Starting Your Gas Fireplace When the Pilot Is Already Lit
If your pilot light is burning steadily, turning on the fireplace itself takes just a few steps. Most gas fireplaces with pilot lights use a manual control valve or a wall switch—sometimes both. The pilot light is the small flame that stays on all the time; the main burner is what you're igniting now.
Start by locating your control valve. This is usually a knob on the front of the fireplace unit itself, or sometimes on the wall nearby. The knob will have three positions: Off, Pilot, and On (or sometimes Ignite). Turn the knob from Off to On. You should hear a clicking sound as the igniter sparks, and within a few seconds the main burner should light from the pilot flame.
If your fireplace has a wall switch instead of a valve knob, flip the switch to the On position. The igniter will spark and light the main burner the same way. Some fireplaces have both—the valve controls the gas flow and the switch controls the igniter spark.
Key Takeaways
- Turn the control valve from Off to On, or flip the wall switch to On; the igniter will spark automatically and light the main burner from the pilot flame.
- Wait 10 to 15 seconds after turning the knob or switch before assuming the burner did not light; the spark and flame take a moment to catch.
- If the burner does not light after 30 seconds, turn the valve back to Off, wait a minute, and try again—repeated clicking can flood the burner with gas.
- Never leave the valve in the Pilot position when you want the main burner on; Pilot keeps only the small flame burning.
- If the pilot light is out, you will need to relight it before the main burner can ignite.
What Happens When You Turn the Valve to On
When you move the control valve to On, two things happen at once. Gas flows to the main burner, and the igniter (a small spark generator) begins clicking rapidly. The pilot flame, which has been burning steadily, ignites the gas flowing from the main burner. This usually takes 5 to 15 seconds.
You will see the main burner flame grow larger than the pilot light. The burner should stay lit as long as the valve is in the On position. If you have a wall switch, it controls only the igniter spark, not the gas flow—the valve still needs to be set to On for gas to reach the burner.
Troubleshooting When the Burner Won't Light
If you turn the valve to On and hear clicking but see no flame after 30 seconds, turn the valve back to Off when ready. Repeated clicking can send too much gas into the firebox. Wait at least one minute, then try again. This reset usually solves the problem.
If the burner still does not light, check that the pilot light is actually burning. Look through the viewing window or opening of your fireplace. You should see a small blue flame about the size of your thumb. If the pilot is out, you will need to relight it first—the main burner cannot ignite without it.
Another common issue is a dirty or blocked pilot opening. Dust or debris can prevent the pilot flame from reaching the main burner gas. If you see the pilot light but the main burner will not catch, the burner opening may need cleaning. This usually requires a professional, as it involves accessing the burner assembly.
Turning Off the Fireplace Safely
To turn off the main burner, straightforward turn the control valve back to Off or flip the wall switch to Off. The main flame will go out when ready. The pilot light will remain on if the valve is in the Pilot position, or it will go out if you turn the valve all the way to Off.
Most people leave the valve in the Pilot position when the fireplace is not in use. This keeps the pilot light burning so you can turn on the main burner quickly next time. If you want to shut everything down completely—for example, during summer months—turn the valve all the way to Off.
Understanding Your Control Valve Positions
The three positions on a fireplace control valve each do a different job. Off shuts down all gas flow; both the pilot and main burner go out. Pilot allows only the pilot light to burn; the main burner stays off. On (or Ignite) opens gas to the main burner and triggers the igniter spark.
Some valves have a fourth position called Reset or Relight. This is used only when relighting the pilot light itself, not for turning on the main burner. If your valve has this position, you will not need it for normal operation.
When to Call a Professional
If the pilot light is out and you cannot relight it after following the pilot-lighting steps, a technician should inspect the unit. A dead pilot can mean a faulty thermocouple (a safety device that detects the pilot flame), a gas supply problem, or a blocked pilot opening.
If the main burner lights but the flame is yellow or orange instead of blue, or if you smell gas when the fireplace is on, turn everything off and contact a professional. These are signs of incomplete combustion or a gas leak, both of which are safety issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my fireplace take so long to light?
The igniter needs a moment to spark and the pilot flame needs time to reach the main burner gas. If it takes longer than 30 seconds, turn off the valve and wait a minute before trying again. Repeated clicking without ignition usually means the burner is flooded with gas.
Can I turn on the fireplace if the pilot light is out?
No. The pilot light ignites the main burner gas, so the main burner cannot light without it. You will need to relight the pilot first. If the pilot will not stay lit, the thermocouple or gas supply may need repair.
Is it safe to leave the pilot light on all the time?
Yes. Pilot lights are designed to burn continuously. Leaving it on uses a small amount of gas but lets you start the main burner quickly. You can turn it off during months you do not use the fireplace to save gas.
What if the wall switch does not work?
The wall switch controls only the igniter spark. If it does not click, the igniter may be broken. Try using the control valve knob instead—if that works, the valve igniter is fine and the wall switch needs repair.
Should the pilot flame touch the main burner?
The pilot flame should be close enough to ignite the main burner gas, but it does not need to touch it directly. If the pilot is too far away, the main burner will not light. A technician can adjust the pilot position if needed.