Pilot Light Keeps Going Out

A pilot that won't hold means a safety device has stopped proving the flame, so call instead of relighting it one more time.

Tap to CallNumber arriving soon

When this becomes an emergency

The pilot dies within seconds of releasing the control knob.
The flame leans, flutters, or burns yellow instead of standing steady and blue.
There's a sulfur odor near the unit; if you smell gas, leave the house and call from outside.
Black soot has collected around the pilot hood or the burner face.

What a pro does

The pilot is usually innocent. What fails is the thermocouple or thermopile, a small probe that generates a tiny current when it's hot enough and holds the gas valve open, and when it weakens or drifts out of the flame the valve closes exactly as designed. A technician measures that output rather than guessing at it. Draft is the other big one around here, since an unheated basement with a loose bulkhead door or an open foundation vent can push enough air past an atmospheric burner to knock the pilot out on a windy night. Venting deserves a look too. A shared flue that's partly blocked by debris or a bird's nest spills combustion products back down, which fouls the pilot assembly and shows up first as soot. If you smell gas, shut the valve at the unit and get out.

Frequently asked questions

How does the thermocouple actually keep the valve open?

Heat from the pilot flame generates a small voltage in the probe, and that voltage holds an electromagnet in the gas valve. Lose the heat or lose the probe and the valve drops shut.

Why would a basement draft only cause trouble some nights?

Wind direction and stack effect change with the weather. A drafty basement door that's harmless most of the time will pull hard on a windy cold night and put the pilot out.

Is soot around the burner a serious sign?

It's worth acting on. Soot means incomplete combustion, which usually points at a venting or air supply problem rather than the pilot assembly itself.

Should the gas be shut off at the unit while waiting?

If there's any odor of gas, yes, and step outside before calling. Without an odor, closing the valve is still a reasonable way to stop the relight cycle.

Pilot Light Keeps Going Out?

Get connected with a local pro now.

Tap to CallNumber arriving soon

Keep going

Heating in Wisconsin Boiler Leaking Water Emergency Heating Repair Furnace Blowing Cold Air Furnace Making Loud Noise Furnace Short Cycling Heat Pump Frozen Outside No Heat Radiators Not Heating Thermostat Not Working

disclaimer: 608 Heating is a free service to assist homeowners in connecting with local service providers. All contractors/providers are independent and 608 Heating does not warrant or guarantee any work performed. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to verify that the hired contractor furnishes the necessary license and insurance required for the work being performed. All persons depicted in a photo or video are actors or models and not contractors listed on 608 Heating.

Same-day and 24/7 emergency services are subject to provider participation, location, technician availability, and demand. Availability is not guaranteed and may vary by market and appointment capacity.

We use cookies and session-based analytics, including session replays (with form inputs masked), to improve this site. See our Privacy Policy.

About · Contact · Privacy · Terms · Disclosure · Sitemap