A Guide on How to Reset Furnace Control Board in Oaklandon, IN

When your furnace suddenly shuts off (or “locks out”), resetting the control board may serve as a temporary solution. But if you want to address the root cause of furnace lockouts, it’s best to get in touch with your local experts for professional help. For timely and reliable HVAC services in Oaklandon, IN, trust the Complete Comfort Heating, A/C & Plumbing team. 

Before we get into the details, it’s important to note that there’s only so much you can do before exhausting your DIY options. Furnace repair is often complicated and potentially hazardous. We have the expertise and specialized tools to find and repair issues you may not have access to.

Homeowners should educate themselves on the common causes of sudden shut-offs to learn how to prevent them. Let this guide be your first step in that direction.

What Usually Causes Furnace Lockouts in Oaklandon, IN?

Learning how to reset a furnace control board is easiest when you understand why they occur. Lockouts might be annoying, especially in the middle of winter, but they result from built-in safety features that prevent hazardous situations such as gas leaks. There are two types: soft and hard. 

Soft lockouts happen when sensors detect something amiss, like a malfunctioning flame sensor or an overheating unit. These events trigger the system to shut off until the danger passes.

Meanwhile, hard lockouts involve a complete shutdown. They occur after multiple soft lockouts, causing your unit to power off completely for safety reasons. Complete shutdowns require a professional to reset the control board after repairing the core problem. 

Consistent maintenance, particularly in the heating system’s most problematic areas, should help homeowners prevent most lockouts.

Issues With the Ignition

Faulty heating coils, fuel pumps, or pilot lights often lead to shutdowns. In most modern systems, if the sensor doesn’t detect heat, the unit will go idle for a while before trying again. After three failed attempts at ignition, the unit will enter a hard lockdown. 

Flipped Limit Switches

Another common reason your furnace might suddenly power off involves the built-in series of limit switches. When the unit reaches its limit for high temperatures or poor airflow, it will perform a soft shut-off. 

A hard lockout occurs when breaching these limits too quickly, which could lead to dangerous conditions, such as when the system overheats due to airflow restrictions.

Other Potential Causes

Sometimes, issues with the control board itself can cause an unnecessary power off. These malfunctions may occur at any point in the system, which is why it’s so vital to have a professional investigate the situation. An incorrect assessment on your part could put you and your family at risk.

How Does Resetting the Control Board Work?

Homeowners aren’t always able to identify the problem and resolve it on their own. When in doubt, it’s better to call a technician than to try resetting the board if you aren’t confident about fixing it. If the problem is safe to tackle without expert assistance, you can take a few simple steps to reset the controls.

1. Check For Codes

Most modern furnaces have diagnostic lights that convey different errors. The light on your furnace should flash in a pattern to indicate a specific issue, which you can interpret using your manual. If you can’t figure out what the light means, contact an HVAC professional for help — do not proceed to troubleshoot on your own.

2. Power Off and Fix the Problem 

If the diagnostic code suggests a quick fix, such as swapping out your air filter to restore airflow, go ahead. Next, turn off the unit’s power by finding the switch or shutting it down at your breaker. 

Check that the diagnostic light has gone out. If it’s still on, the system is either still receiving power or the issue has not been fixed. Both scenarios warrant a call to the pros.

3. Reset or Turn Back On

Now, it’s time to reset the unit, but only if you are certain the problem has been resolved. If you haven’t been able to clear the diagnostic light, contact a licensed technician before proceeding.

Most furnaces have a reset button, but its location varies across models. For oil and gas furnaces, the button is usually within the blower motor housing or on the control panel. In electric models, you’ll most likely find it next to the motor in the blower compartment.

Some older systems do not have a reset button, so you’ll have to perform a manual reset and wait a while before turning everything back on. Consult your manual or a technician for guidelines on the timing. If you can find the reset button, press and hold it for as long as instructed in the manual. 

4. Wait It Out and Watch

It can take a while for the system to recalibrate. Be patient, and keep an eye on what’s happening. If the unit fails to start up or begins functioning only to stop partway through the heating process, something is still not working correctly. 

Sometimes, even when the start-up goes smoothly, the furnace will shut down again a little while later. If any of these issues occur, you’ll know that your repair was insufficient and that something more significant may be at fault. Contact an experienced HVAC team to prevent further damage or potential danger.