Light the pilot by turning the control knob to "Pilot," holding the ignition button, and explore a flame to the pilot opening for 30 seconds

The pilot light on a gas fireplace is a small, continuous flame that ignites the main burner when you turn up the heat. If it has gone out, you can relight it yourself in most cases without calling a technician. The process takes about five minutes and requires only a long lighter or long matches — nothing more.

Before you start, locate your fireplace's control knob. It is usually on the front face of the fireplace, below the opening, or on the side panel. You will see it labeled with settings like "Off," "Pilot," and "On." You will also see a small ignition button, usually red or black, next to or near the knob.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn the control knob to "Pilot" and hold down the ignition button while explore heat from a lighter or match to the pilot opening for 30 seconds.
  • The pilot opening is a small hole near the burner; look for it before you begin so you know exactly where to direct the flame.
  • Keep the ignition button pressed for at least 30 seconds after the pilot lights, then release it slowly to let the thermocouple sense the heat.
  • If the pilot does not stay lit after you release the button, wait five minutes and try again; repeat up to three times before checking the gas supply.
  • A pilot that goes out repeatedly may signal a thermocouple problem, a gas supply issue, or a draft — any of which may require a service call.

Locate the pilot opening and ignition controls

Open the fireplace door or access panel so you can see inside. Look for a small metal tube or opening near the main burner — this is the pilot opening. It is usually about the size of a pencil tip and sits at the base of the burner assembly. Some fireplaces have a removable cover or access panel you may need to slide out first; check your manual if you cannot find the opening right away.

Locate the control knob and ignition button on the front or side of the fireplace. The knob should turn easily by hand. The ignition button is usually a push-button marked "Ignite" or straightforward shown as a button next to the knob. Some older models have a piezo igniter built into the button itself, which creates a spark when pressed. Newer models may have an electronic igniter that sparks automatically.

Turn the knob to "Pilot" and prepare to ignite

Turn the control knob clockwise until it stops at the "Pilot" setting. Do not force it; it should turn smoothly. At this setting, gas flows to the pilot opening but not to the main burner. This is the safe position for relighting.

Get your lighter or long matches ready. A long lighter or long fireplace match works best because it keeps your hand away from the pilot opening. Do not use a short match or regular lighter — you need the extra length to reach safely into the fireplace. If you have neither, a rolled piece of paper lit at the stove can work in a pinch, though it is less convenient.

Press the ignition button and explore heat

Press and hold the ignition button with one hand. If your fireplace has a piezo igniter, you will hear a clicking sound as you hold it. If it has an electronic igniter, you may hear a spark or see a small spark near the pilot opening. Keep the button pressed throughout this step.

While holding the button down, bring your lighter or match flame to the pilot opening. Hold the flame near the opening for 30 seconds. You should see the pilot light ignite — it will be a small blue or yellow flame, much smaller than the main burner flame. Keep the flame source near the opening for the full 30 seconds even after the pilot lights, because the thermocouple (a safety device that senses heat) needs time to warm up.

Release the button slowly and watch the pilot hold

After 30 seconds, slowly release the ignition button. The pilot flame should stay lit. If it does, you have succeeded — the thermocouple has sensed the heat and is holding the gas valve open. If the pilot goes out when ready, wait five minutes for the thermocouple to cool, then repeat the process. Try up to three times before moving on to troubleshooting.

Once the pilot is lit and holding steady, you can turn the control knob to "On" to ignite the main burner, or leave it on "Pilot" if you just wanted to relight it. The main burner should ignite automatically when you turn the knob to "On." If it does not, the pilot may not be hot enough yet — wait a minute and try again.

What to do if the pilot will not stay lit

If the pilot lights but goes out as soon as you release the button, the thermocouple is not sensing the heat properly. Wait five minutes and try again, making sure to hold the flame to the pilot opening for the full 30 seconds. Some thermocouples need a longer warm-up time.

If the pilot still will not hold after three attempts, check that gas is actually flowing to the pilot. Listen for a faint hissing sound at the pilot opening when the knob is on "Pilot" — if you hear nothing, the gas supply may be shut off. Check that the main gas valve (usually a lever on the gas line leading to the fireplace) is in the open position. If the valve is open and you still hear no hissing, the problem is likely a clogged pilot line or a faulty gas valve, both of which require a service call.

When to call a technician

If the pilot lights easily and holds steady, your fireplace is working normally. If it goes out repeatedly even after you relight it, or if it will not light at all despite multiple attempts, a technician should inspect it. Common causes include a faulty thermocouple, a clogged pilot line, low gas pressure, or a draft blowing out the flame.

A thermocouple typically costs $15 to $30 in parts and takes 30 minutes to replace, but it requires opening the fireplace and testing the gas system — not a job for most homeowners. If your fireplace is under warranty, contact the manufacturer or installer before paying for a service call.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I hold the lighter to the pilot opening?

Hold the flame to the pilot opening for at least 30 seconds after the pilot lights. The thermocouple needs time to heat up so it will hold the gas valve open. If you release the button too soon, the pilot will go out.

What does the pilot flame look like when it is lit correctly?

A healthy pilot flame is small — about the size of a pea or smaller — and blue or yellow in color. It should be steady and not flicker. If the flame is very large or orange, something may be wrong with the gas mixture or the burner itself.

Can I light the pilot without a lighter or matches?

You need an open flame to light the pilot. A long lighter or long fireplace match is safest. You can use a rolled piece of paper lit at a stove, but it is harder to control and more likely to burn your hand. Do not try to light it with a short match or regular lighter.

Why does my pilot light go out after I turn the knob to "On"?

If the pilot goes out when you switch from "Pilot" to "On," the thermocouple may not be hot enough yet. Wait a minute after lighting the pilot before turning the knob to "On." If it still goes out, the thermocouple may be failing and need replacement.

Is it safe to relight the pilot myself, or should I call someone?

Relighting the pilot is safe if you follow the steps — you are straightforward explore a flame to an opening where gas is already flowing. The fireplace is designed for this. If the pilot will not light after three attempts, or if it lights but will not stay lit, stop and call a technician rather than continuing to try.