Top 10 Most Common Pellet Stove Repair Questions Answered

1. Why won’t my pellet stove start or ignite?

If your pellet stove won’t start, the problem is usually with power, pellets, or ignition. First, make sure the stove is plugged in, the breaker isn’t tripped, and the control panel is on. Check that the hopper has pellets and they are dry and not swollen from moisture. Clean out the burn pot and ash buildup, which can smother ignition.

If you hear the fan but there’s no flame, the igniter may be dirty or burned out. Some models let you visually inspect the glow plug through a small hole. Never touch wiring with power on. If the igniter doesn’t glow at all, or you smell electrical burning, it’s time to call a professional technician for testing and replacement.

2. Why is my pellet stove not feeding pellets properly?

A pellet stove that’s not feeding pellets usually points to an auger, hopper, or control issue. Start by checking for a pellet bridge—pellets can form a cave inside the hopper, making it look full while the auger gets nothing. Gently stir the pellets with a wooden stick (stove off and cool).

Next, clean the hopper and auger area; sawdust can clog the feed. Verify that the door and hopper lid are closing tightly, because some stoves stop feeding if safety switches aren’t engaged.

If the auger motor is noisy, jerky, or completely silent, it may be failing. Do not disassemble the auger with the stove plugged in. A tech should handle auger motor replacement or wiring diagnosis.

3. Why does my pellet stove keep shutting off by itself?

Frequent shutdowns are usually a safety response, not a random failure. Most pellet stoves shut down if they sense low heat, poor airflow, or safety switch activation. Check for basic issues first: a dirty burn pot, full ash pan, or clogged air inlets can cause low flame and trigger shutdown. Clean the unit thoroughly, including internal passages if accessible.

Make sure your exhaust vent is not blocked by soot, bird nests, or snow. Many stoves have a vacuum or pressure switch that shuts the stove down if airflow is restricted.

If the stove displays an error code, consult the manual. If cleaning doesn’t fix it or the stove shuts off within minutes every time, a faulty sensor, control board, or safety switch may be involved—call a qualified technician.

4. Why is my pellet stove not getting hot enough?

When a pellet stove runs but doesn’t feel hot, the first suspects are settings, fuel quality, and cleanliness. Make sure the heat level is set correctly and the room fan is on the appropriate speed. Low-quality pellets with high ash content create cooler, dirtier burns—try a bag of premium pellets to compare 🔥.

Clean the burn pot, heat exchanger tubes, and ash traps. A layer of soot insulates heat, preventing it from entering your room. Also check that the room fan is blowing strongly; weak airflow can make the stove feel underpowered.

If the flame is very lazy, dark orange, or sooty even with good pellets and regular cleaning, the stove may have airflow or sensor issues that need a pro to evaluate.

5. Why is smoke coming into the room from my pellet stove?

Smoke in the room is a serious warning sign 🚨. The most common causes are blocked exhaust, improper installation, or door seal failures. First, turn the stove off and let it cool. Inspect outside where the exhaust exits: caps and horizontal terminations can plug with soot, ash, or ice. Clear any blockage if it’s safe to do so.

Check the door gasket; if it’s frayed, cracked, or doesn’t grip a dollar bill when closed, it may need replacement. Poor draft due to an improperly sized or too-short vent can also cause smoke backup.

If you ever smell strong smoke, see clouds in the room, or the detector goes off, stop using the stove and call a professional to inspect venting and seals before relighting.

6. Why is my pellet stove making loud or unusual noises?

Pellet stoves normally hum and whoosh, but grinding, squealing, or rattling noises mean something is wrong. Identify where the sound comes from:

• Auger area: grinding or clicking can indicate worn bearings or a pellet jam.
• Blower/fan: squealing, rattling, or buzzing suggests dirty or failing fan motors.

Start with a full cleaning: dust and ash can throw fans off balance. Tighten obvious loose panels or screws (stove cool and unplugged).

If the noise persists, the auger motor or blower motor may be failing. These are replaceable parts but require safe handling of wiring and sometimes tight spaces. When in doubt—especially with electrical components—have a technician diagnose and replace the noisy part to avoid further damage.

7. Why does my pellet stove smell like smoke or burning plastic?

A slight odor is normal on first use or after a long break, but strong smells aren’t. Smoky smell without visible smoke often means minor vent leaks or poor draft. Inspect vent pipe joints for soot streaks (a sign of leakage) and make sure the exhaust cap is clear.

A burning plastic or electrical smell can be more serious. It may be dust burning off the heat exchanger, but if the smell is sharp, persistent, or accompanied by unusual noises or flickering lights on the control panel, unplug the stove immediately. This could indicate overheating wiring, failed insulation, or a failing motor.

If cleaning and reseating vent connections don’t help, or the smell returns quickly, have a professional perform a safety inspection before continued use.

8. Why is the glass on my pellet stove turning black so quickly?

Black glass usually means an inefficient, dirty burn. Common causes:

• Low-quality pellets with lots of ash and moisture
• Low air supply (restricted air inlets or incorrect damper settings)
• A dirty burn pot packed with ash

Clean the glass only after it cools using a stove glass cleaner or vinegar and water—not abrasive pads that scratch. Next, clean the burn pot holes and make sure your air inlets aren’t blocked by dust or pet hair.

Many stoves have an air adjustment; too little air leads to sooty flames. Consult your manual to fine-tune. If you’re cleaning glass every day despite good pellets and proper settings, have a tech check combustion fans and sensors.

9. Why won’t the blower fan turn on or blow warm air?

If your pellet stove’s room blower won’t run, first ensure the stove has actually reached operating temperature. Many models delay fan start until it’s hot enough. If it never turns on:

• Check settings: Is the fan set to “auto” or too low?
• Clean the fan intake and vents; dust can clog blades and slow or stop the motor.

If the blower hums but doesn’t spin, its bearings may be seizing. No sound at all could mean a bad fan, thermal switch, or control board.

Because the blower is an electrical component, limit DIY work to cleaning and visual inspection with the unit unplugged. Persistent blower problems and no/weak airflow are best handled by a trained technician to avoid overheating and safety risks.

10. Why is my pellet stove constantly throwing error codes?

Modern pellet stoves monitor temperature, airflow, and ignition. Frequent error codes signal that a safety or performance limit is being reached. First, look up the code in your user manual (or the manufacturer’s website). Common categories include:

• Ignition failure (no flame detected)
• Low vacuum/airflow (blocked vent, door not sealed)
• Overheating (blower problems, clogged heat exchanger)

Reset the stove only after correcting obvious issues like dirty filters, ash buildup, or blocked exhaust. Repeatedly clearing codes without fixing the cause can damage components.

If the same code returns after a thorough cleaning and basic checks, the issue may be with a faulty sensor, wiring, or control board—all jobs for a professional pellet stove technician.

Helpful Tips for Keeping Your Pellet Stove Running Smoothly

1. Burn high-quality pellets with low ash and moisture; they reduce soot, clogs, and repairs.
2. Clean the burn pot and glass weekly during heavy use, and empty the ash pan before it’s full.
3. Vacuum internal passages and behind panels (per your manual) every 1–2 months using a metal ash vacuum.
4. Inspect and clean the venting system at least once per season to prevent dangerous blockages and smoke issues.
5. Check door and hopper gaskets yearly and replace if they’re cracked, flat, or leaking.
6. Schedule a professional service once a year before heating season for deep cleaning, safety checks, and catching small issues early.