The basic steps to relight your pilot

To start a pilot light on a gas fireplace, you turn the control knob to the "Pilot" position, press and hold it down, and use a long lighter or match to ignite the gas coming from the pilot opening while you hold the knob. Once the flame catches, you keep holding the knob for 30 to 60 seconds so the thermocouple—a heat-sensing device—warms up and tells the gas valve to stay open. Then you release the knob and turn it to "On" or "Heat" to restore normal operation.

The whole process usually takes less than two minutes. If the pilot won't stay lit after you release the knob, the thermocouple may need cleaning or replacement, which is a job for a service technician. If you smell gas at any point, stop when ready, leave the area, and call your gas company's emergency line.

Key Takeaways

  • The control knob must be set to "Pilot" before you attempt to light it; turning it directly to "On" bypasses the pilot and floods the firebox with gas.
  • You need a long lighter, long match, or fireplace lighter wand because the pilot opening is often recessed and difficult to reach with a standard match.
  • Holding the knob down for 30 to 60 seconds after ignition allows the thermocouple to heat and signal the valve to remain open on its own.
  • If the pilot lights but goes out the moment you release the knob, the thermocouple is likely faulty and requires professional replacement.
  • A strong gas smell during the process means gas is leaking; turn off the fireplace, open windows, and call your gas provider when ready.

Locating the control knob and pilot opening

The control knob is usually mounted on the front of the fireplace, either on the face of the unit or on a panel below the opening. It has three or four positions marked: "Off," "Pilot," "On," and sometimes "High" or "Low." The pilot opening itself is a small brass or metal tube inside the firebox, typically located near the bottom front corner or along the base of the logs. You may need to crouch down or use a flashlight to see it clearly.

Before you touch anything, make sure the fireplace has been off for at least five minutes. This allows any residual gas to clear from the chamber. If you smell gas strongly before you begin, do not attempt to light the pilot—open a window, leave the area, and call your gas company.

What lighter or match to use

A standard kitchen match will not reach the pilot opening in most fireplaces. Instead, use a long fireplace lighter (a wand-style lighter with an extended nozzle, sold at hardware stores for $5 to $15), a long-handled grill lighter, or a long wooden match from a fireplace match box. The extended reach lets you ignite the pilot without leaning into the firebox or risking your hand near the opening.

Avoid short lighters or matches; they force you to reach too far into the unit and increase the risk of burns. If you do not have a long lighter on hand, buy one before you attempt to relight the pilot—it is a one-time purchase that makes the job much safer.

The step-by-step lighting process

First, turn the control knob all the way to "Pilot." You should hear a faint hissing sound as gas begins to flow to the pilot opening. Do not skip this step or turn the knob to "On"—doing so sends gas directly into the main burner chamber instead of the pilot, which is dangerous and will not light the pilot.

Next, press and hold the knob down firmly. This action opens the gas valve and keeps it open while you ignite the pilot. While holding the knob, bring your long lighter or match to the pilot opening and light the gas. The pilot flame should appear when ready—it is usually a small blue flame about the size of a pea or pencil tip. If nothing happens after a few seconds, release the knob, wait 30 seconds, and try again.

Once the pilot is lit, keep holding the knob down for 30 to 60 seconds. During this time, the thermocouple heats up and sends a signal to the gas valve that says "the pilot is burning, keep the gas flowing." If you release the knob too early, the pilot will go out because the thermocouple has not warmed enough yet. After 30 to 60 seconds, slowly release the knob. The pilot should stay lit.

Finally, turn the knob to "On," "Heat," or "Ignite"—the exact label depends on your fireplace model. The main burner should ignite from the pilot flame. If it does not, turn the knob back to "Off," wait a minute, and repeat the process. If the main burner still will not light, the ignition system may need service.

Why the pilot goes out and won't stay lit

The most common reason a pilot will not stay lit is a faulty or dirty thermocouple. This small metal rod sits in the pilot flame and generates a tiny electrical signal when heated. If the thermocouple is covered in soot or has failed, it cannot send that signal, and the gas valve closes when ready when you release the knob. Cleaning the thermocouple sometimes works, but replacement is often necessary—this is a job for a licensed technician.

A second reason is a blocked or weak pilot opening. Dust, debris, or soot can clog the small hole where gas flows to the pilot. If you suspect this, turn off the fireplace and call a technician; trying to clear the opening yourself can damage the component or create a safety hazard.

A third reason is low gas pressure in your line, which is rare but possible if other appliances are running or if there is a problem with your gas supply. If the pilot lights but is very small or yellow instead of blue, or if multiple gas appliances in your home are running weakly, contact your gas provider.

Safety warnings and when to call a professional

Never force the control knob or turn it past the marked positions. If the knob is stuck or broken, stop and call a technician—forcing it can damage the valve or create a gas leak.

If you smell gas during or after lighting the pilot, turn the knob to "Off" when ready, do not use any electrical switches or create sparks, open windows to ventilate, and call your gas company's emergency number. Do not re-enter the area until a technician has checked the fireplace.

If the pilot lights on the first try and stays lit, you are done. If it takes more than three attempts, if it lights but goes out when you release the knob, or if the main burner will not ignite from the pilot, call a licensed HVAC or gas fireplace technician. Repeated failed attempts can waste gas and may indicate a component that needs professional repair or replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Hold it for 30 to 60 seconds. This gives the thermocouple time to heat up and signal the gas valve to stay open. If you release it sooner, the pilot will go out. If you hold it longer, that is fine—there is no harm in waiting a full minute.

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

A healthy pilot flame is small, steady, and blue. It should be about the size of a pea or pencil tip. If the flame is yellow, orange, or very small, the pilot opening may be dirty or gas pressure may be low. A blue flame means the gas is burning cleanly.

Can I light the pilot with a regular match instead of a long lighter?

You can try, but it is risky. Most fireplace pilot openings are recessed deep enough that a standard match will burn your fingers before it reaches the opening. A long fireplace lighter or long wooden match is much safer and costs very little.

What if the pilot lights but goes out the moment I release the knob?

This almost always means the thermocouple is faulty or dirty. Try holding the knob down for a full 60 seconds instead of 30, in case the thermocouple is just slow to heat. If it still goes out, the thermocouple needs cleaning or replacement by a technician.

Is it normal for the fireplace to smell like gas when I light the pilot?

A faint gas smell for a few seconds is normal as the gas flows and ignites. If the smell is strong, lingers for more than a minute, or comes from outside the fireplace, turn it off, open windows, and call your gas company. Do not attempt to light it again until a technician has inspected it.