Rheem Thermostat Troubleshooting
If your Rheem thermostat is not working, it might solidify your belief in Murphy's law, stating that everything that can go wrong will go wrong. But just because it does go wrong doesn’t mean there’s not an easy solution. Nor does it mean you have to budget for unexpected costs and service fees. There are plenty of Rheem thermostat troubleshooting techniques you can try on your own before calling in the specialists.
Rheem Thermostat Not Turning On or No Display
Several issues could cause your thermostat not to turn on. Luckily for you, the solutions are quick and easy:
- Dead batteries – If your Rheem thermostat is not turning on or displays a blank screen, this might be a sign you have to replace the batteries. Most batteries only last eight months to a year.
- Tripped Circuit breaker – Check that the circuit breaker is not tripped. Electrical problems like overloads, short circuits, ground faults, surges and the like can unexpectedly trip the breaker and cause your thermostat to act up.
- Blown fuse – As mentioned in the previous bullet, sometimes there are power surges that take out a fuse and cut off power. If you see the filament inside the fuse is broken or scorch marks on the glass, this is a good indication that it needs to be replaced.
- Unit is turned off – A unit without power is a thermostat without power. Check to ensure the unit is on and plugged in.
- Loose wiring – If none of the above Rheem thermostat troubleshooting tricks work, there could be a problem with the wiring. You can remove the thermostat from its mounting plate and carefully check for disconnected wires. However, if you see any, be sure to leave repairs up to a certified professional.
Inaccurate Temperature Readings
If you’re noticing the temperature on your thermostat does not match the temperature in the room, check out these Rheem thermostat troubleshooting techniques to remedy the issue:
- Dead batteries – Inaccurate temperature readings could indicate the batteries are running out of juice. How long has it been since you last replaced them? Most batteries only last eight months to a year in a thermostat.
- Tripped circuit breaker – Check that the circuit breaker is not tripped. Electrical problems like overloads, short circuits, ground faults, surges and the like can unexpectedly trip the breaker and cause your thermostat to act up.
- Dirty thermostat – Dirt and dust can accumulate on the thermostat’s sensors and disrupt the readings. Use a can of compressed air to dust it off.
- Dirty filters – Your thermostat should alert you when the filters need to be replaced. However, these reminders and alerts can be turned off, so a clogged air filter may be interfering with the temperature readings.
- Blocked ductwork – Overtime, dust, debris and pest infestations can cause blockages that reduce the efficiency of your HVAC unit, causing a discrepancy between the readings and the actual temperature.
- Drafty windows – Drafts from windows and doors can tamper with your thermostat’s temperature readings, causing it to think the room is colder than it actually is. Try insulating doors and windows during the colder months to prevent inaccurate readings.
Not Connecting to Wifi
Your Rheem thermostat might not be connecting to wifi for several reasons that we’ll cover in the sections below:
- Wifi is down – Your thermostat can’t connect to wifi if there’s no wifi to connect to. Check your router to make sure it's plugged in and is emitting a strong signal.
- Wifi out of range – If your Rheem thermostat is not connecting to wifi, it could be because it’s simply out of range. Try moving the router closer to your thermostat to strengthen the signal.
- Restart the thermostat – Sometimes, glitches in the software can freeze functions that normally otherwise work. It can help to turn your thermostat on and off again to clear malfunctions and restore it to normal operation.
- Reconnect to your wifi – Another trick of the trade is to disconnect and reconnect to the wifi. Toggle through your thermostat’s main menu and reenter your password.
How Do I Reset my Rheem Thermostat
When performing a Rheem thermostat reset, wait a good 10-15 minutes before plugging it back in and restoring power. Occasionally, it takes that long for some internal issues to reset, so it’s important not to plug your unit back in too soon.
- Press the up and down arrow together – On some Rheem thermostat models, you can cause a reset by simultaneously pressing the up and down arrow.
- Note: This will cause the thermostat to return to its factory settings. You’ll have to reprogram any customized settings you have chosen.
- Press and hold the reset button – Depending on your HVAC unit and thermostat, there may be a physical reset button or one you can access through the main menu.
- Note: This will cause the thermostat to return to its factory settings. You’ll have to reprogram any customized settings you have chosen.
- Turn off or unplug the unit – To reset your Rheem thermostat, turn off the power to the main unit by unplugging it or cutting power from the main circuit breaker.
Did that fix the problem? It could be that the issue is not with your thermostat but with the unit as a whole. In that case, it’s best to call an authorized service technician who can help fix the more technical issues.
Additional Rheem Resources
Have other Rheem HVAC units that need attention? Parts Town has plenty of resources to save your heat pumps, furnaces, air conditioners and more from downtime. Check out our Rheem manuals and parts diagrams to get started.