Light the pilot by holding the ignition button while aiming a long lighter at the burner

To light a gas fireplace pilot, you need three things: a long lighter (the kind used for candles or grills), access to the control knob on the fireplace, and about two minutes. Turn the knob to the "Pilot" setting, hold down the ignition button with your thumb, and at the same time aim the flame from your lighter into the small opening where the pilot burner sits. The pilot flame should catch within 10 to 15 seconds. Once it lights, keep holding the button down for another 30 seconds—this warms a safety device called a thermocouple that tells the fireplace the pilot is burning. Then release the button. If the pilot stays lit, you are done. If it goes out, wait five minutes and try again.

Some fireplaces have a built-in spark igniter instead of requiring a lighter. If your control knob has a button labeled "Ignite" or shows a spark symbol, press and hold that button instead of using a lighter. The fireplace will create its own spark. This method is easier and faster, though it still requires you to hold the button for 30 seconds after the pilot lights.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn the control knob to "Pilot" and hold down the ignition button while aiming a long lighter flame at the pilot burner opening.
  • Keep the button pressed for 30 seconds after the flame catches to allow the thermocouple to heat up and register the pilot.
  • If your fireplace has a built-in spark igniter, press the "Ignite" button instead of using a lighter.
  • If the pilot goes out when ready after you release the button, wait five minutes before trying again—the thermocouple may not have warmed enough.
  • Never force the control knob or ignition button; if something feels stuck or broken, stop and contact a technician.

Locate the pilot burner and control knob before you start

Open the fireplace door or access panel. Look for a small metal tube or opening near the bottom of the firebox—this is the pilot burner. It is usually about the size of a pencil tip and sits close to where the main burner is. Next to the fireplace (or sometimes inside the access panel) you will find a control knob with settings like "Off," "Pilot," and "On." Some knobs also have a button in the center that you press to ignite the pilot. Familiarize yourself with these two parts before you begin.

If you cannot find the pilot burner, check your fireplace manual or look for a diagram printed on the inside of the access panel. Different fireplace models place the pilot in slightly different locations, but it is always a small opening near the main burner. Do not confuse it with the main burner itself, which is larger and sits higher up in the firebox.

Turn the knob to "Pilot" and prepare your lighter

Rotate the control knob clockwise or counterclockwise until it points to "Pilot." You may hear a faint hissing sound—this is gas flowing to the pilot burner. This is normal and expected. If you smell a strong gas odor, stop when ready, turn the knob to "Off," close the fireplace, and open windows. Wait 10 minutes before trying again. A faint smell is normal; a strong one means gas is building up and the pilot is not lighting.

While the knob is set to "Pilot," get your long lighter ready. A standard kitchen lighter or a long-reach grill lighter works best. Do not use a short lighter or matches—you need the extra length to reach safely into the fireplace without burning your hand. Hold the lighter in one hand and keep your other hand free to press the ignition button.

Press the ignition button and light the pilot flame

Place your thumb on the ignition button (the button in the center of the control knob). Press it down firmly and hold it. At the same time, bring the flame from your lighter to the pilot burner opening. Aim the flame directly at the small opening where gas is flowing out. You should see the pilot flame ignite within 10 to 15 seconds. The flame will be small—about the size of a match flame—and usually blue or yellow.

Once the pilot lights, do not release the button yet. Keep holding it down for another 30 seconds. This is the critical step that many people skip. The thermocouple—a safety device that sits in the pilot flame—needs time to heat up. If you release the button too soon, the thermocouple will not be warm enough to signal the fireplace that the pilot is burning, and the pilot will shut off as soon as you let go.

Release the button and check that the pilot stays lit

After 30 seconds, slowly release the ignition button. Watch the pilot flame. It should continue burning steadily. If it does, the thermocouple has heated up enough and the fireplace recognizes that the pilot is on. You can now turn the control knob to "On" to light the main burner, or leave it on "Pilot" if you only wanted to light the pilot for now.

If the pilot goes out as soon as you release the button, wait five minutes and try again. Do not attempt more than three times in a row. If it keeps going out, the thermocouple may be faulty, the gas line may have a problem, or the ignition button may not be working properly. In that case, stop and contact a fireplace technician.

Troubleshoot if the pilot will not light

If the pilot does not light after 15 seconds of holding the button, check these common issues. First, make sure the flame from your lighter is actually reaching the pilot burner opening. If the opening is blocked by dust or debris, use a thin wire or a straightened paperclip to gently clear it. Do not use anything that could damage the burner. Second, confirm that gas is flowing—you should hear a faint hissing sound when the knob is on "Pilot." If you hear nothing, the gas supply may be off at the tank or the control valve may be stuck.

Third, check that your lighter is working. Test it away from the fireplace first to make sure it produces a steady flame. If the lighter is weak or sputtering, switch to a fresh one. Fourth, make sure you are holding the ignition button down the entire time you are trying to light the pilot. If you release it too early, the gas flow stops and the pilot cannot light. Finally, if the fireplace has been unused for a long time, air may be trapped in the gas line. In this case, you may need to hold the button down for up to 30 seconds before the pilot lights.

Know when to call a technician instead of troubleshooting

Stop troubleshooting and contact a professional if you smell a strong gas odor that does not go away after you turn the knob to "Off" and open windows. Do not try to light the pilot again. Also stop if the control knob feels stuck or broken, if you cannot locate the pilot burner, or if the ignition button does not click or respond when you press it. These are signs of a mechanical or gas-line problem that requires professional repair.

If you have tried lighting the pilot three times and it will not stay lit, do not keep trying. Repeated attempts can allow gas to build up in the firebox, which is a safety hazard. Turn the knob to "Off," close the fireplace, and call a technician. A professional can test the thermocouple, check the gas pressure, and inspect the burner to find the real problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I hold the ignition button down?

Hold it down for 30 seconds after the pilot flame catches. This allows the thermocouple to heat up enough to keep the pilot burning when you release the button. If you release it sooner, the pilot will usually go out.

What if I smell gas but the pilot will not light?

Turn the knob to "Off" when ready, close the fireplace door, and open windows to let the room air out. Wait 10 minutes. If the smell is still strong, do not try again—call a technician. A faint smell during the first attempt is normal, but a persistent strong odor means gas is accumulating and the burner is not working properly.

Can I use a regular lighter or matches instead of a long lighter?

A long lighter is safer because it keeps your hand farther from the flame and the hot fireplace. Matches are difficult to hold steady while pressing the ignition button. A short lighter can work but risks burning your hand. A long-reach grill lighter or candle lighter is the best choice.

Why does the pilot go out right after I release the button?

You probably released the button before 30 seconds had passed. The thermocouple needs that full time to heat up and signal the fireplace that the pilot is burning. Try again and count to 30 slowly before releasing. If it still goes out after a full 30 seconds, the thermocouple may be failing and needs replacement.

Is it normal to smell gas when lighting the pilot?

A faint gas smell for a few seconds is normal—you are releasing gas into the firebox. But the smell should fade quickly once the pilot lights. If the smell is strong or lingers after the pilot is lit, turn everything off and ventilate the room. This can mean the burner is not burning all the gas properly.