Why is my furnace running but not blowing hot air?

Author: Quinten Blick  |  Last update: Monday, September 22, 2025

A propane furnace or oil furnace blowing cold air might indicate a low or empty fuel supply. And, a clogged oil filter can also cause an oil furnace to turn on and blow cold air. If you suspect a fuel supply issue with your natural gas furnace, it's best to contact a qualified professional.

Why is my furnace running but no hot air?

Ensure your thermostat has not been set to a lower setting by someone else. Check your thermostat's batteries and replace any that are exhausted or defective. Clean all of the parts of your furnace, especially the ones that are susceptible to dust and dirt.

Why is my furnace turning on but no heat?

If your furnace turns on but no heat is produced, there may be a problem with the fuel supply or the ignition system. If something is stopping your furnace from receiving gas, there is no fuel to combust so the furnace will not create any heat. The furnace turns on but no heat comes out.

Why is my furnace working but not blowing air?

When your furnace runs but fails to blow air, several issues could be at play: Blower Motor Problems: If the motor is malfunctioning or not receiving power, it can't push air through your ducts. This could be due to electrical issues, a faulty motor, or problems with the motor's capacitor.

Why is hot air not coming out of my vents?

While furnaces can stop operating for complicated reasons, home owners should check a few usual suspects first behind a lack of hot blowing air: Electrical problems causing a loss of power. Blocked air vents and ducts restricting airflow. Improperly configured thermostat settings.

Furnace Not Blowing Hot Air - Easy Fix

Why is my HVAC running but no air coming out of vents?

If your air handler is running but not blowing air, there are two likely scenarios: either a broken AC blower belt or an issue with the motor itself. If the air handler is humming or buzzing but not making the mechanical sounds of a motor running, you're most likely talking about an issue with the motor itself.

How to check if an air duct is blocked?

You can generally identify a blocked air duct by a distinct drop in heating and cooling efficiency, increased energy costs, and occasionally a musty, dusty smell throughout the home. The blockage usually comes over time, by a buildup of dust and debris that just accumulates until it begins choking the system.

Why is my HVAC running but no heat?

In this article, we discuss three of the most common reasons why a furnace turns on without generating heat. These include incorrect thermostat settings, airflow problems, inadequate furnace fuel, and ignition problems.

How to tell if a furnace blower motor is bad?

Here are the key indicators:
  1. Unusual Noises. Screeching or Squealing. ...
  2. Weak Airflow. Insufficient Heating. ...
  3. Motor Overheating. Excessive Heat from the Furnace. ...
  4. Inconsistent Performance. Start-Stop Issues. ...
  5. High Energy Bills. An inefficient, struggling blower motor often increases energy usage and higher bills.
  6. Age and Wear.

Why is my furnace on but my house is cold?

The issue could be as simple as an incorrectly set thermostat, so always double check the settings. A more serious problem is a miscalibrated thermostat (it's sensing the wrong temperatures and shutting the furnace off early) or one that has a bad connection to the control board in the HVAC system.

Why is my thermostat working but the heat not coming on?

If your thermostat is fully functional and you're still unable to feel any heat coming from the vents, you may be dealing with some of these problems: Dirty evaporator coils. Clogged pipes. Full air filters.

How do I fix my furnace blowing cold air?

How To Troubleshoot Furnace Blowing Cold Air
  1. Step 1: Check Thermostat Setting. First and most importantly, make sure your thermostat is set to Heating Mode. ...
  2. Step 2: Evaluate and Adjust Your Vents: ...
  3. Step 3: Assess Furnace Filters and Replace Filters If They Are Dirty. ...
  4. Step 4: Call An HVAC Pro.

Why is my furnace not kicking out heat?

The cause of your furnace not blowing hot air could be the thermostat configuration, a dirty air filter, the high limit switch, a clogged condensate line, insufficient fuel, leaky ducts, ignition problems, a blocked burner, flame sensor issues, gas valve malfunctions, a cracked heat exchanger, or a clogged coil.

Why is my central heating not blowing hot air?

Issues with the pilot light, high limit switch, blocked burners, leaky ductwork, electrical problems, and blower motor failures are common reasons for HVAC systems blowing cold air. These problems often require professional maintenance and repairs.

How long to leave furnace off to reset?

Leave the breaker(s) off for at least 10 minutes while the system is off and “rebooting.” After 10 minutes have elapsed, go back to the breaker box and flip the HVAC breaker(s) back on.

Why is my furnace not turning on with the thermostat?

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.

How do I know if my furnace is in lockout mode?

When this occurs, often after two or three failed restart attempts, the furnace is known to be in lockout mode and will not attempt to run again until the furnace is manually reset. It is important to note that there are soft and hard lockouts, which does vary by manufacturer.

Why is my furnace running but not blowing air?

The most common reason your furnace is running but not blowing air is likely due to issues with the blower, blower motor, or blower module. The blower pushes air out of the registers and pulls air into the return registers.

Where is the reset button on my 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. The reset button is often made of yellow or red plastic and marked with a large “R ” to make it easier to spot.

Why is my furnace fan running but no hot air?

Clogged or Dirty Air Filters

A dirty or clogged air filter can restrict airflow, causing your furnace to overheat and shut off the burners. In such cases, the blower fan will continue running, but no warm air will be distributed throughout your home.

How do you unclog an air duct?

How to Clean Your Air Ducts
  1. Turn Your System Off. Turn off the thermostat to your system. ...
  2. Remove and Clean the Grilles. ...
  3. Loosen the Debris in the Supply Duct. ...
  4. Vacuum Out the Ducts. ...
  5. Replace Your Air Filters. ...
  6. Replace the Grilles and Vent Covers. ...
  7. Reset the Thermostat.

Why are some vents not blowing hot air in my house?

Four common reasons there isn't enough hot air blowing out of your vents are: A Vent is Blocked. The Air Filter is Clogged. Leaky Ductwork.

How do you know if you cleared a clogged duct?

How do I know when a milk duct is unclogged? Not feeling a lump is the best way to tell if the clog is gone. If you are pumping or hand-expressing milk, you may see an extra thick or fatty glob of milk come out.

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