Why Your Gas Fireplace Keeps Going Out

You turn on your gas fireplace, the pilot light goes on, and normal flames appear, but within a few minutes the pilot light goes out and the flames disappear. Has this happened to you?

If your gas fireplace keeps going out it can be frustrating. This likely means that you and your family can’t enjoy the warm ambiance that your fireplace brings to your home. If you’re not getting the most out of your gas fireplace, then it’s time to figure out what the issue is.

Keep in mind that if you haven’t run your fireplace in months – then it may take time to bleed the line of air and allow gas to flow in order for the pilot to work. If this is the case, just be patient.

However, if your gas fireplace continues to go out, then here are just some of the reasons why this may be happening:

Fireplace Thermostat Issues

There are several things that could be going on with your thermostat or thermostat remote that could be causing your gas fireplace to keep going out. Here are two ways to solve the issue:

• Turn the thermostat on the highest setting.

• Set the thermostat to manual mode, replace batteries if required.

Malfunctioning Thermocouple or Thermopile

The thermocouple and thermopile are key components of the gas fireplace.

• The thermocouple is a sensor that detects heat and keeps the pilot light on.

• The thermopile is a larger version of a thermocouple, which allows gas to flow to the main burner of the appliance.

If either of these components malfunction, they may be the reason why your gas fireplace keeps going out. This should always be troubleshooted and repaired by a certified fireplace service technician.

Clean your Gas Fireplace

It’s also important to keep the thermocouple and thermopile clean. If you notice dirt and dust build-up it could be affecting the functionality of these components.

For instance, if the thermocouple is dirty, then it may not send a signal to the pilot light, and as a result, the gas may shut off.

There are also safety mechanisms that kick in to stop the pilot flame from lighting, and the gas from filling the chamber. This may happen if temperatures are too cold or if there is too much carbon buildup.

Use fine-grit sandpaper and a microfiber cloth to clean these parts. You can also vacuum the fireplace gas log set to remove dust and debris.

Before interacting with it, always ensure that your gas fireplace is turned off and that it hasn’t been used recently to avoid injury.

Get Your Gas Fireplace Serviced

If your gas fireplace hasn’t been serviced by a professional in a while, then consider scheduling an appointment. A professional will be able to determine the cause of any issues – quickly and efficiently. It’s recommended that you have your gas-burning fireplace serviced annually to maintain its functionality.

The fireplace expert may determine that you need to replace parts of your gas fireplace including the thermocouple, thermopile, gas valve, etc. in order to get it working.

Browse our selection of fireplaces to find the right one for your home or business. For more fireplace cleaning tips from the pros, reach out to a member of the Napoleon team today.