Relighting a gas log pilot light yourself

You can relight most gas log pilot lights without calling a technician. The process takes five to ten minutes and requires only a long lighter or long match — no special tools. The pilot light sits inside the firebox, usually near the front or side of the logs, and once lit, it stays on continuously to ignite the main burner when you turn the valve.

Before you start, locate your gas shut-off valve. It is typically on the gas line leading to the fireplace, either on the wall behind the unit or underneath it. You will not need to turn it off for relighting, but you should know where it is in case something goes wrong.

Key Takeaways

  • The pilot light sits inside the firebox near the logs and must be lit with a long lighter or match held to the pilot opening for 30 to 60 seconds.
  • After lighting, hold the control knob in the pilot position for another 30 seconds so the thermocouple senses heat and stays lit.
  • If the pilot light goes out when ready after you release the knob, the thermocouple may be dirty or failing and needs professional cleaning or replacement.
  • A pilot light that will not stay lit even after multiple attempts usually signals a thermocouple problem, not a relighting problem.

Finding and accessing the pilot light opening

Open the glass doors or access panel on the front of your fireplace. Look for a small metal tube or opening near the base of the logs, usually marked "pilot" or with a small hole about the size of a pencil tip. Some units have the pilot opening on the side of the burner box rather than the front.

If you cannot see it clearly, check your owner's manual — it will show the exact location for your model. The manual also tells you whether you need to remove any parts to reach the pilot. Some fireplaces require you to lift out a log set or remove a metal shield, while others have the pilot fully exposed.

The step-by-step relighting process

Turn the control knob to the "off" position and wait five minutes for any residual gas to clear. Then turn the knob to the "pilot" setting — it should click or move to a marked position. You may need to push the knob inward while turning it, depending on your model.

Hold a long lighter or long match to the pilot opening and light it. Keep the flame at the opening for 30 to 60 seconds while you hold the control knob in the pilot position. You should see a small blue flame appear at the pilot opening. Once the flame is steady, continue holding the knob for another 30 seconds without moving the lighter away — this allows the thermocouple to heat up and sense that the pilot is burning.

After 30 seconds, slowly release the control knob. The pilot flame should stay lit. If it does, turn the knob to the "on" position to ignite the main burner. If the pilot goes out as soon as you release the knob, wait five minutes and try again — sometimes the thermocouple needs a second attempt to register the heat.

What to do if the pilot light will not stay lit

If the pilot light goes out when ready after you release the control knob, even on a second or third attempt, the thermocouple is likely the problem. The thermocouple is a small metal rod that sits in the pilot flame and tells the gas valve to stay open. When it gets dirty or fails, it cannot sense the heat, and the valve closes automatically.

You can try cleaning the thermocouple yourself: turn off the gas, wait five minutes, then use a soft brush or fine steel wool to gently clean the tip of the thermocouple rod where it sits in the flame. Wipe away any debris and try relighting. If it still will not hold, the thermocouple needs replacement — this is a job for a technician because it involves disconnecting gas lines.

Do not keep trying to light the pilot if it fails more than three times in a row. Repeated attempts can allow gas to build up in the firebox, which is a safety hazard. Turn the knob to "off", open a window, and wait 10 minutes before trying again.

When the igniter button is not working

Some gas log units have an electronic igniter button instead of a manual lighter. If you press the button and hear a clicking sound but no spark appears, the igniter may be wet or the battery may be dead. Check whether your unit uses a battery (usually AA or AAA) and replace it if needed.

If the battery is fresh and the igniter still does not spark, the igniter itself has failed and needs replacement. You can still relight the pilot manually using a long lighter or match while the igniter is broken — the electronic igniter is a convenience, not a requirement. Once you have the pilot lit manually, the unit will work normally until you have the igniter repaired.

Safety checks before and after relighting

Before you light the pilot, smell around the fireplace for gas. If you detect a strong gas odor, do not attempt to light anything. Turn the control knob to "off", open windows, and call your gas company's emergency line. A gas smell usually means a leak, not a straightforward pilot light problem.

After the pilot is lit and the main burner is on, check that the flame is blue with a small yellow tip. A flame that is mostly yellow or orange, or one that flickers excessively, means the burner needs cleaning or adjustment — call a technician rather than trying to fix it yourself. A properly burning pilot and main flame should be steady and mostly blue.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Hold the flame at the opening for 30 to 60 seconds while the control knob is in the pilot position. Once you see a steady blue flame, keep the lighter there for another 30 seconds without moving it away. This gives the thermocouple time to heat up and sense the flame.

What does it mean if the pilot light is yellow instead of blue?

A yellow or orange pilot flame usually means dust or debris is in the burner. Try gently cleaning the pilot opening with a soft brush, then relight. If the flame is still yellow after cleaning, the burner may need professional cleaning or adjustment.

Can I light the pilot if I smell gas?

No. If you smell gas, turn the control knob to "off", open windows, and leave the house. Call your gas company's emergency number. A gas smell indicates a leak, not a straightforward pilot light issue, and lighting anything could be dangerous.

How often should the pilot light need relighting?

A healthy pilot light should stay on continuously and rarely need relighting. If you are relighting it more than once or twice a year, the thermocouple is likely wearing out and should be inspected by a technician.

What if the control knob is stuck and will not turn to pilot position?

Do not force it. A stuck knob usually means the valve mechanism needs lubrication or repair. Turn it gently and stop if you feel resistance. If it will not budge, call a technician — forcing it can damage the valve.