On propane, the most common cause is a tripped excess flow device from opening the tank too fast: close everything, reopen the tank slowly, then try again. After that, check the igniter battery, look for water or media covering the burner or pilot, and on safety pilot systems hold the knob in long enough for the thermocouple to heat.
Key points
- Open the propane tank valve slowly, or the excess flow device will choke the gas flow.
- Push-button igniters often run on a single AA battery. Replace it first.
- Water in the burner pan and media over the igniter stop many pits from lighting.
- Safety pilot systems need the knob held in 30 seconds or more.
- If it does not light in a few seconds, turn the gas off and wait five minutes before trying again.
Know your ignition type
Gas fire pits light in one of four ways. The checks depend on which one you have.
- Match lit: a manual key valve and a burner with no igniter. You light a long lighter or match at the burner, then slowly open the gas.
- Spark ignition: a push button that sparks an electrode at the burner. Many use a battery spark generator.
- Safety pilot or flame sensing: you push in and hold a knob, light the pilot, and a thermocouple keeps the valve open once it is hot.
- Electronic ignition: a switch, remote or app starts an automatic sequence. These need 120V or low-voltage power and use a control module with a flame sensor.
This guide covers gas fire pits. Wood-burning pits are a different topic.
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Safety first
Never lean over the burner when lighting. On match-lit pits, have the flame at the burner before you open the gas. If the pit does not light within a few seconds, turn the gas off and wait at least five minutes for gas to clear before trying again. If you smell gas strongly, shut off the supply if you can, keep flames away, and call your gas utility or 911 from a safe distance.
Common causes, in the order techs see them
1. Tripped excess flow device
Propane tank fittings have a safety device that cuts flow to a trickle if gas rushes out too fast, as if a hose broke. Opening the tank valve quickly, or opening the tank with the fire pit valve already on, can trip it. The pit may not light at all or may light with a tiny flame. See our guide on fire pits with a low flame for the reset.
2. Empty tank or closed valve
It sounds obvious, but a nearly empty tank, a partly open key valve, or a natural gas shutoff someone closed during landscaping work is a frequent call.
3. Dead igniter battery
Most push-button spark generators take a single AA or AAA battery. When it dies, you hear a weak click or nothing at all.
4. Electrode wet, dirty or out of position
The spark has to jump from the electrode to a spot where gas is flowing. If the electrode is buried under media, coated in soot, or bent away, it sparks with no ignition.
5. Water in the burner pan
Rain and sprinklers fill the burner pan if drain holes are blocked or there is no cover. Water over the burner or pilot stops ignition. Wet lava rock and some media can also crack or pop when heated, so let it dry.
6. Media covering the pilot or burner ports
Glass and lava rock piled too deep, or shifted over the pilot, keep gas and spark from meeting. Most pilots should stay uncovered.
7. Not holding the knob long enough
On safety pilot systems, the thermocouple needs 30 seconds or more of flame before it will hold the valve open. Let go too soon and it goes out.
8. Spiders and debris
Spiders love the air mixer and pilot tubes. A web in the wrong spot keeps the pilot from lighting or the burner from carrying flame.
9. Air in a new or long line
After installation, a tank change, or a long season off, air in the line can take a minute or more to purge. Long gas runs to an island or patio take longer.
Step-by-step checks you can do
- Turn off the fire pit valve and the tank valve. Disconnect and reconnect the tank, then open the tank valve slowly, a quarter turn at a time.
- Check the tank level by weight or gauge, and make sure any key valve is fully open.
- Replace the igniter battery with a fresh one. The battery compartment is usually behind the button or under the control panel.
- With the gas off and the pit cool, pull media back from the igniter and pilot area. Look for water in the pan and clear the drain holes.
- Look at the electrode tip. Wipe off soot and check it sits close to the burner or pilot, where gas will flow.
- Use a soft brush or a puff of air to clear webs from the pilot and air mixer openings.
- Try again. On safety pilot systems, hold the knob in for at least 30 seconds after the pilot lights, then release slowly.
- On electronic systems, check the breaker, any GFCI outlet, and the transformer. Turn power off for a minute to reset a lockout.
What a pro does and when to call
Call a pro if the pilot will not stay lit after a long hold, if the igniter sparks but gas does not seem to reach it, if an electronic system keeps locking out, or any time you smell gas. A fire pit tech will check gas pressure, test the thermocouple and valve, clean the pilot and orifice, replace igniters and modules, and confirm the burner and media are set up per the manufacturer. Many companies in our network are dealers for fire pit brands and can get the right parts. Browse fire pit repair pros or find a fire pit tech by ZIP. A fire pit cleaning clears media, webs and debris that cause half of these problems. See fire pit repair costs for typical pricing and our fire pit maintenance guide for seasonal care.
Parts that usually fix it
- Igniters, spark generators, thermocouples, pilot assemblies, valves and burners: see fire pit parts costs.
Ignition systems vary a lot by brand. Warming Trends burners, HPC ignition systems and The Outdoor Plus kits each use their own parts. Find the burner or ignition system model, often on a tag near the valve or in the access panel, before ordering. Buy OEM for valves and thermocouples. If you are stuck, ask Pro Grill to find the part.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my propane fire pit click but not light?
Usually the excess flow device has tripped, the tank is empty, or the electrode is wet, dirty or buried in media. Reset the tank by closing everything and opening it slowly, then check the electrode.
How long do I hold the knob on a fire pit?
On safety pilot systems, hold it in for at least 30 seconds after the pilot lights, longer on a cold day, so the thermocouple heats enough to keep the valve open.
Can I light a spark ignition fire pit with a lighter?
Many manuals allow it as a backup. Light the long lighter first, hold it at the burner, then open the gas slowly. Check your manual.
Why won't my fire pit light after rain?
Water in the burner pan or wet media over the igniter blocks ignition. Clear the drain holes, remove standing water and let everything dry before lighting.
What does the excess flow valve do?
It limits gas flow if gas rushes out too fast, as if a line broke. Opening the tank quickly can trip it. Turn everything off, reconnect, and open the tank slowly to reset.