Why is my electric fireplace not working? 

Is your electric fireplace not working? As a result, you have tried to change the remote batteries, unplug and replug the unit, and any other trick you think might help fix the problem to no avail. 

Well, fret not! First of all, like any other home appliance, even the best electric fireplaces are vulnerable to occasional issues that you can’t control. On the bright side, most problems that might be causing your electric fireplace to stop working are fairly straightforward to fix. 

Best of all, this article has listed the common problems that might be preventing your electric fireplace from working and some potential solutions! 

6 Common Problems with Electric Fireplaces 

1. The electric Fireplace Won’t Turn on 

One of the most frustrating problems associated with electric fireplaces is that the unit just won’t turn on. This issue can be caused by several possible culprits ranging from simple problems like the outlet being off to more serious problems like tripped circuit breakers or faulty wiring. Hopefully, this section will help you diagnose why your electric fireplace is not turning and some potential solutions you can use! 

• The remote control/ power outlet is off 

Since an electric fireplace runs on electricity, it requires a source of mains electrical power to operate. So, if your electric fireplace isn’t turning on, the first step is to check whether the power switch of the wall socket it’s plugged into is turned on. 

More importantly, avoid plugging the fireplace into an extension cable. Instead, plug its power cable directly into the socket to see if it will turn on. Also, if your electric fireplace comes with a remote control, change the batteries and see if it can turn the fireplace on. 

• Tripped circuit breaker/ fuse 

If your fireplace is plugged in and the switch is on, but it’s not turning on, the problem may lie with the circuit breaker/ fuse box. In that case, you will need to reset the fuse/ circuit box. However, you need to be very careful when resetting the circuit breaker box as it might have tripped because of an overloaded circuit or other safety hazard issues. So, make sure you contact a professional electrician to examine the fireplace and circuit to check if everything is working safely. 

• Faulty Wiring 

Lastly, your electric fireplace may not be turning on because of a faulty outlet/ wiring. So, try plugging the unit into another wall outlet to determine whether the original breaker/ outlet it connects to is malfunctioning or broken. And if the fireplace is hardwired, hire an electrician to remove it from the wall and inspect the connections at the back to check if there is any issue. 

2. The heater is on but my electric fireplace won’t heat 

2 common problems might cause your electric fireplace to not generate heat, despite the heating unit being on. 

First, blockage of the air outlet and inlet vents, thus preventing air circulation through the heating element. Similarly, this will prevent the distribution of warm air into the room, causing the heating unit in the electric fireplace to malfunction or stop working. 

Secondly, the heater in the electric fireplace may not be generating enough heat because of the thermostat setting. In essence, an electric fireplace thermostat keeps the room at a constant temperature. If the thermostat is se too low, the heater will not turn on and produce heat, unless you set it at a temperature above the room temperature. 

Possible solutions

• Make sure the air outlet/ inlet vents are not blocked 

As already mentioned, a blocked inlet into the electric fireplace prevents air from circulating through the heating element, while a blocked outlet prevents warm air from being distributed into the room. Therefore, the first step should be to ensure that the air inlet and outlet are not blocked. 

• Adjust the thermostat setting 

Before you check the heating element or tinker with the wiring, look at the thermostat settings. For instance, if the thermostat setting is too low, the heating system will not generate enough heat. In that case, changing the thermostat settings higher might help you fix the problem, However, if this doesn’t work move on to checking the heating element and wiring. 

• Check the heating element 

If the electric fireplace’s heating element is burned out, the unit will certainly not generate any heat. Unfortunately, this is not a problem you can fix at home as it usually requires you to replace the heating element. Also, look at the manufacturer’s manual to see whether the warranty covers the heating element. 

• Check the wiring 

If the heating element isn’t burnt out and the thermostat is set above the room temperature, yet the heater is not working, loose connections might be the cause of the problem. So, if your electric fireplace isn’t under warranty and you know how to open an electric fireplace, go ahead and open it up to inspect the wiring. Specifically, check whether the wire running to the thermostat has broken free from the connection and re-solder it back to the connection. While this is a fairly simple solution, I’d recommend you leave it to a professional, especially if you don’t have any experience resoldering. More importantly, make sure the device isn’t connected to a live breaker or plugged in while performing the electrical work. 

3. My electric fireplace keeps shutting off 

Many electric fireplace models come with an overheat protection safety system to prevent the heating unit from overheating. This mechanism causes the fireplace to automatically shut off when the temperature of the internal components reaches a certain temperature. 

Therefore, if your electric fireplace keeps shutting off, it may be an indication that it has overheated and gone into overheat protection mode. To fix this problem, turn off the fireplace, unplug the power cable at the outlet, and leave it for a certain period to cool down before you use it again. Also, make sure that no objects are blocking the outlet/ inlet to the heater element. On the same note, you should ensure that the fireplace is clean, dust-free, and stored in an area with adequate air circulation. 

However, overheating is not the only factor that can use your electric fireplace to keep shutting off. 

For instance, if the room temperature reaches the set temperature on the electric fireplace thermostat, the device will keep shutting off. To avoid that, you should set the thermostat dial above the current room temperature. 

4. Frozen flame on the electric fireplace 

A frozen flame in an electric fireplace is a flame effect that seems okay, but it is not working. Interestingly, while this can occur due to various issues, a frozen flame is one of the easiest electric fireplace problems to remedy. 

This is because most units either have a light bulb or motor flame operation for the flame, with newer models using candelabra light bulbs. 

Electric fireplaces that generate faux flame usually use LEDs or incandescent light bulbs, which may have burnt out. Luckily, these bulbs are relatively easy to replace. 

On the other hand, a frozen flame on fireplace models that use motor flame operation can occur because of a loose wire in the motor. In that case, unplug the fireplace, open it up and check all wiring to ensure all connections are attached properly. Also, check for frayed, misplayed, or exposed wires. However, if everything inside the motor looks good, contact the manufacturer to determine the ideal replacement flame motor for your fireplace. 

5. Noise and smell coming from the electric fireplace 

Many electric fireplaces on the market are usually quiet and bothersome. Although you may sometimes hear cracking & popping noises of a real fire or the fan running, the noise should not be alarming. However, if the fireplace suddenly starts making a loud, unusual noise, something is wrong with the machine and requires immediate attention. 

Also, the fireplace may start producing a burning smell because of dirt or defective heaters. Even worse, the same debris and dirt on the heater element may be the cause of the noise coming from the fan while your electric fireplace is running. 

With that in mind, if you notice a smell coming from your electric fireplace, you should unplug it immediately and look for professional help, especially if it’s an electrical smell. Moreover, make sure that the log cavity area and intake louvers are free of dirt & debris. 

Other possible solutions

• Clean the blower fan 

As already mentioned, dust accumulation on the blower fan might cause an electric fireplace to produce excessive noise. If that’s the case, use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment or soft cloth to clean the blower fan. In most cases, you have to remove the panel or cover to access the blower fan, but that depends on the model. 

• Check for loose connections 

Loose connections in your electric fireplace can also cause rattling noises. This usually occurs when vibration from the fan motor causes the connectors to loosen over time. Luckily, you can easily fix this problem by identifying the loose connection within the unit and tightening the loose screws. 

• Inspect the flame motor 

To determine if the noise is coming from the flame motor, turn off the heater but leave the flames running and listen for a grinding noise. A grinding noise indicates that you need to replace the flame motor. While a buzzing noise suggests that you should replace the flame speed control. 

• Check the flame rod 

Lastly, if the noise coming from the electric fireplace coincides with the flame movements, the problem may be its flame rod. This is because a damaged flame rod bumps against internal components, thus creating unusual noises. Therefore, replacing the flame rod may help you fix this problem. 

6. The electric fireplace keeps tripping the circuit breaker

3 main reasons may be causing your electric fireplace to keep tripping the circuit breaker; ground faulting, short-circuiting, or drawing too much current. 

In most cases, an electric fireplace keeps tripping the circuit breaker because of a short-circuited wire, either on the outlet or the unit itself. If that’s the case, try plugging the fireplace into a different outlet to see if that’s the cause of the problem. 

Secondly, if you have plugged in a new appliance on the same circuit on the electric fireplace, it may be drawing too many amps when you turn it on, thus tripping the breaker. To fix the problem unplug the other appliance and see if the problem persists. If possible, connect your electric fireplace to a dedicated 15A circuit. 

Final Word 

Hopefully, after reading this article, you have found the best solution for any electric fireplace problem your unit may be experiencing. However, for more serious problems, I’d recommend that you look for a professional electrician to check your electric fireplace. But if the device is beyond repair, there is a wide range of new electric fireplace inserts you can choose from for replacement.