Where is the pilot light on my water heater?
On a gas tank water heater, the pilot light sits behind a small access panel near the bottom of the tank: usually a metal plate that pulls off or swings open. Look through the viewing window for a steady blue flame about the size of a pencil eraser. No flame means the pilot is out. A yellow, lazy, or flickering flame means the pilot isn't burning cleanly; turn the gas control to OFF, and call or text Sweetwater.
How do I check the pilot light step by step?
Smell gas? Stop here. Don't light anything or flip switches. Leave the house and call SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200 and 911 from outside.
- Look at the bottom of your water heater for a small glass viewing window or access cover. On newer sealed-combustion heaters, look through the glass only; don't remove the inner burner door. Some newer models have electronic ignition and no standing pilot at all; if yours has no pilot to check, call or text us.
- Look through the window. You should see a small blue flame, the pilot light. If the flame is yellow, lazy or flickering, turn the gas control to OFF and call or text us.
- If you see a steady blue flame, the pilot is lit and the problem is elsewhere (usually the gas control or the burner). Call (909) 312-4516 or text (909) 247-6791 and we'll find it.
- If you see no flame, the pilot is out. Try relighting it (see how to restart a water heater). If it won't stay lit after three tries, stop and call or text us.
Serving 24 cities across the Inland Empire.
Chino · Chino Hills · Claremont · Colton · Corona · Diamond Bar · Eastvale · Fontana · Grand Terrace · Highland · La Verne · Loma Linda · Mira Loma · Montclair · Norco · Ontario · Pomona · Rancho Cucamonga · Redlands · Rialto · Riverside · San Bernardino · San Dimas · Upland