Relighting a pilot light is usually a five-minute job you can do yourself

A fireplace pilot light goes out for reasons that range from a draft to a faulty thermocouple — the safety device that shuts off gas if the flame dies. Before you call a technician, you can try relighting it yourself. The process is the same whether your fireplace uses a standing pilot (a flame that burns all the time) or an intermittent pilot (one that lights only when you turn on the fireplace). You will need a long lighter or long matches, and you should have your fireplace manual nearby so you can find the exact location of the pilot burner and the control knob settings.

The whole job takes about five minutes if the pilot lights on the first try. If it does not stay lit after three attempts, or if you smell gas, stop and call a technician — that signals a problem with the thermocouple, the gas valve, or the gas line itself, and those are not safe to troubleshoot at home.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn the control knob to "Pilot" and hold it down while you light the flame with a long lighter, keeping the knob pressed for 30 to 60 seconds after ignition.
  • If the pilot stays lit after you release the knob, turn it to "On" to restore normal operation.
  • A pilot that will not stay lit after three attempts, or any smell of gas, means you need a technician — do not keep trying.
  • Most pilot lights go out because of a draft, a clogged burner, or a worn thermocouple, and only the thermocouple requires a service call.

Locate the pilot burner and control knob

Open your fireplace access panel or remove the front cover so you can see inside the firebox. Look for a small brass or steel tube near the main burner — that is the pilot burner. Next to it or on the front of the fireplace you will find a control knob, usually labeled with settings like "Off," "Pilot," and "On." Some fireplaces have the knob on the wall or on a remote control, so check your manual if you cannot find it on the unit itself.

If you cannot locate the pilot burner or control knob, or if your fireplace has an electronic ignition system (common in newer models), do not attempt to relight manually — call a technician instead. Electronic systems have no pilot light to relight by hand.

Turn the knob to Pilot and prepare to light

Set the control knob to the "Pilot" position. You may hear a faint hissing sound as gas flows to the pilot burner — that is normal. Do not light anything yet. Let the gas flow for about 10 seconds to clear any air from the line.

Have your long lighter or long matches ready before you move to the next step. A regular lighter or short matches will not reach safely into the firebox, and you risk burning your hand or arm. If you do not have a long lighter, a thin taper candle held in a candlestick works in a pinch.

Light the pilot and hold the knob down

Bring the flame to the pilot burner opening. You should see a small blue flame ignite. The moment it does, keep holding the control knob in the "Pilot" position — do not release it yet. This is the critical step: holding the knob down keeps gas flowing to the pilot while the thermocouple warms up and signals the gas valve that the flame is burning.

Hold the knob down for 30 to 60 seconds. Most manuals specify 30 seconds, but 60 seconds is safer if you are unsure. During this time, watch the flame — it should stay steady and blue. If it goes out while you are holding the knob, release the knob, wait 5 minutes for any residual gas to clear, and try again.

Release the knob and check if the flame holds

After 30 to 60 seconds, slowly release the control knob. The pilot flame should stay lit. If it does, you have succeeded — the thermocouple is working and the system is ready to use. If the flame goes out the moment you release the knob, wait 5 minutes and try the whole process again. You may need to hold the knob longer the second time.

If the pilot goes out after three attempts, or if you smell gas at any point, stop when ready. Do not try again. A pilot that will not stay lit usually means the thermocouple is worn out, the gas valve is faulty, or there is a problem with the gas line. These require a service technician and are not safe to repair yourself.

Turn the knob to On and test the fireplace

Once the pilot is holding steady, turn the control knob from "Pilot" to "On." If your fireplace has a separate ignition switch or remote control, use that to start the main burner. You should hear a click or a whoosh as the main burner ignites, and the flame should spread across the burner bed. If the main burner does not light, turn everything off, wait a minute, and try again.

If the main burner lights but the pilot goes out, or if the main burner will not stay lit, turn the knob back to "Off" and call a technician. These are signs of a thermocouple problem or a gas valve issue that needs professional repair.

Why pilot lights go out and when to call a technician

A pilot light can go out for several reasons. A strong draft from an open window or door can blow out the flame. A clogged pilot burner — usually from dust or debris — can cause the flame to burn too weakly to heat the thermocouple. A worn or damaged thermocouple will not signal the gas valve to stay open, so the flame dies the moment you release the knob. A faulty gas valve can also prevent the pilot from staying lit, though this is less common.

You can try relighting the pilot yourself if it has gone out once or twice. But if it goes out repeatedly, or if it will not stay lit no matter how long you hold the knob, the thermocouple or gas valve needs replacement. These are not expensive repairs — a thermocouple typically costs $15 to $30 plus labor — but they require a technician with the right tools and training. Trying to force a pilot to stay lit when the thermocouple is failing wastes time and gas, and it can be a safety risk if the gas valve is also faulty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I smell gas while trying to relight the pilot?

Stop when ready and turn the control knob to "Off." Open windows and doors to ventilate the room. Do not light anything, and do not use electrical switches or outlets. Leave the house and call your gas company's emergency line from outside. A gas smell means there is a leak in the line or the valve, and that is a safety hazard that requires professional repair.

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

Most manuals say 30 seconds, but 60 seconds is safer if you are unsure. The longer you hold it, the more time the thermocouple has to warm up and signal the gas valve. If 30 seconds does not work, try 60 seconds on your next attempt.

Can I relight the pilot if my fireplace has a remote control?

Yes, but first turn the remote to "Off" and locate the manual control knob on the fireplace itself. Follow the same steps using the manual knob. Once the pilot is lit and holding steady, you can use the remote to turn on the main burner. If the remote does not work after the pilot is lit, the remote battery may be dead or the receiver may need service.

What does it mean if the pilot lights but goes out as soon as I release the knob?

This usually means the thermocouple is not warming up enough to signal the gas valve, or the thermocouple is faulty. Try holding the knob down for a full 60 seconds on your next attempt. If it still goes out, the thermocouple needs replacement by a technician.

Is it safe to relight the pilot if the fireplace has been off for months?

Yes, but let gas flow for 10 seconds before you light it to clear any air from the line. If the pilot does not light on the first try, wait 5 minutes before trying again. If it still will not light after two or three attempts, call a technician — a long shutdown can sometimes indicate a problem with the gas valve or line.