Propane heaters are reliable and effective ways to keep any area warm during the colder months of the year. As you know with any mechanical systems, things are bound to go wrong. You may now be wondering why propane heater keeps shutting off. 

In this article, I go in detail as to why a propane heater keeps shutting off. 

The key reasons why the propane heater keeps shutting off is because the thermocouple is too far from the burner flame causing the pilot to go out or when the pilot tube is blocked preventing sufficient gas flow from the cylinder feeding the fire close to the thermocouple. 

These issues can easily be fixed by moving the thermocouple closer to the flame and cleaning the pilot tube that feeds the fire. Alternatively, the cylinder that supplies gas to the pilot and burner may be empty or the gas cylinder may not be fully open.

Troubleshooting Tips: Keep Propane Heater From Shutting Off

Here are some troubleshooting tips to keep your propane heater from shutting off. Propane heaters come with a number of safety functions inbuilt. These safety functions are to protect owners from gas fires of gas inhalation. 

Fix #1 Thermocouple Is Too Far From The Flame

One such safety feature is for the heater to auto shut off the gas flow if the thermocouple loses voltage by too far removed from the flames. 

If the thermocouple is too far from the fire the electromagnetic field formed at the other end of thermocouple releases the spring that automatically closes the passage for the gas to flow to the pilot and burners. 

This problem is an easy fix. If the thermocouple is too from the pilot flame, put it closer. You may have to pull off the top of the heating unit. 

Follow manufacturers introduction on how to do this or take it to the local repair show or call a technician out to fix it for you. To identify is this is a problem the sensor on thermocouple should be 2/3 into the flame. 

Fix #2 Soot (Sut) Causing The Thermocouple To Lose Temperature

If it is into the flame and still not work then the problem could be rust or debris built up on the thermocouple causing it to not be as sensitive to the flames as it should be causing it to lose temperature. 

So if it does not work try rubbing it with sandpaper and wiping with a cloth. Make sure there are not fluff from the cloth remaining because that could cause sparks to fly.  

Fix #3 Blocked Pilot Tube

A blocked pilot tube may be the reason why the propane heater keeps shutting off. If there isn’t enough gas flow in the pilot to feed the burner then the thermocouple will never maintain temperature. If this is the case you have to clean the pilot tube. 

You can clean it by poking a pin, bamboo skewer stick or a piece of wire through the pilot cleaning if of carbon particles or sometimes insects that set their nest in the tube during the summer months. It is easy to recognise if there is a problem with the pilot. 

When the pilot is working properly you should see flames mostly colored blue. Therefore, if the fire is flickering, small or showing orange or yellow-colored flames, then you know that the pilot tube needs urgent cleaning.

A note of warning, whenever you are cleaning the pilot always switch off the gas first because one spark could cause an explosion, severe damage to property, personal injury or even death. 

Fix #4 Draft

A draft is a sudden burst of cold wind which may impact the successful lighting of the patio heater. For the best result, we have to select the right placement of the patio heater if we want to prevent it from automatically shutting off.

Improper placement of the patio heater may cause the Propane heater to keep shutting off. If this is the case, try moving it from the source of the draft, maybe on the patio away from direct wind.

Fix #5 Gas Canister Is Empty

This one is not obvious. However, sometimes the gas cylinder being empty may be the cause of the propane heater not staying lit. 

If your propane heater sparks but won’t light check to see if the gas cylinder that supplies the heater with gas is empty or if the gas valve in on the off position. 

Conclusion

Following the basic troubleshooting tips above to get your patio heater off to a good start. Keep your self warm this winter. Always read the manufacturer’s guidelines and follow them closely. If you are not confident to do any of the fixes, get a technician to help you.