The basic steps to relight your fireplace pilot
To light a pilot light on a gas fireplace, you turn the control knob to "Pilot," hold down the ignition button while holding a lit lighter or long match to the pilot opening, and keep the button pressed for 30 to 60 seconds after the flame catches. Once the pilot stays lit on its own, you turn the knob to "On" or "Heat" to restore normal operation.
The whole process usually takes less than five minutes. If the pilot won't stay lit after you release the button, or if you smell gas, stop and call a technician — those are signs of a deeper problem that needs professional attention.
Key Takeaways
- Turn the control knob to "Pilot" before you attempt to light anything, or the gas flow will be wrong and the lighter won't work.
- Hold the ignition button down continuously while you light the pilot and for 30 to 60 seconds afterward, or the flame will go out as soon as you release it.
- Use a long lighter or long match so your hand stays far from the pilot opening and the flame.
- If the pilot lights but won't stay on after you release the button, or if you smell gas during the process, stop and call a technician instead of trying again.
Locate the pilot opening and control knob
Open the fireplace door or access panel. Inside, you'll see a small metal tube (the pilot burner) and a control knob on the gas valve, usually labeled with "Pilot," "On," and "Off" or "Heat." The pilot opening is a small hole at the end of that tube, often with a tiny electrode or spark igniter nearby.
If you can't find the control knob or pilot opening, check the fireplace manual — the location varies by model. If you don't have the manual, the model number is usually on a sticker inside the fireplace or on the back of the unit, and you can search for it online to find instructions specific to your fireplace.
Set the knob to Pilot and prepare to ignite
Turn the control knob clockwise to the "Pilot" position. This reduces the gas flow to just the pilot burner and prevents a large flame from shooting out when you light it. Leave the knob there — do not turn it to "On" yet.
Gather a long lighter (a fireplace or grill lighter works best) or a long match. You need the extra length so your hand and fingers stay well away from the pilot opening. Have these ready before you start, so you're not fumbling while holding the ignition button.
Press the ignition button and light the pilot
Press and hold the ignition button on the control knob. You should hear a clicking sound as the spark igniter fires. While holding the button down, bring the lit lighter or match to the pilot opening and hold the flame there until the pilot light catches — usually within a few seconds.
Once you see the pilot flame, keep holding the ignition button for another 30 to 60 seconds. This allows the thermocouple (a heat-sensing device) to warm up enough to keep the gas valve open on its own. If you release the button too soon, the pilot will go out when ready.
Release the button and check the flame
After 30 to 60 seconds, slowly release the ignition button. The pilot flame should stay lit. If it does, you're done with the pilot — move on to turning the knob to "On" or "Heat" to restore normal fireplace operation.
If the pilot goes out as soon as you release the button, wait a minute for the thermocouple to cool, then try again. Hold the button down for a full 60 seconds this time. If it still won't stay lit after a second attempt, stop — this usually means the thermocouple is faulty or there's a gas flow problem, and you'll need a technician.
Turn the knob to On and close the door
Once the pilot is holding steady, turn the control knob from "Pilot" to "On," "Heat," or whatever your fireplace labels the normal operating position. The main burner should ignite from the pilot flame within a few seconds. You should see a larger flame across the burner.
Close the fireplace door or access panel and let the fireplace run for a few minutes to make sure everything is stable. If the main flame goes out or flickers erratically, turn the knob back to "Off" and call a technician — the problem is not something relighting the pilot will fix.
When to stop and call a professional
Do not keep trying to light the pilot if any of these happen: you smell gas during or after the process, the pilot lights but won't stay on even after holding the button for a full minute, the main burner won't ignite from the pilot, or the flame is very small or yellow instead of blue. These are all signs of a thermocouple failure, a gas valve problem, or a blockage — none of which relighting will solve.
Also call a technician if you're not comfortable with the process or if you can't locate the pilot opening or control knob. A service call is cheaper than the risk of a gas leak or carbon monoxide problem from a fireplace that isn't working correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I hold the ignition button down?
Hold it for 30 to 60 seconds after the pilot flame catches. This gives the thermocouple time to heat up so it will keep the gas valve open. If you release it too soon, the pilot will go out. If 60 seconds isn't enough, the thermocouple may be failing and you should call a technician.
What if I can't get the lighter close enough to the pilot opening?
Use a long fireplace lighter or a long match instead of a regular lighter or short match. If the opening is hard to reach even with a long lighter, you may need to remove a cover or panel — check your manual. If you still can't reach it safely, a technician can light it for you.
Is it normal for the pilot to go out after I release the button?
No. If the pilot goes out when ready after you release the button, the thermocouple isn't warming up properly. Try again and hold the button for the full 60 seconds. If it still won't stay lit, the thermocouple needs to be replaced by a technician.
Can I light the pilot with the fireplace door closed?
No. You need the door or access panel open so you can see the pilot opening and reach it with your lighter. Trying to light it blind or through a crack is unsafe and won't work.
What should I do if I smell gas?
Stop when ready, turn the control knob to "Off," close the fireplace door, and leave the room. Open windows to ventilate. Do not try to light the pilot again. Call a technician or your gas company — a gas smell means there's a leak or a problem with the gas valve.