Quick answer
If there is no hot water anywhere, the water heater or its fuel is the problem; if one fixture runs cold, that fixture's cartridge or mixing valve is. On a gas heater, check the gas valve is open and the pilot or status light; a pilot that will not stay lit needs a plumber. On an electric heater, reset the double breaker and press the red reset button once with the power off; if it trips again, a thermostat or element has failed. A leaking tank needs a plumber the same day. Call (888) 217-6781 to reach a plumbing company taking calls in your ZIP.
Follow the short menu, then your 5-digit ZIP. The line goes quiet for a few seconds while it connects; stay on. If it does not connect, call once more: companies taking calls change minute to minute.
Written & reviewed by Marcus ReedIICRC WRT
Reviewed October 27, 2026· Next review Apr 2027
No hot water anywhere in the house points to the water heater or its fuel. No hot water at one faucet or shower points to that fixture. The difference takes one minute to check, and it decides whether the fix is a reset, a part or a plumber.
Is It the Whole House or One Fixture?
Run hot water at the kitchen sink and at a bathroom. If one runs hot and the other does not, the heater is fine and the problem is the cold fixture's cartridge, mixing valve or anti-scald limit. If nothing runs hot, go to the water heater.
Gas Water Heater
- 1Check the gas supply. Is the gas on to the house and the stove working? Is the valve on the pipe to the heater open (handle along the pipe)?
- 2Check the pilot or the status light. Older tanks have a pilot window; newer ones blink a code on the gas control. The relighting steps are on the label on the tank. If you smell gas, do not relight anything: leave and call the gas utility.
- 3A pilot that will not stay lit usually means a failed thermocouple or flame sensor. That is a plumber's repair.
Electric Water Heater
- 1Check the breaker. Water heaters use a double breaker. Reset it fully off, then on.
- 2The reset button. Behind the upper access panel there is a red high-limit reset. If it has tripped, it can be pressed once with the power off. If it trips again, a thermostat or element has failed, and the reset should not be pressed repeatedly.
- 3Lukewarm water that runs out quickly usually means one of the two elements has failed.
Talk to a plumber about this
One call reaches a plumbing company taking calls in your ZIP.
Tankless Heaters
An error code on the unit's display usually names the fault. Common causes are a closed gas valve, a blocked vent or flow below the minimum the unit needs to fire. Check the code against the manual before calling.
Who Fixes What
| What you found | Likely cause | Who to call |
|---|---|---|
| One fixture cold, others hot | Fixture cartridge or mixing valve | Plumber |
| Gas: pilot out and will not stay lit | Thermocouple or gas control | Plumber |
| Electric: reset keeps tripping | Thermostat or element | Plumber |
| Electric: hot water runs out fast | One failed element | Plumber |
| Water around the base of the tank | A leaking tank; see water heater leaking | Plumber, today |
| Tank more than about 10 to 12 years old with repeated faults | End of service life | Plumber: repair or replace |
What a Repair Costs
HearthDry's figures put a water heater valve or fitting repair at $100–$400 and a replacement, installed, at $900–$4,500 depending on the type. The water heater repair page has the details.
When to Call
Call after the breaker, the gas valve and the pilot are ruled out, and the same day if the tank is leaking. (888) 217-6781 connects you to a plumbing company taking calls in your ZIP. Follow the short menu, enter your 5-digit ZIP and stay on while it connects; if it does not connect, call once more, because the companies taking calls change minute to minute.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I suddenly have no hot water?
On a gas heater the pilot may be out or the gas valve closed; on an electric heater a breaker or the high-limit reset may have tripped, or an element failed. A tankless unit shows an error code.
Why do I have hot water in one bathroom but not the other?
The heater is working. The cold fixture's cartridge, mixing valve or anti-scald limit is the fault.
Why does my pilot light keep going out?
Usually a failed thermocouple or flame sensor, sometimes a draft or a dirty pilot tube. A plumber replaces it.
How much does it cost to fix no hot water?
HearthDry's figures put a water heater valve or fitting repair at $100–$400; replacement, installed, runs $900–$4,500 depending on the type.
Sources
Methodology: How we source and verify data · Report an error
Disclaimer: HearthDry is an independent educational resource. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional, legal, or insurance advice. Consult licensed professionals before making decisions about your property or insurance claims.