What To Do If Your Pilot Light Goes Out

Written on: March 7, 2022

You may not need a service call!

Many modern propane appliances use an electronic ignition. Many older ones, however, likely have a pilot light. The pilot light is the little flame in your appliance that restarts the main burner and prevents propane gas leaks. It’s supposed to be burning at all times.

A pilot light may go out for a variety of reasons. Dirt and dust in the intake valves might cause this to happen. A draft can put it out. As a result of a leak in your equipment, the pilot light may have automatically expired. The thermocouple could have broken down.

Is the pilot light going out on a regular basis? If that’s the case, you’ll need a professional service technician, such as Pitmon’s skilled and experienced technicians.

Do you smell the rotten-egg odor of propane gas? If so, it’s essential to follow propane safety best practices and get everyone out of the house immediately. Call 911 and Pitmon once you are a safe distance away.

How to troubleshoot an extinguished pilot light

If you follow the procedures outlined below, you should be able to restart your pilot on your own without having to call us. These troubleshooting steps are only for pilot lights and not for propane appliances with electronic ignitions.

1. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for your appliance. Follow them exactly.
2. Turn off the appliance at the power switch or thermostat.
3. Find the gas valve for the pilot. It usually has markings for “ON,” “OFF,” and “PILOT.” Turn it to “OFF” and wait at least three minutes so it can reset.
4. If the valve is sticky, don’t try to force it or use oil. These can damage the valve and cause gas leaks.
5. When at least three minutes have passed, turn the valve to the “PILOT” setting. Then press and hold the reset button and simultaneously hold a lighted match next to — not inside — the pilot light opening. Once the pilot ignites, set the valve to “ON.”

If this does not work, contact us for a service call as whatever the problem is, it is something that needs to be handled by a trained professional. If you feel uncomfortable about performing this troubleshoot, get in touch with us and we’ll come out.

Pitmon is committed to the safe delivery of propane and the safe installation and service of propane appliances. Have questions about propane safety? Get in touch with us. We’re happy to help!