FAQs on why the forced air heating or cooling air handler troubleshooting: blower fan won't shut off:

Frequently-asked questions about what to do when the furnace blower or air conditioning blower fan won't stop running when it should.

This article series describes what to check if the furnace or forced air blower fan does not stop when you expect it to do so

. These same diagnostics also aid in air conditioning blower assembly diagnosis when an A/C blower continues running. We explain what switches or controls may be set improperly or what else, such as a shorted wire, can cause continuous HVAC fan operation.

Questions & answers on why the furnace fan won't stop

Questions & answers about why a furnace blower fan does not stop when you think it should are discussed here. These questions and answers were posted originally

at FURNACE FAN WONT STOP - be sure that you check that article for help in diagnosing a furnace fan or blower that doesn't stop running.

Remember to check that the FAN ON switch is not set to ON at your thermostat and that the FAN ON switch is not set to ON at the fan limit control in your heating furnace or air conditioner (if your control there includes that feature).

On 2018-11-15 by (mod) -

Andrew and Tony:

Let's start by checking out the diagnostic procedures at the article for furnace won't stop

There you will find a more complete list of likely causes then what I could make up in a brief off-the-cuff reply. Let me know how that works for you. See this page

FURNACE FAN WONT STOP

On 2018-11-15 by Andrew Anderson

At first heat would not stop going up now heat is same but way higher then the setting why won't stop running

On 2018-10-15 by tony

I have my blower motor runs with the thermostat turn off,I change the capacitor and the limit switch it didn't help,the problem occurred when I had a new ac unit out in

On 2018-09-22 by (mod) - fan switch is on auto but the blower keeps kicking on and off.

Eric with apologies, I don't know what to make of the situation you describe; For safety I would turn off the unit and call a repair technician as this deserves an on-site expert.

On 2018-09-22 by Eric F

My furnace is off and the fan switch is on auto but the blower keeps kicking on and off. Everytime it turns on I can see the pilot light get bright and then go dim what should I do?

On 2018-03-16 by (mod) - it's ok to turn off the furnace while waiting for repair

No, Christy, that's fine - long as your home is not at risk of freezing pipes and thus burst pipes and water damage.

On 2018-03-14 by Christy

Turned my furnace off because its blowing cold air gonna have a guy come out but my blower won't shut off is that gonna hurt anythjng

On 2017-05-25 by (mod) - Fan continuously runs on furnace,

Megan,

I agree that it at least appears that there is an external problem hurting the circuit board. A power surge or a shorted component, or dust, water, debris can also short a board. Electrical panels don't usually initiate a problem, more likely a damaged or corroded or defective component fails to protect against an overcurrent on a misbehaving circuit.

On 2017-05-25 by Megan

Fan continuously runs on furnace, replaced the circuit board in March which fixed the issue for about 2 months, back to continuously running. We did smell what seemed like burning plastic that we couldn't pinpoint, but seemed to be about when we noticed it was running again. Could there be an issue with the electrical panel because it seems to keep burning out?

On 2017-03-17 by Dave

Blower fan runs nonstop on 95percent Amana has furnace. Replaced board for ignition problem. Beats good now blower will not go off.thermostat set to auto

On 2016-12-22 by (mod) - fan sometimes kept running more than one hour after burner has been automatically shutdown

Running the fan for an hour after the burner has shut down means something's wrong. I suspect a bad wire connection or a failing limit control.

The fact that the problem is intermittent also suggests the same diagnosis. If there's no obvious loose wire or loose connection I'd ask for help from a service tech.

On 2016-12-22 by Anonymous

My fan sometimes kept running more than one hour after burner has been automatically shutdown, sometimes the fan stopped just a few minutes after the burner is shutdown.

Is this a problem with the fan limit switch which should tell the blower to turn off when the residual heat in the furnace is dropped to below the temperature setting? Or is just malfunctioning?

On 2016-12-16 by Luke

Does anyone can tell me what is best;continuous 'auto'mode or intermittent ? We have crazy cold winters here and it would start every other 15 mins on ON/OFF mode and no idea if that'd be bad for the the furnace. Thanks

On 2016-12-11 by (mod) - Furnace blower keep running without thermostat turn on

most likely the problem is one of those listed in the article above.

Without other details, I'm not sure what else I can suggest.

On 2016-12-11 by Vivek

Furnace blower keep running without thermostat turn on

On 2016-12-04 by Bill

The fan runs perfectly in the AC mode and in manual but will not start when the fan control reaches the desired set point. The gas valve stay open until the plenum reaches the high limit set point then shuts off.

On 2016-10-09 by Becky

what would we check on when the fan does not shut off after the heat is reached. We have a lennox whispter heat furnance. We don't know it its in the thermostat or has something to do with the furnace it self.

On 2016-10-06 by Matt

Great article! Couldn't get my hunting camps furnace fan to shut off. The post led me to the fan limit control switch in manual mode. Easy fix with the article and about to call a tech. Thanks!

On 2016-09-21 6 by Mike

Even when my thermostat has the heat/cool switch to off and the fan to Auto, the fan occasionally comes on and then shuts off after a few min (maybe total 5-10 times a day). With heat/cool off, I expect the fan would NOT come on at all.

When I completely disconnect the thermostat, the fan does not come on at all. I changed the green and red wires within the same 18/7 thermostat wire, hoping it was just those two that might be the culprit but it still occurring. Furthermore, I changed the thermostat, same issue occurring. Any ideas?

On 2016-09-05 by rajesh

My lg 1.5 split Ac was indoor blower motor capacitor was 2mfd I go changed 2.5mfd comes any problem or not tel sir ( and same problem is 10hr cotune running motor in out of place spearat and will be stop what the reason...and I'll changed two new indoor motor same problem

My lg 1.5 split Ac was indoor blower motor capacitor was 2 I go changed 2.5 comes any problem or not tel sir ( and same problem is 10hr cotune running motor in out of place spearat and will be stop what the reason

On 2016-07-30 by (mod) - how to make the blower fan run constantly - by choice

David

Take a look at the switches discussed

in FAN LIMIT SWITCH where you'll see an article section titled "Which Way to Set the White AUTO / MANUAL Fan Control Switch"

and then look at your thermostat after

reading FAN ON AUTO MAN Thermostat Switch as you may also have a FAN ON switch on your thermostat.

Any of those controls can force the fan to run continuously

On 2016-07-30 by David

I need to have the blower run constantly. What can I do?

On 2016-07-24 by (mod) - My air handler runs 24/7 regardless of thermostat setting

CHeck the thermostat to see if the fan switch is in FAN or FAN ON position.

Then check that there is no manual FAN ON switch set right in the air handler

Then check for shorted thermostat wires by disconnecting the thermostat wires at the air handler

Then check for a bad control board or relay in the air handler

On 2016-07-24 by kurt

I have a PAYNE model # PFIMNC037 air handler and a totaline thermostat.

My air handler runs 24/7 regardless of thermostat setting (i.e., on off auto)I have even shut unit off at ckt brkr, removed electronic front panel of thermostat and reset ckt brkr and air handler still runs continously

On 2016-05-30 1 by (mod) - blower motor stops running after 10-15 minutes

Perhaps an overheating motor
also check for low voltage or a bad bearing or a loose connection or a bad fan-limit switch

On 2016-05-30 by Fazil

blower motor is running gud an. after 10 r 15 mins blower stop working. An again working gud. Wat a reason for this problem

On 2016-05-03 by Keith

I have a Model: GPC1342H41AA
Fan motor runs all the time.
Pull thermostat, turned power back on and fan keeps running..
Any ideas why? Thank you.

On 2016-03-16 by (mod) - Turns out. I had switched the control to continuous.>

Thanks for the feedback John. Indeed it's easy to accidentally bump or change a control button such as the manual FAN ON switch on a limit control.

Daniel

On 2016-03-16 by John D

After I bled the oil line. The fan kept running. Turns out. I had switched the control to continuous. Also dirty filter and fan door left open. She runs fine now. Just follow these instructions and be patient. U should find the problem.this page really helped me.!

On 2016-02-12 by (mod)

First disconnect the thermostat wires at the furnace side of the thermostat circuit to rule out TT wires shorted together.

Then check for a manual FAN ON switch set at the fan limit switch

If those are OK I suspect a bad control board or relay or a wiring short right in the furnace.

On 2016-02-12 by Jay

there is a mobile home furnace electric furnace the fan will run non stop I took the thermostat off the wall it still runs all the wiring is correct I would just like some information on what to check to make sure I even changed the fan relay

On 2016-02-08 by (mod) - My furnace blower stops only when is in emergency heat

Anon:

The blower and furnace should run until the thermostat is satisfied. If the thermostat is not satisfied in aux heat that may be the trouble.

On 2016-02-08 by Anonymous

My furnace blower stops only when is in emergency heat but won't stops when is in auxyliary heat

On 2016-02-08 by osman

So helpfull

On 2016-02-06 by (mod) - blowers runs continuous after power failure

Thanks Dan - that's odd. Typically a reset-button is designed to turn a device OFF in the event that it is not working properly. It's unusual to hear of a reset button that keeps a blower on when it shouldn't.

Anyway, good going.

On 2016-02-06 by Dan

It was a reset button I didn't see on top of unit, I checked the controls board, no bad marks on it, anyway it's good to go, thnx

On 2016-02-06 by (mod) - blowers runs continuous after power failure

Look for a bad control board.

On 2016-02-06 by Danny Morris

I have an issue with a Coleman HVAC trailer closet unit, blowers runs continuous after power failure in the area, flashes shows open limit switch but both upper,lower switches show continuity , noticed that mercury thermostat does not show spark either way rotated

On 2016-01-24 by (mod)

Where did you disconnect the thermostat: if you disconnect it at the furnace end, that's good for eliminating the thermostat as the problem. If you disconnected at the thermostat end the wires could be shorted together anywhere enroute.

On 2016-01-23 by Thomas 1848

I have a goodman gas furnace with a the same problem, the fan will not stop running. The thermostat is completely disconnected,the fan limit switch opens and closes and all the auxiliary limit switches are all good.

Still the fan stays on. When the power (bulk wire) is disconnected and reconnected the inducer motor comes on but goes off after a few seconds but the blower motor stays on.

Circuit board still indicates open fan limit switch but it's good.

I do notice that there is no ground on the circuit coming to the furnace 115v wiring. Could this be the problem!?

On 2016-01-10 by Anonymous

My furnace continues to run after the room temperature is higher than the set temperature of thermostat. What might be the problem?

On 2016-01-09 by (mod) - check the backup electric heating elements in the furnace of a heat pump system

Thanks Larry for the good suggestion: a fan control wire or even possibly a thermostat wire shorted to ground (the metal furnace or blower compartment body) should be on our checklist.

On 2016-01-09 by Larry

Pull electric elements out of furnace and make sure none are touching the frame of the furnace. I found this condition on a goodman that had the elements and the fan running all the time .

On 2016-01-07 by (mod) - can't turn off the blower

Fred, if you made your test with the thermostat wires completely disconnected then I agree that the problem is probably a control board or relay.

Just be sure that the manual fan on - off switch is in the off position ... if your unit has that switch.

On 2016-01-06 by fred

electric air handler ( carrier ) runs continuously engageing heaters with thermostat off only way to stop running is to knock breaker don't know if it is sequencer or fan control board checked sequencer with power off and it checked good

On 2015-12-17 by Gennaro

Fan running all the time, and switch off

On 2015-12-16 by (mod) - Fan running all the time

Anon:

Please check the diagnostic suggestions in the article above, then let me know if any of that is unclear, incomplete, or if you have further questions. I'll be glad to respond further then.

On 2015-12-16 by Anonymous

Fan running all the time

On 2015-12-12 by (mod)

Mike

If the blower does not stop even after disconnecting thermostat wires AT THE BLOWER UNIT control, then

a manual FAN ON switch is activated at the blower controls
OR
the blower controls have failed or wires are shorted therein. Turn off the unit for sfaety.

On 2015-12-10 by Michaelangelo

My blower does not shut off even after I disconnected all the wires at the thermostat and the green wire in the furnace. I can't even find the limit switch. I've looked high and low around the furnace including where the blower is located but to no avail.

I can shut off the blower from the emergency switch and turn on as well from there. Heck I can't even shut off the blower from the breaker. I'm so stumped. Any ideas what could be causing this fiasco?

On 2015-12-06 by (mod) - Furnace fan won't stop unless I turn it off at the breaker.

CHeck to see if the manual FAN ON switch is on at the thermostat or at the fan limit switch.

IF those are off then your service tech will check for a shorted thermostat wire or a bad control.

On 2015-12-06 by Cindy

Furnace fan won't stop unless I turn it off at the breaker. Replaced thermostat and before I could get past the setup instructions the fan was on again. Our home & unit are only 3 yrs old. What should I look for???

On 2015-11-21 by (mod)

Bernie, I don't understand your system. If we are heating occupied space typically the thermostat that calls for heat is monitoring temperature inside that occupied space. Monitoring outdoor temps is used for some systems to adjust boiler temperature for efficiency reasons but not to turn heat in the building on and off.

On 2015-11-20 by bernie

The amount of heat generated is predicated on the gauges outside of the building that monitor the temperature.

I had the staff check it this morning and it is functioning properly. We have it set higher than recommended does this sound accurate because when it is below 55 we have not heat

On 2015-10-14 by (mod)

Thanks for the feedaback, Happy, that should help other readers.

In general when a fan won't shut off after a new thermostat is installed I suspect either mis-wiring or thermostat wires that have become shorted together.
On occasion other causes of trouble include those listed in the article above.

On 2015-10-14 by Happy Again

We recently purchased a Honeywell thermostat and once installed the furnace fan would not shut off and I checked this website for help.

After a few days of frsutration, my husband took a look at the modular on the furnace that connects to the thermostat and found that the black wire was connected to the green selinoid so he turned off the furnace and installed the Honeywell thermostat so the black wire was connected to the green selinoid and the fan now works as it should.

On 2015-09-29 by dowzer man

)I HAVE APACKAGE UNIT THE BLOWER FAN WANT COME ON WHEN THE CONPRESER COMES.ON NEED HELP

On 2015-09-24 by (mod) - My fan won't shut off.

After disconnecting the thermostat entirely at the fan if it keeps running there is either a fan on switch in the air handler or a bad control board or relay.

On 2015-09-24 by Matt

My fan won't shut off. Replaced thermostat and ran new thermostat wire with the same result. Should I replace the relay board in the air handler first or the limit switch? Thank you

On 2015-08-20 by Mdk8998

We disconnected the thermostat completely, checking the two wires that connect it. They appear fine at the wall.

We left the thermostat off the wall, bare wires, thinking to order a new one and...and the furnace fan came on. Guess we don't need a thermostat. Now what can we check?

On 2015-08-18 by (mod) - My furnace comes on and runs cool air (we don't have AC) even when I have it in the OFF position of

Check for thermostat wires shorted together

On 2015-08-18 by Mdk 8998

My furnace comes on and runs cool air (we don't have AC) even when I have it in the OFF position of <heat off air> and the auto/ manual fan is in the auto position. I have the temperature set all the way down to 50 degrees. Where do we start looking?

On 2015-08-08 by (mod) - Our fan has been running continuously for the past 12 months.

Denny

Happily this is not rocket science. If the fan won't stop running I'd look at

1. thermostat settings and switches including a FAN ON switch

2. fan limit switch settings in the air handler - some have a FAN ON switch there

3. disconnect the thermostat wires at the air handler end - if the fan stops then the problem is a thermostat setting or shorted thermostat wires. If the fan keeps running then there is a bad relay or control board in the air handler.

Keep us posted

On 2015-08-08 by DennyT

Our fan has been running continuously for the past 12 months. We have a heat pump & central AC unit.

Goodman 4 ton. We just had the unit replaced and the fan is still running constantly. The heater/AC company will no longer attempt to figure it out an states that it is the way the unit was designed to run.

This is the same unit that we had previous to replacement and up until the last year the fan turned on & off. If I raise/lower the setting by one degree, the fan will shut off until the unit kicks back on. It quickly comes to temp and we had a second guy confirm this was the right size unit. I have come to manually shut it down during the evenings as the fan noise irritates me.

The other night, I didn't have my glasses on and accidentally hit something and the screen went blank. By the time I came back with my glasses, it was back on.

(The heater guy had previously hard reset the thermostat and it didn't help). Since hitting the wrong spot on the digital honeywell thermostat, the fan has been turning on and off as it should.

Do you think it was just a setting that needed to be reset or do you think we need a new thermostat? The thermostat is approx. 8 yrs old. I greatly appreciate anyone's thoughts or suggestions!

On 2015-02-19 by (mod) - Furnace turns on and blows heat for few minutes or hours

Check for a loose wire, especially in the thermostat circuit.

On 2015-02-19 by Anonymous

My Furnace turns on and blows heat for few minutes or hours. Don't know it does it randomly where some time goes days with out turning off and some days in hours it turns off. Heat stops blowing warm air...and then only blows cold air.

Even turning off thermostat it still blows cold air..I turn of main switch and reset the saftey switch..and comes back on to go off at some random time next time..what could cause that. it causes the saftey switch to flip blowing only cold air till main power turned off or reset saftey switch..

On 2015-02-19 by greg

fan will not shut off when the heat does?

On 2015-01-12 by (mod)

Check for shorted thermostat wires.

On 2015-01-12 by Hank

my hvac unit runs when the thermostat is turned off and fan is off. this happens when it seems that the humidity rises.

On 2015-01-10 0 by Alex

fan motor run . light blinking 6 time

On 2014-12-10 by (mod) - we need to replace our limit switch as the fan is continuously running

Amanda

I am sorry to sound like a timid old maid, but if you understand the risks of giving a homeowner advice about heating safety controls you may appreciate that I'm nervous about this. A mistake in installing a limit switch, or mis-handling the switch - say bending a sensitive spring on the dial for example - can put the switch out of proper order and could make the heating system quite unsafe.

For a bolt-on repair when I don't know the part number, I check the installation and maintenance guide for the heating system; if I don't have that document I note the brand, model, serial number and I give the manufacturer a call to ask for the proper part number. Or I might take the old part to my heating supplier for an in-kind replacement.

I would NOT just replace a button type switch based on measurements alone, as switches may look identical physically but may operate at different temperatures.

In general about fan limit switches, the units that do not have the push-pull button are omitting an extra control that let the owner or service tech set the fan for continuous operation rather than automatic. That's the chief difference.

On 2014-12-09 by Amanda

We just found out that we need to replace our limit switch as the fan is continuously running. I have found one online and will be ordering it, but I have a question about the other limit switch. The small button style one with two wires attached, the high temp limit thermostat.

When looking at the furnace for the source of our problem, I kind of broke the button one free of the built in frame. I'm looking to replace that and am having no luck searching the part number located on it, but I have found one with the correct Limit of 300. The only difference is this one has a manual reset button in the center of it, which our current one does not. Is this really an issue?

Can I use the one with the manual reset in place of one without it? As long as the measurements are the same?

Amanda

On 2014-12-01 by (mod)

Quite right, Ray. That fan run-on interval after the burner shuts off is important to avoid cracking a heat exchanger.

On 2014-12-01 by Ray G

Thanks for the input Dan, I have a new switch on order as I type this. and am making sure the fan runs for a bit after the furnace shuts off, in order to cool the heater box down before shutting off.

On 2014-11-28 by (mod) - Ray's Fan Limit Switch Problem Troubleshooting Tips

Ray you did a steller job of debugging a fan limit switch problem.

And thanks for the nice comments. But still you should really replace the switch. The switch is particularly sensitive to being forced out of calibration, especially if someone forces or pushes on the rotating dial parts - the result could be unsafe. Sorry but while you did a marvelous repair I'm left ... worried.

On 2014-11-28 by RAY G

After lighting my furnace, the fan kept running and would not stop. After several hours of troubleshooting and following the schematics. I traced it down to my fan limit switch. I removed the switch and found it to be stuck at the on -150 position.

I cycled it by hand a few times and took a wire brush to the base. it had some build up causing it to not release to the off position. After cycling it the switch ended up going back to the off position. I installed it and my furnace now works fine. Great pictures on this site made it possible for me to fix it myself. Thanks!!

On 2014-11-24 by (mod)

Anon, if you turn off the blower fan on a heating furnace the unit's fan limit switch should shut the system down. If it does not,mourn off all power to the equipment and call for a repair tech.

Shutting the system off using normal homeowner controls should never be dangerous.

Ye of course you will impact air circulation in a building if you shut off equipment that i inculcating building air.

On 2014-11-24 by (mod)

Selena, set the thermostat to below room temperature. If the heater does not stop after a minute or two, shut off its electrical power and call your heating service tech for repairs.

On 2014-11-24 by Anonymous

Will it be dangerous if we stop the AC blower fan switch and stop the furnace ? will it effect the air circulation in the house ?

On 2014-11-11 by selena

What should I do my burners keep burning and my blowers keep blowing? Thank you

On 2014-10-28 by Anonymous

i have 3 settings on my heater/ air conditioning fan 1on, 2 crc, 3 auto. the fan seems to be on all the time, whether i set it to auto or circ. i don't use the on setting. which will only let the fan on when the heater or air is engaged?

On 2014-10-12 by Mike

I just checked again after leaving it for the night and the dial is still stuck at 150?e

Hi.. I just got the oil burner in my garage up and running after not being used for a couple years. The fan will kick In a free warming up and you can see the dial on the limit switch move as it warms but it won't shut off.

Even after 30 minutes or so the dial on the limit switch won't move back down and shut off the fan. If I turn the dial manually it will shut the fan off though. Bad limit switch?

On 2014-10-06 by Anonymous

OK Thanks

On 2014-10-06 2 by (mod) - fan stops only if I tap the limit switch

Anon

I'd check for a loose wiring connection first, then if needed, replace the switch.

On 2014-10-06 by Anonymous

the fan starts ok, but keeps running until I tap the limit switch. Have to do this each time or fan keeps running. Is the limit switch bad?

On 2014-09-12 by (mod) - Is it possible for me to add a second switch in parallel with the over ride button outside the furnace - DO NOT DO THIS

No Woolf,

The push-pull switch on a limit switch used in furnaces is electro mechanical and is an integral part of the control.

I would not modify a limit switch in any manner - even if the snafu risks are small it's just not worth the risk of malfunction that can result in killing the occupants or burning down the building.

On 2014-09-09 by Woolf

I have a standard domestic gas furnace. The remote thermostat has only a 2 wire run back to the furnace.

I wish to run the furnace blower for long periods to circulate cooler air through the house during the summer. I can push the manual over ride button in on the high limit switch, which achieves this.

Is it possible for me to add a second switch in parallel with the over ride button outside the furnace so that I don't need to open up the furnace to operate it? Is this a safe practice?

...

Continue reading at FURNACE FAN WONT STOP or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see FURNACE FAN WONT STOP FAQs-2 - more-recent questions and answers about a blower fan or furnace fan that, like the Eveready Bunny, just won't stop running.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• AIR HANDLER / BLOWER UNITS - home
• BLOWER FAN CONTINUOUS OPERATION
• BLOWER FAN OPERATION & TESTING - home
• BLOWER FAN WONT STOP - LIMIT SWITCH
• BLOWER FAN WONT STOP - THERMOSTAT SWITCH

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