Water Heater Pilot Out - Problem Solving. Most Common Issues. EASY FIXES!

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how to light a pilot light on a water heater

Make sure that you read and follow the safty instructions located on you water heater before attempting to light it.

This reset will work with most gas water heaters. Whirlpool, A. O. Smith, Rheem, Bradford White, GE General Electric, ao smith etc.

This should work with American water heaters, Rheem water heaters, A. O. Smith water heaters, and Bradford white water heaters

In this video I show you why your water heater pilot light may be going out. The newer control modules are very sensitive, therefor you need to clean the mesh area underneath your water heater on a regular basis among other possible issues.

DISCLAIMER: This video description contains affiliate links. This means that I may receive a small commission if you click on the link or purchase the product to help support the channel. We really appreciate the support!

[auberjean]

I'm so glad you answered my comment! Looked at so many water heater fix it sites I couldn't find the one that helped save me from extra weekend charges+ who knows how much $$! I feel I owe this to you. Many thanks.

[HunterRalston-zkjz]

I work as a site manager for a refuge shelter. I wanted to thank you for this video, because of it all 90 of our residents have hot water tonight.

[uNbotheredSilence]

Omg you just saved my whole family! We are stuck in the house with Covid. I'm a single mom of 4 and I also have my niece and nephew. We are all quarantined in my home. The water heater went out yesterday. The water heater controls the heat in the house as well. We've been freezing for 24 hours. Thank you, thank you much for putting this video out.

[cjpanmondiale]

You are a lifesaver. I was woken this morning by my spouse as she was departing for work with a comment that she thought the hot water heater wasn’t working because her shower never got hot. Not a great entree to a grueling 13-hour day, after which I wanted nothing more than a hot shower, except that…yeah. So I went up into the attic where the hot water heater is and attempted to relight it, following the instructions, and met with no success. I tried again after waiting for 5 minutes (which is what it says on mine) and still…nothing. Hot, tired, and sweaty, I teetered on surrender but thought I’d make one last-ditch attempt by watching a YouTube video. Fortunately, I found yours - you explained how it works better than the instructions, and when my first attempt wasn’t successful, I watched a second one of your videos where you explained the reset button on the thermopile, so I tried that and I felt a slight click, so I waited 10 minutes (per your instructions) and followed your relight procedure. I could hear the slight hiss of gas when I pushed the pilot light in and I waited a few seconds and started clicking the igniter. After a half dozen tries I saw the status light flash green - SUCCESS - so I dialed the control to my desired temperature and “Whoosh” - the sweet sound of ignition! I can’t thank you enough for giving me a much-needed hot shower tonight, and my wife will be ecstatic that she doesn’t have to choose between a cold shower or no shower at all. Blessings to you and yours.

[peterdavidmendez]

That last tip about the white button, that saved me thanks! I had tried the cleaning an re-light. Nice tip on that the safety feature makes you wait 10 mins before re-light might work.

[josephmiszewski]

My air filter under the unit was clogged with dust and cat hair. I’m sure your brush cleaning tip saved me a bundle of money. So grateful for your video! We are taking warm showers again thanks to you! God bless you!!!

[nannettesmith]

Thank you thank you thank you. I tried several times to re light the pilot without success.
When I found your video, I tried the reset but it did not push in.
I called a plumber and he started out saying "Oh I can do the $300 fix but you really should get the replacement $1500". When I said I just wanted the igniter fixed he gave me some bull#$%@ that he didnt have the parts, I wouldnt be able to get them, that know one he knew would do it blah blah blah lies lies lies. I came back to your video and did the toilet brush trick. Next time I tried to relight it, BAM, it lit!!!! My twenty something son thinks I am a ROCK STAR because I AM!!!

[frankbango]

Thanks for getting right to the point! After 24 hours trying to reignite, your video helped me realize the little thermopile button simply needed to be pressed back in. Thank you!

[williamhoadley]

White plug needed pushed in on line, this video saved me a call to the plumber! Thanks!

[LikeAFx]

Wow...thanks for posting this!!! I've been dealing with no hot water and freezing cold showers for like a week. All I needed to do was push the thermal couple switch in. I can't believe it was that easy, and I can't believe I almost paid a plumber to come out and push a single button.

[ffdtower]

Thanks bud. The thermocouple reset did the trick. No one else says that. Been trying to relight my mother in law's heater for several years. Never could. Just saved her $80.

[AWarner]

Just woke up to this... Cleaned out the bottom and reset everything- works perfectly! Thanks so much!

[NoFoodFromNoOne]

😊 thank you so much, you just saved this Single Mom a ton of stress on not having hot water and $165! I feel proud, resourceful and independent which you cannot put a price on THAT 🙏 👏 thank you 😊

[Mz-O-La]

Thank you!!! Tried the reset button as another video instructed. Mine didn't budge...so I thought it didn't work or it was just a 'dummy button'. From your troubleshooting video, I learned that that wasn't the case. Whew, 😅 I'm glad that I didn't break it. I followed the instruction to re-light the pilot. The pilot wasn't staying lit because I wasn't waiting for the status light to come on. This water heater has been working 7yrs 5months 5days without any trouble, then nothing! Thank you for the smart instructions. I watched, listened, and followed instructions now my water heater is working and I'm thrilled 😀

[markmark]

THIS GUY KNOWS WHAT HE’S TALKING ABOUT!! I Pressed the the thermal button and it clicked, so then I wait 10 minutes and then I pressed in pilot and clicked the pilot button for about 15 seconds and BAM!!!! GOOD TO GO! Your the beast MAN!!!! lol. THANK YOU!! Have great day and life.

[jfmader]

Only made it 57 seconds in your video and my water heater is fixed. You just saved us over $500. Thank you so much

[christinamoore]

Thank This worked!! A week plus without hot water and you are a lifesaver!!!!

[ronar]

Thank you the entire day trying to light it and all it needed was the reset switch pushed in!

[craftycraff]

Thank you so much!
Cleaning the bottom filter and pushing in the little pin did the trick for me!

[luvmygirls]

OMG thank you so much!!!! You saved my whole family!! I couldn't figure out why the pilot light wouldn't stay lit and it was because the little button was not pushed in🙏🏻