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Pilot Light Keeps Going Out

A pilot that won't stay lit on an older furnace usually means a weak thermocouple or dirty pilot assembly. Thermocouple replacement runs $100–$250 — but many modern furnaces use electronic ignition instead.

Reviewed July 2026

What does pilot light keeps going out mean?

Standing-pilot furnaces use a small flame that must stay lit to prove it's safe to open the gas valve. A worn thermocouple is the most common reason the pilot goes out when you release the button. Newer furnaces don't have a pilot — they use hot-surface ignitors.

What usually causes pilot light keeps going out?

Failed thermocouplemost common

Typical repair: $100–$250

Dirty or misaligned pilot orificecommon

Typical repair: $100–$250

Draft blowing out the pilotpossible

Typical repair: $350–$900

Find your exact error code

Select your furnace brand to jump to the code page for this symptom.

GoodmanE0Excessive retries or recyclesCarrier14Ignition lockoutRheem11Failed ignitionLennox270No-flame retry lockoutAmanaE0Excessive retries or recyclesYork1 BlinkFlame detected when the gas valve should be off

What should I check first when pilot light keeps going out?

  1. Confirm your furnace actually has a standing pilot — many newer units do not.
  2. If you smell gas while relighting, stop and call your gas utility.
  3. Follow the manufacturer's relight instructions on the unit label.
  4. Call a licensed technician for thermocouple replacement.

What a repair costs

A thermocouple replacement typically costs between $100 and $250 nationally.

Typical repair cost
$100 – $250thermocouple replacement
Where the money goes
Part $15–$50Labor $50–$235Typical labor time: 0.5–1 hrs

This is general information, not professional advice. Gas, electrical, and combustion repairs can be dangerous — when in doubt, call a licensed technician.