Gas Oven Pilot Light: Why It Goes Out and How to Fix It

When your gas oven pilot light, a small, continuous flame that ignites the main burner in older gas ovens. Also known as standing pilot, it’s a simple but critical part of gas cooking systems. If it goes out, your oven won’t heat — no matter how many times you turn the knob. It’s not magic. It’s physics. And it’s more common than you think.

Most of the time, a pilot light goes out because of a faulty thermocouple, a safety device that senses heat and keeps the gas valve open only when the pilot is burning. If the thermocouple gets dirty, bent, or worn out, it doesn’t feel the flame properly. The gas shuts off — and your oven stays cold. Dust, grease buildup, or even a draft from a nearby window can do the same. You might hear a click when you turn the knob, but no flame. That’s the gas valve closing because the system thinks it’s unsafe.

Some people try to relight it themselves and fail because they don’t hold the knob long enough. You need to press and hold the pilot button for at least 30 seconds after lighting — long enough for the thermocouple to heat up and signal the gas valve to stay open. If it still won’t stay lit, the issue isn’t your technique. It’s the thermocouple, the gas line, or the pilot tube clogged with debris. A blocked pilot tube is often caused by grease or spider webs — yes, spiders love cozy gas lines. And if you smell gas even when the oven is off, stop. Turn off the gas supply. Don’t try to fix it yourself.

Older gas ovens rely on this system because it’s reliable — if maintained. But many modern ovens use electronic ignition instead. So if your oven is over 15 years old and the pilot keeps going out, you’re not alone. It’s not a sign you’re doing something wrong. It’s just aging. You can clean the pilot tube with a needle, check the thermocouple alignment, or replace the part for under $20. But if you’ve tried all that and it still won’t stay lit, it’s time to consider a full repair or upgrade. The cost of a new oven might be less than repeated service calls.

What you’ll find below are real fixes from people who’ve been there. From step-by-step relighting guides to what to check when the flame flickers or won’t ignite at all. Some posts show you how to test the thermocouple with a multimeter. Others warn you about the dangers of ignoring a weak flame. There’s even one on why a gas water heater pilot light behaves the same way — because the same parts are used in both. This isn’t theory. It’s what works.