This guide shares information about the cost to remove a gas fireplace, including the average price to additionally remove the breast, stack, and chimney flue as well as which experts will be needed to complete the project.
Why Does My Gas Fireplace Keep Going Out? 3 Potential Causes and Solutions
Keep the gas flowing and the fire glowing
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A gas fireplace that keeps going out often points to a pilot light issue, where the flame extinguishes due to storms, low gas flow, or a faulty thermocouple.
Typical costs range from $200 to $1,000 for fireplace repairs, including $100 to $350 for pilot light fixes and $75 to $350 for thermocouple replacement.
A dirty or broken thermocouple can shut off your gas fireplace for safety, preventing gas leaks by stopping gas flow when it can't detect the pilot light.
Hiring a local fireplace repair professional provides reliable help with pilot light and thermocouple repairs, keeping your fireplace running smoothly and safely all season long.
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You’re dreaming of curling up in front of a toasty fire, but there’s just one problem: your fireplace can’t seem to stay lit. So, why does your gas fireplace keep going out? There are a few common causes, but often, it’s due to a failing pilot light or a faulty thermocouple. Here’s how to pinpoint—and fix—the problem.
1. Pilot Light Went Out
Some gas fireplaces have a pilot light—or a small flame that ignites the gas to keep your fire burning. It’s supposed to stay lit, but sometimes, pilot lights go out. This can happen for several reasons (more on that in a minute), but when it does, your fireplace will shut off.
How to Fix It
If your pilot light goes out, it could be a one-time issue or an ongoing problem. For instance, if there’s a major storm in your area, the winds could extinguish the flame. In that case, you can manually relight your pilot light.
However, if your pilot light keeps going out, there could be another issue at play. For example, if your fireplace isn’t getting enough gas, the flame will struggle to stay lit. In other cases, a dirty or damaged thermocouple could be the culprit. We’ll explain how to address each of those issues below—but if those fixes don’t work, you may need to bring in a professional.
2. Dirty or Broken Thermocouple
A thermocouple is the part of your fireplace that detects whether or not the pilot light is lit. If so, it allows gas to flow into the fireplace—but if not, it shuts off the gas to prevent a gas leak.
When a thermocouple gets dirty or breaks (which is fairly common), it won’t be able to determine when the pilot light is on—and for safety reasons, your gas fireplace will shut off.
How to Fix It
To clean your thermocouple, follow these steps:
Shut off the power to the fireplace.
Turn off the gas and switch the gas valve to the “off” position.
Wait for at least five minutes as the fireplace cools and any remaining gas clears.
Locate the thermocouple inside your fireplace.
Remove the thermocouple from the pilot assembly by gently twisting or unscrewing it.
Use an abrasive pad to scrub dirt and debris from the thermocouple.
Put the thermocouple back into place.
Turn on the power and gas.
To test the thermocouple, turn on the fireplace. If it goes out again, you may have a faulty thermocouple, and you should call a professional fireplace repair service near you to replace it.
3. Gas Supply Issues
It might sound obvious, but your fireplace won’t work without a steady supply of gas. If there’s an issue with your fireplace’s gas connection or an interruption to your home’s gas service, your fireplace may keep going out.
How to Fix It
First, make sure your fireplace’s gas valve and your home’s main gas valve are on. If your fireplace runs on propane, confirm that the tank is full.
No luck? Test other gas-powered appliances in your house (like your stove or furnace). If they won’t turn on, there could be a problem with your home’s gas supply. Reach out to your gas utility company for help.
When to Call a Pro
Photo: karenfoleyphoto / Adobe Stock
If you’re comfortable working with gas appliances, you may be able to fix your fireplace without calling a professional. However, if these solutions don’t work (or you’d rather not go the DIY route), you can have a fireplace pro take a look.
Your fireplace repair costs will vary depending on a few factors, including the type of issue and local labor rates. For example, fixing a pilot light costs anywhere from $100 to $350, while replacing a thermocouple runs between $75 and $350.
How to Prevent Gas Fireplace Problems
Unfortunately, you can’t prevent your fireplace from wearing out over time. However, by keeping up with regular gas fireplace maintenance, you can protect the different parts of your fireplace and potentially extend its lifespan. Plus, you'll be more likely to catch minor issues before they become big, expensive problems.
Here are some tips that can help you keep your gas fireplace in good condition:
Clean the interior and exterior regularly
Replace the glass logs or rocks as needed
Schedule annual gas fireplace inspections
Frequently Asked Questions
Fireplace services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.8★ avg. • 6 total reviews
- Sue B.
Terrible experience. Walls/trim/floors/cabinets/doors all have drip marks, overspray, etc. Tiling at the fireplace had to be redone by another vendor due to incorrect and shoddy install by Profect. Contractor had his children in our house while he was on site without prior authorization or...
Profect painting & exteriors - Alexander W.
Supreme Brick & Chimney did a great job with a cleaning and inspection of the fireplace! He was efficient, on time, and very pleasant. The space was kept very clean, and the fireplace was spotless when he was done. He also performed a thorough inspection, and did a great job talking us...
Supreme brick & chimney - Donald L.
Ace Fireplace Services came to the rescue for my chimney repair. They were quick to pinpoint the issue and worked their magic to fix it. My chimney is now in excellent shape, and I'm a satisfied customer.
Ace Fireplace Services - Chanda L.
Custom Paint Jobs LLCs custom murals brought life to our childrens rooms. They love it!
Custom Paint Jobs, LLC - Hannah T.
Storms Mobile Welding was great to work with. They were prompt, professional and did an overall excellent job on the project. I highly recommend.
- Heather M.
On time, clean and finished fast. Windows seem sturdy and the finish is good. Caulking was done with no smudges. Would recommend.
Window Depot USA of Central Ohio - Tiffany V.
The team is awesome!! I can generally pick up and clean throughout the week, but they CLEAN! Windows, stair rails, microwave. All the things I can’t ever seem to get to regularly. The house looks and smells great after they leave.
- Steven K.
Bought a half a cord of firewood from Pitzer with stacking last month. I waited to report so I could see how the wood burned. <br /> <br /> I have three pet peeves regarding landscapers, but Pitzer scored "A"s regarding all three. First, rather than having customers "leave a message" and...
Pitzer Landscaping - M T.
We decided to update our partially finished basement, with a budget. Gerald worked with me on the lighting and chair rail selections, and produced an end product that was everything we wanted and within our budget. The work was done quickly, and he and his crew were always prompt and...
- Amy T.
Outstanding! The granite and the installation went so well that we had the remaining slabs of the granite put into our new house. The 2ND kitchen/wet bar installation went as well as the 1ST, so we had them put granite on our master bath counter top, shower seat, ledge and kick plate for...
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