How to Troubleshoot My Honeywell Thermostat | Quick Guide (2024)

How to Troubleshoot My Honeywell Thermostat | Quick Guide (1)

Honeywell is the most well known and widely used thermostat brand on the market, and while they are certainly well made and reliable, sometimes they don’t work as they should. Whether you have an older dial0type model or a modern smart model of thermostat, if something goes wrong, we’re sharing some tips on how to troubleshoot your Honeywell thermostat.

Troubleshooting an Analog Thermostat

If you have an older thermostat that is either round or square and you adjust the temperature by turning a knob or moving a small lever, you have an analog thermostat. If you feel it’s not working, try these steps:

  • To check your furnace, make sure the switch is set to “HEAT,” and turn the temperature setting up to 80 degrees. Give it five minutes to see if the heat kicks on, and if so, adjust it to your preferred setting.
  • To check your air conditioner, switch it to “COOL,” and make sure the fan is set on AUTO. Turn it down to around 60 degrees and wait five minutes.
  • If these don’t work, take the cover off and check to make sure the wires haven’t come loose.
  • If the wiring is fine, the issue may be that the thermostat has simply worn out if it’s several years old, or the problem stems from the HVAC unit itself.

Troubleshooting a Programmable Honeywell Thermostat

If your thermostat has a digital screen and you can use buttons and arrows to adjust temperature settings and set your heating and cooling based around your schedule, these tips will help you troubleshoot your programmable thermostat.

If the display is blank:

  • Put in new batteries;
  • Check the circuit breaker;
  • Check the indoor unit to make sure all the panel doors are closed;
  • Make sure the power is connected to the furnace or air conditioning unit by checking the switch near the indoor unit is up.

If the screen is on but the heat nor air are working:

  • Check to see that the date and time are set correctly and that it’s not programmed to be hotter or cooler than you want it to be in your home.
  • Remove the cover and see if any wires are disconnected and that the jumper settings are in the right place. For example, if you have an electric furnace, the jumper would be switched to “HE” whereas a gas furnace would be switched to “HG.” Not all thermostats have jumpers.
  • Follow steps with analog thermostat by turning the heat up or AC down and waiting a few minutes to see if it kicks on.

If none of these work, it may be time to call an HVAC repair company.

Troubleshooting a Smart Thermostat

Troubleshooting a Honeywell smart thermostat is similar to a programmable one, so you can follow many of the same steps. Also, the great thing about smart thermostats is that generally, if there is a problem, you’ll receive an error code. The most common error codes that require service are:

  • 164 – Heat pump needs service
  • 168 – Wi-Fi radio error
  • 170 – Internal memory error
  • 173 – Thermostat temperature sensor error
  • 177 – Indoor temperature sensor error
  • 178 – Outdoor temperature sensor error

Error codes you can fix are:

  • 171 – Set date and time to schedule your thermostat
  • 181/182 – Replace air filter
  • 183 – Clean humidifier tank and add a new filter
  • 185 – Get new dehumidifier filter
  • 388 – Register online for remote access and exterior temperature
  • 399 – No internet
  • 400 – No Wi-Fi signal
  • 508 – Wi-Fi not connected

Schedule HVAC Repair Service Today

If you’ve tried troubleshooting your Honeywell thermostat and you just can’t get your heating or air conditioning working the way you need it to, we can help. For experienced heating and air conditioning repair in Garner, South Raleigh, and the surrounding area, reach out to Bowman Mechanical Services today.

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How to Troubleshoot My Honeywell Thermostat | Quick Guide (2024)

FAQs

How to Troubleshoot My Honeywell Thermostat | Quick Guide? ›

Troubleshooting a Programmable Honeywell Thermostat

Check the circuit breaker; Check the indoor unit to make sure all the panel doors are closed; Make sure the power is connected to the furnace or air conditioning unit by checking the switch near the indoor unit is up.

How to troubleshoot Honeywell home thermostat? ›

Troubleshooting a Programmable Honeywell Thermostat

Check the circuit breaker; Check the indoor unit to make sure all the panel doors are closed; Make sure the power is connected to the furnace or air conditioning unit by checking the switch near the indoor unit is up.

How do I troubleshoot my thermostat? ›

4 Steps for Troubleshooting Your Thermostat
  1. Reset the Thermostat. Like any other electronic device, sometimes a digital thermostat needs a reset to get it working properly again. ...
  2. Clean Out Dust and Corrosion. ...
  3. Test the Power and Wiring. ...
  4. Adjust the Heat Anticipator.
Mar 18, 2020

How to tell if a Honeywell thermostat is bad or bad? ›

A bad thermostat can be detected when your AC or furnace is not turning on, your HVAC systems are not turning off, the thermostat not responding, your HVAC system is short-cycling, the room temperature not matching the temperature displayed on the thermostat, and the programmed setting resetting themselves.

Why is my Honeywell your thermostat not communicating? ›

There are several possible reasons why your Honeywell thermostat is not communicating with your Wi-Fi network or the Honeywell server. Some of the common causes are: - Your Wi-Fi network is down or unstable. - Your Wi-Fi password has changed or is incorrect.

Why is my Honeywell thermostat not changing temperature? ›

Check the configuration of the thermostat to make sure it is controlling the equipment properly. Verify that the thermostat is wired correctly. Make sure all of the wires are secure and in the correct terminals. Make sure the voltages are between 18 and 30 VAC or 20 and 30 VAC depending on the thermostat model.

How do I reboot my thermostat? ›

Turn your thermostat “off”, then flip the related circuit breaker “off”. Wait 30 seconds, then turn the breaker back “on,” then the thermostat. Set the thermostat to hot or cold, whichever you prefer, and your desired temperature. This should effectively reset it.

What does the hold button do on the Honeywell thermostat? ›

By pressing “Hold”, your thermostat will lock in the temperature it's currently at until you change it again. When you are ready for your normal schedule to resume, simply press the “Run” button and return to your typical programming. Convenient, right? Programmable thermostats are a great technological innovation.

How do I manually adjust my Honeywell thermostat? ›

How to Set the Temperature of Your Honeywell Thermostat. If you have a manual thermostat, setting the temperature on your Honeywell thermostat is simple. All you need to do is to press the up and down buttons to set the temperature. The temperature you set will stay until you change the temperature again.

What is a common problem with a thermostat? ›

The Thermostat Is Dirty

Thermostats, like many other electrical appliances, will malfunction if they're allowed to get too dirty. Dirt, dust, and debris can pose problems for both electrical and mechanical components, causing your thermostat to fail.

How do I manually test my thermostat? ›

Standard thermostats: Enlist a friend or family member to assist, Position one person by the thermostat and one person by the furnace. Slowly turn the thermostat from off to heat and increase the temperature. Both the thermostat and furnace should make a sound.

What is the symptoms of a bad or failing thermostat? ›

Watch for These 9 Signs of a Thermostat Going Bad
  • The screen is dead. ...
  • The actual temperature doesn't match the display. ...
  • Your AC or heater is stuck on. ...
  • Your heating and cooling won't turn on. ...
  • Your HVAC is short cycling. ...
  • Scheduled settings stop working. ...
  • Nothing happens when you adjust the settings. ...
  • Temperatures shift.
Aug 11, 2023

How to troubleshoot a Honeywell thermostat? ›

Common Issues and Troubleshooting Steps
  1. Check the Power Source: Ensure your thermostat is receiving power. Replace batteries if your model requires them or check the circuit breaker if it's hardwired.
  2. Inspect the Wiring: Over time, wiring can degrade. ...
  3. Reset Your Thermostat: Sometimes, a simple reset is all it takes.
Nov 17, 2023

What is the life expectancy of a Honeywell thermostat? ›

As with any system, eventually, your thermostat will become outdated. Modern home thermostats tend to have about a 10-year lifespan but are usually replaced sooner due to innovations in the market.

How do I know if I need a new Honeywell thermostat? ›

Your Thermostat Gives Faulty Readings

If you suspect that your HVAC system is giving faulty temperature readings, then you can use an indoor thermometer to determine the current temperature. If it doesn't match what your thermostat says, then it may be time to replace your thermostat.

How do I know if my Honeywell thermostat battery is low? ›

Unresponsive Display: If your thermostat's display is not lighting up or responding to inputs, it could be a sign of a low battery. Incorrect Temperature Readings: A thermostat with a low battery might display inaccurate temperature readings, leading to discomfort or inefficient heating/cooling.

What would cause a Honeywell thermostat to go blank? ›

Display is Blank

If the screen is clear on your programmable thermostat, you may need to install new batteries. If that doesn't solve the trouble or you use a smart thermostat, there may be a wiring problem. Next, you should ensure the power is enabled for your furnace or air handler.

Why is my Honeywell thermostat not cooling my house? ›

Common issues with the thermostat include the power source and the wiring. If your thermostat works on batteries or is attached to a circuit breaker, checking these may be your first step. Your wiring connections may also have degraded or worn down, requiring a professional to fix them.

Why is my touch screen thermostat not working? ›

The most common reasons for a blank thermostat screen are dead batteries, a power outage, a tripped circuit breaker, faulty wiring, or a failed thermostat. The screen will be completely dark and unresponsive when there is an issue with power reaching the thermostat.

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