How do I stop my heater from turning off?

Author: Damon O'Kon  |  Last update: Monday, July 7, 2025

If your furnace keeps turning off, check for issues such as: Dirty Air Filters. A clogged filter restricts airflow, causing the furnace to overheat. Replace air filters every 60 to 90 days to prevent this problem.

Why does my heater keep shutting off?

Overheating: If the heater is overheating due to poor airflow or mechanical issues, it may have a built-in safety feature that shuts it off to prevent damage or fire. Electrical Problems: Faulty wiring, tripped breakers, or blown fuses can interrupt the power supply to the heater, causing it to shut off.

How do I keep my heater running?

10 Quick Tips to Keep Your Heating System Running Smoothly
  1. Regular Maintenance Inspections. ...
  2. Change the Filter. ...
  3. Check the Thermostat. ...
  4. Seal Leaks. ...
  5. Duct Cleaning. ...
  6. Ensure Proper Ventilation. ...
  7. Upgrade The HVAC System When Necessary. ...
  8. Improve Airflow With Ceiling Fans.

Why wont my heater stay running?

Insufficient airflow or insufficient gas pressure. A defective, malfunctioning ignition board, flame sensor, light switch, thermostat, thermocouple, fan limiter, or draft inducer fan. The drainage line is blocked, resulting in a full condensate pan. Temperatures are so low that the furnace cannot stay lit.

Why do heaters turn off by themselves?

Your heater's flame sensor can become corroded over time with contaminants found in the natural gas or propane that fuels your furnace. If the flame sensor is dirty, the furnace will shut off prematurely. To prevent the corrosion from building up, it's wise to have your heater maintained every fall.

Why is my furnace or heater turning on and off? Easy fix Save hundred doing this!

Why does my heating turn off by itself?

Thermostat Issues:A faulty or incorrectly calibrated thermostat can lead to the boiler turning off unexpectedly. Overheating:If the boiler overheats due to a blockage or malfunction, it may shut down to prevent damage. Pump Failure:The pump circulates hot water in your central heating system.

How do I stop my heater from running?

Set your thermostat to a lower temperature than the current room temperature. Setting your thermostat at a lower temperature shuts the furnace down because the space is already at the desired temperature. If the furnace was in the middle of a heating cycle, wait 3–4 minutes for it to stop running.

Why does my heater run for 5 minutes then shuts off?

If your furnace shuts off after a few minutes and starts more than eight times an hour, it may require repair. Common causes of furnace short cycling include restricted airflow, a malfunctioning flame sensor, or a poorly placed thermostat.

How to tell if a thermostat is 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 won't my heat stay on?

Some other reasons your HVAC system won't stay on due to short cycling are incorrect sizing, frozen coils, low refrigerant due to a leak, a faulty compressor, or malfunctioning control board. These issues require the help of a professional HVAC technician to fix through heating repair.

What causes heat to run continuously?

Malfunctioning Thermostat or Incorrect Thermostat Setting

Your furnace could be running constantly because either your thermostat isn't set correctly or is malfunctioning and not properly signaling the furnace when to turn on and off.

What is the normal temperature for a house in winter?

The ideal thermostat temperature in the winter is 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home. Energy.gov suggests that 68 degrees is a good room temperature while you're awake at home but recommends lowering it while you're asleep or away.

How do I stop my heating coming on?

Many modern combi and system boilers have a power switch that you can simply switch off to turn off the heating. You can shut off individual radiators in a conventional system by turning them off at the TRV and lockshield valves.

Why does my heater stay on all the time?

A faulty thermostat can cause your heating unit to run and not turn off. The unit may have a broken heating sensor, the wiring may have gone bad, or the switch itself may have broken. The older the thermostat is, the more at risk you are for this happening. Fortunately, a broken thermostat is an extremely easy fix.

How to reset a thermostat?

Most modern thermostats will have a clearly marked reset button inside the panel. It's usually small and recessed, so you might need a pointed object like a paperclip to press it. For those wondering specifically how to reset air conditioner thermostat models, the process is generally the same.

Why is my thermostat not shutting off my heater?

One of the most common issues is the thermostat. The wiring, switches, or heating sensors can fail on your unit. If this is the case, then you'll need to replace the thermostat with a newer model. A damaged primary controller can also cause the furnace to stay turned on.

How do I know if I need a new thermostat?

If your thermostat has fresh batteries but suddenly lacks power, flashes, or isn't responsive to adjustments, it may need replacement. If resetting the thermostat doesn't resolve the problem, you may have wiring problems or faulty components causing your thermostat to not turn on.

Why does the furnace keep shutting off?

One of the most common causes of a furnace shutting off unexpectedly is low airflow. If your furnace keeps turning off, check for issues such as: Dirty Air Filters. A clogged filter restricts airflow, causing the furnace to overheat.

How much does it cost to replace a thermostat?

Replacing a Thermostat. You'll pay between $15 and $300 for the unit in addition to labor ($65 to $100 per hour) to replace an old thermostat with a new one. However, installing a brand-new thermostat is more involved and, therefore, more expensive.

Why does my heater turns off before reaching temperature?

A lack of airflow can cause your furnace to stop heating before reaching the set temperature. Ensure there is nothing impeding airflow around your furnace, within your furnace and through your ducts. Check that registers are open, no ducts are damaged or crushed and replace your furnace filter.

How do you know if you have a bad flame sensor?

Short cycling is a common sign of a bad flame sensor. The sensor thinks that there isn't a flame, so it shuts off the gas as a safety mechanism. Except, there is a flame and without the gas to supply it, it dies. This is a frustrating problem, but an HVAC technician can fix it.

Why does my heater stop working overnight?

A clogged air filter is one of the most common reasons for a furnace shutting off unexpectedly. While it might sound like a minor issue, clogged air filters can significantly impact your system's performance.

How do I fix my heater from turning off?

Filthy Air Filter

When this takes place, a safety device switches off the furnace to stop getting too hot. Inspect the filter, and if it's dirty, replace it. From here on out, change the filter every 30 to 90 days to prevent your furnace from short cycling.

Why does my heater keep running after it has reached the set temperature?

Check the ductwork.

As air flows through your ductwork, seals and joints loosen. That can create leaks. Other leaks may also develop. Leaky ductwork makes it hard for your furnace to reach and stay at your set temperature, meaning it will run longer and more often.

Why is my heating on when it's turned off?

If your home radiators will not switch off even when the central heating isn't on, the most likely cause of the issue is troubles with a diverter or check valve. Should the valves become damaged or blocked, they can continue to transport hot water to your radiators even when the thermostat is switched off.

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