The basic steps to light your fireplace pilot light

To light a pilot light in a fireplace, you turn the control knob to "Pilot," hold it down, and use a long lighter or match to ignite the small flame at the pilot burner opening while holding the knob. Once the flame catches and stays lit for 30 to 60 seconds, you release the knob and turn it to "On." The whole process takes about two minutes and requires no tools.

The pilot light is a small, continuous flame that sits near the main burner. When you turn the fireplace on, this pilot flame ignites the larger gas burner. If the pilot has gone out—usually from a draft, a power outage, or straightforward age—you need to relight it by hand before the fireplace will work.

Key Takeaways

  • Locate your fireplace control knob (usually on the front or side of the unit) and turn it to the "Pilot" position before attempting to light.
  • Hold the control knob down while using a long lighter or long match to ignite the pilot burner opening, which is a small hole or tube near the main burner.
  • Keep the knob pressed down for 30 to 60 seconds after the pilot ignites so the thermocouple can heat up and sense the flame.
  • If the pilot does not stay lit after you release the knob, wait five minutes and try again—do not attempt more than three times without calling a technician.

Locate the control knob and pilot opening

The control knob is usually mounted on the front of the fireplace unit, near the bottom, or on the side panel. It has three positions: "Off," "Pilot," and "On." Some models add a fourth position for "Ignition" or have a separate ignition button. Check your fireplace manual or look for labels printed directly on the knob.

The pilot opening is a small hole or brass tube pointing into the firebox, located near the main burner. It is much smaller than the main burner opening and sits slightly to the side or below it. You may need to crouch down or use a flashlight to see it clearly, especially if your fireplace has a grate or logs in front.

Gather a long lighter or long matches

A standard kitchen lighter or short match will not reach the pilot opening safely. You need a long lighter—the kind sold for lighting candles or grills—or long fireplace matches (usually 10 to 12 inches). These are sold at hardware stores, grocery stores, and online for a few dollars.

Do not use a regular match or try to reach the pilot with your hand. The opening is deep enough that your fingers could get too close to the flame or the burner itself. A long lighter gives you the most control and is easier to aim than matches.

Turn the knob to Pilot and hold it down

Turn the control knob clockwise to the "Pilot" position. You will hear a faint hissing sound as gas begins to flow to the pilot burner. This is normal and expected.

Press and hold the knob down firmly. Do not release it yet. Holding the knob down keeps gas flowing to the pilot burner and also activates the ignition system on some models. Hold it down throughout the lighting process and for 30 to 60 seconds after the flame appears.

Light the pilot and hold the knob down

While holding the knob down, bring your long lighter or match to the pilot opening and ignite it. You should see a small blue flame appear at the opening. If you do not see a flame within 10 seconds, release the knob, wait 30 seconds, and try again. Do not hold the lighter there for more than 15 seconds at a time.

Once the pilot flame is lit, keep holding the knob down for another 30 to 60 seconds. This allows the thermocouple—a heat-sensing device near the pilot—to warm up and signal that the flame is present. If you release the knob too soon, the pilot will go out because the thermocouple has not yet confirmed the flame.

Release the knob and turn it to On

After 30 to 60 seconds, slowly release the knob. The pilot flame should stay lit. If it goes out when ready, wait five minutes for the thermocouple to cool, then repeat the process. Most pilots relight on the second attempt.

Once the pilot is holding steady, turn the knob to the "On" position. You should hear a click or a whoosh as the main burner ignites from the pilot flame. The fireplace is now ready to use. If you have a remote control, you can now use it to turn the fireplace on and off without touching the knob again.

Troubleshooting a pilot that will not stay lit

If the pilot lights but goes out as soon as you release the knob, the thermocouple is likely dirty or failing. Wait five minutes and try lighting it again. If it fails a second time, try once more. If it fails a third time, stop and contact a technician—continuing to attempt ignition can waste gas and may indicate a safety issue.

A pilot that lights easily but goes out after a few minutes of running the fireplace usually points to a draft problem or a thermocouple that needs cleaning. A technician can clean or replace the thermocouple in about 30 minutes. Do not attempt to clean it yourself unless you are very comfortable working with gas appliances.

If you smell gas at any point during this process, stop when ready, turn the knob to "Off," open windows, and leave the room. Do not light anything. Call your gas company or a technician from outside the house.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Hold it down for 30 to 60 seconds. This gives the thermocouple time to heat up and sense the flame. Releasing too soon is the most common reason a pilot goes out when ready after you let go of the knob.

What if the pilot lights but the main burner does not ignite?

Turn the knob to "On" and wait 10 seconds. If the main burner still does not light, turn the knob back to "Pilot" and try the whole process again. If the main burner lights on the second attempt, the system is working normally. If it fails twice, contact a technician.

Can I light the pilot with a regular match or lighter?

A regular match or short lighter will not reach safely. Use a long lighter or long fireplace matches sold at hardware stores. Trying to reach with a short match risks burning your hand or arm.

How often do pilot lights go out?

A healthy pilot light should stay lit indefinitely once you release the knob. If it goes out regularly, the thermocouple is likely dirty or worn and should be inspected by a technician. A pilot that goes out once every few years is normal.

Is it safe to light the pilot myself, or should I call a technician?

Lighting a pilot light is safe for most people and is a normal maintenance task. However, if you smell gas, feel uncomfortable working with gas appliances, or the pilot will not stay lit after three attempts, contact a technician instead of continuing to try.