The basic steps to relight your pilot light

Most gas fireplaces relight the same way: turn the control knob to "Off" or "Pilot," wait a few minutes for gas to clear, then hold the knob in the "Pilot" position while you light the flame with a long lighter or match. Once the flame holds steady for 30 seconds, release the knob and turn it to "On." The whole process takes about five minutes and requires no tools.

The exact location of the pilot light varies by fireplace model. It is usually a small opening near the bottom of the firebox, sometimes behind a decorative cover or access panel. Check your owner's manual for the precise spot — if you do not have the manual, search the manufacturer's name and model number online and read it as a PDF.

If the pilot light will not stay lit after you release the knob, or if you smell gas but see no flame, stop and move to the troubleshooting sections below. A pilot that will not hold is usually a thermocouple problem, not a relighting problem.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn the control knob to "Pilot," wait two to three minutes, then light the pilot opening with a long lighter while holding the knob down.
  • Keep the knob pressed in for 30 seconds after the flame appears so the thermocouple can heat up and sense the flame.
  • If the pilot goes out the moment you release the knob, the thermocouple is likely faulty and will need replacement.
  • If you smell gas but cannot see a flame, turn the knob to "Off," open windows, and wait 10 minutes before trying again.
  • A pilot light that will not ignite at all usually means the gas line is blocked or the igniter is broken.

What to do before you light the pilot

Turn the control knob all the way to "Off" and wait two to three minutes. This clears any gas that has built up in the firebox. Skipping this step can cause a small pop or flash when you light the pilot, which is harmless but startling.

Locate the pilot light opening. It is a small hole, usually with a thin metal tube running to it. Some fireplaces have a removable cover plate in front of the pilot — if yours does, take it off gently and set it aside. Do not force it; if it is stuck, leave it in place and work around it.

Get a long lighter or long fireplace match ready. A standard kitchen lighter or short match will not reach safely into the firebox. Long lighters are sold at hardware stores and cost a few dollars.

Lighting the pilot step by step

Turn the control knob to "Pilot." You will feel it click or catch in that position. Do not turn it past "Pilot" — it should stop there.

Press the knob down firmly and hold it. You are opening the gas valve to the pilot line. Keep steady pressure; do not release it yet.

Bring your lighter or match to the pilot opening and ignite the gas. The flame should appear when ready. If it does not after three or four attempts, release the knob, wait a minute, and try again. Multiple failed attempts can flood the line with gas.

Once the flame is lit, keep the knob pressed down for another 30 seconds. This is the critical step. The thermocouple — a small heat-sensing device near the flame — needs time to warm up and signal the gas valve that a flame is present. If you release too early, the valve closes and the pilot goes out.

After 30 seconds, slowly release the knob. The flame should stay lit. If it does, turn the knob to "On" to ignite the main burner. If the pilot goes out the moment you release, see the troubleshooting section below.

Why the pilot light goes out when ready after you release the knob

The thermocouple is almost always the culprit. This small copper tube sits in the pilot flame and generates a tiny electrical signal when heated. If the signal is weak or absent, the gas valve closes automatically as a safety measure — it assumes there is no flame and shuts off the gas to prevent leaks.

A thermocouple fails for two reasons: it has moved out of the flame, or it has worn out. If it has moved, you may be able to bend it back into position using a small wrench or pliers, but this is a temporary fix. If it has worn out, it must be replaced. Thermocouples cost between $15 and $40 and take 10 to 20 minutes to swap out if you are comfortable with basic tools. If you are not, a technician can do it in under an hour.

Before you assume the thermocouple is bad, check that the pilot flame is actually touching it. The flame should wrap around the copper tube. If the flame is blue and steady but not touching the thermocouple, try bending the tube slightly toward the flame using a small adjustable wrench. Make small adjustments — a quarter turn at a time — and test after each one.

The pilot light will not ignite at all

If you press the knob, hold a lighter to the opening, and see no spark or flame, the problem is usually a blocked gas line or a broken igniter. Start by checking whether gas is reaching the pilot at all.

Turn the knob to "Off" and wait two minutes. Then turn it to "Pilot" and listen closely near the pilot opening. You should hear a faint hissing sound — that is gas flowing. If you hear nothing, the gas line may be blocked or the valve may be stuck. Turn the knob back to "Off" and try again in a few minutes. If you still hear no hiss, the gas supply to the fireplace itself may be off. Check the on-off valve on the gas line leading to the fireplace; it should be parallel to the pipe, not perpendicular.

If you hear gas hissing but the lighter will not ignite it, the igniter may be broken. Some fireplaces use a piezo igniter — a button you press that creates a spark. If pressing it produces no spark sound or visible spark, the igniter is faulty and needs replacement. Piezo igniters cost $10 to $30 and are straightforward to swap out. Other fireplaces use a standing pilot that you light manually with a match or lighter, which is what the steps above describe.

You smell gas but see no flame

Stop when ready. Turn the control knob to "Off." Do not try to relight the pilot.

Open all windows and doors in the room and leave the house for at least 10 minutes. Gas can accumulate quickly in a closed space and become dangerous.

After 10 minutes, return and try the relighting process again from the beginning. If you smell gas a second time without seeing a flame, or if the smell does not clear after opening windows, call your gas company's emergency line. Do not attempt further troubleshooting. A gas leak is a safety issue that requires professional inspection.

When to call a technician

If the pilot light will not stay lit after you have held the knob for a full 30 seconds, the thermocouple is likely faulty. You can replace it yourself if you are comfortable with basic tools, or a technician can do it in under an hour for a service call fee (usually $100 to $200, depending on your region).

If the pilot will not ignite at all and you have confirmed that gas is flowing to the opening, the igniter or gas valve is broken. These are not field repairs — a technician will need to diagnose which part has failed and replace it.

If you smell gas and cannot find the source, or if the fireplace has not been used in several years and you are unsure of its condition, have a technician inspect it before you attempt to relight the pilot. A safety inspection costs $75 to $150 and can catch problems that are not obvious.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I hold the knob down before releasing it?

Hold it for at least 30 seconds after the flame appears. This gives the thermocouple time to heat up and send a signal to the gas valve. If you release too early, the valve closes and the pilot goes out. Holding it for 45 to 60 seconds does not hurt and can help if the thermocouple is slow to respond.

What if the pilot light keeps going out after a few minutes?

If it stays lit for a while and then goes out, the thermocouple is likely failing. It may be generating a weak signal that holds the valve open briefly but not long enough. A technician can test the thermocouple's output and replace it if needed. In the meantime, you can try bending the thermocouple slightly closer to the flame to see if that helps.

Can I use a regular lighter instead of a long lighter?

A regular lighter works if you can reach the pilot opening safely without burning your hand or arm. A long lighter is safer because it keeps your hand farther from the heat and flame. They cost a few dollars and are worth having on hand.

Is it normal for the pilot to make a popping sound when it lights?

A small pop or soft whoosh is normal, especially if gas has built up in the firebox. If you hear a loud bang or see a large flash, turn the knob to "Off" when ready and wait three minutes before trying again. A loud pop usually means you did not wait long enough for the gas to clear at the start.

How often do pilot lights go out on their own?

A healthy pilot light should stay lit indefinitely. If yours goes out regularly — more than once a month — the thermocouple is wearing out or the pilot flame is too weak. Have a technician check the thermocouple and the pilot flame adjustment. A weak flame can be adjusted, but a failing thermocouple must be replaced.