How Do I Reset My Furnace?
What this costs
| Option | Job | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replace | Furnace Replacement | $2,950 | $8,350 |
Before anything else
If you smell gas or rotten eggs, or a carbon monoxide alarm goes off, leave the house right away. Call your utility or 911 from outside. Carrier says not to troubleshoot a suspected gas leak yourself.
What a power reset does
Carrier says a furnace can lock out after a fault. Cutting power for about 30 seconds is Carrier's reset. We don't expect it to fix a fault, and if the furnace shuts off again, we'd assume something is still wrong.
What the red button means
Carrier describes a manual reset, called a rollout switch, on the burner box of some furnaces, which pops out when the unit overheats. Carrier says to press it to reset, and to call a dealer if it trips again right away. We expect a trip means the furnace found a problem, so we recommend leaving this button to a technician, and never holding it in or bypassing it. CPSC warns that furnaces can malfunction and produce carbon monoxide.
When to call a technician
- It shuts down again after a reset.
- You hear banging, grinding or squealing, or smell burning.
- Other gas appliances also stopped working. Carrier says to contact your utility.
- Anyone in the house has a headache, nausea or flu-like symptoms without a fever. Get out and call 911, because CPSC says those can be early signs of carbon monoxide.
Furnace Won't Turn On? Safe Checks Before You Call
Common questions
Where is the reset button on a furnace?
Should I reset my furnace more than once?
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Last verified 2026-11-04
- Carrier: Furnace not turning on — Power off for about 30 seconds; manual reset button is a rollout switch that pops when overheated; call if it trips again; gas smell and CO warnings; lockout.
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Carbon monoxide fact sheet — Furnaces can malfunction and produce CO; symptoms; alarm response.
- Rheem: *RA series gas furnace installation instructions — Instructions aimed at qualified individuals; fire or explosion warning.
- Public Service Commission of Wisconsin: Natural gas consumer safety — If you smell gas, leave immediately and call the gas utility's emergency number or 911 from a safe distance outdoors; odor described as rotten eggs, sulfur or garlic.
General information, not professional advice. Conditions, codes and prices vary. Turn off power, gas or water before any work, and hire a licensed professional when in doubt. Cost figures are our estimates, not quotes.