How do I get my furnace to work again?

Author: Miss Mertie Wolf II  |  Last update: Saturday, August 2, 2025

How to Troubleshoot a Furnace: 7 Steps to Finding a Solution
  1. Inspect the Thermostat. ...
  2. Change the Furnace Filter. ...
  3. Confirm the Furnace Is Getting Power. ...
  4. Make Sure the Circuit Breaker Isn't Tripped. ...
  5. Check the Vents for Blockage. ...
  6. Make Sure the Front Panel Door Is Secure. ...
  7. Call a Professional.

How do you fix a furnace that is not heating?

Furnace Troubleshooting Recap:

Clean or replace air filter. Troubleshoot thermostat problems — replace batteries if necessary. Set thermostat to heat and at a higher temperature than the current room temperature. Check electrical panel for blown fuses or tripped breakers.

What would cause a furnace not to kick on?

There are several reasons why your furnace may not turn on. The most common include a broken thermostat, gas line issues, clogged air filters, blocked ductwork, a tripped circuit breaker, and issues with the furnace itself.

How do you get your furnace to kick on?

If nothing's happening when you're expecting the whir of a blower, check the circuit breaker and fuse. At your electrical panel, make sure all switches related to the HVAC system are on. Reset any tripped breakers and replace all blown fuses, and your furnace should kick back on.

Where is the reset button on the furnace?

Typically, you'll find it inside the air handler, either next to or above your furnace. In most newer systems, the button is often directly next to the blower motor, while in older systems, it may be harder to spot as it is sometimes underneath or behind the motor.

Top 5 Furnace Problems and How to Fix Them

Why is my thermostat not kicking my furnace on?

The thermostat may have a dead battery, so replace them with fresh ones and try again. Your furnace may turn on right away after this. If it doesn't, you may have a faulty power circuit. Have an HVAC professional diagnose this issue, and provide you with professional recommendations.

Can hear your furnace click on but it does not fire up?

Most likely, your furnace is making a clicking noise and not providing heat because your furnace's spark igniter is trying to ignite your pilot light or burners but is failing to do so. In other words, there's an ignition system malfunction that needs to be fixed. Otherwise, your furnace won't start.

How do I reset my furnace ignitor?

You can reset the ignition on your furnace simply. To do this you must cut the power to the furnace first by turning off the circuit that powers it. Once the power is off you can remove the burner door to reveal the ignitor. Turn this to “off” and leave it off for at least 5 minutes.

Why wont my furnace motor kick on?

Check the circuit breaker, thermostat settings, and air filter first as these are common causes of furnace fan failure. Inspect electrical connections, listen for unusual noises, and verify proper airflow through vents during operation.

How do you know if your furnace needs to be reset?

Why Your Furnace May Need To Be Reset
  1. The furnace has overheated: When your furnace runs too hot, it triggers a safety shut-off to prevent damage. ...
  2. The fuel supply is empty: Your furnace can't generate heat without fuel. ...
  3. The gas valve is shut: A closed valve blocks the fuel supply.

How do I fix my furnace not turning on?

How to Troubleshoot a Furnace: 7 Steps to Finding a Solution
  1. Inspect the Thermostat. ...
  2. Change the Furnace Filter. ...
  3. Confirm the Furnace Is Getting Power. ...
  4. Make Sure the Circuit Breaker Isn't Tripped. ...
  5. Check the Vents for Blockage. ...
  6. Make Sure the Front Panel Door Is Secure. ...
  7. Call a Professional.

How do I force my furnace to start?

Checking your thermostat is the best place to start. Make sure it's set to “heat” and that you've set the temperature higher than the current room temperature. If that doesn't resolve the problem, try switching your fan to “on” to force the furnace to start working.

What do I check if no heat is coming from my furnace?

No Heat? 5 Things to Check Yourself
  1. Check Your Thermostat Settings.
  2. Inspect the Furnace Air Filter.
  3. Ensure the Furnace Has Power.
  4. Inspect the Pilot Light or Ignition System.
  5. Check Your Fuel Supply.
  6. When to Call a Heating Professional.

Who to call if the furnace isn't working?

If your furnace's problems continue, contact an HVAC expert. Also, if you notice discoloration when you check the pilot light, get professional help. If there are cold spots in your home, even though hot air is coming out of the air vents, the issue could be different from your furnace not working.

How do I manually restart my furnace?

First, turn off the power supply to the furnace by turning off the breaker in the circuit box. Locate the reset button on the furnace and press it to reset the furnace. It is usually located inside the blower compartment on the side of the blower motor.

How do I get my furnace to ignite?

Relighting Pilot Lights
  1. Turn Off the Power. The first step to safely relight your furnace is to turn off the power to this heating system. ...
  2. Turn Off the Gas. Next, turn off the gas supply to the furnace. ...
  3. Wait for the Gas to Dissipate. ...
  4. Locate the Pilot Light. ...
  5. Relight the Pilot Light. ...
  6. Hold the Reset Button. ...
  7. Turn on the Furnace.

Why is my furnace not kicking on?

If your furnace doesn't switch on, the circuit breaker could be shut off. Check your circuit breaker panel to make sure all switches for your HVAC system are set to “ON.” Check Your Thermostat: If your furnace doesn't turn on automatically, the thermostat may have lost its programming or reset.

How do I know if my furnace ignitor is bad?

The Short Answer Is: Warning signs of a bad furnace ignitor include the furnace not starting or heating, a noticeable clicking sound without ignition, or frequent short cycling where the furnace turns on and off rapidly. Additionally, if the ignitor appears cracked or discolored, it may need replacement.

Why does my thermostat click but no heat comes on?

If the thermostat clicks but the AC or furnace doesn't turn on, most often it's because the filter is clogged. A blocked filter will restrict airflow. The particles it's designed to trap eventually clog the filter media, and the system will be unable to generate heat or cool air.

How do I get my furnace to kick on?

The system should have a reset switch. Turn it to “OFF,” and wait 5-10 minutes to give the gas time to dissipate. Hold in the reset switch and use either a match or lighter to relight the pilot light. Try to do this step relatively quickly so too much gas doesn't dissipate around the furnace.

Why is my thermostat not communicating with the furnace?

Check the Power Source Sometimes the problem between the thermostat and your furnace is as simple as replacing the batteries. Many digital thermostats use standard batteries to power their functions. Also make sure to check there is power at the furnace as well.

How do I reset my furnace thermostat?

There is usually a small reset button somewhere on the thermostat. Finding this button may require that the thermostat panel be removed and pressing this button may require something like a paperclip to push. Hold the reset button down for 5 seconds and the thermostat should reset.

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