Why Won't My gas Fireplace Turn On

If you struggle with turning on your fireplace and keeping the fire lit, you aren't alone. Still, tracking down the problem isn't difficult - if you know what to look for.

In this article, we cover tips and strategies to help you get your gas stove or fireplace back up and running – and keep it that way. These strategies work for all styles of gas stoves, including those by Jøtul, Mendota, Fireplace Xtrordinair, Vermont Castings, and Kozy Heat. Note that brands may have recommended solutions, but this article works as a practical guide for the most common issues.

Check That Your Gas and Pilot Light are On

This recommendation may seem like it goes without saying, but you will kick yourself if you don't check. One common issue is that the gas and pilot are off on purpose. You may have turned off the gas during warmer times of the year to save money. If that is the case, turn on the gas and light the pilot.

The pilot light is easy to spot. It is a knob that typically has the words PILOT LIGHT indicated on it and arrows indicating the direction to move the knob on and off. Note that your system may also require a key.

If the gas and pilot work and you still have trouble turning on or keeping the fireplace lit, move on to review other possible issues listed below.

An Overloaded Circuit

If your gas and pilot light work properly, you may have an electrical issue interfering with the circuit board. Your fireplace may share a circuit with other appliances. If too many appliances run at once, the circuit breaker may switch off. To resolve it, turn off a few of them and switch back on the breaker.

Check Your Thermocouple

If your pilot light still won't light or stay lit, your thermocouple may be the issue. A thermocouple is an electrical component made up of two wires, each wire composed of different elements. The two wires connect together at two sections:

• The front section sits near the fire so that each of the two wires reacts to the heat
• The back section connects to a (shared bar) that aids with analyzing the energy differences between the two wires.

The heat difference between the two wires is calculated in volts. This calculation is conveyed to your control board to determine how much heat it should apply or restrict to hit the temperature you need.

If the thermocouple isn't working properly, the communication to your circuit board will not work correctly, leading to pulsating gas or the entire system turning off.

Inspect your thermocouple to ensure:

• The wires are connected correctly
• The entire device is screwed in tight
• The device is clean (void of dust and dirt).
• The ceramic cap on the wires remains on, clean, and undamaged.

If you see any damage, you should replace the thermocouple.

For more information on cleaning and replacing a thermocouple and learning more about how a thermocouple works, click here.

Purge the Tubing

Remember when blowing on devices would help them start again? the same is true of gas lines, but how how you do it is a bit different. As times goes by, stale air builds inside the gas lines between the gas valve and the pilot, minimizing gas flow to your pilot. To fix the problem:

• Press and hold the gas valve control knob and then press the igniter button over and over again until you see the pilot switch on.
• Wait 10 minutes
• When your pilot is lit, press the gas valve again for 30 seconds.
• If the pilot stays lit, turn the gas valve to "on".

Check Your Spark Igniter

Like the name suggests, your spark igniter lights your fire with an electronic spark. If it isn't working, you may have dirt and debris between the thermocouple and the lighter. If so, clean it out by blowing on it or using an air blower. Once done, wait a couple of minutes and then activate the igniter again.

Your Gas Fireplace:

Knowing where to look for issues with your gas fireplace will help you get it back up and running quickly. At the same time, doing regular cleaning and maintenance goes a long way toward preventing issues from coming in the first place.

For a closer look at how to clean and maintain your gas stove or fireplace, click here.