Light the pilot with a long match or lighter when the ignitor fails

If your gas fireplace ignitor is broken or missing, you can light the pilot light manually using a long match or a long-reach lighter. The process takes a few minutes and requires you to access the pilot burner inside the fireplace, turn the gas valve to the pilot position, and hold a flame to the pilot opening until the gas catches. This works on nearly all standing pilot systems — the kind that stay lit all the time rather than lighting on demand.

Before you start, make sure the fireplace has been off for at least five minutes so any gas in the chamber can clear. Smell the area around the fireplace; if you detect strong gas odor, stop and call your gas company or a technician. A faint gas smell is normal when you first turn the valve, but a strong smell means gas is building up and should not be ignited.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn the control knob to the pilot position and hold it down while you light the pilot opening with a long match or lighter.
  • Keep the knob pressed for 30 to 60 seconds after the flame catches so the thermocouple heats up and keeps the gas valve open.
  • If the pilot does not stay lit after you release the knob, wait five minutes and try again — the thermocouple may need more heat.
  • A long-reach lighter or fireplace match works better than a standard match because it keeps your hand farther from the flame.
  • If the pilot will not light after three attempts, the gas supply to the pilot may be blocked and you will need a technician to inspect it.

Locate the pilot burner and control knob inside the fireplace

Open the fireplace doors and look for a small brass or metal tube near the base of the firebox, usually on the left or right side. This is the pilot burner. Near it you will find a control knob or dial, often labeled with positions like "Off," "Pilot," and "On." Some fireplaces have the knob on the front face; others have it on the side or underneath the fireplace opening.

If you cannot see the pilot burner clearly, use a flashlight. The burner opening is small — about the size of a pencil tip — and may be partially hidden by the fireplace frame or logs. Once you locate it, make sure you have a clear path to reach it with your match or lighter without leaning too far into the fireplace or burning yourself on the frame.

Turn the knob to pilot and prepare to light

Turn the control knob to the position marked "Pilot." You should hear a faint hissing sound as gas begins to flow to the pilot burner. Do not turn the knob all the way to "On" yet — the pilot must light first, or gas will flow without ignition.

Hold a long match or long-reach lighter near the pilot opening. Position the flame so it will touch the gas as it exits the burner. If you are using a match, light it and hold it steady. If you are using a lighter, trigger it so the flame is continuous. Keep your hand as far back as safely possible so the heat from the pilot flame does not burn you.

Hold the knob down while the pilot catches and stabilizes

As soon as you see the pilot flame ignite, keep holding the control knob in the pilot position. Do not release it yet. The knob must stay pressed down for 30 to 60 seconds — this allows the thermocouple, a heat-sensing device near the pilot, to warm up enough to signal the gas valve to stay open.

Watch the pilot flame. It should be blue and steady, about one to two inches tall. If the flame is yellow or orange, the burner may be dirty, but it will still light the thermocouple. After 30 to 60 seconds, slowly release the knob. If you release it too quickly, the thermocouple may not have heated enough and the pilot will go out.

Turn the knob to on if the pilot stays lit

Once you release the knob and the pilot flame stays lit on its own, turn the knob to the "On" position. This opens the main gas valve and allows gas to flow to the burner logs or grates. The main burner should ignite from the pilot flame within a few seconds.

If the main burner does not light, turn the knob back to "Off," wait a minute, and try again. Sometimes the pilot flame is not quite hot enough to ignite the main burner on the first try. If the main burner still will not light after two or three attempts, the problem may be with the main burner itself, not the pilot, and you will need a technician to inspect it.

What to do if the pilot will not stay lit

If the pilot flame goes out as soon as you release the knob, the thermocouple did not heat up enough. Wait five minutes for any remaining gas to clear, then try again. This time, hold the knob down for the full 60 seconds before releasing it slowly. Some thermocouples are slow to respond and need the extra time.

If the pilot still goes out after three attempts, the thermocouple may be faulty, the pilot opening may be clogged with debris, or the gas supply to the pilot may be blocked. At this point, a technician should inspect the fireplace. Repeatedly trying to light a pilot that will not stay lit wastes gas and can be frustrating, but it is not dangerous.

Safety steps to follow every time

Never force the control knob. If it does not turn smoothly to the pilot position, stop and do not attempt to light the fireplace. A stuck knob can indicate a mechanical problem that needs professional attention.

If you smell gas but do not see a flame after turning the knob to pilot, turn it back to "Off" when ready and wait five minutes before trying again. Do not try to light it a second time in quick succession. If gas is flowing but not igniting, it is building up in the fireplace and could ignite suddenly or create a hazard.

Keep the fireplace doors open while lighting the pilot so you have a clear view and good air circulation. Never close the doors until the main burner is fully lit and burning steadily. If you have young children or pets, keep them away from the fireplace while you are lighting it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I hold the knob down after the pilot lights?

Hold it for 30 to 60 seconds. The longer hold time gives the thermocouple more time to heat up. If you release it too quickly, the thermocouple will not be hot enough to keep the gas valve open and the pilot will go out. If you are unsure, aim for the full 60 seconds.

What if I cannot reach the pilot burner with a match?

Use a long-reach lighter or a fireplace match, which have longer handles than standard matches. If the pilot burner is very deep inside the fireplace, a long-reach lighter designed for grills or fireplaces will give you the extra length you need. Some hardware stores sell fireplace-specific lighters with 8 to 10 inch reaches.

Can I use a regular lighter instead of a match?

Yes, a regular lighter works, but a long-reach lighter is safer because it keeps your hand farther from the flame and the hot fireplace frame. If you use a regular lighter, be careful not to lean too far into the fireplace or hold your hand in the flame path longer than necessary.

Why does the pilot go out when I release the knob?

The thermocouple did not heat up enough. The thermocouple is a safety device that tells the gas valve to stay open only when it senses heat from the pilot flame. If you release the knob too soon, the thermocouple is still cool and the valve closes, shutting off gas to the pilot. Try again and hold the knob for the full 60 seconds.

Is it safe to light the pilot manually if the ignitor is broken?

Yes, manual lighting is safe and is how pilots were lit before electronic ignitors became standard. The process is the same whether you use an ignitor or a match. The only difference is that with a broken ignitor, you are providing the flame yourself instead of letting the ignitor do it.