Why do I have no hot water?

Q: How much does it cost to fix no hot water?

$150–$700. Thermocouple or element replacement is at the low end. Thermostat and valve repairs are mid-range. If the tank itself has failed, you're looking at replacement rather than repair.

Q: Can I fix no hot water myself?

There are some safe steps to try first. Call if the pilot won't stay lit, the reset button trips again, the unit is over 10 years old, or you see any water around the base.

Short answer

On a gas water heater, no hot water usually means the pilot light or igniter has failed, or the gas supply is interrupted. On an electric unit, it's most often a tripped breaker or a burned-out heating element. If you have some hot water but it runs out fast, that's a different problem — usually a failed lower element or heavy sediment.

Urgency: Address soon
DIY: Call a professional
Typical cost: $150–$700
Time: 1–3 hours for most repairs

Address soon

Inconvenient rather than dangerous — unless you smell gas. If you smell gas, leave the house immediately and call 911 and your gas utility from outside.

What's happening

The unit either isn't heating at all, or isn't keeping up. Which of those it is narrows the cause considerably.

Most likely causes

01
Pilot light out (gas)
A draft or a failing thermocouple lets the pilot go out, so the burner never fires.
02
Tripped breaker or reset switch (electric)
Electric heaters have a high-limit reset button that trips after overheating.
03
Failed heating element (electric)
Two elements do the work. Losing the lower one typically means hot water that runs out very fast.
04
Failed thermostat
The unit can't tell the burner or element to fire.
05
Sediment buildup
Years of mineral scale insulate the burner from the water and shrink effective tank capacity.
06
Unit has simply failed
Past 10–12 years, complete failure becomes increasingly likely.

What you can safely check before they arrive

1Electric: check the breaker, then press the red reset button on the upper thermostat panel
2Gas: check whether the pilot is lit, following the manufacturer's relighting instructions on the unit's label
3Confirm the thermostat is set around 120°F and hasn't been knocked down
4Check whether other gas appliances work, which tells you if the gas supply is the issue
5Note whether you get no hot water at all, or hot water that runs out quickly

When to call someone

Call if the pilot won't stay lit, the reset button trips again, the unit is over 10 years old, or you see any water around the base.

Who to call

Licensed plumber

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What it should cost

$150–$700

Thermocouple or element replacement is at the low end. Thermostat and valve repairs are mid-range. If the tank itself has failed, you're looking at replacement rather than repair.

Estimates are typical US ranges for orientation. Actual pricing varies by region, home and contractor — always get a written quote.

What happens if you wait

Mostly comfort — but a repeatedly tripping reset or a pilot that won't stay lit can indicate a venting or gas control problem that deserves professional attention.

Questions to ask the contractor

Is this worth repairing given the unit's age?
What's the actual remaining life you'd expect?
Would a tankless unit make sense for my household?
Is the venting in good condition?

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