If your gas fireplace won’t turn on, try these steps to get your home warm again.
Why won’t my gas fireplace turn on? What could be causing this and can I fix it?
Gas fireplaces are popular alternatives to their wood burning relatives due to their quick heat and realistic flames. However when it’s a cold evening and your gas fireplace just won’t turn on it can be frustrating.
Luckily there are a number of relatively common issues that are easy fixes you can do from home. If you’re still unable to get your fire started you may need to call in a technician. Let’s see if we can’t figure out why your gas fireplace won’t turn on by looking at a few possibilities.
Is an overloaded circuit keeping your gas fireplace issue?
If your gas fireplace shares a wiring circuit with other items in your home there is a chance the circuit was overloaded and your breaker has been tripped. So the first thing you should do is check the fusebox to make sure this isn’t your problem. If this is your problem but your breaker keeps tripping, you may need to contact an electrician.
Are the gas and pilot lights on?
How many times have you tried to turn something on only to find it isn’t plugged in? Well similarly it’s important to check that the gas and pilot lights are both turned on in your gas fireplace as these are some of the most common reasons gas fireplaces won’t turn on.
There are a variety of types of pilot lighting systems so consult your manual to find out the correct way to turn yours on. Generally though there will be a pilot knob that can be turned to the on position. Similarly there are a number of places the gas valve that controls your fireplace might be. Ensure that both are turned on and give your fireplace another try.
We’ve got a few videos below which may help you get your pilot light lit.
Pilot light comes on but won’t stay lit? You may have a problem with your thermocouple.
A small but important part of your gas fireplace is the thermocouple. If the pilot light refuses to stay lit this may either need to be tightened or replaced.
First make sure it’s screwed in tight at both ends. Dirt and soot buildup may also be causing issues so make sure to give it a good cleaning. If these steps don’t help the pilot light to stay lit you may need to replace your thermocouple.
This may be the time you want to call in a professional to diagnose the issue.
Has the pilot light been off for an extended period? If so the tubing may need air purged.
In a situation where the gas is turned on but the pilot hasn’t been lit for an extended period it may be necessary to purge stale air from the tubing.
To do so press and hold the valve control knob, while doing this continuously press the ignitor button. Continue doing this until the pilot light ignites. It may take 5 to 10 minutes to purge the air completely.
Once the pilot is lit continue holding the control knob down for roughly 30 seconds. This is when you’ll turn the gas valve to the on position.
Check that the spark ignitor isn’t causing the problem.
Another common source of a fireplace not coming on is a part called the spark ignitor. Check this if your pilot light doesn’t ignite or if it goes out immediately. Debris can gather in the space between the lighter and the thermocouple causing the ignitor to fail to spark properly.
Try using compressed air to blow out the debris and see if that doesn’t make a difference. Make sure to give it a few minutes after blowing the debris out before trying to light the pilot again.
None of the above solved your issue? It’s probably time to call a licensed repair technician.
The above are some of the more common issues that stop gas fireplaces from turning on. But a trained professional will have a range of diagnostic techniques and knowledge at their disposal. It’s very important not to try to do work yourself that a licensed technician should be doing. If you’re unsure of how to proceed, it’s time to call in a technician.
If you have found your issue and you need replacement parts, then Friendly Fires has the largest selection of replacement parts you’re likely to find anywhere. View all of our Gas Fireplace Replacement Parts, if you don’t see what you’re looking for please use our Find My Part page.
