Know your ignition type
Gas fire pits light in one of a few ways, and the troubleshooting depends on which:
- Match lit: a key valve or knob and a burner you light with a long lighter. No electronics.
- Spark ignition: a push-button or battery igniter that sparks at the burner. Often paired with a thermocouple safety valve that requires holding the knob in for a while.
- Electronic ignition: a control module, often with a switch, remote or app, and a flame sensor. Needs power or batteries.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely causes |
|---|---|
| No gas sound at all | Tank empty or valve closed, supply shutoff off, tripped regulator, kinked line |
| Gas flows, no spark | Dead battery, broken igniter wire, electrode wet or out of position, failed module |
| Spark, but gas won't catch | Too little gas reaching the spark, wet media, electrode too far from gas, wind |
| Lights, goes out when you release the knob | Thermocouple not heated enough, dirty or failing thermocouple |
| Lights, goes out after a few minutes | Thermocouple, wind, low gas supply, tank freezing on propane |
| Weak or partial flame | Spider webs or debris in burner, low tank, undersized supply, clogged ports |
| Lights only on one side | Clogged burner ports, uneven media covering the burner |
Step-by-step checks
- 1
Confirm gas supply
For propane, check the tank level and that the valve is open. For natural gas, make sure the supply shutoff is fully open (handle in line with the pipe). If other gas appliances work, the house supply is fine.
- 2
Reset a propane regulator
Turn the fire pit off, close the tank, disconnect the regulator for a minute, reconnect, then open the tank slowly. This clears the flow-limiting device that can trip if the tank is opened too fast.
- 3
Check batteries and spark
Replace the igniter or module battery. In a dark spot, press the igniter and look for a spark at the electrode. No spark points to the battery, wire or electrode.
- 4
Dry and clear the media
After rain or sprinklers, glass, lava rock and stones hold water. Let them dry, or remove some media from around the igniter and pilot so the gas and spark can meet.
- 5
Look for blockages
With the gas off and the pit cool, remove media around the burner. Look for spider webs, leaves, ash and insect nests, especially at the pilot and around the thermocouple.
- 6
Hold the knob longer
Thermocouple systems need the knob held in for a while after lighting (often 30 seconds to a minute) so the sensor heats up. Follow the manual.
Thermocouples and flame sensors
Most fire pits with spark ignition have a thermocouple: a small metal rod that sits in the flame. When hot, it generates a tiny current that holds the gas valve open. If it's dirty, bent out of the flame, loose at the valve connection or simply worn out, the valve shuts the gas off and the fire goes out. Electronic systems use a flame sensor that does the same job.
Thermocouples and flame sensors wear out over time and get coated in soot and corrosion. Replacing them is a common, straightforward repair, but it involves the gas valve and should be done by someone who knows how to leak test afterward. See thermocouple and safety valve repair.
Wind, ash and LA weather
Fire pits are open to the weather, and wind is a common cause of a pilot or flame that won't stay lit, especially on hillside decks and during Santa Ana wind events. A glass wind guard helps with everyday breezes, but in red flag conditions it's wise not to run an outdoor fire feature at all. After a wind event, ash and debris often end up in the burner pan; our Santa Ana winds and ash guide covers cleanup.
Call a technician if
- You smell gas at any point
- The pit lights with a loud whoosh or delayed ignition
- The thermocouple or sensor needs replacing
- No gas flows and the supply checks out
- The control module, wiring or valve looks damaged
- You see chewed wires or rodent nests
- The burner or pan is corroded through
Common questions
Why does my fire pit only light after a few tries?
Often the igniter electrode is slightly out of position, partly covered by media, or wet. A clean, dry electrode with the right gap usually lights on the first try.
Can I use more media to make the fire look bigger?
Use the amount the manufacturer recommends. Too much media over the burner can smother the flame and cause poor combustion.
Do you service fire pit tables and built-in fire pits?
Yes, both. See our fire pit service page.
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Burners that go out when you release the knob: thermocouples and flame safety valves tested and replaced.
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Battery and 120-volt spark modules tested and replaced when the igniter goes silent, weak, or won't stop clicking.
RepairSpider & Insect Blockages
Spider webs and insect nests in burner venturis cleared before they cause weak flame or a flashback fire.
RepairNatural Gas & Propane Problems
Supply-side problems on propane and natural gas grills: wrong orifices, undersized lines, regulators and bad conversions.
Still won't light?
Send a short video of what happens when you try to light it, and we'll tell you what we think is wrong and set up a visit.