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Do Gas Dryers Have a Pilot Light?
The short answer is no, not on a modern dryer. Here is what a gas dryer uses instead, how to check yours and what to do if you smell gas.
Last reviewed October 1, 2026. Written and reviewed by the Plano Dryer Pros team. How we create content
Modern gas dryers do not have a standing pilot light. They use an electric igniter that glows only when the dryer calls for heat. Very old dryers, generally made before the late 1980s, may have a pilot. If you smell gas near any dryer, leave the house and call 911 and Atmos Energy.
Key takeaways
- Modern gas dryers use an electric igniter, not a standing pilot light.
- The igniter glows only when the dryer is heating, and the gas flows only then.
- A very old dryer may have a pilot light: have a professional check it.
- If you smell gas, leave the house and call 911 and Atmos Energy at 866.322.8667.
What a gas dryer uses instead of a pilot
| Old gas dryer | Modern gas dryer | |
|---|---|---|
| How it lights | A small flame that burns all the time (a standing pilot) | An electric igniter that glows only when heat is called for |
| When gas flows to the burner | Whenever the dryer calls for heat, lit by the pilot | Only after the igniter is hot enough, through the gas valve coils |
| Typical age | Generally made before the late 1980s | Generally made since then |
| Parts that fail | The pilot assembly and its thermocouple | The igniter, the gas valve coils and the flame sensor |
Do gas dryers have a pilot light?
Modern gas dryers do not. They use an electric igniter that glows when the dryer calls for heat, and the gas valve opens only once the igniter is hot. Very old gas dryers, generally made before the late 1980s, may have a standing pilot. Check your dryer’s age and manual, and if you are unsure, ask a technician.
How to tell what yours has
- Check the model tag and the manual: they describe the ignition system
- Look at the burner area when the dryer is off: a tiny flame that never goes out means a standing pilot
- Watch the dryer start: if the burner area glows orange before the flame appears, it uses an igniter
- If you are unsure, do not guess: have a technician look at it
How do I know if my gas dryer has a pilot light or an igniter?
Check the manual and the model tag. Then, with the dryer off, a small flame that burns all the time means a standing pilot. If the burner area is dark until the dryer starts, and then glows orange before the flame appears, it has an igniter. If you are not sure, have a technician check it rather than guessing.
What the flame looks like
When a modern gas dryer is heating, the burner flame is mostly blue. A flame that is weak, uneven or sooty can mean lint or rust in the burner, so see the flame sensor and burner page. A flame that lights late, with a thump, is not safe: stop using the dryer.
What should the flame in a gas dryer look like?
On a gas dryer that is heating, the burner flame is mostly blue. A flame that is weak, yellow, sooty or uneven can mean lint, rust or a restricted air opening, and a flame that lights late with a thump is a safety problem. Stop using the dryer, close the gas valve, and have a professional inspect it.
If the dryer will not light
No flame is usually the igniter or the gas valve coils, not a pilot. Test the igniter as described in how to test a gas dryer igniter, and see the gas dryer FAQ. Never light a gas dryer by hand.
Can I light my gas dryer with a match?
No. Never light a gas dryer by hand, and never use a match or a lighter near the burner. A modern gas dryer lights itself through its igniter, and an old one with a pilot should be lit only by following the maker’s instructions or by a professional. If you smell gas, leave the house and call 911 and Atmos Energy.
Smell gas? Leave the house, avoid switches, and from a safe distance call 911 and Atmos Energy at 866.322.8667. See the gas smell guide.
Sources
- Atmos Energy gas emergency guidance (866.322.8667)
- Your dryer’s installation and service manual, which governs over any general guidance on this page
- Plano Dryer Pros estimates of typical local repair pricing, checked against national consumer cost guides for context. See our Editorial Policy.
Frequently asked questions
When did gas dryers stop using pilot lights?
Standing pilots were generally phased out of new gas dryers in the late 1980s, under US efficiency standards, in favor of electric igniters. The exact year depends on the model, so check yours.
Why does my gas dryer glow orange before it lights?
That is the igniter, and it is normal. It heats until it draws enough current to open the gas valve, and then the gas lights. If it glows and no flame follows, the valve coils or the igniter are weak.
Is a pilot light dangerous in a dryer?
An old standing pilot is a flame that burns all the time, so the dryer and the vent need to be kept clean and clear. Have a professional check any dryer that old.
Do electric dryers have pilot lights?
No. An electric dryer heats with a heating element, with no flame at all. See the post on testing a dryer heating element.
What if I cannot get my gas dryer to light?
Check the plug and the breaker, since a gas dryer still needs 120 volts, and make sure the gas valve is open. If it still will not light, have the igniter and coils tested by a technician.
Get your dryer working again
Call and a person will answer, or request a repair online. You get the full price in writing before any work starts.