Fix it
Patio Heater Not Working? Fixes
Common patio heater problems: ignition failure, weak flame, and infrared heater issues.
Propane tower problems are almost always fuel, air, or ignition. Infrared problems are almost always electrical. Diagnose in that order.
Pilot will not light or stay lit
Confirm the propane tank is open and has fuel; a nearly empty tank starves the pilot. Clean the pilot orifice with compressed air, spider webs and debris are the classic cause. If the thermocouple is faulty, the pilot lights then dies when you release the knob; replacement thermocouples are inexpensive and documented in the manual.
Weak flame or low heat
Check the regulator: disconnect and reconnect the tank to reset an overactive excess-flow valve, a common cause of mysteriously low flames. Inspect the emitter screen for soot or debris blocking the burner, and confirm you are not running a low tank in cold weather, when propane pressure drops.
Heater tips over or wobbles
Towers are top-heavy by design. Confirm the base is on level ground, the tank is seated correctly inside the base (its weight is the ballast), and all pole connections are tight. Never operate a tower on a slope or in high wind.
Infrared heater not heating
Confirm the outlet has power and the breaker has not tripped; 1500W heaters share circuits poorly. Check that the remote or wall switch is actually calling for heat, and that nothing blocks the line of sight between the element and your seating. If the element glows but you feel nothing, you are likely standing outside its throw range.
Questions, answered
Why does my heater smell like gas?
Shut it off immediately and check all connections with soapy water; bubbles mark the leak. Never use a flame to check for gas leaks. If you cannot find or fix the leak, stop using the heater until it is serviced.
The emitter glows unevenly. Is that normal?
Some unevenness is normal on a cold start. Persistent dark patches indicate a clogged burner section; clean the emitter screen and burner per the manual before the next use.