but turns out it was lighting fine. Plumber charged me an arm and a leg for that little lesson.

[@Iscaper]

Good information, thanks for posting.

[@jerryamato8623]

Great tip. It really helped me today. I thought it wasn't lighting because from the angle I was at I couldn't see the pilot light. Thanks!!!

[@Iscaper]

Thanks for the feedback on the video.

[@ClaudeRacine]

hey, thanks man, just re-started it with you clear instructions. always a bit scary when playing with gas and fire but did. thanks again.

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Claude. I'm the same way when working around a gas appliance.

[@karimkadmiri3341]

Thanks a lot for making this video. Saved me from anxiety and saved me money.

[@derecks8326]

Thanks for making this video! It was a big help! :)

[@Iscaper]

+Dereck S Thanks Dereck.

[@TheMnteldy]

Thank you so much... I have lite it in the past, but, today -- I just couldn't think. (You know how Mondays are) You refreshed my memory and with YOUR help, my hot water tank is functioning again...

[@Iscaper]

+TheMnteldy Mondays will do that :)

[@TheTimeForChange44]

Thank you SO much! You are a life-saver! Simple, but I was afraid as to where the pilot actually was! Thank you again!

[@Iscaper]

Thanks, I appreciate the comment.

[@kimberlymarino7344]

I have been trying to light the piolet on an old water heater. This is the only info I could find that did not have the ease of an ignitor button, which I don't have. So thank you. My dad always did this but he physically cannot so this is my first time and frankly I'm very afraid of blowing up. Silly maybe but gas and fire scare me. Thank you for a very helpful calming video.

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Kimberly, I'm glad the video was helpful. I get nervous about re-lighting a pilot too, so you're not being silly.

[@staceybaughman1480]

Thank you so much! You saved my husband and I the cost of calling out a company to help us!

[@Iscaper]

Fantastic!

[@rjkulman8990]

your video was my inspiration to doing this... followed your steps, and it is now ON !! and working

[@Iscaper]

That's great, thanks for watching.

[@mailuong3451]

Thank you so much for the video. I was panic when my hot water ran out. Luckily I found your video. You saved us the $$$.

[@Iscaper]

Glad I could help.

[@wendymurphy9790]

Thank you so much! I could not figure it out. So helpful and calming. 😊

[@nathanddrews]

So clear and so brief. Perfect.

[@johnsimos9043]

Thank You so much sir. It's sunday here and no one available to fix it for me. This video help a lot.

[@emmelle53]

Thank you SO much! Those were very easy to understand instructions, and exactly what I needed to know.

[@angelawho727]

thank you very much for your video! VERY helpful and concise and helped me re-lit my water heater after like 2-3 hrs of frustration!

[@melaniejohns7562]

Awesome helpful video! I tried 4 or 5 times and could not figure out how to light it correctly. After watching your video I lit it easy! Thank you for the video.

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Lanie, I'm glad the video helped.

[@mldoyle9360]

Perfect instructions! I'm about to go try them for myself. THANKS you so much!

[@Iscaper]

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.

[@ronbramlett]

Thanks for posting. Woke up thus morning with no hot water. Relit my heater just now.

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Ron for taking the time to leave feedback.

[@Warlax]

Awesome video. I liked the pace.

[@the7suns]

Your water heater was absolutely similar to mine; helped me light my pilot light down to a T. Thank you iScraper1

[@Iscaper]

Thanks for watching.

[@Moonskull-qt1kg]

Thank you for posting that.never light a pilot light before.

[@matthewlurie6719]

Thanks for the video! I needed to restart the water heater in my apartment and this video was a life-saver!

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Matthew for the feedback.

[@yasmeenherrera5585]

This video was VERY helpful... Thank you!

[@Carane94]

Thank you for your service. Still producing after 11 years

[@Iscaper]

Thanks for watching!

[@maryannecasas1497]

Thank you so much!!!! I followed your instructions. I liked your explanation re: This tube feeds the gas. I used a similar lighter and this made it much easier to light the pilot light.

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Mary, I'm glad the video was helpful.

[@devon32004]

Thank you so much for your video, I just had to light my mom's pilot light for the second time sure comes in handy!!

[@Iscaper]

Glad it helped!

[@GaryNichols]

Great tutorial and explanations. Thank you!

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Gary, I appreciate the feedback.

[@Iscaper]

Thanks for the comment. I'm the same way, whenever I relight a gas appliance I'm a little nervous.

[@stevedellay]

Thanks....your video was super helpful !

[@josemanzo7394]

Thank you for your helpful video I follow your steps for the first time turning on my water heater thank you

[@feellikejohndee6925]

Yo thanks to you i have a hot shower tonight! Thank you! the freezing showers are no more

[@B1ggRandall]

Thanks,iScaper1. I just showed my Dad your video and we our pilot light again.Thanks,man.

[@Iscaper]

Congratulations, thanks for watching.

[@rickpadgett405]

Very clear instructions. Thanks Rick

[@Iscaper]

rick padgett Thanks Rick for the feedback.

[@ishytart]

Just had to do this and it was great to have a tutorial. Thanks!

[@Iscaper]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@tanakamaeda3047]

Thank you so much for your kindness video - It's is dark now at my place but I thinhk I learnt from your video and I feel more confident to turn on my water heater on early tomorrow - Again thank you very much for your generous video . God blessed you and your family hapiness and healthiness always. Best regards.

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Tanaka.

[@annsophiefans1472]

Thank you. You helped me, a great deal, with this video. Thank you, kind sir!

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Ann for watching.

[@TheRivle]

Thank you so much, I was so annoyed by what was the issue. It seems we have the same unit. Again thank you for uploading and giving detail steps on how to do this.

[@Iscaper]

If your water heater pilot repeatedly goes out then it could mean you have a bad thermocouple. We had to replace ours when the water heater was around 5 years old.

[@1971ladytee]

Hi, I was wondering if you could help me, my pilot light has went out on my hot water tank, and this happen right after the flood in my basement, not sure if thats what caused it but I followed your steps and trying to light it back, mine is a self ignighter, so I put it on ignite and turned the knob down as you explained and clicked the switch to spot where it was and then held down the ignite button, and it lit the first time, held the button down 30 seconds and when i let off of it, it would go out.. So I put it back in the off position and tried again, but this time when I went to ignite it blew back up in my face and I smelled gas for a minute, then it went away, What am I doing wrong? ,

[@mattarnold929]

Thank you! Best video on lighting the water heater very well done!!!

[@Iscaper]

Matt Arnold Thanks Matt.

[@mirjanabdul7108]

Loved how he did the video slow and step by step thanks!

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Mirjan.

[@Sarahofficiant]

Thanks for taking your time to put this up, A nice gift to others ! . Going slow works well for 1 st timers .

[@aBLACKGIRL1986]

Thank you for this video.i was nervous but followed your directions carefully.i couldn't wait for someone to come out to relight it so thanks again :-)

[@Iscaper]

+aBLACKGIRL1986 Thanks for the feedback.

[@LeiaLaRoux]

This was extremely helpful!!!! Thanks so much!

[@Iscaper]

I'm all for you saving some money, thanks for the feedback.

[@st4stinger4]

You the man!!! Thanks bro. For a first time home owner and scared to blow up my house :-), this was a life saver. Exactly correct on all counts.

[@Iscaper]

Thanks for watching.

[@weelindsit3030]

Thank you! I'm house sitting and had no idea what I was doing and was tired of cooler showers!

[@ikon8275]

Nice calm clear video... thanks alot!! Your a big help!

[@mlittleton]

Worked perfectly. Thanks so much!!

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Mack.

[@rickthedick1984]

Thank you sir, the video came in handy today when ours went out!