Why is my water heater not lighting up?

When the water heater pilot light goes out, first try relighting it, following the directions on the water heater label. If the pilot doesn’t relight, if it goes out right after lighting or if it goes out repeatedly, by far the most common cause is a bad thermocouple.

Why does my hot water heater igniter not ignite?





Some water heaters use an igniter to ignite the gas. If the igniter fails, the burner will not light. To determine if the igniter is defective, first make sure the igniter is getting voltage. If the igniter is getting voltage, but it doesn’t glow, this indicates that the igniter is defective and should be replaced.

Why did my water heater pilot light go out?

The Pilot tube supplies gas to the pilot light for combustion. The flame will go out if the tube is clogged with dirt or debris. Sometimes, the tube might be partially clogged and supplying very little gas for combustion- No wonder your pilot light keeps going out. The Solution: Thorough cleaning should do the trick.

What do you do if your water heater pilot light won’t stay lit?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So I'll turn the gas on. You don't want to hold the button down and because I've opened everything up and got all the existing gas out you're gonna have to hold it down for a little bit longer to fill

How much does it cost to replace a water heater thermocouple?

Thermocouple – $20 to $150



The thermocouple is an apparatus that senses whether the pilot light is lit and triggers the gas control valve. Repairs typically cost about $150 to have it done professionally, though a new thermocouple itself only costs about $20 on average.

How much does a thermocouple cost?





The No. 1 cause of pilot lights that won’t stay lit is a worn-out thermocouple. It’s easy to replace and a new one costs $5 to $10. Rather than trying to unfasten the thermocouple inside the water heater’s burning chamber, it’s easier to remove the whole burner and thermocouple assembly.

How do you reset the igniter on a water heater?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: You simply hold the button down and spark. It and then here's the most important part you continue to hold that button down for about 60 seconds.

Can I manually light my water heater?

Lighting the Pilot Light on a Manual Hot Water Heater



Turn the pilot dial to the off position and wait 5-10 minutes for any gas to dissipate. Then, turn the pilot dial until it says the word pilot. After that, set your temperate knob to low. Now, hold the pilot dial down while you light the burner.

How do you clean the flame sensor on a water heater?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So turn your gas on. And then plug it back into the receptacle up above turn your blower on. And you'll be good to go.

How do I know if my thermocouple is broken?



After about a minute, when you’re sure the probe has gotten hot, place one lead on the shaft of the thermocouple and the other lead on the connector. If the reading is less than 25 millivolts, the thermocouple is bad and needs to be replaced.

How do you reset the thermocouple on a water heater?

Press the small reset button in the center of the thermal switch. If it’s tripped, you may be able to hear it click. Even if you do not hear the thermal switch click, try lighting the pilot using the instructions on the water heater’s label. If the Status Light now begins to flash, the thermal switch probably tripped.

How do you check the pilot light on a water heater?

It’s usually right on the panel. Turn and hold the knob to “Pilot” and push the ignitor. You should hear it click, and probably also a “whooshing” sound. Check in that gap, and you should see the light on.

What does it mean when your pilot light won’t stay lit?



If your pilot light won’t stay alight, it might be the thermocouple. Sometimes dust buildup collects on the thermocouple and blocks the sensor. Try cleaning the thermocouple and then relighting the pilot light. If it continues to go out, the thermocouple might need to be replaced.

What does a hot water heater thermocouple look like?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And will ignite the main burner whenever heat is needed next to the pilot is the thermocouple which generates a small electrical current when heated by the pilot flame.

How long does a thermocouple last on a water heater?

How Long Should a Water Heater Thermocouple Last? If properly installed and maintained, thermocouples can last for up to 10 years.

What can cause a pilot light to go out?

Some of the possible serious reasons for pilot lights to go out include loose or broken gas valves, thermocouples or heat exchangers, faulty venting, low gas pressure, or high winds. If you believe there is a serious problem, don’t hesitate to contact a professional.

How do I know if my thermocouple is bad on my water heater?



If the pilot lights but the flame goes out as soon as you release the button after holding it for 60 seconds, then the thermocouple is bad. It’s possible to replace the thermocouple without removing the burner assembly, and many repair people do this.

Can thermocouple be cleaned?

Yes, you can clean a thermocouple, but the task must be done with a light touch. Remove the thermocouple from the process assembly, using a steel wool or emery cloth, lightly clean the tip removing any build up. Cleaning a thermocouple is not a fix for an issue, such as inaccurate readings.

Where is the thermocouple located on a water heater?

The thermocouple is part of the pilot burner assembly and connects to the gas control valve on the outside of the water heater. It is a simple device that converts the heat from a burning flame into a small electrical current, allowing it to work as a switch to control the flow of gas from the gas supply valve.

How do you fix a thermocouple?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Use a soft abrasive pad or emery cloth to gently clean the outside of the thermocouple. Be careful not to scratch the coating. Next insert the thermocouple into the pilot assembly.