White Rodgers Thermostat Blinking Flame? (7 Proven Fixes!)

White Rodgers thermostat blinking flame can indicate that your heating system is running in a backup power mode.

If this is the warning message you receive on your thermostat, don’t worry; we have some fixes for you to try out.

To fix your White Rodgers thermostat blinking flame, start by resetting your thermostat, checking the auxiliary and primary heat source for issues, and servicing your HVAC.

Now that you have a quick overview of some of the troubleshooting we will perform, let’s examine the causes behind a thermostat blinking flame light first.

Why is My White Rodgers Thermostat Flame Icon Blinking?

There are multiple different types of White Rodgers thermostats, ranging from legacy to smart thermostats.

Universally, a blinking flame icon indicates that your heating system is not using or defaulting to its primary source of energy.

Here is a list of the possible causes for the White Rodgers thermostat flame icon blinking:

Now that you have a clearer overview of the direct causes of a blinking flame icon on your White Rodgers let’s attempt some fixes.

How to Fix White Rodgers Thermostat Blinking Flame

Tip: Don't operate your cooling system if the outside temperature is too low, and vice versa.

Solution #1: Reset Your Thermostat

White Rodgers thermostat flame icon blinking can sometimes be a simple software glitch and does not indicate a physical or hardware issue.

Before performing any other steps, you have to reset your thermostat to clear any temporary software errors.

Here are the steps to reset your White Rodgers thermostat when the flame is blinking:

1. Note that the steps to reset your thermostat vary based on your White Rodgers model.
2. Carefully remove the wires from terminals R and C without shorting them.
3. Take out the batteries from the thermostat for at least 2 minutes.
4. After the waiting period, reconnect the wires to terminals R and C.
5. Reinsert the batteries into the thermostat.
6. Verify if the thermostat operates correctly without the blinking flame.

If you can’t identify which wires to remove, skip taking them out and simply power cycle your White Rodgers by powering it off instead.

Note: A blinking flame icon on a White Rodgers thermostat can indicate a delay mode or a power issue.

Solution #2: Address Auxiliary Heat Activation

A blinking flame on White Rodgers thermostat is most commonly due to the heat source switching to the auxiliary unit instead of the primary unit.

To ensure this doesn’t cause a blinking flame, you have to perform a series of checks to verify why it’s defaulting to the wrong heating.

Here are the steps to check your White Rodgers auxiliary heat status:

1. Auxiliary heat or emergency heat activation can cause the flame icon to blink.
2. Don’t dial overly high heat settings while troubleshooting.
3. Check if your primary heating source is functioning and has sufficient power.
4. Disable the auxiliary or emergency heating settings temporarily.
5. Check if the blinking stops after disabling the ‘AUX’ heat on the thermostat.
6. Monitor if your thermostat will revert to the primary source.

When you have performed all of the steps above, ensure thermostat settings are appropriate for current weather conditions. 

If you notice issues with your primary heat generator, such as the unit not powering on, get in touch with the manufacturer’s maintenance crew or representatives for further help.

Note: Weak or depleted batteries can also cause a software error for your White Rodgers.

Solution #3: Check for Interface Lockouts or Glitches

A firmware glitch means that the thermostat buttons on your White Rodgers thermostat are unresponsive or the display seems to be stuck on a single image.

This issue can occur due to many factors and must be cleared if it happens on your thermostat before redialing the heat.

Here are some steps to clear up a locked-up interface for your White Rodgers device:

1. Try a soft reset by removing the batteries for a few minutes.
2. Perform a hard reset by removing wires for a more extended period.
3. Temporarily disable your home’s electricity from the main power panel for 5-6 minutes.
4. After the reset, reconnect everything to the thermostat, including wires or batteries that were previously removed.
5. Check if the buttons respond and the flame icon behaves normally on the thermostat.

If you have a smart White Rodgers thermostat, check for an update on the thermostat’s firmware page or app if possible.

Note: If you are using a gas supply for the heating, check if the gas valve is open and there are no issues with the gas line itself.

Solution #4: Perform General HVAC Troubleshooting

If there is a power issue with your HVAC unit, your White Rodgers can have a blinking flame alert.

To ensure your HVAC can properly and fully warm your home, you can do some general checkups and basic maintenance. 

Here is how to troubleshoot your HVAC unit for the most common issues:

1. Before proceeding, have the appropriate safety equipment and tools.
2. Ensure the HVAC unit is correctly connected to your White Rodgers thermostat. 
3. Refer to your White Rodgers wiring manual for the exact setup.
4. Inspect the HVAC system for any signs of refrigerant leaks – if you notice signs of Freon leaking, shut off your system entirely and call a technician. 
5. Ensure all vents connected to the system are clean and unobstructed.
6. Turn on the heating and cooling to see if they respond to your thermostat.

When done, change your HVAC unit’s air filter if it’s dirty or clogged – pay attention to the condenser coils and clean them if they are dirty or congested.

Note: Some systems may require specific thermostat models, and using an incompatible one can cause issues.

Solution #5: Troubleshoot Furnace for Issues

If your home uses a furnace that uses wood or pellets for heating, you must check if its sensors and electronics are properly functioning.

If your furnace is getting a false reading, it can cause your White Rodgers to assume there is a lack of power output.

Here is how to troubleshoot your home heating furnace for issues:

1. Ensure your furnace unit is completely powered down and cooled before accessing it.
2. Open the main door to the combustion chamber and check for a sensor array.
3. The flame sensor in the furnace may be dirtied from smoke and thus malfunctioning. 
4. Clean the sensor with a fine abrasive pad or replace it if necessary.
5. A clogged air filter can restrict airflow and cause the furnace to overheat.
6. Replace or clean the furnace filter according to its manufacturer’s recommendations.
7. Power on the furnace again and check if the blinking flame is gone.

Note: Check the spark plugs on your heating system for malfunctions.

Solution #6: WiFi Reset for Smart Models

If you are using a more modern White Rodgers thermostat, it could be malfunctioning because of issues with the WiFi access.

To prevent this, you must check the settings and connection manually.

Here is how to reset the WiFi for smart White Rodgers thermostats:

1. On your smart White Rodgers thermostat, go to the WiFi settings.
2. Select ‘Set up new Network‘ or ‘Home‘ in the network setup.
3. Open your phone’s WiFi settings and connect to the Sensi network.
4. Follow the prompts to finalize the connection between your phone and thermostat.
5. Ensure the thermostat and phone are appropriately synchronized.
6. Check if the blinking flame icon issue is resolved on the thermostat.

Note: You can try connecting the thermostat to an alternate network to see if the issue persists.

Solution #7: Check and Resetting Breaker and Fan Modes

A White Rodgers blinking flame light can also occur if your home circuit breaker has cut off access to your primary heating unit.

Additionally, you must also check if the fans of your heating system are properly working.

Here are the steps to check your circuit breaker and ensure the fan modes are working:

1. Ensure all circuit breakers and fuses related to the thermostat are not tripped.
2. Ensure the heater activates when the thermostat is set above or below room temperature.
3. Notice if the AC or heater runs continuously, indicating a possible short in the wiring.
4. Set the fan switch to ‘Auto‘ instead of ‘Fan‘ if it’s incorrectly set.
5. Reset your White Rodgers thermostat after fixing the fan levels and circuit breaker.
6. Observe if the blinking flame icon persists after resetting.

Note: Blocked vents can lead to overheating and trigger the safety features in the furnace.

Quick Recap

To fix the White Rodgers thermostat blinking flame, inspect the wiring and batteries of your thermostat.

Next, check if the gas supply and furnace sensors are properly working.