The basic steps to relight your fireplace pilot

To turn on a pilot light in a fireplace, you will usually locate the control knob near the burner (often labeled "Pilot," "On," or "Off"), set it to the "Pilot" position, hold down the ignition button while holding a lit long lighter or match to the pilot opening, and keep the knob pressed for 30 to 60 seconds after the flame catches. Once the pilot stays lit on its own, turn the knob to "On" to restore heat to the main burner.

The exact location and labeling of controls varies by fireplace model, so your first step should be finding your owner's manual or the manufacturer's name on the unit itself. If you cannot locate instructions specific to your fireplace, the steps below cover the most common setup, but you may need to call a technician if your model works differently.

Key Takeaways

  • Most fireplace pilot lights are turned on by setting a control knob to "Pilot," pressing an ignition button, and holding a flame to the pilot opening until it catches.
  • You must hold the control knob down for 30 to 60 seconds after the pilot ignites so the thermocouple can heat up and keep the gas valve open.
  • If the pilot will not stay lit after you release the knob, the thermocouple may be dirty or failing, and you should call a professional.
  • Never force a knob or button, and do not attempt to relight the pilot more than three times in a row—wait 5 minutes between attempts to let gas clear.

Locating the pilot light control and ignition button

The control knob is usually mounted on the front of the fireplace unit, near the bottom or to the side of the burner box. It may be a dial you turn or a lever you push. Look for labels like "Pilot," "On," "Off," or sometimes "Ignition." Some fireplaces also have a separate red or black button labeled "Ignition" or "Spark" that you press while the knob is in the Pilot position.

If you cannot find these controls on the front of the unit, check inside the firebox itself—some pilot lights sit on a small metal tube or bracket inside the opening. You may need to look through the glass doors or remove a decorative cover to see it. Your owner's manual will show you exactly where the controls are on your specific model.

Setting the knob to Pilot and pressing the ignition button

Turn the control knob clockwise or counterclockwise until it points to "Pilot." Some knobs click into position; others turn smoothly. Once it is set to Pilot, you should hear a faint hissing sound as gas flows to the pilot burner. This is normal.

If your fireplace has a separate ignition button, press and hold it while you perform the next step. If the ignition is electronic and automatic, you may not need to do anything else—some units spark on their own when the knob is turned to Pilot. Check your manual to see whether your model has manual or automatic ignition.

Lighting the pilot with a long lighter or match

Hold a lit long lighter or long fireplace match near the pilot opening. The pilot opening is usually a small brass or metal tube with a tiny hole at the end, located near the main burner. You may need to angle the lighter or match so the flame reaches into the opening.

As soon as you see the pilot flame ignite, you can remove the lighter or match. The flame should be blue and about the size of a pea or pencil tip. If the flame is yellow or orange, the pilot may be dirty—this is something a technician should clean, as it can affect how well the fireplace heats.

Holding the knob down so the pilot stays lit

This is the most important step. After the pilot ignites, keep the control knob pressed down (or held in the Pilot position) for 30 to 60 seconds. Do not release it when ready. During this time, a small sensor called a thermocouple is heating up. The thermocouple tells the gas valve that the pilot is burning and that it is safe to keep the gas flowing.

If you release the knob too soon, the pilot will go out because the thermocouple has not warmed up enough yet. If you hold it for the full 60 seconds and the pilot stays lit after you release it, the thermocouple is working correctly. If the pilot goes out as soon as you release the knob, the thermocouple may be dirty or faulty, and you will need to call a professional to inspect or replace it.

Turning the knob to On to restore heat

Once the pilot is burning steadily and stays lit after you release the knob, turn the control knob to the "On" position. This opens the main gas valve and allows gas to flow to the larger burner. You should hear a whoosh as the main burner ignites from the pilot flame.

If the main burner does not ignite, turn the knob back to "Off," wait a few seconds, and try again. If it still does not light, turn the knob to "Off" and wait 5 minutes before attempting to relight the pilot. Trying more than three times in a row can flood the burner with gas, making it harder to ignite.

What to do if the pilot will not stay lit

If the pilot lights but goes out as soon as you release the knob, the thermocouple is likely the problem. A thermocouple is a heat-sensing device that costs between $15 and $30 to replace, but it requires opening the fireplace unit. This is a job for a professional technician, not a DIY repair.

If the pilot will not light at all, even after you hold the lighter to it for several seconds, the problem may be a clogged pilot opening, a broken ignition button, or a gas supply issue. Again, call a technician. Do not attempt to poke or clean the pilot opening yourself—you can damage the small brass tube or the thermocouple.

Safety reminders when relighting a pilot

Never force the control knob or ignition button. If it does not turn or press smoothly, stop and call a technician. Forcing it can break the internal valve, which is expensive to repair.

If you smell gas but do not see a flame after trying to light the pilot, turn the knob to "Off" when ready, leave the room, open windows, and call your gas company or a technician. Do not try again. A strong gas smell means gas is leaking, and you should not attempt to relight anything.

If you have tried to light the pilot three times and it will not stay on, wait at least 5 minutes before trying again. This allows any excess gas in the burner to clear. Attempting to ignite repeatedly without waiting can create a dangerous buildup.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Hold it for 30 to 60 seconds. The longer you hold it, the more certain you are that the thermocouple has heated up enough to keep the gas valve open. If you are unsure, 60 seconds is the safer choice. Releasing too early is the most common reason a pilot goes out when ready.

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

A healthy pilot flame is blue, steady, and about the size of a pea or the tip of a pencil. If the flame is yellow, orange, or flickering, the pilot may be dirty or the gas mixture may be off. A technician should inspect it.

Can I relight the pilot if I smell a little gas?

A faint gas smell when the knob is first turned to Pilot is normal—that is the gas flowing to the burner. But if the smell is strong or does not go away after a few seconds, do not light the pilot. Turn the knob to "Off," open windows, and call your gas company.

What if the main burner will not ignite even though the pilot is lit?

Turn the knob back to "Off," wait 5 minutes, and try again. If it still does not work after a second attempt, stop trying and call a technician. The problem may be a faulty main valve or ignition system that needs professional repair.

Is it safe to light the pilot myself, or should I call a technician?

Relighting a pilot is safe if you follow the steps in your owner's manual and do not force any controls. If the pilot will not stay lit, the thermocouple is likely faulty, and that repair should be done by a professional. Never attempt to take apart the fireplace or clean internal parts yourself.