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Fix a fireplace pilot that will not light

We'll confirm the gas supply is on, clear the pilot orifice, follow the correct lighting procedure, and tell you when to call a pro.

Troubleshooting · Home maintenance
15–45 min
What you'll need
  • Long lighter or fireplace match
  • Thin wire, needle, or pilot-orifice cleaning tool
  • Flashlight (to see the pilot assembly)
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Steps

Goal: Confirm the symptom, rule out gas supply and pilot orifice, then follow the correct lighting procedure.

  • Turn the gas control to Pilot, press and hold, and try to light the pilot with a long lighter.
  • Good: No flame or a brief flicker that goes out—pilot will not light. Proceed to Check gas and orifice.
  • Bad: The pilot lights and stays lit—different problem; turn the control to On and use the fireplace.

Check gas and orifice

Goal: Rule out gas supply and pilot orifice blockage before retrying.

  • Confirm the gas supply valve is fully open (handle parallel to the pipe). Check that other gas appliances in the home work.
  • Shut off the gas. Remove the access panel and locate the pilot orifice—the small hole where the pilot flame should appear. Spider webs and debris often block it. Use a thin wire or needle to clear the orifice—do not enlarge the hole. Reassemble and restore gas.
  • Good: Gas is on and orifice is clear. Proceed to Lighting procedure.
  • Bad: Other gas appliances have no gas—call your gas utility. Orifice was blocked—you cleared it; retry lighting.

Lighting procedure

Goal: Follow the correct steps to light the pilot. Air in the line often causes failure—hold the knob 30–60 seconds.

  • Turn the gas control to Pilot. Press and hold the control knob. Apply a long lighter or match to the pilot orifice.
  • Hold the knob for 30–60 seconds to purge air from the gas line. Release slowly. If the pilot lights, turn the control to On.
  • Good: The pilot lights and stays lit. You are done.
  • Bad: The pilot still will not light—call a pro. If the pilot lights but goes out when you release the knob, the thermocouple or gas valve has failed—call a pro.

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 call a technician for an active gas leak—that is an emergency.

Call an HVAC technician or chimney professional if:

  • The pilot still will not light after checking gas and clearing the orifice.
  • The pilot lights but goes out when you release the control knob (thermocouple or gas valve).
  • You are not comfortable working with gas appliances.

Verification

  • The pilot flame lights when you follow the lighting procedure.
  • The pilot flame is steady and blue.
  • The pilot stays lit when you release the control knob and turn the control to On.
  • The main burner ignites when you turn on the fireplace.

Escalation ladder

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

  1. Confirm symptom Verify the pilot will not light when you try; rule out a different problem.
  2. Gas supply Check the gas supply valve is fully open and other appliances work.
  3. Pilot orifice Shut off gas, clear spider webs or debris from the pilot orifice, restore gas.
  4. Lighting procedure Follow manufacturer steps—hold 30–60 seconds to purge air.
  5. Call a pro Gas smell—evacuate, call 911 or gas utility. Pilot still will not light or goes out when released—call an HVAC technician or chimney professional.

What to capture if you need help

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

  • Whether the gas supply is on
  • Whether the pilot orifice was blocked (spider webs, debris)
  • Whether the pilot lights at all
  • Whether the pilot stays lit when you release the knob
  • Steps already tried

Does the pilot not light when you try?

Turn the gas control to Pilot, press and hold, apply flame to the pilot orifice. If no flame appears, the pilot will not light.

Turn the gas control to Pilot, press and hold, and try to light the pilot with a long lighter. Good: no flame or brief flicker that goes out—pilot will not light. Bad: pilot lights and stays lit—different problem; you are done.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Pilot lights—you are done

The pilot lights and stays lit. Turn the control to On and use the fireplace normally.

Done

Is the gas supply on?

The gas supply valve must be fully open. Check that other gas appliances work.

Confirm the gas supply valve is fully open (handle parallel to the pipe). Check that the stove, furnace, or other gas appliances work. Good: gas on. Bad: gas off or other appliances have no gas—open the valve or call a pro for supply issues.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Open gas valve and retry

Turn the gas supply valve fully open (parallel to the pipe). Wait one minute. Retry lighting the pilot. If it lights, you are done. If other gas appliances have no gas, call your gas utility.

Done

Is the pilot orifice blocked?

Spider webs and debris often block the pilot orifice. Shut off gas before cleaning.

Shut off the gas. Remove the access panel. Locate the pilot orifice—the small hole where the pilot flame should appear. Inspect for spider webs or debris. Use a thin wire to clear it—do not enlarge the hole. Restore gas and retry. Good: orifice was blocked—cleared it. Bad: orifice was clear—proceed to lighting procedure.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Clear orifice and retry

Clear the pilot orifice with a thin wire or needle. Do not enlarge it. Reassemble, restore gas, and retry lighting. Hold the control knob for 30–60 seconds. If the pilot lights, you are done. If not, check the lighting procedure or call a pro.

Done

Are you holding the knob long enough?

Air in the line requires holding 30–60 seconds to purge. Many failures occur from releasing too soon.

Turn to Pilot, press and hold, apply flame to the pilot. Hold for a full 60 seconds before releasing. Good: pilot lights after long hold—air was in the line. Bad: still will not light—call a pro. If the pilot lights but goes out when you release, the thermocouple or gas valve may have failed—call a pro.

Yes (60 sec) No or still fails

You can change your answer later.

Retry with 60-second hold

Retry lighting. Press and hold the control knob. Apply flame to the pilot. Hold for a full 60 seconds, then release slowly. If the pilot lights and stays lit, you are done. If it lights but goes out when you release, the thermocouple or gas valve has failed—call a pro.

Done

Call a pro

If you smell gas, evacuate immediately. Call 911 or your gas utility from outside. Call an HVAC technician or chimney professional if: the pilot still will not light after checking gas and clearing the orifice; the pilot lights but goes out when you release the knob; or you are not comfortable working with gas.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would a fireplace pilot not light?
Common causes: gas supply off, spider webs or debris blocking the pilot orifice, air in the gas line (hold the control knob longer to purge), or a faulty gas valve. Spider webs are especially common if the pilot was off during off-season months.
Can I fix a fireplace pilot that will not light myself?
Yes. Check the gas supply, clear the pilot orifice with a thin wire (do not enlarge it), and follow the manufacturer lighting procedure. If the pilot still will not light after that, or if it lights but goes out when you release the knob, call an HVAC technician or chimney professional.
When should I call a pro for a fireplace pilot that will not light?
If you smell gas, evacuate and call 911 or your gas utility from outside. Call an HVAC technician or chimney professional if the pilot still will not light after checking gas and clearing the orifice, if the pilot lights but goes out when you release the knob (thermocouple or gas valve), or if you are not comfortable working with gas.

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