Are you experiencing issues with a gas appliance? It could be due to a faulty pilot light. If your pilot light keeps going out, it’s usually because of a few common issues. Read on to learn more about how a pilot light works, what causes it to go out, and how our team at Hunter Super Techs can help solve the problem.

Table of Contents:

What is a Pilot Light and What Does it Do?

A pilot light is a small continuously burning flame that ignites gas to run appliances like water heaters, furnaces, and even gas fireplaces. In other words, a pilot light ignites gas to provide heat.

6 Common Reasons Your Pilot Light Keeps Going Out

Dirty or Faulty Thermocouple

A thermocouple sounds like it would be related to a thermostat, but it’s not. A thermocouple is a safety mechanism that detects if the pilot light is on. Thermocouples can get dirty; if they accumulate enough dust or dirt, they may shut off the gas supply. Remedy this problem by simply cleaning the thermocouple.

Old Furnace System

Nothing lasts forever. Sometimes a faulty pilot light boils down to an old, worn-out heating system. A good rule of thumb is to consider replacing a furnace if it has reached or surpassed the 15-year mark. For water heaters, consider a replacement after the 8-year mark.

Gas Valve Issues

If your pilot light keeps going out, there’s a chance that the gas supply has been compromised. A pilot light needs gas to continue burning—so if there’s no gas, then there’s no pilot light. Check the gas valve; there’s a high chance it’s dirty or malfunctioning.

Dirty Pilot Orifice

A pilot light has a small opening that can easily become clogged with dirt. A clogged pilot orifice can cause issues with the pilot light flame, and can even cause it to go out.

Airflow or Ventilation Issues

Poor ventilation can cause a pilot light to blow out. If you suspect airflow or ventilation problems, check your flue pipe. There could be a problem with how your heating system is venting air.

Cracked Heat Exchanger

A cracked heat exchanger is more common in older heating systems. If cracked, the heat exchanger can affect ventilation and air pressure inside the combustion chamber. This can result in a failed pilot light.

How to Fix a Pilot Light That Won’t Stay Lit

Working with a gas appliance is risky, so before relighting your pilot light, turn the gas supply off and make sure all remaining gas has been dispersed. Once you do this, check the thermocouple and pilot orifice. Are they clean? Are they intact? If the answer is ‘yes’ to both, go ahead and relight your pilot light.

To relight, hold down the reset button and use a long-stemmed lighter. Then turn the valve “on.”

If you need additional help relighting your pilot light, either refer to the manufacturer’s instructions or contact a professional HVAC technician.

How to Tell If the Pilot Light is Working Correctly

There are a few ways you can tell if the pilot light is working properly. Simply ask yourself the following questions when inspecting your pilot light.

Is it burning blue? A healthy pilot light should always burn blue. If it’s burning yellow or red, then it’s not hot enough.

Is the flame consistent? Your pilot light should burn steadily. If it’s flickering or burning erratically, then something is definitely wrong.

Is there a single flame? The pilot light should be a single flame. If the pilot light is split down the middle, then dirt or debris could be blocking the flame.

Is the flame strong? A pilot light should have a strong burn. If the pilot light has a weak burn, then there might be a combustion problem.

When to Call a Professional

We don’t expect you to be an expert at troubleshooting gas appliances. In fact, we recommend calling a professional if you suspect an issue with your pilot light. Trying to figure out why your pilot light isn’t turning on can be dangerous if you don’t have the knowledge or expertise.

A trained technician can get to the bottom of a faulty pilot light fast and can identify other underlying issues. Plus, a technician can advise you on the best ways to prevent future pilot light problems.

Furnace Preventative Maintenance Tips

Unfortunately, your furnace isn’t indestructible, but there are a few things you can do to minimize future problems.

Frequent Cleaning – Make sure you’re regularly cleaning your pilot light to prevent dirt and debris build-up.

Regular Inspection – Scheduling annual maintenance with a technician can help catch minor issues early on.

Seal Drafty Areas – Fix drafty areas around your furnace that could be affecting ventilation.

Check out our Super Comfy Club. It’s the best way to protect your furnace from the unexpected.

Expert Furnace Repair Services in Oklahoma and North Texas

If your pilot light keeps going out on your furnace in the middle of a cold snap, you need Hunter Super Techs. We work around the clock to keep our community safe and comfortable. Whether you’re in Central Oklahoma or North Texas, we’ll never make you wait another business day for heating repair.

Call the super techs for emergency services and pilot light repair—book today.