Water Heater Not Working? Try These Fixes First
By EasyToFix Homes Team
Losing hot water is frustrating, but the cause is often simple. Work through these checks in order. Always turn off power or gas before touching internal components, and stop immediately if you smell gas.
Safety first
If you smell rotten eggs near a gas water heater, leave the house and call your gas utility from outside. Do not light matches or operate switches.
1. Check the pilot light (gas units)
Look through the viewing window at the bottom of the tank. If there is no flame, follow the relighting instructions printed on the unit label. If the pilot will not stay lit, the thermocouple may need replacing.
2. Reset the breaker (electric units)
Find the water heater breaker in your electrical panel. If it has tripped, switch it fully off and then back on. If it trips again right away, there is an electrical fault and you should call an electrician.
3. Press the high-limit reset button
Electric water heaters have a red reset button behind the upper access panel. With the power off, remove the panel and insulation, then press the button firmly. Repeated tripping means a thermostat or element is failing.
4. Adjust the thermostat
A setting that was bumped too low will produce lukewarm water. About 120 degrees Fahrenheit is the recommended setting for most homes because it balances comfort, efficiency and scald safety.
5. Flush out sediment
Minerals settle at the bottom of the tank, reducing capacity and causing rumbling or popping noises.
- Turn off power or set the gas valve to pilot.
- Shut off the cold water supply to the tank.
- Attach a garden hose to the drain valve and route it outside or to a floor drain.
- Open a hot water faucet in the house, then open the drain valve and let it run until clear.
- Close the valve, refill the tank fully, then restore power or gas.
6. Inspect for leaks
A drip from the temperature and pressure relief valve can mean pressure is too high. Water pooling under the tank itself usually means the tank is corroded and needs to be replaced.
7. Consider the age of the unit
Tank water heaters typically last 8 to 12 years. If yours is older and showing rust, leaks or frequent failures, replacing it is often more cost-effective than repairing it.
When to call a professional
Call a licensed plumber for gas valve problems, repeated breaker trips, a leaking tank, or any repair you are not comfortable doing. Water heater installation must meet local code for venting, gas lines and relief valves.