Thermostat and switch
Heat mode, set above room temperature, furnace switch on.
Furnace pilot light out or not igniting?
If a gas furnace will not light, the house gets no heat even though the fan may run. The cause is usually the igniter, flame sensor, pilot or gas valve. If you smell gas, leave first. Otherwise call 833-877-1717. RepairNowUSA connects the request. An independent HVAC technician does the repair.
Am I in the right place?Yes if the furnace clicks without lighting, the pilot will not stay lit, or burners light then shut off.
Is this urgent?Yes in cold weather. If you smell gas, leave the building without switching anything on or off and call the gas utility or 911 from outside. If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, get everyone out and call 911.
What do I do next?Do not keep restarting it. Call 833-877-1717 with the ZIP code and what you see.
Electric furnace: electric furnace repair. Building with no heat: no heat.
RepairNowUSA editorial review · Last substantively reviewed October 13, 2026 · Review standards
What you can check
Error light
Count the blinking status light through the viewing window.
Gas supply
If other gas appliances also are not working, the gas service may be off. Call the utility.
Gas safety comes first
If you smell gas, leave the building without switching anything on or off and call the gas utility or 911 from outside. If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, get everyone out and call 911. Do not repeatedly try to relight a furnace that will not stay lit.
Common ignition problems
Dirty flame sensor
Burners light, then shut off after a few seconds.
Cracked hot-surface igniter
No glow, no ignition.
Pilot will not stay lit
Thermocouple or pilot assembly on older furnaces.
Gas valve or control board
No gas to the burners.
What to have ready when you call
- Property ZIP code, home or business
- What happens: clicks, glows, lights then shuts off
- Error-light blink pattern
- Any gas smell (call the utility first)
- Furnace brand and age
- Indoor temperature
What happens when you call RepairNowUSA
- Describe what is happening in plain words and give the property ZIP code. You do not need to know which trade to ask for.
- RepairNowUSA checks for a participating independent provider who handles furnace ignition repair in that area.
- If one is available, you are connected. The provider confirms timing, access, scope and price with you before any work.
- The provider, not RepairNowUSA, diagnoses and performs the repair.
RepairNowUSA is a referral and connection service. Provider availability and response times vary by location, time and demand, and are not guaranteed. Before you approve work, ask what was found, the price, the timing and what is not included.
Call 833-877-1717Furnace ignition questions
Should I relight the furnace pilot light myself?
Only if your furnace has a standing pilot, you smell no gas, and the manufacturer’s instructions on the unit say how. Many newer furnaces have electronic ignition with no pilot to light. If the pilot will not stay lit, stop and call a technician.
What if I smell gas near the furnace?
Do not try to light anything or switch lights or appliances on or off. Leave the building and call the gas utility or 911 from outside.
Why does my furnace light then shut off?
Often a dirty flame sensor or a venting safety switch. A technician can clean or replace it.
Can I call at night?
Yes. You can call 833-877-1717 at any time, including nights, weekends and holidays. Whether an independent provider can come out right away depends on your ZIP code, the time and provider capacity, so availability is not guaranteed.
Authoritative references
These public sources give general safety context. They do not replace an on-site evaluation, and RepairNowUSA does not perform the work.