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Fix a fire pit that will not light

We'll rule out gas smell first, then help you fix a gas fire pit (propane, valve, regulator, igniter, orifice) or a wood fire pit (kindling, airflow, dry wood)—or tell you when to call a pro.

Troubleshooting · Home appliances
10–30 min
What you'll need
  • Lighter or matches (for wood fire pits)
  • Needle or compressed air (for orifice cleaning, optional)
  • Replacement igniter battery (if gas, optional)
Step 1 of 12

Quick triage — pick your path

Quick triage — pick your path

Choose the option that matches what you see. You can jump straight to that section.

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Steps

Goal: Rule out gas smell, then fix a gas or wood fire pit that will not light.

  • Step back and sniff. If you smell gas, evacuate and call 911 or your gas utility from outside. Do not troubleshoot.
  • Determine if the fire pit is gas or wood. Gas: propane tank or gas line, burner ports, igniter. Wood: open bowl, no gas fittings.
  • Good: You know the type. Proceed to Gas path or Wood path.
  • Bad: Unsure—check the owner’s manual.

Gas smell check

Goal: Confirm there is no gas leak before troubleshooting.

  • Step back from the fire pit and sniff. Gas has a rotten egg odor.
  • Good: No gas smell. Proceed to Determine fire pit type.
  • Bad: You smell gas. Evacuate everyone. Do not turn anything on or off. Call 911 or your gas utility from outside.

Gas path

Goal: Fix a gas fire pit by checking propane, valve, regulator, igniter, and orifice.

  • Check propane level—gauge or tank weight. A 20-lb tank when empty weighs roughly 18 lb. Replace or refill if empty.
  • Check that the gas valve is fully open (turn counterclockwise until it stops). Wait a minute for gas to reach the burner.
  • If the fire pit has not been used in a while, reset the regulator: turn off gas, disconnect hose from tank, wait 30 seconds, reconnect, open valve slowly.
  • Press the igniter button. If no click, replace the igniter battery. If click but no spark, clean the electrode with a soft brush and check that it is close to the burner port.
  • If the igniter glows but no flame appears, the gas valve has failed—call a pro. Do not work on gas valves yourself.
  • Check the orifice for clogs. Turn off gas, disconnect supply, use a needle or compressed air to clear—do not enlarge. Reconnect and test.
  • Good: Flame lights. The fire pit works.
  • Bad: Igniter glows but no flame—gas valve. Call a pro. All checks done and still no light—call a pro.

Wood path

Goal: Fix a wood fire pit by ensuring dry kindling, airflow, and dry wood.

  • Use dry kindling and small sticks at the base. Arrange logs with gaps so air can flow—avoid stacking tightly.
  • Avoid damp or green wood. If wood is wet, replace with dry wood or let it dry.
  • Light the kindling first. When it catches, add larger pieces.
  • Good: Flames from kindling within a minute. Fire builds.
  • Bad: Still no flame—check that wood is dry and airflow is not blocked. Try different kindling or wood.

When to get help

If you smell gas, evacuate immediately. Do not turn on lights or appliances. Call 911 or your gas utility from outside. Do not troubleshoot an active gas leak.

Call a pro if:

  • The igniter glows but no flame appears (gas valve issue).
  • You have checked propane, valve, regulator, igniter, and orifice and it still will not light.
  • You are not comfortable working with gas.

Never work on gas valves or gas lines yourself.

Verification

  • Gas fire pit: Flame lights when you press the igniter or use a match at the burner. No gas smell.
  • Wood fire pit: Kindling catches and flames spread to larger wood. Smoke draws upward.
  • No gas odor. No hissing from connections.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Gas smell check If you smell gas, evacuate and call 911 or gas utility from outside.
  2. Gas vs wood Determine fire pit type; gas and wood have different fixes.
  3. Gas — propane, valve, regulator Check propane level, gas valve open, regulator not locked.
  4. Gas — igniter and orifice Replace igniter battery, clean electrode, clear orifice if clogged.
  5. Wood — kindling and airflow Use dry kindling, arrange for airflow, avoid damp wood.
  6. Call a pro Gas smell—evacuate, call 911. Igniter glows but no flame—gas valve; call a pro.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Fire pit type (gas or wood)
  • Propane level (if gas)
  • Whether igniter clicks and sparks (if gas)
  • Whether orifice is clear (if gas)
  • Steps already tried

Do you smell gas?

Before any troubleshooting, step back and sniff. Gas has a rotten egg odor. If you smell it, evacuate and call 911 or your gas utility from outside.

Step back and sniff. Good: No gas smell—proceed to determine fire pit type. Bad: You smell gas—evacuate immediately. Do not turn anything on or off. Call 911 or your gas utility from outside. Do not troubleshoot.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Evacuate and call 911

Evacuate everyone from the area. Do not turn on lights or appliances. Call 911 or your gas utility from outside. Do not return until the leak is resolved.

Done

Is the fire pit gas or wood?

Gas models have propane tank or natural gas line, burner ports, and control knob or igniter. Wood models have an open bowl with no gas fittings.

Look at the fire pit. Gas: propane tank or gas line, burner ports, igniter. Wood: open bowl, no gas fittings. Good: you know the type. Bad: unsure—check the owner's manual.

Gas Wood

You can change your answer later.

Is propane level sufficient and gas valve open?

Check the tank gauge or weigh the tank. Confirm the gas valve is fully open (counterclockwise).

Check propane level—gauge or tank weight. Open the gas valve fully (counterclockwise). If empty, replace or refill. Good: tank has fuel and valve is open. Bad: empty tank or valve closed—fix and retest.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Refill or replace propane, open valve, retest

Refill or replace the propane tank. Open the gas valve fully. Wait a minute for gas to reach the burner. Try to light. If it lights, you are done. If not, proceed to check the regulator and igniter.

Done

Does the regulator need resetting?

Regulators can lock after long periods of non-use. Disconnect, wait, reconnect, open valve slowly.

Turn off gas, disconnect hose from tank, wait 30 seconds, reconnect, open valve slowly. Good: flame is steady. Bad: weak or sputtering flame—regulator may be faulty; replace or call a pro.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Does the igniter click and spark?

Press the igniter button. Listen for click, look for spark at burner. Dead battery or dirty electrode can prevent spark.

Press the igniter button. Click and spark: igniter works—check orifice for clog. No click: replace igniter battery. Click but no spark: clean electrode with soft brush, check that it is close to burner port. Igniter glows but no flame: gas valve failed—call a pro. Do not work on gas valves yourself.

Yes (sparks) No

You can change your answer later.

Replace battery or clean electrode, retest

Replace the igniter battery if no click. If click but no spark, clean the electrode and align it near the burner port. Retest. If the igniter glows but no flame appears, the gas valve has failed—call a pro.

Done

Is the orifice clogged?

Spiders and debris can block the orifice. Turn off gas, disconnect, clear with needle or compressed air.

Turn off gas, disconnect supply. Use a needle or compressed air to clear the orifice—do not enlarge it. Reconnect and test. Good: flame lights. Bad: still no light—call a pro.
Question

Is the orifice clear?

Done

Is kindling dry and airflow adequate?

Wood fire pits need dry kindling, gaps for airflow, and dry wood. Damp wood will not light.

Use dry kindling and small sticks at the base. Arrange logs with gaps for airflow. Avoid damp or green wood. Light kindling first. Good: flames catch within a minute. Bad: still no flame—check that wood is dry and airflow is not blocked.
Question

Does the fire light?

Continue

You can change your answer later.

Try dry wood and airflow, or call a pro

Replace damp wood with dry wood. Check that kindling is at the base and logs have gaps. If it still will not light after multiple attempts, the design may need professional inspection.

Done

Call a pro

If you smell gas, evacuate and call 911 or your gas utility from outside. Call a pro if: the igniter glows but no flame (gas valve); you have checked propane, valve, regulator, igniter, and orifice and it still will not light; or you are not comfortable working with gas. Never work on gas valves or gas lines yourself.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would a gas fire pit not light?
Common causes: empty or low propane tank, gas valve closed, faulty regulator, failed igniter, or clogged orifice. Check propane level and valve first, then the igniter. If the igniter glows but no flame appears, the gas valve has failed—call a pro.
Why would a wood fire pit not light?
Damp wood, poor airflow, or insufficient kindling. Use dry kindling and small sticks at the base, arrange logs with gaps for airflow, and avoid green or wet wood. A chimney effect helps—stack so air can draw up through the fire.
When should I call a pro for a fire pit that will not light?
If you smell gas, evacuate and call 911 or your gas utility from outside. Call a pro if the igniter glows but no flame appears (gas valve), if you have checked propane, valve, regulator, and igniter and it still will not light, or if you are not comfortable working with gas.

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