Relighting a pilot light takes five to ten minutes and requires no tools
A gas fireplace pilot light that has gone out can usually be relit by hand using the ignition button on your fireplace control panel. Most modern fireplaces have a piezo igniter (a button you push) or an electronic igniter (a button you hold). Older models may have a manual ignition where you use a long lighter. The process is the same whether your fireplace is built into a wall, sits in a freestanding stove, or is part of a gas insert: locate the control knob, turn it to the pilot position, hold down the ignition button while aiming a flame at the pilot burner opening, and wait for the flame to catch and hold steady.
Before you start, make sure the gas supply to your fireplace is on. Check that the main control knob (usually on the front of the fireplace or on a wall-mounted remote) is not in the "off" position. If you smell gas but see no flame after several attempts, stop and contact a technician—a gas leak is a safety issue that requires professional inspection.
Key Takeaways
- Most pilot lights relight by pushing or holding the ignition button while aiming a lighter at the pilot burner opening for ten to fifteen seconds.
- The control knob must be turned to the "pilot" position before you attempt to ignite, and the gas supply valve must be in the "on" position.
- If the pilot light catches but goes out when ready when you release the button, the thermocouple may need cleaning or replacement by a technician.
- A strong gas smell without flame after multiple attempts means the gas line may be leaking and requires a professional inspection before you try again.
Locate the pilot light burner and control panel
Open the fireplace door or access panel to see inside the firebox. The pilot light burner is a small opening, usually brass or steel, located near the main burner assembly. It is much smaller than the main burner—typically the size of a pencil tip or smaller. On most fireplaces, the pilot burner sits to one side of the main burner or slightly below it. Look for a small metal tube running from the control panel toward the burner; this is the pilot gas line.
The control panel is usually mounted on the front face of the fireplace, inside the firebox, or on the side wall. It has a knob labeled with positions like "off," "pilot," and "on." Some fireplaces have the control panel on an external wall or in a cabinet below the fireplace. If you cannot find it, check the owner's manual or look for a label on the fireplace frame that points to the control location.
Turn the control knob to the pilot position
Locate the main control knob and turn it clockwise until it stops at the position marked "pilot." This position cuts off gas to the main burner and allows gas to flow only to the pilot light. Do not turn it to "off"—the pilot position is between "off" and "on" on most models. If your fireplace has a digital control panel instead of a mechanical knob, look for a button or menu option labeled "pilot mode" and select it.
Wait about thirty seconds after turning the knob to the pilot position. This allows any air in the gas line to clear and ensures gas is flowing to the pilot burner. You should not smell a strong gas odor at this point; a faint gas smell is normal, but if the smell is overpowering, turn the knob back to "off" and wait five minutes before trying again.
Use the ignition button or a lighter to ignite the pilot
If your fireplace has a push-button igniter, hold the control knob in the pilot position with one hand and press the ignition button repeatedly with your other hand. Press it once per second for ten to fifteen seconds. You should hear a clicking sound as the igniter sparks. Watch the pilot burner opening—you are looking for a small blue flame to appear.
If your fireplace has no ignition button or the button does not work, use a long lighter (a grill lighter or fireplace lighter works best). Hold the control knob in the pilot position and aim the lighter flame directly at the pilot burner opening. Keep the flame steady and close to the opening for ten to fifteen seconds. The pilot flame should ignite with a small blue flame, usually about half an inch to one inch tall.
Once the pilot flame appears, keep holding the control knob in the pilot position for another thirty to sixty seconds. This allows the thermocouple (a safety device that senses the pilot flame) to heat up and signal that it is safe to keep the gas flowing. If you release the knob too early, the pilot will go out.
Release the knob and turn it to the on position
After holding the pilot position for thirty to sixty seconds, slowly release the control knob. The pilot flame should remain lit. If it goes out when ready, wait a few minutes and repeat the process, this time holding the knob in the pilot position for a full minute. A thermocouple that is slow to heat up may need a longer warm-up time.
Once the pilot flame is holding steady on its own, turn the control knob to the "on" position. The main burner should ignite, either automatically or when you use the fireplace remote or wall switch. If the main burner does not ignite, turn the knob back to "pilot" and try again after waiting a minute. Some fireplaces require you to hold the knob in the "on" position for a few seconds before the main burner catches.
What to do if the pilot light will not stay lit
If the pilot flame ignites but goes out as soon as you release the control knob, the thermocouple is likely dirty or faulty. The thermocouple is a thin metal rod that sits in the pilot flame and tells the gas valve to stay open. When it is covered with dust or soot, it cannot sense the flame properly. Turn the control knob to "off" and wait five minutes. Then turn it back to "pilot" and try again, but this time hold the knob for a full two minutes to give the thermocouple extra time to heat up.
If the pilot still will not hold after two minutes, the thermocouple may need cleaning. Some homeowners can access and gently clean the thermocouple with a soft brush or cloth, but this requires opening the fireplace further and working carefully around the gas line. If you are not comfortable doing this, or if cleaning does not solve the problem, contact a gas fireplace technician. A faulty thermocouple usually costs between $100 and $300 to replace, including labor.
Safety steps to follow every time
Never force the control knob. If it does not turn smoothly, stop and contact a technician. A stuck knob can indicate a problem with the gas valve that requires professional repair. Do not attempt to relight the pilot more than three times in a row. If it does not stay lit after three attempts, wait at least ten minutes before trying again. Multiple failed attempts can allow gas to build up in the firebox, creating a safety hazard.
If you smell gas but see no flame, or if you smell gas after the pilot is lit, turn the control knob to "off" when ready and leave the room. Open windows and doors to ventilate, and call your gas company's emergency line or a licensed technician. Do not use matches, lighters, or electrical switches—any spark could ignite the gas. A gas smell usually means a leak in the pilot line or a problem with the gas valve, both of which require professional inspection before the fireplace can be used again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I hold the ignition button?
Hold the ignition button for ten to fifteen seconds while watching the pilot burner opening. You should see a small blue flame appear within this time. If nothing happens after fifteen seconds, release the button, wait a minute, and try again. Do not hold the button for more than thirty seconds in a single attempt.
What does a healthy pilot flame look like?
A healthy pilot flame is blue with a small yellow tip, about half an inch to one inch tall, and burns steadily without flickering. If the flame is mostly yellow or orange, the burner opening may be dirty. If it flickers constantly, there may be a draft in the firebox or a problem with the gas line. A steady blue flame means the pilot is working correctly.
Can I relight the pilot if the fireplace is cold?
Yes, the temperature of the fireplace does not affect the pilot light. You can relight it whether the fireplace is cold or warm. However, if the fireplace was recently in use and is very hot, wait a few minutes before opening the access panel to avoid burns.
Why does my pilot light keep going out after I turn it to on?
This usually means the thermocouple is not heating up enough to keep the gas valve open. Try holding the control knob in the pilot position for a full two minutes instead of thirty seconds, then turn it to "on." If the pilot still goes out, the thermocouple may be dirty or faulty and needs professional cleaning or replacement.
Is it safe to use a regular lighter instead of a fireplace lighter?
A regular lighter can work, but a long fireplace lighter or grill lighter is safer because it keeps your hand farther from the pilot burner opening and the heat. If you use a regular lighter, be careful not to burn your fingers on the fireplace frame or the lighter itself.