Why does my patio heater click but not light?

A clicking sound with no flame almost always means the piezo igniter is sparking correctly but the gas isn't reaching the burner, or it's not reaching it in the right amount. Check that the propane tank valve is fully open, the tank isn't empty, and the regulator hose is properly connected before assuming the igniter itself has failed.

Why does my patio heater light and then immediately go out?

This is typically a thermocouple issue. The thermocouple is a safety sensor that shuts off gas flow if it doesn't detect a flame, and if it's dirty, misaligned, or worn out, it can cut gas flow even when the burner is lit correctly. Holding the ignition button down for a full 30 seconds after lighting, per the manufacturer's instructions, gives the thermocouple time to heat up and register the flame.

Is it safe to keep trying to light a heater that won't ignite?

A few attempts are normal and safe. If it repeatedly fails to light after several tries, stop and let any accumulated gas clear for a few minutes before trying again, and never attempt to light it near an open gas smell, which indicates a leak that needs to be addressed before any ignition attempt.

Patio Heater Not Igniting: 6 Causes and Fixes

If your propane patio heater won't light, ticks but doesn't ignite, or lights briefly and goes out, the cause is usually one of six common issues. Here's how to diagnose and fix each one without a service call.

Step-by-Step Guide

Fix 1: Check the propane tank

Confirm the tank valve is fully open (turned counterclockwise) and the tank isn't empty. A tank that feels light or a burner that lights weakly before dying often points to a low or empty tank rather than an ignition problem.

Fix 2: Check the regulator hose connection

Make sure the regulator hose is fully and correctly threaded onto the tank valve, hand-tight. A loose connection restricts gas flow enough to prevent reliable ignition even when the tank has plenty of fuel.

Fix 3: Bleed air from a new hose or tank

A newly connected tank or hose often has air in the line, which can take several ignition attempts to clear. Hold the ignition button and attempt to light it 3 to 5 times in a row, a few seconds apart, to purge trapped air before assuming there's a bigger problem.

Fix 4: Clean or reposition the thermocouple

If the heater lights but shuts off after releasing the ignition button, the thermocouple likely isn't registering the flame properly. Gently clean it with a soft cloth or fine sandpaper if visibly dirty or corroded, and check that it sits close enough to the pilot flame to sense it, per your model's manual.

Fix 5: Check the piezo igniter and spark

Listen for a clicking sound when pressing the ignition button. No click at all usually means the igniter itself has failed and needs replacement. A click with no visible spark at the burner can indicate a disconnected or damaged ignition wire.

Fix 6: Inspect the burner ports for blockage

Dust, insects, and spiderwebs can block the small burner ports where gas exits and ignites, especially after storage. Use a soft brush or compressed air to clear visible debris from the burner ports before your next attempt.

A patio heater that won't light is one of the most common complaints in this category, and it's usually fixable in a few minutes without a service call.

Most cases trace back to one of a handful of causes: an empty or barely-open tank, a loose hose connection, trapped air in a new line, a dirty thermocouple, a failed igniter, or blocked burner ports.

The fixes below start with the simplest checks and move toward the less common causes, so work through them roughly in order.

Start With the Basics

Tank valve and fuel level: Confirm the tank valve is fully open and the tank isn't empty. A weak, dying flame right after lighting often points to a low tank rather than an ignition fault.

Hose connection: A loose regulator hose restricts gas flow enough to prevent reliable ignition, even with a full tank.

New tank or hose air: A freshly connected tank or hose usually has air in the line. Several ignition attempts a few seconds apart typically clears it.

Diagnosing Your Specific Problem

Igniter clicks, no flame at all: likely a gas flow issue, not the igniter. Check the tank valve, hose connection, and burner ports for blockage.

No clicking sound when pressing the ignition button: the piezo igniter itself has likely failed and needs replacement, a relatively inexpensive and often user-replaceable part.

Heater lights, then goes out after releasing the button: almost always a thermocouple issue. Hold the button for the full recommended time, usually 30 seconds, and clean or reposition the thermocouple if the problem persists.

Heater lit fine last season, won't light now: check for burner port blockage first, since dust and insects commonly nest in unused burners during storage.

Quick Diagnosis

Symptom	Most Likely Cause	Fix
Clicks, no flame	Low tank, loose hose, or air in line	Check tank, tighten hose, purge air
No click at all	Failed piezo igniter	Replace the igniter
Lights then dies	Dirty or misaligned thermocouple	Hold button longer, clean thermocouple
Weak flame, dies quickly	Low or empty tank	Refill or swap the propane tank
Won't light after storage	Blocked burner ports	Clean ports with a brush or compressed air