The basic steps to light your fireplace pilot light

Most gas fireplaces light the same way: find the control knob (usually on the front or inside the firebox), turn it to the pilot position, hold down the ignition button while you light the pilot opening with a long lighter or match, and keep the button pressed for 30 to 60 seconds after the flame catches. Once the pilot stays lit on its own, turn the knob to the on position and the main burner should ignite.

The exact location of these controls varies by model. Some fireplaces have the knob on the front face below the glass. Others hide it inside the firebox on the right or left wall. Check your manual or look for a label on the unit itself — most manufacturers print instructions directly on the control panel or nearby.

If you cannot find your manual, the model number is usually stamped on a metal plate inside the firebox or on the back of the unit. You can search that number online to read the manual from the manufacturer's website, which will show you exactly where your controls are and what position each setting means.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn the control knob to pilot, press and hold the ignition button, then light the pilot opening with a long lighter or match while holding the button down.
  • Keep the ignition button pressed for 30 to 60 seconds after the pilot flame appears so the thermocouple heats up and holds the gas valve open.
  • If the pilot goes out when ready after you release the button, the thermocouple may be dirty or failing, and you should turn off the gas and wait before trying again.
  • Your fireplace model number is stamped inside the firebox or on the back; use it to find the manufacturer's manual online if you lose the printed copy.
  • If the pilot will not light after three attempts, or if you smell gas, turn the knob to off, open windows, and contact a service technician.

Locating the control knob and ignition button

The control knob is the dial that switches between off, pilot, and on. On most units, it sits on the front of the fireplace below the glass viewing area, or inside the firebox on the side wall. Turn it slowly — it should click or stop at each position. The pilot position is usually marked with a small flame symbol or the word "pilot."

The ignition button is separate from the knob. It is a push button, usually red or black, located near the knob or on the same control panel. Pressing it creates a spark at the pilot opening. Some older fireplaces use a piezo igniter (you press the button repeatedly to create sparks), while newer ones have electronic ignition (one press triggers a spark automatically).

If you cannot locate either control, look for a metal plate or label on the unit. Manufacturers often print a diagram showing where the knob and button are. If the label is worn or missing, take a photo of your fireplace and search the model number online — the manual will show you exactly what you are looking for.

Lighting the pilot with a long lighter or match

A long lighter (the kind used for candles or grills) is safer and easier than a match because it keeps your hand farther from the flame. Hold the lighter or match near the pilot opening — a small hole or tube where the pilot flame should appear. This opening is usually at the base of the burner or on the side of the firebox.

While you hold the lighter near the pilot opening, press and hold the ignition button with your other hand. If the fireplace has electronic ignition, you may hear a clicking or see a small spark. Keep the lighter flame or match in place until the pilot catches. Once you see a small blue flame at the pilot opening, you can move the lighter away, but keep holding the ignition button down.

Hold the button for 30 to 60 seconds after the pilot lights. This allows the thermocouple (a heat-sensing device) to warm up enough to tell the gas valve to stay open. If you release the button too soon, the pilot will go out. After 60 seconds, slowly release the button and watch the pilot flame. It should stay lit on its own.

What to do if the pilot goes out right after you release the button

If the pilot flame dies within a few seconds of releasing the ignition button, the thermocouple is not getting hot enough or is not working. Turn the knob back to off and wait two minutes before trying again. Do not attempt to light it more than three times in a row — you risk filling the firebox with unburned gas.

A thermocouple can fail if it is dirty, bent, or straightforward worn out. Before you call a technician, try cleaning it. Turn the knob to off, wait for the firebox to cool, then look for the thermocouple — a thin metal rod near the pilot opening. Gently wipe it with a soft, dry cloth or very fine steel wool to remove soot or dust. Then try lighting the pilot again.

If the pilot still will not stay lit after cleaning, the thermocouple likely needs replacement. This is a job for a service technician, not a DIY fix. Contact the manufacturer or a local fireplace service company and tell them your model number and that the pilot will not hold after lighting.

Turning on the main burner after the pilot is lit

Once the pilot flame is burning steadily and you have held the ignition button for 60 seconds, slowly turn the control knob from pilot to on. The main burner should ignite within a few seconds. You should see a larger flame spread across the burner area. If the main burner does not light, turn the knob back to off, wait 30 seconds, and try again.

Some fireplaces have a separate flame height dial or remote control to adjust how high the flames burn once the main burner is on. Check your manual to see if your model has this feature. The knob itself usually just turns the fireplace on and off.

Safety steps if you smell gas or the pilot will not light

If you smell gas at any point, stop trying to light the fireplace when ready. Turn the control knob to off. Open windows and doors to let the room air out. Do not use matches, lighters, or anything that creates a spark or flame. Leave the house if the smell is strong or does not fade within a few minutes.

Gas smell usually means either the pilot area has filled with unburned gas (because you tried to light it too many times) or there is a leak in the gas line. Either way, you need a technician to inspect the unit before you use it again. Call the manufacturer's service line or a local fireplace repair company and describe what happened.

If you have tried to light the pilot three times and it still will not stay lit, stop and call a technician instead of trying again. Repeated attempts can create a safety hazard and will not fix the underlying problem.

Finding your fireplace manual if you do not have the printed copy

The model number is your key to finding the manual online. Look for a metal plate or sticker inside the firebox, usually on the right or left wall near the bottom. It may also be on the back of the unit if you can access it. The model number is typically a combination of letters and numbers, like "GF-36" or "PF-2000."

Once you have the model number, go to the manufacturer's website and search their support or downloads section. Most major fireplace makers (Majestic, Valor, Heatilator, Napoleon, and others) let you search by model number and read the manual as a PDF. If the manufacturer's site does not have it, try searching the model number in a search engine along with the word "manual" — you may find it on a retailer's site or a third-party manual database.

The manual will show you exactly where your controls are, what each position means, and how long to hold the ignition button. It will also list troubleshooting steps specific to your model and tell you when to call a technician.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I hold the ignition button 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 too soon, the pilot will go out. If you hold it longer, that is fine — just do not hold it for more than a few minutes.

What if I cannot find the pilot opening?

The pilot opening is a small hole or tube near the main burner, usually at the base or on the side of the firebox. Look for a thin metal rod (the thermocouple) nearby — the pilot opening is usually right next to it. If you still cannot find it, check your manual or take a photo of the inside of the firebox and search your model number online.

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

Yes, but a long lighter is safer because it keeps your hand farther from the flame and the firebox. If you use a match, light it first, then carefully bring it to the pilot opening while you press the ignition button. Be ready to move your hand away quickly once the pilot catches.

Why does my pilot light go out when I turn the knob to on?

This usually means the thermocouple is not hot enough or is failing. Try cleaning the thermocouple with a soft cloth, then light the pilot again and hold the button for the full 60 seconds. If it still goes out when you turn to on, the thermocouple likely needs replacement by a technician.

Is it normal for the pilot to be very small?

Yes. The pilot flame should be a small blue flame, usually about the size of a pea or smaller. It does not need to be large — it just needs to be steady and blue. If the flame is yellow or orange, the pilot opening may be dirty and should be cleaned by a technician.