Classic Flame Fireplace Troubleshooting [7 Easy Solutions]

The common classic flame fireplace problems include fireplace not heating, not starting up, bulb not working, malfunctioning on the blower, and so on.

Most of the time, the fireplace catches several codes as an indication of error. Most common error codes that an electric fireplace faces are E2, E3, and E5. 

Each of the issues has different trouble points. To troubleshoot the issue, you will need all effective ideas.

For this, we are here bringing this well-proven guide. Whatever your issues, you can fix that just by reading our Classic flame fireplace troubleshooting guide. So, get started…

Classic Flame Fireplace Troubleshooting [7 Easy Solutions]

Here are seven fireplace issues, their causes, and simple solutions.

1. Fireplace Not Heating

If your fireplace is not heating, be sure there are fluctuations in the power supply. The bad power supply is the root reason behind this.

Now let’s figure out what are the other leading causes for not heating your classic flame fireplace:

• Blown fuse
• Switch is not turned on
• Burned out heating element
• Faulty or loose electrical connections
• Improper thermostat setting

Now, fixing this major problem will not seem so hard to you as long as you will follow below instructions:

Solution:

• First of all, make sure that the fireplace switch is turned on.
• Now, check out the placement of the fireplace. Ensure a secured installation.
• After that, move to the thermostat settings of the fireplace. You have to set the temperature accurately. Always set the temperature higher than the current room temperature.
•  Don’t forget to check out the wiring of the thermostat. Ensure all the wires are properly connected to the connector.
• In case of a blown fuse, you must replace the fuse with a new one.
• Verify the heating element is not burned out. Replace the defective heating element. It will be better to contact the manufacturer. 

2. Fireplace Not Turning On

Overheating the fireplace is the root reason behind the electric fireplace not turning on.

When the heating element of the fireplace gets overheated, an overheat protection device activates to prevent overheating-related damages.

In most cases, the problem starts with bad remote control. Anyway, have some glimpse of other reasons behind your fireplace not starting are:

• Faulty igniter
• Insufficient power supply
• faulty or damaged wiring 
• Burned fuse
• Defective circuit boards
• Voltage problem

Don’t worry. You will easily eliminate the problem by yourself by following the below steps:

Solution: 

• First of all, you have to deactivate the overheat protection mode. For that, unplug your fireplace from the power connection. Let the unit reset for 10-20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, check out all the visible wiring of the unit. Replace all the damaged and faulty wiring. Besides, ensure a snug connection of the wires.
• If the problem persists from the burnt fuse, you must have to replace it,
• Reset the tripped circuit breaker as well.
• Now, check out the remote control. Replace the drained batteries. If needed, replace the bad remote control.
• Besides all these, make sure the fireplace is connected to the electrical outlet firmly. Check the voltage of the power outlet using a voltage tester.
• Now, turn back on the fireplace. It should come on. 
• If not, contact the dealer. 

3. Fireplace Light Bulb Not Working

The light bulb creates a visual effect and color in the fire. The impact may fade after prolonged use, which is extremely dangerous.

Some other major reasons are tripped circuit breaker, a blown fuse, and the loose connection with the wires.

There could be an additional and important issue, such as a burned-out bulb in the light bulb. However, without worrying, go through the below instruction to fix the bulb issue. 

Solution:

If the fireplace light bulb is not working, either you have to repair it or replace it. But before moving to the bulb fixing, check out the circuit breaker, wiring, and other parts of the fireplace. 

After fixing all these, you have to replace the whole light bulb unit if still, the bulb is not working.

How to Replace Electric Fireplace Light Bulb?

Follow out below instructions to learn about electric fireplace night bulb replacement:

• Turn off your fireplace and unplug it from the power connection. Leave the fireplace unplugged to let the bulb cool.
• Remove the back panel of the unit by unscrewing a few screws. After disconnecting the rear access panel, access the light bulb. Go through the fireplace owner’s manual for a better understanding.
• After locating the bulb, rotate it very carefully in a counterclockwise motion. It will be better to touch the bulb with your bare hands.
• After removing the old bulb, install a new bulb there. Connect the bulb by screwing it in a clockwise motion.
• After ensuring a secured connection of the bulb, connect the back panel with the appropriate screws. Now, turn on the fireplace and check if the bulb is working. 

4. Fireplace Fan Not Working

If your fireplace fan has stopped working, be sure there has rust and debris built up on the fan body. Sometimes, due to broken parts or a bad remote control, the fan fails to start up.

In some cases, for prolonged use, the effectiveness of the fireplace blower has decreased. Now go through below troubleshooting steps if your fireplace fan not working:

Solution:

• Before starting, make sure you have unplugged the fireplace from the power connection.
• Now, inspect the fan and start checking all the wires accumulated with the fans.
• If you find any wires that may have been chewed through, frayed, or even burnt, replace the wires.
• Clean out the fan blades and motor properly.
• Check out the fan motor first. Remove any hard obstacles from the motor.
• If needed, replace the complete fireplace fan control.

5. Classic Flame Electric Fireplace Error Code E2

“E2” on an electric fireplace mainly indicates a broken thermostat sensor. When there have something wrong with the temperature, the display starts showing “E2” as the indication of error. Follow the below steps to break down this error from your fireplace:

Solution:

• Unplug your electric fireplace from the power connection.
• Remove the back panel to access the thermostat.
• Verify that the thermostat is plugged into the main circuit board.
• Contact the manufacturer for the thermostat sensor replacement part.
• Replace the sensor.

6. Classic Flame Electric Fireplace Error Code E3

The E3 code on the electric fireplace indicates manual reset overheat protection has been triggered. In short, for building up overheating on the unit, the overheating protection mode activates and shuts off the fireplace to prevent damage.

Restriction in the airflow is the root reason for the fireplace getting too hot. To fix error codes related to overheating, go through the below instructions:

Solution:

• First of all, check out the venting system of the fireplace. There may have blockage of debris.
• Clean out the vents properly and ensure complete debris-free vents. It will increase the airflow.
• If needed, use a compressor to blow air through the vents. It will start blowing the air quickly and also remove the obstacles from the path.

7. Classic Flame Electric Fireplace Error Code E5

When your unit has a venting issue, you will see error code E5 on display. The root cause behind this error is the malfunctioning of the blower.

Either there have restrictions on the airflow because of vents’ blockage or the blower stops working.

The wrong installment of the fireplace is another leading cause. Anyway, this time, you will have to fix the issue of fireplace venting:

Solution:

• First of all, you have to make sure that all the vents of the fireplace have blockage free.
• Also, while installing an electric fireplace, ensure a 3-foot clear space in front of the fireplace air outlet.
• Check out the blower as well. Take a voltage test and measure the voltage first. Ensure the blower is properly cleaned. If there are any obstacles on it, use lubricating oil to remove obstacles.
• Check the circuit board and electrical connections. If there has any loose connection, the fans will not work properly.

FAQ:

How long do electric fireplaces last?

The fact completely depends on how much and how frequently the user operates the fireplace. But the average lifespan of an electric fireplace is 10 to 20 years. 

Where is the light bulb in an electric fireplace?

The bulb is usually found in the middle of the unit. It has an access cover that is generally located at the unit’s back. It creates a visual impression and tone for the fire. 

Do electric fireplaces have real flames?

Electric fireplaces do not usually produce genuine flames. The reason for this is that working with live open flames might be dangerous. Another problem with real flames is that they also create a nasty ash pile that is difficult to clean.

Conclusion

These are the most typical concerns with classic flame electric fireplaces that we have discussed thus far. If you have any issues when using the fireplace, read through the article to learn more about the basic issues with classic frame fireplaces. 

We hope that using classic flame electric fireplaces will provide you with a pleasurable experience. Still, if you have any queries regarding this article, don’t hesitate to let us know through comments. We’ll back again shortly.