You don’t have to be an expert, in order to perform some basic thermostat troubleshooting. These simple steps can help you figure out what’s wrong with the device – and you might not even have to call an HVAC expert.
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To troubleshoot your thermostat, check the power supply and the batteries, test the heating and the cooling (the compressor should turn on), check the wiring, and reset the thermostat. You should also replace the HVAC unit’s air filter, check it for refrigerant leaks, and clean the vents.
Why Is My White Rodgers Thermostat Not Working?
Here are 8 reasons why your thermostat might not be working:
- The thermostat has been set up incorrectly
- The temperature settings are incorrect
- The battery is low or dead
- There has been a power outage
- The circuit breaker has tripped
- The wires are damaged
- The thermostat is worn out
- The HVAC unit is faulty
Read: White Rodgers Thermostat Blinking Cool – Troubleshooting Guide
How Do I Know If My Thermostat Is Malfunctioning?
Your thermostat had gone bad, if:
- It is unable to turn on
- It isn’t responding to the temperature adjustments
- The HVAC system is not turning on/off
- The HVAC system is short-cycling
- The thermostat is unable to maintain the set temperature
White Rodgers Thermostat Error Codes
The 80 series thermostats do not display error codes, they use an LED light and a flashing code. The flashes can give you a clue about what’s wrong with the system.
| 1 flash | Long run time |
| 2 flashes | System pressure trip |
| 3 flashes | Short-cycling |
| 4 flashes | Locked rotor |
| 5 flashes | Open circuit |
| 6 flashes | Open start circuit |
| 7 flashes | Open run circuit |
| 8 flashes | Welded Contactor |
| 9 flashes | Low voltage |
What Does Fault Mean on a White Rodgers Thermostat?
Such a message usually means that the thermostat is receiving a malfunction notice from the heating and cooling unit.
Check the wires on the terminals. Make sure that they are not damaged and that they are properly connected (the common wire might be mistakenly connected to another terminal).
If the wires are fine, then try resetting the thermostat.
To find out if there is a problem with the HVAC unit or the actual thermostat, you would have to bypass the thermostat with a jumper wire.
Read: Temperature Thermostat Problems
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Why Is My White Rodgers Thermostat Flashing Time and Temperature?
There are a few things that you can do to try and fix the issue:
- Change the batteries in your thermostat.
- Reset the device.
- If that didn’t help, then you may have a low voltage issue. Check the low voltage fuse of the control board (it might be burnt out) and check from Rh/Rc to the C terminal for 24 volts with a voltmeter.
- A bad capacitor on the fan might also be to blame.
White Rodgers Thermostat Troubleshooting
You can follow this step-by-step plan when troubleshooting your device:
- Check the power supply at the circuit breaker. Replace old batteries.
- Check all the fuses that the HVAC system uses. If there is a blown fuse, replace it.
- Test the heating (put the thermostat to ‘heat’ and adjust the temperature). You should hear a click.
- Test the cooling (put the thermostat to ‘cool’ and adjust the temperature). You should hear a click once again.
- Check the thermostat’s wires. If you don’t feel comfortable working with wiring, then leave this job to a professional.
- Replace the air filter. A clogged filter can reduce the system’s efficiency; in such a case, the issue is not with the thermostat.
- Check the system for a refrigerant leak (you can apply soapy water around the joints).
- Adjust the temperature and check if that makes the compressor run.
- Take a look at the vents and clean them, if necessary.
- Reset the thermostat.
Read: Benefits Of A Programmable Thermostat
White Rodgers Thermostat Display Not Working
The display might go blank if the batteries had died, the circuit breaker had tripped, or the HVAC system tripped the safety switch. A broken thermostat will also have a blank display.
An unresponsive screen can usually be fixed by resetting the device.
White Rodgers Thermostat Backlight Not Working
A display backlight is not available on earlier Whiter Rodgers models. In the thermostats that do have a backlight, it is switched to ‘off’ by default.
To turn the backlight on, you would have to press the up and down arrows simultaneously for 2 seconds with the system switch in the ‘heat’ position. The display will show ‘-L’ and ‘FF’. Use the arrows to change the ‘FF’ to ‘ON’.
If this feature is not working, you can try replacing the batteries, resetting the device, and checking the wiring.
Read: Thermostat Wire Color Code
White Rodgers Thermostat Buttons Not Working
You can try removing the batteries for around 6 minutes.
If that didn’t help, then you would have to reset the device. A total reset should fix the issues; if not, then the thermostat might have to be replaced.
White Rodgers Thermostat Up and Down Button Not Working
If the up and down arrows are not working, you might not be able to reset the thermostat.
If the device has batteries, you can try taking them out and inserting them backward for a few seconds. Then reinsert the batteries in the right position, and see if that fixes the issue.
You can also reset the thermostat at the circuit breaker.
White Rodgers Thermostat Reset
Here is how to reset your White Rodgers thermostat back to the factory settings:
| Thermostat Model | How to Reset |
| Sensi Smart Touch thermostat | Go to the menu, select ‘about thermostat’, and click on the ‘factory reset’. |
| Classic 80 ; 70 Series Emerson White Rodgers thermostat | Press and hold the up and down arrows and the ‘time’ button at the same time. |
| Line Voltage Digital White Rodgers thermostats | Press and hold the up and down arrows and then press the button with the light bulb. |
| Blue Series 2″ White Rodgers Emerson thermostat | Press the up and down arrows and the ‘time’ button at the same time. Hold the buttons for around 10 seconds. |
Is There a Reset Button on a White Rodgers Thermostat?
The absolute majority of White Rodgers thermostats don’t have a special reset button. The reset procedure will depend on the model of the device that you have.
Old White Rodgers Thermostat Reset
You can reset any old thermostat by turning the actual device off and then turning the thermostat off at the circuit breaker. Wait for 30 seconds and turn the breaker back on – this should reset the thermostat.
White Rodgers Thermostat Keeps Saying Low Battery
If the thermostat continues to say ‘low battery’ even after you have replaced them, then you might want to double-check, if you have inserted the batteries correctly.
Tip: remember to replace all batteries in one go.
Also, do make sure that the batteries are not bad and that they are enough to power the thermostat (check the inside of the battery compartment to find out the exact voltage needed).
If everything is fine, then you can try resetting the device.
Read: HVAC Thermostat Problems
Where Are the Batteries on a White Rodgers Thermostat?
Before changing the batteries, don’t forget to turn the thermostat off.
Depending on the model of your device, you would either have to remove the whole thermostat from the wall base or just the front of the faceplate.
How Do I Get My White Rodgers Thermostat Off Hold?
Usually, all you would have to do to get the thermostat off hold is press the ‘run’ or ‘run schedule’ button and the device will resume its programmed schedule.
If that didn’t help, then you should reset the thermostat.
How Long Do White-Rodgers Thermostats Last?
You can expect your White Rodgers thermostat to last for around 12 years. At times, the device can end up serving for 15 years or longer.
However, you might want to swap your thermostat for a new one a little earlier as the newer models are much more advanced and energy-efficient.