What to do when your boiler pilot light has gone out

Has your boiler pilot light gone out? If so, there’s no need to panic as it’s not always a sign of bad news. Read on for what to do if your boiler pilot light has gone out, and who to call.

What to do if the pilot light goes out

Your boiler pilot light is a very important part of your boiler. The pilot light or flame needs to be lit all the time to make sure that your boiler can produce hot water for your taps and central heating as and when it is needed.

If your pilot light goes out, identify if your boiler has a manual or automatic pilot light. Find your instruction manual or look up your boiler model online. If you have an automatic pilot light you MUST NOT try to light it manually.

Top tip: It will be handy to have a torch close by for this.

Igniting an automatic pilot light

1. Switch off the boiler at the mains. The switch could be on the boiler itself. You can also flip the breaker switch to the off position in your fuse box.
2. Remove the boiler’s access panel and turn the gas control knob to the off position.
3. Let the gas dissipate, it’s best to wait for about 15 minutes, and it is advisable to open a window.
4. Turn the gas control knob to its on position and turn the boiler back on (don’t forget to also turn the breaker switch back on). You should hear a clicking sound. This is the automatic starter that ignites the pilot light.

If yours doesn’t ignite after 30 seconds, or the clicking sound doesn’t stop then it is time to call a professional.

Igniting a manual pilot light

1. Turn your boiler’s gas control knob to the “off” position and wait up to 15mins for any gas to dissipate.
2. Turn the thermostat down to its lowest setting.
3. Remove the boiler cover and locate the pilot light jet.
4. Turn the gas control knob to the pilot setting and press the knob to release gas into the pilot light hole.
5. Light a match and place it into the pilot light hole. Keep pressing the gas control knob down. Keep it pressed until the flame starts to burn blue.
6. Remove the match and keep the knob pressed for at least another 30 seconds to keep the flow of gas coming.
7. Release the knob and, if successful the pilot light should stay lit.

If you cannot light the pilot light, or it keeps going out then this would indicate that the problem lies elsewhere and it’s time to call in the help of a professional.

What happens if the pilot light goes out

As mentioned above, if your boiler pilot light goes out, you won’t be able to get any hot water from your taps and your central heating won’t function.

Your boiler’s pilot light could go out for various reasons including a loose or broken gas valve, faulty thermocouples or heat exchangers, a vent issue, low gas pressure, or even high winds.

If you have tried to relight the pilot light yourself you can also try to clean the jet, as even tiny specs of debris can cause the jet to be blocked. If your pilot light repeatedly goes out, it could mean there is an underlying issue that needs to be fixed.

Safety always comes first, so we would always advise contacting a heating engineer for them to make a professional assessment and repair if needed.

Cleaning the pilot light jet

1. Switch off the gas, open a window and wait 15 minutes for the gas to dissipate.
2. Remove the pilot light and thermocouple assembly. When you open the furnace, you should see a small bracket holding the pilot light and thermocouple. Older models require the full assembly to be pulled out, while newer furnaces can simple have them removed individually.
3. Use your pliers or wrench to remove the pilot light and thermocouple from the bracket.
4. Using the wire brush, brush away the carbon buildup and soot from both components.
5. For hard to reach areas and stubborn buildup, use the metal file.
6. Wipe away dust with a soft cloth or burst of compressed air.
7. Return both components to the bracket and reinstall the assembly.
8. Test the pilot light.

Who to call when the pilot light goes out

When your pilot light goes out you might be wondering whether you should call a plumber or a heating engineer.

Although plumbers deal with heating systems that include radiators and pipework, they are not legally required to be on the Gase Safe register.

As boiler repairs require working with gas, you should leave all boiler servicing jobs to a qualified gas fitter who is on the Gas Safe register.

For more information on costs, take a look at our boiler repair cost guide.

FAQs

Is it dangerous if the pilot light goes out?

It depends on why the pilot light went out. If it was something simple such as a dirty pilot hole or a worn-out part then these are easier to fix. If you can smell gas then it is time to call in the professionals.

If you have an enclosed burner then you should not attempt any DIY fixes and you should contact a professional.