The short answer
If your lighter stops working, nine times out of ten it isn't actually broken. It's out of gas, the lock is on, the flame is set to its lowest, or the wrong type of gas has been used.
Check these four things below. If you still can't fix it, it's almost always down to the gas: a jet flame needs butane under high pressure, 45 PSI, which you'll find in lighter gas. Universal lighter gas from the supermarket has too little pressure and gives a weak flame that keeps going out.
Check these four things
Nine times out of ten, this is the cause, not a broken lighter.
Is the lock on?
Many jet flame lighters have a slide or button that blocks ignition. It's there to stop the lighter going off in your pocket. Slide it back to the open position and try again. This is by far the most common cause.
Is the gas on the lowest setting?
Turn the flame dial to the middle. On the lowest setting, too little gas escapes to ignite, which can look like an empty lighter. We recommend the middle setting for all our models: too low gives a weak flame, too high wastes gas unnecessarily.
Is the gas turned on?
A full seven-gram tank is good for around eighty to one hundred and twenty ignitions. Refill as soon as the flame gets weaker, not once nothing comes out at all. You'll find the exact steps at refilling a lighter.
Is it too cold?
Butane doesn't evaporate well below freezing point. If your lighter doesn't work outside but does indoors, that's not a fault, just physics. Hold it in your hand or inside pocket for a moment. The same applies right after refilling: fresh gas is ice-cold and needs a few minutes to warm up.
Gas at a glance
for jet flame, torch and gas burner lighters · clean, powerful flame
pressure too low · weak or uneven flame
7 grams · 80 to 120 ignitions
middle setting · too low gives a weak flame, too high wastes gas unnecessarily
What you need
In most cases, one can of gas will do. Choose 45 PSI butane: it's the only gas that keeps a jet flame burning cleanly.
The Atomic Lighter Gas (400 ml) fits almost all our models. One can is good for forty to fifty refills, so it'll last you years.
If you refill often, or own several lighters, the 4x Atomic Lighter Gas (400 ml) for 19,95 euro is the most cost-effective option: four cans at once, and you're sorted for a while.
Heading out? The 4x Atomic Pocket Lighter Gas (60 ml) is handier: four small cans that fit in a coat pocket.
It's refilled and still doesn't work
There was still air inside
Refilling a half-full tank won't work: the air inside stops the gas getting in. Hold the lighter upright and press in the fill valve with a small flat screwdriver until the hissing stops. Only then refill it.
There's dirt in the nozzle
A lighter loose in a trouser pocket or bag fills up with lint. At the beach it's sand. As soon as something gets into the opening, it burns unevenly or not at all. Blow out the nozzle with compressed air and try again.
It was the wrong gas
If you've put universal lighter gas in it, it'll keep burning weakly even after a fresh refill. Fully vent it, refill with 45 PSI butane and give it a few minutes. That's usually enough.
Had enough of refilling?
That's an option too. A lighter without gas does exist: a plasma lighter creates an electric arc and charges via a cable. Find out what it can and can't do in the rise of the plasma lighter.
When it does work
Sometimes it really is the end. If gas audibly escapes past the valve as soon as you refill, the seal is worn out and you won't get it closed again.
The same goes if the spark wheel or piezo element no longer sparks while you can still hear the gas flowing. Those parts can't be replaced separately.
A refillable lighter lasts for years with normal use, which is exactly why it costs more than a disposable model.
If yours has truly reached the end, the PyroPen Turbo is the most popular replacement: refillable, long enough to keep your distance, and affordable enough to keep two at home. Or take a look at refillable lighters or the full range.
Don't just toss an old lighter in with the general waste, by the way. There's always a bit of gas left inside, even if it no longer ignites. Most recycling centres accept it as small chemical waste.
Frequently asked questions
Usually because it's still too cold. Fresh butane is ice-cold and expands; give it two to five minutes to reach room temperature. If it still doesn't work, there was air in the tank or the wrong gas was used.
Butane under high pressure, 45 PSI. Universal lighter gas has too little pressure for a jet flame and gives a weak or uneven flame. You can see which can suits your model at lighter gas.
Around eighty to one hundred and twenty times with a seven-gram tank, depending on how long you keep the flame going. Refill as soon as the flame gets weaker; waiting until it's completely empty only makes refilling harder.
Then it's the temperature. Butane doesn't evaporate well below freezing point, so too little gas escapes in the cold. Hold it briefly in your hand or inside pocket before use. Nothing wrong there.
Venting, cleaning and refilling you can do yourself. If the valve leaks or the ignition no longer sparks, that's the end: those parts can't be replaced separately. Step-by-step refilling instructions are at refilling a lighter.
In short
Lock open, flame set to medium, 45 PSI butane, and give it a moment if it's cold. That's the fix for almost every lighter that stops working.
If it still burns weakly after a fresh refill, bleed it completely and blow out the nozzle. If the valve leaks or there's no spark, it's game over.
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