Electric fireplace not working or won't turn on

Last updated October 22, 2026 · Reviewed by the Fireplace Helpline tech team

First, what exactly isn't working?

• Nothing at all (no lights, no display, no flame effect): start with power, step 1.
• Works from the panel on the unit, but not the remote: skip to the remote, step 3.
• It shut itself off and won't come back: often the overheat cutoff, step 4.
• Flames work, but no heat: see "Flames on, no heat" below.

1. Power: plug, outlet, breaker and GFCI

1. Plug. Make sure it's pushed firmly into a wall outlet. Dimplex and Touchstone both say to plug an electric fireplace straight into the wall: no extension cord, power strip or surge protector.
2. Outlet. Plug a lamp or phone charger into the same outlet. Touchstone's support team also suggests trying the fireplace in another outlet that isn't on the same circuit.
3. Breaker. Check your electrical panel for a tripped breaker and reset it once. Napoleon lists a tripped house breaker among the causes of a unit that turns off and won't come back on.
4. GFCI. If the outlet has TEST and RESET buttons, or shares a circuit with one that does, press RESET.
5. Hard-wired unit? There's no plug, so check its breaker and any wall switch that controls it (Dimplex lists the wall switch).

If the breaker trips again, right away or as soon as the heater kicks in, stop resetting it. Dimplex lists the wrong circuit rating as a cause and calls for a dedicated circuit of at least 15 amps on some models; Touchstone says not to run other appliances on the same circuit. That's a question for an electrician, not a homeowner fix.

2. The switch on the unit itself

Many electric fireplaces have a main power switch and a control panel on the unit, often hidden at the top or bottom edge. Dimplex says to make sure the power switch is on. Touchstone suggests trying the control panel if the remote doesn't respond. On some Dimplex models, a selector switch left in the Flame or Flame & Heat position means the unit ignores the remote, so check that too.

3. Remote batteries and pairing

• Put in fresh batteries, the right way round. On a brand-new remote, Dimplex points out the battery pull tab may still be in.
• Aim it at the unit and make sure nothing is blocking the receiver; Napoleon lists a blocked receiver.
• A lock symbol on a Dimplex remote means child lock is on. Your manual shows how to turn it off.
• Still nothing? Re-sync the remote using the steps in your manual. Dimplex says a blank remote screen may mean the remote itself needs replacing.

4. Overheat cutoff: let it cool, then reset

Every major brand builds in an overheat safety switch. If the unit gets too hot, for example because a vent is blocked or covered, it shuts off and stays off until it has cooled and been reset. The reset is safe and simple, but the wait differs by brand and model:

Don't keep resetting it. If it trips again, stop. Dimplex says that if you need to keep resetting the heater, switch it off and call for support, and Amantii says the same. Repeated overheating has a cause that needs finding.

Flames on, no heat

This is often a setting, not a fault. Manufacturer troubleshooting tables list:

• The heater isn't switched on, or has been turned off in the settings (Napoleon, Dimplex).
• The thermostat is set below the room temperature, so the heater has nothing to do (Napoleon, Dimplex).
• A short delay before the heater starts: Dimplex mentions 30 seconds on some models.
• The overheat cutoff has tripped (step 4).

If none of those explain it, the problem is inside the unit, and that's a job for a tech.

What not to do

• Don't remove the glass, panels or covers, and don't touch the wiring. Napoleon says only a qualified service person should service and repair its electric appliances.
• Don't run it from an extension cord or power strip.
• Don't keep resetting a breaker that keeps tripping.
• Don't block or cover the heater vents.

What a tech looks at on a video call

Error codes and fixes vary a lot by brand and model, which is why a quick look helps. A tech will usually ask to see what happens when you press the power button, any code or light on the display, the rating plate (for the model number) and the outlet or breaker it's on. From there they can tell you whether it's a setting, a power problem for an electrician, a part, or a job for someone on site, and help you find a local pro if you need one.

Common questions

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