Light your wall heater pilot by holding the control knob in the "Pilot" position while you ignite the flame with a long lighter or match

Most wall heaters have a control knob with three positions: "Off," "Pilot," and "On." To light the pilot, turn the knob to "Pilot" and hold it there—do not release it yet. Use a long lighter, long match, or fireplace match to reach the pilot opening (a small brass tube near the bottom of the heater). Hold the flame near the opening for 30 to 60 seconds while keeping the knob pressed in. You should see a small blue flame ignite inside the heater.

Once the flame appears, keep holding the knob in for another 30 seconds. This allows the thermocouple—a heat-sensing device—to warm up and signal that the pilot is burning. After 30 seconds, release the knob. If the pilot stays lit, you can turn the knob to "On" to heat your room. If the flame goes out when you release the knob, wait five minutes and try again.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn the control knob to "Pilot" and hold it down while you light the flame with a long lighter or match held near the pilot opening.
  • Keep the knob pressed in for 30 to 60 seconds while lighting, then another 30 seconds after the flame appears, so the thermocouple can warm up.
  • A working pilot flame is small and blue; if it goes out when you release the knob, the thermocouple may need cleaning or replacement.
  • If the pilot will not stay lit after three attempts, check that the gas valve is fully open and that no drafts are blowing out the flame.

Prepare the heater and gather your tools

Before you light the pilot, make sure the wall heater is in a safe state. Turn the control knob all the way to "Off" and wait two minutes. This clears any gas that may have built up. Check that the area around the heater is clear of curtains, papers, or other flammable objects—keep at least three feet of clearance on all sides.

Gather a long lighter or long fireplace matches. A regular short match or lighter will not reach the pilot opening safely. If you do not have a long lighter, a wooden skewer or thin stick wrapped with a paper towel and dipped in lighter fluid can work in a pinch, though a proper long lighter is safer and more reliable.

Locate the pilot opening and control knob

Open the front panel or access door of your wall heater if there is one. The control knob is usually mounted on the front face of the heater, often labeled with the three positions. The pilot opening is a small brass or steel tube, typically located near the bottom of the heater's interior, sometimes inside a small chamber or burner box.

Look for a small hole or tube where you will direct the flame. Some heaters have a window or opening that lets you see inside; others require you to reach in slightly. If you cannot locate the pilot opening, check the heater's manual or look for a label on the heater itself that shows where the pilot is. Do not force anything or reach into tight spaces—if the opening is not clearly visible, stop and consult the manual.

Turn the knob to pilot and ignite the flame

Turn the control knob slowly to the "Pilot" position. You may hear a faint hissing sound as gas begins to flow to the pilot. Now press and hold the knob in—most knobs require you to push down while turning to lock into "Pilot" mode. Keep steady pressure on the knob; do not let it pop back out.

Bring your long lighter or match to the pilot opening and hold the flame near the opening. You should see the pilot flame ignite within 5 to 15 seconds. If nothing happens after 30 seconds, remove the lighter, release the knob, and wait five minutes before trying again. Attempting to light for more than 30 seconds at a time can flood the chamber with gas.

Hold the knob down to let the thermocouple warm

Once you see the blue pilot flame, keep the knob pressed in for another 30 seconds. This waiting period is critical—the thermocouple needs to heat up and sense that the pilot is burning. If you release the knob too soon, the thermocouple will not be warm enough to hold the gas valve open, and the pilot will shut off.

Watch the flame while you wait. It should be steady and blue. If the flame is yellow or orange, or if it flickers badly, there may be a draft or the pilot tube may be dirty. After 30 seconds, slowly release the knob. The pilot should stay lit. If it goes out when ready, wait five minutes and repeat the process.

Turn the knob to on and test the heater

Once the pilot is burning steadily and stays lit after you release the knob, turn the control knob to the "On" position. The main burner should ignite within a few seconds, and you should feel heat coming from the heater. If the main burner does not light, turn the knob back to "Off," wait two minutes, and try the pilot again.

Set your thermostat or room temperature control to your desired warmth. The heater should now run normally. If the pilot lights but the main burner will not ignite, or if the heater shuts off unexpectedly, the issue may be with the thermocouple, the gas valve, or a safety switch—these require professional service.

Troubleshoot if the pilot will not stay lit

If the pilot flame goes out when you release the knob, the thermocouple is likely not warming up enough. Wait five minutes and try again, holding the knob down for the full 30 seconds after ignition. If this happens three times in a row, stop and check two things: first, make sure the gas valve (usually a separate knob or lever on the gas line) is fully open. Second, check for drafts—a window, door, or vent blowing air near the heater can blow out the pilot flame.

If the pilot lights but is very small or yellow instead of blue, the pilot tube may be clogged with dust or debris. Turn off the heater and wait for it to cool. You can try gently blowing into the pilot opening from the outside to clear it, or use a thin wire or needle to carefully clear the opening. Do not force anything. If the pilot still will not light after these steps, the thermocouple or gas valve may need professional cleaning or replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Hold the knob down for 30 seconds after you see the flame appear. This gives the thermocouple time to heat up and signal the gas valve to stay open. If you release it sooner, the pilot will likely go out.

What does the pilot flame look like when it is working?

A healthy pilot flame is small, steady, and blue. It should be about the size of a pencil tip or smaller. If the flame is yellow, orange, or flickering badly, there may be a draft, dirt in the pilot tube, or a problem with the gas mixture.

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

A regular short match or lighter will not safely reach the pilot opening on most wall heaters. Use a long fireplace match or a long lighter designed for grills or fireplaces. Reaching too far into the heater with a short flame risks burning your hand.

What should I do if the pilot lights but the main burner will not turn on?

Turn the knob to "Off," wait two minutes, and try lighting the pilot again. If the main burner still will not ignite after the pilot is burning, the issue is likely with the thermocouple, gas valve, or a safety switch. These parts require professional service and should not be repaired by a homeowner.

Is it normal for the pilot to go out sometimes?

An occasional pilot outage due to a strong draft is normal, but if the pilot goes out regularly when the heater is off, or if it will not stay lit even in calm conditions, the thermocouple is probably failing. A failing thermocouple will need to be replaced by a may have access to technician.