Why Is My Honeywell Thermostat Display Blank? (Find Out Now!)

Dakotah Forbes
by Dakotah Forbes

It doesn’t take long to tell a difference in the temperature of your home. Maybe you noticed your home wasn’t as comfortable as usual and discovered a blank display screen. If this is the case, you’ll want to diagnose the problem quickly.

When your Honeywell thermostat display goes blank, it is likely one of two problems. There could be an issue with your power supply, or one of the thermostat’s safety features has been tripped. A blank display could also mean your thermostat is at the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced.

Below, we’ve compiled a list of all the potential problems that could cause your thermostat’s display to go blank. Keep reading to get your Honeywell thermostat working like new again in no time!

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Power Supply Problems

Often, a blank screen on your Honeywell thermostat display indicates that there is something wrong with the power supply. This is often good news, as it means that there’s nothing wrong with the thermostat itself. Check the following potential problems before moving on to other solutions.

Dead Batteries

If you have a Honeywell thermostat that doesn’t run on wall power, it may be time to change the batteries. Often, the screen will show a low battery symbol prior to the batteries going dead. However, it is easy to miss.

Here’s how to change the batteries in a standard Honeywell thermostat:

  • Look along the top of the thermostat and locate the button which reads ‘press’
  • Press down on the button. This will release the battery pack area, which will rotate outward, and then should slide completely up and out. 
  • Remove the old batteries and dispose of them properly. Replace with new batteries. 
  • Slide the battery pack back into place until you hear a ‘click.’

Tripped Breaker

Another interruption to the power supply could be the result of a tripped breaker if your thermostat, like many modern models, is wired into your home’s electricity. A tripped breaker will shut off your thermostat and cause the screen to go blank if it does not contain a backup battery.

To fix a tripped breaker, locate your home’s electrical box and reset the circuit breaker that powers your thermostat. If you do not feel comfortable doing this on your own, be sure to consult a professional.

Wiring Problem

If you just installed your Honeywell thermostat, bad wiring is likely the culprit for a blank screen. If you are unfamiliar with electrical work, consult an electrical professional to safely fix this wiring issue. If your thermostat was recently installed by a professional, let them know of this problem.

Though not advised, if you choose to solve a wiring problem yourself, be sure to flip the breaker first.

Safety Features

If there doesn’t seem to be a problem with the thermostat’s power supply, the next problem to check is the thermostat’s safety features. These built-in features are designed to protect your HVAC system from further damage. So, they can cause the system to stop operating if a problem is detected.

Blown Fuse

Protecting your thermostat against electrical surges is important for the life of the device. This is why some thermostat models contain a built-in fuse. If your thermostat experienced an electrical surge that blew the fuse, this fuse will need to be replaced to keep the thermostat running.

The instructions for replacing the fuse will vary between models. If you are inexperienced in electrical repairs, it may be wise to consult a professional technician.

Your Furnace Door Is Open

If your furnace door has been left open, this may be why your thermostat screen has gone blank. This is a common safety measure built into Honeywell thermostats. Ensure that your furnace door is securely closed, and then check the screen to find out whether this solved the problem.

Tripped High Limit Switch

This safety feature built into your thermostat protects your HVAC system from overheating. If high temperatures are detected, the high limit switch will cause your thermostat screen to go blank.

If your thermostat’s high limit switch has been tripped, this could mean that your HVAC system has poor airflow. It could also mean that your system has a broken part in need of replacement.

Tripped Float Switch

Another safety measure that protects your thermostat and your home HVAC system is the high limit switch. When moisture is detected by sensors in your furnace or A/C (sensors are often present in newer models), your HVAC system will turn off and your thermostat’s screen will go blank.

Sometimes, a tripped high limit switch is a result of a malfunction or error in the sensor. However, be sure to check your AC drain line to ensure that it isn’t clogged, as this could also lead to a tripped switch.

Replace Your Thermostat

Generally, the life of a thermostat is about 10 years. If you have an older Honeywell thermostat, consider replacing it with a newer model, especially if it is having problems and showing signs of age. Honeywell offers a selection of smart WiFi thermostats with added capabilities, such as programming, learning your home, geofencing, voice control, and more.

How to Reset Your Thermostat

Sometimes, when a safety feature is tripped, you will need to factory reset your thermostat in order to get it up and running again. However, this will erase all of your configuration and settings. If you are unsure of your settings, consult an HVAC repair professional before resetting your thermostat.

Here’s how to factory reset some of the most popular Honeywell thermostat models. If you’re unsure of your model number, it is often located on the back of the thermostat.

Honeywell 1000 and 2000 Series (Battery-Powered)

  • If your thermostat is connected to wall power, turn off the circuit breaker to cut power to the thermostat. 
  • Remove the thermostat from the mounting plate, if it is needed to access the batteries. 
  • Remove the batteries and place them back into the thermostat backward. 
  • Leave the backward batteries in the thermostat for 5 seconds. 
  • Take out the batteries again and place them back in the correct direction. 
  • Reattach your thermostat to the mounting plate (if it was removed).
  • Turn on the circuit breaker (if it was turned off).

Honeywell 4000 Series

Hold down the ‘Set’ and ‘Run’ buttons at the same time. After a few seconds, this will reset the thermostat to its default schedule and settings.

Honeywell 6000 WF Series

  • Hold down the up arrow button and the fan button. 
  • While holding these buttons, set the number on right to 90 and the number on the left to 1. 
  • Press ‘Done’ to reset the thermostat. 

Honeywell 8320 and 8580WF

  • Tap ‘System’.
  • Press and hold the box that appears in the center of the screen. 
  • Set the left number to 0710 and the right number to 1. 
  • Select ‘Done.’

Honeywell 9000 Series

  • Select ‘Menu’.
  • Select ‘Preferences’.
  • Select ‘Restore Factory Defaults’.
  • When asked to confirm, select ‘Yes’.

Honeywell T5/T5+/T6

  • Select the menu button.
  • Scroll until you locate the reset button, and select this button. 
  • The question ‘Are you sure?’ will appear. Select yes. 

Honeywell Lyric and Smart Round Thermostats

  • Press and hold the cloud icon.
  • Press and hold the down arrow. 
  • Select the reset button when it appears. 

If you don’t see your Honeywell thermostat model above, consult this guide or refer to your thermostat’s manual.

Do You Need Your Thermostat Repaired or Reprogrammed?

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Related Questions

How Often Should You Replace the Batteries in a Honeywell Thermostat?

A fresh set of batteries typically lasts a year in a Honeywell thermostat. The thermostat will also indicate low battery on the screen for 60 days before the batteries go dead completely and the thermostat stops functioning. If you don’t want to remember to replace the batteries, consider switching to a wall-powered thermostat model. Why Is My Honeywell Thermostat Display Blinking? 


Why Is My Honeywell Thermostat Display Blinking?

There are a variety of reasons why your display might start blinking. However, this is common when the power comes back on after an outage. Other troubleshooting steps include ensuring that your thermostat is not in setup mode and that your clock has been set. You could also try replacing the batteries. If ‘Cool On’ is blinking and persists longer than a few minutes, there could be a problem with your A/C.


Why Does My Honeywell Thermostat Say Wait?

The ‘Wait’ message is a result of a safety measure designed to protect the HVAC Compressor from damage. This message indicates that the thermostat is waiting to activate the system. If your system is running properly, this message should go away on its own. However, if the wait message persists, you may need to consult an HVAC professional. 

Conclusion

As you can see, the causes of a blank display screen on a Honeywell thermostat can vary greatly. It could be as simple as replacing the batteries, or it may be time to replace your thermostat altogether. When troubleshooting this problem, have patience and eliminate the simple fixes first. This will ensure that you don’t put more time, money effort into repairing your thermostat than necessary.

Dakotah Forbes
Dakotah Forbes

Dakotah Forbes is a copywriter and content writer specializing in home decor and design. She is dedicated to helping readers find answers to all their home design questions by creating helpful guides and articles. In her spare time, she loves to use her creative spirit to complete her own home decor and DIY projects. Dakotah graduated from James Madison University with a BA in Media Arts and Design and currently resides in Virginia with her husband.

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