Why won't my outdoor gas fireplace or fire pit light?
Outdoor gas fireplaces and fire pits live through Valley sun, dust storms and monsoon rain, so their parts wear faster than indoor units. The usual culprits are a dead igniter or battery, a pilot or sensor fouled with dust and spider webs, water in the burner after a storm, or wind blowing the pilot out. Most of these repairs run $150 to $450.
Scottsdale Chimney Co. · October 4, 2026
The usual causes
- Igniter: the spark electrode cracks or the battery in the push-button igniter dies — the most common fix
- Dust and spiders: spiders build webs in burner tubes and pilot assemblies when a unit sits unused
- Water: monsoon rain fills the pan or soaks the lava rock or glass media, and the burner won't light until it dries
- Wind: a gusty evening can blow out a pilot or keep a flame sensor from staying warm
- Sun: heat and UV dry out wires, switches and covers
What you can check
Make sure the gas valve is open and, for propane, that the tank has gas. Replace the igniter battery. Let the pit dry out fully after rain. If you smell gas, hear hissing without a flame, or it lights and goes out repeatedly, turn it off and get it checked.
Keeping it running
A fitted cover when it's not in use keeps out rain, dust and spiders. Have it checked with the indoor fireplace each fall. Wood-burning outdoor fireplaces and fire pits also need sweeping — and remember that Maricopa County restricts outdoor wood fires on No Burn Days and from May through September.
What it costs
Igniter or receiver repairs run $200 to $450; pilot, thermocouple or thermopile $150 to $350; a gas valve or control board $400 to $1,200. The diagnostic visit is free.
FAQ
More answers
Do you repair outdoor fireplaces?
Yes, both wood and gas outdoor fireplaces and gas fire pits.
Can I use regular gravel in a gas fire pit?
No. Use only the media the manufacturer approves — lava rock or fire glass made for burners. Ordinary rocks can hold water and crack.
Keep reading
More from the blog
My gas fireplace pilot won't stay lit — why?Why a gas fireplace pilot lights then goes out, or stays on while the burner won't light — the usual parts, what you can check, and Scottsdale repair prices.
Do gas fireplaces need to be cleaned and serviced?Gas fireplaces burn clean but still need a yearly check. What a gas fireplace service includes, why Valley dust matters, and what it costs in Scottsdale.
Why is there a white film on my gas fireplace glass?Why the glass on a gas fireplace gets a cloudy white haze, how to clean it safely, and when the film or soot means something is wrong.
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