Are the buttons unresponsive? Stuck at one temperature setting? Display blank? Or it just won’t turn on?
Don’t worry, I am covering all those bases.
Let me guide you on how to get back your cozy “home sweet home” ambiance.
The Clever Fix
Replace the batteries (if your thermostat is battery-powered) and inspect the wiring for damage or disconnection.
Why is my Honeywell thermostat not working?
The thermostat might not react to your touch or might display blank/fading signals if there’s an issue with the power source (connected to electricity or battery). This is usually the first thing to check to bring your thermostat back to life.
Other culprits could include accumulated dirt on parts, technical bugs, sensor malfunctions, hardware headaches, or software snafus – all of which we’ll address here.
How do I fix my Honeywell thermostat not working?
Solutions 1-4 will help if your Honeywell thermostat is unresponsive or showing a blank screen.
Solutions 5-7 are for thermostats with an active screen but stuck on a specific temperature reading or setting.
Note: Do remember to flip the circuit breaker off before diving into any fixes.
1. Check the batteries and wires
Like any other device, the Honeywell thermostat may encounter problem if it’s not getting enough power.
Always start your troubleshooting by changing the batteries.
You’ll usually find the battery chamber on the side of the thermostat for easy swapping. But with some models, you might need to unhook the thermostat from its wall plate to reach the battery.
As for the wirings, check if it’s disconnected or has a breakage or damage.
If it has, it’s time to ring up a HVAC pro pronto to tackle the wiring issue.
However, wiring may still appear good on the outside but damaged on the inside. That’s why it’s better to check the wires using a multimeter (if you own one).
Test the DC voltage between the R and C wires.
The reading should fall between 24-30 volts.
If it doesn’t fall on the right reading, you’ll need the professionals to look into it.
2. Check the circuit breaker
When your thermostat is linked to your electrical system and the screen is empty, it’s possible that the juice isn’t getting to the device.
Check if the circuit breaker has tripped to make sure the thermostat is powered up. If it has, flip it back on.
This should solve the problem.
If your circuit breaker has a tripping habit, call a pro electrician to check out your electrical connections.
3. Close the air handler or furnace door
There’s a safety switch on the air handler or furnace door of your HVAC system, as leaving it open poses a fire risk.
Your Honeywell thermostat is designed to switch off, and likewise, the heating/cooling, if this door isn’t fully closed.
If the door to the air handler or furnace is open, shut it.
Even if it looks closed, try opening and closing it again to ensure it’s securely latched.
4. Check the drain pan
Your thermostat might go blank if the float switch is triggered.
This safety sensor powers down the system if it senses an overflow in the air conditioner’s condensate drain pan.
The easiest way to spot this issue is to look for water in the drain pan of your AC.
If there’s a pool of water, remove it with a cup or sponge.
This should solve your thermostat’s blank screen problem.
If it crops up again, a clog in the drain system might be causing condensation to pile up in the drain pan and trip the float switch.
You can clear the clog by pouring a mixture of water and bleach (50:50) down the drain line.
If the float switch keeps triggering and you’re uncomfortable with DIY clearing the drainage system, an HVAC pro can handle it.
5. Clean the air filter
You might think your thermostat’s acting up because the room temperature isn’t matching the reading on the display.
But sometimes, the problem lies not with the thermostat but with the air filter—the route for all incoming cool or warm air.
Dirty air filters block airflow which strains the HVAC system to match the thermostat’s temp setting. It can also delay when the thermostat kicks in because air delivery is slower than usual.
The easiest fix here is to brush off the air filter or replace it.
Even if it’s not the root cause of your issue, cleaning air filters can’t hurt.
It can often enhance your HVAC’s performance as clean filters distribute cool/warm air more efficiently.
If left grimy, you might find yourself cranking up or down the thermostat until your overworked HVAC gives up the ghost.
6. Check the temperature reading
This solution is suitable for cases when the thermostat is stuck on one temperature reading that doesn’t match the actual temperature, or it’s not keeping up with the temperature change in the room.
You may wonder why the cooling system is still running even though it feels like winter inside the room. You expect the thermostat to stop the AC upon detecting the room’s temperature, but it is not changing – that may be a temperature sensor-related issue.
The temperature sensor breaking down is rare, but there’s no harm in checking if it will only take you a minute.
To check, grab a thermometer and measure the temperature near the temperature sensor.
If the reading is not the same as your thermostat reading, then the temperature sensor is having an issue.
You can replace the broken sensor or buy a new thermostat.
7. Check the programmed schedule (for programmable)
There may be instances when you’re expecting your thermostat to activate the heat but the scheduled setting is on cool.
The heat will not turn on if this is the case.
You need to override the current temperature setting by changing it manually.
Temporary hold on the schedule
- Tap Hold, then enter the new temperature setting.
- Press Cancel if you want it to go back to the original schedule setting.
It will return to its original schedule when it’s time for the next programmed schedule.
Permanent hold on the schedule
- Press the +/- or the Up/Down button to change the temperature.
- Long press Hold until you see prompt messages like “Permanent Hold,” “Switch to Permanent Hold,” “Permanently,” or “Permanent.”
8. Factory reset your Honeywell thermostat
Just like any other gadget, performing a factory reset on your thermostat will restore it to its original, “just-unboxed” settings.
This means you’ll lose all your customized settings, schedules, and current equipment setups.
The tricky thing about a factory reset lies in the setup process that follows.
If you want to proceed with the reset, you might need to call in a pro to get your thermostat up and running again. This is especially advisable if the nuances of thermostat systems aren’t really your thing.
Of course, you can also opt to DIY with the help of the user guide.
The steps for resetting will vary by model. You can visit our Honeywell Thermostat Reset guide for in-depth instructions on how to reset your particular thermostat.
Nothing works?
If you need expert guidance from Honeywell, you can reach out to their customer service at 1-800-633-3991, 9 AM–8 PM (Monday to Friday), or 9 AM–5:30 PM (Saturday and Sunday).
You even have the option to chat live with Honeywell support here.
Wrapping up
Your Honeywell thermostat is designed as the ultimate tool to manage your home’s temperature. If it’s off its game, maintaining that snug, comfortable vibe in your home becomes a challenge.
If your thermostat’s battery and wiring are in good shape, you can try the following solutions to solve minor Honeywell thermostat mishaps:
If the screen display is blank/unresponsive:
- Check the circuit breaker.
- Close the air handler and/or furnace door.
- Check the drain pan.
- Clean the air filter.
If the screen display is responsive, but the heating/cooling is not working:
- Check the temperature sensor.
- Check the programmed schedule (for programmable).
- Factory reset your Honeywell thermostat.
Playing with electricity can be risky.
If you’re not clued up on electrics and don’t have the right tools, it’s safer to let a professional handle things like wiring or fixing the circuit breaker.
Let us know which solution helped to make your house feel like home again!
