How to Fix Flame on Electric Fireplace (Tutorial)

A fireplace is no good if the flame doesn’t work! Whether you have a gas, electric, or wood fireplace the best part of it is the ambience from the flame. Fortunately, it’s pretty easy to fix the flame on an electric fireplace if you just follow a few tips and tricks. Whether the flame is too strong or it won’t light at all, you can usually make a couple adjustments and have it working again with ease.

In reality, you shouldn’t need that many tools to fix your fireplace. Maybe just a screw driver and some spare parts. Chances are there is just one component of your fireplace that stopped working, and if you can figure out which part that is and replace it you can get the flame fixed in no time at all.
Before you get started, make sure you have all the tools you need for the job at hand.

Screwdriver
New Bulb (possibly)
New Motor (possibly)

Step 1: Unplug the Fireplace

The first thing you want to do whenever you are maintaining anything electrical is to unplug it. This is mostly for safety reasons so you eliminate any chance of getting a shock or hurting yourself. Once you unplug it you can take everything apart and inspect each and every piece.

Step 2: Remove the Cover

You want to take the cover off the fireplace so you can access the inside. You should be able to very carefully remove the cover giving you access to everything inside the fireplace. Taking it apart lets you look at each part until you find out what exactly went faulty.

Step 3: Test the Rod

The flame from an electric fireplace is usually a rod that rotates around. If that rod goes bad, if will affect the flame. If the rod has stopped working you might that the motor went faulty or the rod just seized up. If the motor or rod are the problem, you will need to replace those in order to get the flame back to where you want it.

Step 4: The Bulb

The other thing that could be wrong is the bulb could be burnt out. If you hear the motor running and are certain the motor is still working but there is no flame, go ahead and replace the bulb as that should fix the problem. Then put the cover back on the fireplace and plug it back in. If it’s a burned out lightbulb the fix really is as simple as it is to change any light bulb in your house. Put in a new bulb, and you should be back in business in no time at all.

FAQ

How do you know if the bulb is bad?

If you have determined the motor and rod are in good shape, it’s possible the bulb is bad. If you hear the motor running and nothing is lighting up, it’s probably time to replace the bulb.

Could it be the circuit board?

Yes, it could. Electric fireplaces usually have a circuit board powering them. However, if the circuit board is the problem, you might need to replace the whole fireplace instead of fixing it.

How does the flame work on an electric fireplace?

These types of fireplaces actually draw in cool air, then they use an internal heating coil to heat the air and push it back out. Some more advanced fireplaces actually use the latest and greatest infrared technologies.

Conclusion

Nobody wants a fireplace without a flame! Fortunately, you should be able to fix the flame in your fireplace without going through too much trouble. In fact, it might actually be as simple as a burnt out light bulb. Once you get your fireplace unplugged, you can tinker with it quite a bit looking at all the different parts that help it run before you figure out which one is broken. In most cases, replacing that broken part should get your electric fireplace working well again.