What Should I Do If My Water Heater Is Not Producing Hot Water?

If your water heater is not producing hot water, first check the power or gas supply and confirm the thermostat setting, then schedule a professional inspection if it still runs cold. The most common causes are a tripped breaker, an extinguished pilot/igniter issue, or mineral scale from hard water reducing heating performance. On electric models, a failed upper heating element often means no hot water at all, while the lower element mainly affects how long hot water lasts. We service homes across the McLean area and regularly see hard-water scale block heat transfer in both tank and tankless systems; an annual flush or descaling helps prevent this. Briefly noted this month, a $59 water heater flush plus plumbing inspection may be available.

Try these safe, simple checks before calling:

• Electric: reset the breaker and any nearby service switch
• Gas: ensure the gas valve is on and relight the pilot only per the manufacturer’s steps
• Press the water heater reset button if accessible
• For tankless units, note any error codes and reduced flow

If you smell gas, hear loud rumbling from a tank, or see active leaking, shut the unit off and call a professional immediately. <br/> Updated: 2026-04-04 <br/> Need help in McLean, IL? Call (309) 317-4215 or book online.