The basic steps to relight your pilot light

Relighting a gas fireplace pilot light is a task you can do yourself in most cases, and it takes about five minutes. Turn the gas control knob to the OFF position and wait three minutes for any gas to clear. Then switch the knob to PILOT, hold down the ignition button (usually red or black) while bringing a long lighter or long match to the pilot opening — a small brass tube near the burner — and hold the button for 30 seconds after the flame appears. Once the pilot stays lit on its own, turn the knob to ON to restore heat to the main burner.

The pilot opening is small and sometimes hard to see. If your fireplace has a glass front, you may need to look through it or remove a panel to reach the ignition button and see where the flame should appear. Check your owner's manual for the exact location on your model — it varies by manufacturer.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn the gas control knob to OFF and wait three minutes before attempting to relight, so any gas in the line can disperse safely.
  • The ignition button must be held down continuously while you light the pilot, and you should keep holding it for 30 seconds after the flame appears.
  • A long lighter or long match works better than a regular lighter because the pilot opening sits inside the fireplace and is hard to reach.
  • If the pilot light goes out again within a few minutes, or if you smell gas and cannot relight it after three attempts, turn the knob to OFF and call a technician.

Locating the pilot light and ignition button

The pilot light sits inside the fireplace, usually near the bottom of the burner assembly. On most models, you will see a small brass or metal tube pointing downward or to the side — that is the pilot opening. The ignition button is mounted on the gas control knob itself or on a panel nearby, and it is almost always red or black.

If your fireplace has a decorative front panel or glass doors, you may need to remove them to see the pilot opening clearly. Some models have a removable trim ring or faceplate that swings out. Your owner's manual will show you how to remove these safely. If you cannot find the manual, search the manufacturer's name and model number online — most companies post PDFs for free.

Take a photo of the pilot area with your phone before you start, so you can see exactly where the flame should appear once you have the lighter in position.

Preparing the fireplace and clearing the gas line

Before you touch the ignition button, turn the gas control knob all the way to OFF and leave it there for three full minutes. This allows any gas that may be sitting in the line to disperse safely. If you smell gas strongly during this wait, open a window and do not attempt to relight — call a technician instead.

After three minutes, you are ready to move to the PILOT position. Do not skip this step, even if the pilot light went out only moments ago. The three-minute wait is a safety measure that every manufacturer recommends.

Lighting the pilot with a long lighter or match

Once the knob is set to PILOT, press and hold the ignition button with one hand. With your other hand, bring a long lighter or long match to the pilot opening. You want the flame to be close enough to ignite the gas coming from the pilot tube, but not so close that you burn yourself. A long lighter designed for fireplaces or grills works best because it keeps your hand farther from the heat.

Keep the ignition button pressed down for at least 30 seconds after you see the pilot flame appear. This allows the thermocouple — a heat-sensing device that keeps the gas valve open — to warm up enough to hold the valve in place on its own. If you release the button too soon, the pilot will go out when ready.

Once you have held the button for 30 seconds, slowly release it while watching the pilot flame. If the flame stays lit, you have succeeded. If it goes out as soon as you release the button, wait a minute and try again, holding the button for a full 45 seconds this time.

Turning the fireplace back on after the pilot is lit

Once the pilot light is burning steadily on its own, turn the gas control knob from PILOT to ON. The main burner should ignite within a few seconds. You may hear a small whoosh as the main flame lights up. If you have a remote control for the fireplace, you can now use it to adjust the flame height or turn the unit off and on.

Let the fireplace run for a few minutes to make sure everything is working normally. The pilot should remain lit, and the main burner should produce a steady blue flame with no yellow tips (yellow tips can indicate incomplete combustion, which is rare but worth noting).

What to do if the pilot light will not stay lit

If the pilot light goes out again within a few minutes of relighting it, or if you have tried three times and it still will not light, stop and call a technician. A pilot that will not stay lit usually means the thermocouple is failing, the gas line has a blockage, or the ignition system needs repair. These are not problems you can fix with a lighter.

If you smell gas at any point — either a strong rotten-egg smell or a faint hissing sound near the control knob — turn the knob to OFF when ready, open windows, and call your gas company's emergency line. Do not try to relight the pilot if you smell gas.

When to call a professional instead

You should call a technician if the pilot light will not light after three attempts, if it lights but goes out within minutes, if you smell gas, or if you cannot locate the pilot opening or ignition button after checking your owner's manual. A technician can test the thermocouple, check the gas line for blockages, and inspect the ignition system — all things that require tools and training.

Most fireplace technicians charge a service call fee that ranges depending on your location and the company, but a straightforward pilot relight during a service call is usually included in that fee. If you are unsure whether the problem is something you can handle, a quick phone call to a local technician can help you decide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I hold the ignition button down?

Hold it for at least 30 seconds after the pilot flame appears. If the pilot goes out when you release the button, try again and hold it for 45 seconds. The longer hold gives the thermocouple time to heat up and signal the gas valve to stay open.

What if I cannot see the pilot flame when I light it?

The pilot flame is small — about the size of a match head — and it may be hard to see if the fireplace is in a bright room. Try relighting it in dim light, or use your phone's camera to see the flame more clearly. If you still cannot see a flame after holding the button for 30 seconds, the ignition system may not be working and you should call a technician.

Is it safe to relight the pilot myself, or should I always call someone?

Relighting a pilot light is safe if you follow the three-minute wait after turning off the gas and do not smell gas at any point. It is a routine maintenance task that homeowners do regularly. Call a technician only if the pilot will not light, will not stay lit, or if you smell gas.

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

A regular lighter works, but a long lighter is safer because it keeps your hand farther from the heat and the fireplace opening. If you use a regular lighter, be careful not to burn your fingers on the fireplace edge or the flame itself.

What does it mean if the pilot flame is yellow instead of blue?

A small amount of yellow at the tip is normal, but a mostly yellow flame can mean the pilot needs cleaning or the gas mixture is off. If the flame is mostly yellow and the pilot keeps going out, call a technician to inspect the pilot tube and clean it if needed.