Why your patio heater is not working properly

By Tim McGregor · Updated April 2026

Fix common patio heaters problems quickly with symptom-based troubleshooting steps.

This guide is part of our patio heater cluster. Use it alongside our main comparison page to shortlist faster and avoid mismatched purchases.

Quick actions

• Back to the main patio heater comparison page
• Choosing guide · Running-cost guide · Troubleshooting guide

Troubleshooting patio heaters: ordered checks

Specific product context

Wind and distance strongly affect perceived heat.

Practical numbers and examples

• Electric often 1.5–2.5kW.
• Gas often 5–13kW.
• Comfort radius often ~1–2.5m.

Troubleshooting steps (in order)

1. Confirm setup/power and reset if relevant.
2. Clean key contact/flow/wear points.
3. Run one controlled retest cycle.
4. If fault repeats, move to repair or replacement.