Electric Fireplace Not Heating? How to Fix No Heat

On this page (13 sections)

1. Why does my electric fireplace have no heat with the flame on?
2. Is the thermostat set below the room temperature?
3. Did the timer shut the heat off?
4. Are the remote batteries and the controls working?
5. Did a power cut or unplugging change the settings?
6. Is the unit plugged in and getting power?
7. Is the air intake or grille blocked?
8. Did the overheat protection cut the heat?
9. Is the room too big for the unit?
10. What should you write down before you call for help?
11. When should you stop and call for help?
12. Is it time to replace the unit?
13. Pick the quick checks first, and call for help if there's still no heat

An electric fireplace that is not heating is often a setting problem, not a broken unit. This guide shows how to fix an electric fireplace with no heat, starting with the simplest checks.

Those checks cover the heat setting, thermostat, timer, remote, outlet and airflow. They do not cover opening the unit or touching wiring, which belong to the manual and a licensed electrician.

For the bigger picture on these units, read our full guide to wall mounted and recessed electric fireplaces.

Why does my electric fireplace have no heat with the flame on?

The flame can run while the heater is off, so a lit flame does not prove the heat is on. Check the heat setting before you test anything else.

Use the remote or the touch panel to turn the heat on, then confirm the setting changed. EUHOMY's 50 inch unit, for example, can run with or without heat and has 750 W and 1,500 W modes.

Antarctic Star says its heat and flame switch independently, so you can have one without the other. A 750 W setting gives about half the heat of a 1,500 W setting, so a low setting can feel weak.

For the watt numbers, see are electric fireplaces energy efficient.

Is the thermostat set below the room temperature?

A thermostat set below the room's temperature stops the heat, so raise it above the room reading. The range differs by model: EUHOMY's 50 inch unit sets from 62°F to 82°F, and Innoflame's insert from 64°F to 82°F.

Check your own manual for your unit's range. If the set point sits at the bottom of the range, the heat may rarely come on.

Why an electric fireplace gives no heat in a warm room

If the room is already warmer than the set point, the unit will not heat. That is normal, and the heat cycles back on once the room cools below the set point.

Did the timer shut the heat off?

A timer that has run out shuts the heat off, so check it next. Reset the timer from the remote or the panel, then turn the heat on again.

EUHOMY's 50 inch unit has a 1 to 8 hour timer with an automatic heat-off, and Electactic's 36 inch unit has a 1 to 8 hour timer too. If the unit shut off when the timer ended, the timer did its job.

Are the remote batteries and the controls working?

Weak remote batteries can look like a heater fault, so replace them before you test anything else. Check that the batteries are seated the right way.

Innoflame's insert works from the remote or the control panel on the unit, and Electactic's 36 inch unit has a remote plus a touchscreen. If the remote does nothing, try the panel to test the heat.

Did a power cut or unplugging change the settings?

It can, so check the settings again after any power loss. Look at the mode, the thermostat and the timer before you assume the unit has failed.

Follow the manual for restarting, since the steps differ by model. Once the settings are right, give the room time to warm.

Is the unit plugged in and getting power?

Push the plug in all the way, then check that the outlet has power, for example with a lamp you know works. A loose plug is an easy miss.

Plug the unit straight into a wall outlet, and check the manual before you use an extension cord or power strip. A 1,500 W heater draws about 12.5 amps at 120 V, so another heater or a vacuum on the same circuit can trip the breaker.

If a breaker has tripped, reset it once. If it trips again, or the outlet stays dead, stop and call a licensed electrician.

A hard-wired unit has no plug to check, so call a licensed electrician for any power problem with one.

What if the cord is damaged?

A cord that is cut or cracked, or a plug that feels hot, needs attention before you use the unit again. Stop using it and call a licensed electrician or the maker.

Keep the cord clear of the front and the vents, and do not run it under a rug.

Is the air intake or grille blocked?

Blocked vents can make the unit overheat, and the overheat protection may then shut off the heat. Keep the grilles and the space around the unit clear.

Move curtains, throws and furniture away from the front and the vents, and keep dust off the grilles. Follow the manual's clearance notes for your model.

Electric inserts need no flue, but their grilles still need to stay clear. Read do electric fireplace inserts need to be vented for the details.

Did the overheat protection cut the heat?

Many units cut the heat when they overheat, and the manual explains how the reset works. Antarctic Star says its unit has a safety cut-off device for overheat protection, and Innoflame says its insert cuts off automatically at high temperatures.

Let the unit cool, check the vents and follow the manual's reset steps. If the heat keeps shutting off, stop using the unit and contact the maker.

Is the room too big for the unit?

A unit can feel weak in a large or open room even when it works. EUHOMY, Electactic, Innoflame and Antarctic Star each say their unit gives supplemental heat for up to 400 square feet.

That is the maker's best-case claim for one room, so compare it with your own space before you assume the unit has failed. For help matching a unit to the room, see what size electric fireplace do you need.

What should you write down before you call for help?

Write down the model number, the settings you tried and anything the display showed. That gives the maker or an electrician a clear starting point.

If the display shows a code, look it up in the manual and don't guess at the cause. The manual also shows where to find the model number.

When should you stop and call for help?

Stop using the unit and call the maker or a licensed electrician if you smell burning, see sparks, or feel the plug or outlet get hot. Do not open the unit or try to repair the wiring yourself.

Check the warranty section of the manual for the next steps. You can also check the Consumer Product Safety Commission site at cpsc.gov for recall notices on your model.

Is it time to replace the unit?

Replace the unit only after the checks above fail and the maker cannot help. A replacement has to fit your opening, so measure first.

For fit, read how to install a recessed electric fireplace or how to install an electric fireplace insert, depending on what you have.

If you do replace it, these units cover different openings:

Pick the quick checks first, and call for help if there's still no heat

Pick the quick checks if the flame runs but the room stays cool: the heat setting, thermostat and timer, then the plug and the vents. Pick a call to the maker or a licensed electrician if the unit still gives no heat after those.

For what normal heat looks like, read do electric fireplaces give off heat.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my electric fireplace on but not giving heat?

The unit may be in flame-only mode, the thermostat may be set below the room temperature, or the timer may have run out. Check those three settings first, and if the heat still does not come on, follow the manual's troubleshooting steps or contact the maker.

Can I open the unit to fix the heat?

No, do not open the unit or work on its wiring. Stick to the checks in the manual, such as the heat setting, the timer, the remote and the outlet, and call the maker or a licensed electrician for anything beyond those.

What if the fireplace shuts off after it runs for a while?

Many units have overheat protection that cuts the heat when the unit runs too hot, so check that the grilles are clear, let it cool and follow the manual's reset steps. If it keeps shutting off, stop using it and contact the maker.

Is an electric fireplace not heating a sign it is broken?

Not always, since many no-heat cases come down to simple settings like flame-only mode, a low thermostat or a timer that has run out. If none of the checks help, the unit may need service from the maker or a licensed electrician.