How To Turn Off Gas Water Heater Pilot Light. If it senses that the pilot light has gone out, the thermocouple shuts off the gas supply to the flame in order to prevent safety issues with your water heater. Turn the knob to “off,” and then wait five minutes for the gas to clear before you follow these steps:
Your gas release or electric heating element is malfunctioning. Dirty or dusty pilot light burner. Find the pilot light access.
The short and sweet answer:
Hold the red button down while pressing the piezo ignitor striker, found to the immediate right of the gas knob, repeatedly until the pilot is lit. If you have trouble locating it, it’s usually located at the front of the water heater. If you only want to turn off the heater for a few minutes for servicing, turn the dial to pilot. When the flame ignites, continue to hold the gas knob or button down for a full minute.