White Rodgers Thermostat Stuck On Hold? (7 Quick Fixes!)

White Rodgers thermostat stuck on hold can be difficult to troubleshoot, as you can’t be certain why the issue presents itself.

If your thermostat display is stuck on hold and won’t clear, don’t worry; we have some solutions to help you out.

To fix your White Rodgers thermostat stuck on hold, start by power cycling your HVAC and attempting to cancel the hold through the app. Next, hard reset your thermostat.

Let’s first examine what causes the problem to occur.

Why is My White Rodgers Thermostat Stuck on Hold?

Whenever your thermostat display is stuck or the hold function won’t clear up, your heating/cooling systems won’t function as intended.

The cause of the hold is either related to your HVAC system configuration or thermostat settings. 

Here is an overview of the more common causes of White Rodgers thermostats stuck on hold:

At this point, you have a better idea of the underlying causes of White Rodgers thermostats being stuck on hold, and we can proceed with the actual fixes.

How to Fix White Rodgers Thermostat Stuck on Hold?

Tip: Never touch or handle any wires unless the power for your thermostat is cut off.

Solution #1: Power Cycle Your HVAC

The first fix you should attempt whenever your thermostat is stuck on hold is to restart the HVAC system.

This can help clear up any software issues that cause your device to be placed on hold instead of heating or cooling.

Here are some general steps to reset your HVAC. Note they might vary based on your mode:

1. Turn off your White Rodgers thermostat.
2. Locate the circuit breaker or fuse box for your HVAC system.
3. Turn off the power to the HVAC system.
4. Wait for at least 30 seconds to ensure a complete power cycle.
5. Turn the power back on.
6. Press the button labeled “Run Schedule” through the app or thermostat interface.
7. Turn on the thermostat and check if the Hold function is still stuck.

After these steps, check all the breakers to ensure they haven’t tripped or burned fuses.

When done, visually inspect the outside power box and ensure the switches are on. 

Note: If your system is using heaters, check the pilot light for issues or blinking patterns indicating an error.

Solution #2:  Cancel the Hold Via the Sensi App (For Sensi Smart Thermostats)

White-Rodgers thermostat is stuck on hold and can sometimes be fixed by changing the settings directly through the Sensi app (or the app that’s used to control your White Rodgers device).

Here are the steps for canceling the hold by using your Sensi App:

1. Open the Sensi app on your iOS or Android device.
2. Select your thermostat from the list of devices.
3. Locate the “X” at the bottom of the home screen.
4. This is where the schedule’s timeline should be displayed.
5. Tap on the “X” to cancel your hold.
6. Confirm the cancellation by tapping on “Yes.”
7. Set up a new hold or let the thermostat revert to the schedule.

Note: Always keep your thermostat app updated to avoid compatibility issues and to boost performance.

Solution #3: Factory Reset the White Rodgers Thermostat

One of the more common causes of a thermostat being stuck on hold is if some of its schedule settings are incorrectly set.

This can range from improper timezones or synchronization issues and can generally be resolved by a factory reset.

Here is how to factory reset your White Rodgers thermostat device to its original configuration:

1. Turn off your thermostat.
2. Find and locate a small reset button that may require a small tool like a paperclip.
3. Press and hold the reset button for 7-8 seconds.
4. Wait for your thermostat to restart, and give it a few minutes to recalibrate.
5. Set the desired temperature again from the interface.
6. Ensure it’s also a bit higher or lower than your current room temperature.

After resetting your Whit Rodgers, check if the hold function is released, and if not, repeat the process or try another solution.

Note: Factory resets for your White Rodgers will clear any stored data or settings for your thermostat.

Solution #4: Manually Override the Hold at the Thermostat

White Rodgers thermostat stuck on hold temperature can be difficult to reset if there is a conflict between your HVAC system components.

A typical fix to this scenario is to manually set and override the hold or temperature settings on your White Rodgers.

Here is how to manually override your White Rodgers hold via the settings:

1. Wake up the thermostat or return it to the home screen.
2. Navigate to “Menu” → “Schedule” and toggle the Schedule to Off or On.
3. Return to the home screen and select the mode button at the bottom left.
4. Choose your desired system mode.
5. Use the up and down arrows at the mid-right of the screen to adjust the temperature.
6. The “Set-To” temperature will change, indicating the new temperature.
7. Look for an “Until:” label that will show the end time for this hold.

For heating issues, raise the thermostat’s temperature over the actual room temperature.

If the heater doesn’t turn on, reset the thermostat. 

Note: If you face AC hold issues, lower the temperature below the room's temperature.

Solution #5: Battery Replacement in the Thermostat

An often overlooked troubleshooting step for White Rodgers thermostats is to check and replace their battery unit.

If your battery is not fully charged, it can lead to many malfunctions, including incorrectly setting the system to hold.

To fix an indefinite hold setting, here is how to replace the White Rodgers battery:

1. Gently Remove the thermostat from its wall mount.
2. Open the battery compartment, which is located at the back or side of the thermostat.
3. Take note of the battery type and orientation before removing them.
4. Remove old batteries from the White Rodgers thermostat.
5. Insert new batteries, ensuring correct polarity.
6. Remount the thermostat and restart it to see if the issue is now cleared up on its own.

After these steps, find the “Run Schedule” button on your thermostat and hold it for up to ten seconds to remove the “hold” setting.

Note: If your thermostat is solely powered by wiring, check the installation for issues such as loose ends.

Solution #6: Alternative Manual Override

If you tried the first manual override fix, but it didn’t work, you can also perform this one, where the methodology is slightly different.

This manual override may work better on legacy White Rodgers devices:

1. Press the ‘Run’ button on your White Rodgers thermostat.
2. Press and hold this button for a few seconds, and pay attention to the display screen.
3. Look for an indication of a change or shift in the mode of operation.
4. Attempt to manually override the current settings via the settings interface.
5. Wait for the display to change.
6. Set your desired temperature manually.
7. Monitor your White Rodgers thermostat for continued operation.

Note: You can repeat the steps above 2-3 more times if the thermostat returns to hold mode.

Solution #7: Checking and Cleaning the Thermostat

If you tried all of the steps above, yet your thermostat is still stuck on hold, it might be caused by some of its sensors being obstructed.

This can cause false temperature readings and can prevent the hold from clearing.

Here are some basic steps to check and clean your White Rodgers thermostat:

1. Turn off the power to your thermostat.
2. Remove the cover of the White Rodgers thermostat.
3. Take a moment to carefully inspect the interior for any signs of dust accumulation.
4. Clean any obstructions that could affect its functionality with pressurized air.
5. Gently clean the interior with a soft brush.
6. Check for any loose or damaged wires.
7. Reassemble the thermostat.
8. Turn the power back on and test to see if the hold issue is resolved.

Note: If the issue still persists, you might need more precise solutions for your setup, in which case, please contact White Rodgers support.

Quick Recap

To fix White Rodgers thermostat stuck on hold, start by checking if the battery is depleted and inspect for loose wires.

Next, power cycle your HVAC and factory reset the thermostat.