Honeywell Thermostat Return Flashing? – (Quick Fix!)

Wondering why the Honeywell thermostat return flashing? We’ve got you covered!

When you’re experiencing a problem of this kind, it’s important to note whether it was you who set the schedule.

Since your Honeywell thermostat operates purely on user data that has been provided to the device, the flashing “Return” light may not be considered an error in all cases.

If you cannot shut down the “Return” light on your thermostat, start by verifying that the device is operating at the correct time and date.

After that, clear the schedule settings of your Honeywell thermostat, set new ones, and perform a factory reset on the device.

Let’s learn more about the flashing “Return” light of your thermostat!

Understanding Why Honeywell Thermostat Flashing Return?

When your Honeywell thermostat is flashing “Return” it isn’t primarily considered a problem.

The issue primarily appears when the thermostat is ready with a pre-scheduled task but the light will remain on, indefinitely.

To understand if this is an error or not, let’s learn about the modes!

Honeywell Thermostat Modes?

Your Honeywell thermostat’ schedule settings consist of four segments based on the user’s personal preferences and needs.

The four functionality modes of your Honeywell thermostat are Wake, Leave, Return, and Sleep.

Each one of the segments used for scheduling particular operations on your thermostat is necessary for atomizing the device operation.

Though the “Wake”, “Sleep” and the “Leave” segments are primarily reminders, the “Return” segment is what’s important.

“Return” Mode – Explained

Assuming that you’re already familiar with the functionality modes of your Honeywell thermostat, the return schedule is one of them.

You’re able to configure your thermostat to operate in a specific way during the same time every day, using the “return” mode.

Quick Fact: If you’ve set up a return schedule, the “Return” indicator of your thermostat will flash every time you get back home!

6 Steps to Fix Return Flashing On Honeywell Thermostat?

Tip: Exact programming steps for your Honeywell thermostat model are found in the user physical/online user manual.

1. Reprogram the Thermostat’s Date

The first and most important factor when utilizing modes on your Honeywell thermostat is to verify that the time and date are correct.

Your thermostat works only through the time and date setting you’ve customized and if it’s incorrect, there will be a bunch of functionality issues.

Tip: Use the time and date settings displayed on your phone to program your thermostat.

Here’s how to program the date on your Honeywell thermostat correctly:

1. Press the “Set Clock/Day/Schedule” button on your thermostat.
2. Use the Up/Down arrow to configure the clock of your thermostat.
3. Once you’re done, press the “Set Day” button in the middle.
4. Use the Up/Down arrow to select the correct day of the week.
5. Press the most-left “Done” button to save all of the changes made.

Alert: If you don’t press the “Done” button, none of the changes will be saved.

2. Clear all Thermostat Schedules!

To make sure you haven’t set an incorrect schedule on your thermostat, your next step should be to erase all activated schedules and simply re-do them.

If your thermostat was running on an incorrect date the entire time, all schedules could have become improper and corrupted.

• You don’t necessarily have to create a new schedule immediately!

Here’s how to erase all schedules on your Honeywell thermostat:

1. Press the “Set” button on your Honeywell thermostat.
2. Press the “Set Schedule” button from the menu.
3. Select the “Return” mode to clear the schedules there.
4. Press and hold the Up arrow key and the “Hold” button.
5. Keep holding both of the buttons for four seconds straight.

Note: Perform this action for all activated schedules on your Honeywell thermostat.

3. Create a New “Return” Schedule

Another technique to resolve the Honeywell thermostat return flashing problem is to program a brand new “Return” schedule.

This way you will verify that the “Return” schedule wasn’t misconfigured in any way and you’ve set it up properly.

Here’s how to create a new schedule for your Honeywell thermostat:

1. Enter the Schedule Start menu from the main screen of your thermostat.
2. Select “Return” to install a schedule with the “Return” segment.
3. Program the weekday schedule from the options on the screen.
4. Program the weekend schedule from the options on the screen.
5. Save the changes made to the schedule listings of your thermostat.
6. Exit the menu and check if the “Return” light is still flashing.

Accidentally Triggering the “Return” Light?

If you’ve set up a new “Return” segment schedule starting right now or after 2-3 minutes, the “Return” light will be flashing.

If you’re already at home and you won’t be going out today, make sure the weekday/weekend schedule starts from tomorrow!

Note: If the schedule starts right away, the “Return” light will flash for longer than usual!

4. Power Cycle your Thermostat

A basic way to refresh the temporal cache and schedule settings of your thermostat (without actually deleting them) is to power cycle your thermostat.

A power cycle is achieved as soon as the power supply of an electrical device is cut and the discharge lasts for up to 60 seconds.

• A “Power Cycle” does not factory reset your Honeywell thermostat!

Follow these instructions to perform a power cycle on your thermostat:

1. Power off your Honeywell thermostat from the main menu page.
2. Take the thermostat off the wall stand and remove the batteries.
3. Wait for 30-40 seconds while the batteries are out of the device.
4. Reinsert the batteries back into the compartment on the back.
5. Close the battery compartment cover and reinstall your thermostat.

Thermostat Power Issues?

If you’ve noticed that your thermostat shuts down, reboots, or doesn’t display all the necessary information on the home screen, it is possible that there’s a power issue.

To resolve power issues, replace the batteries of your Honeywell thermostat with fresh ones.

Note: If you place the batteries in the wrong way, you may accidentally reset the thermostat!

5. Reboot the System via Float Switch!

Resetting the float switch is an unusual solution when the schedules of your Honeywell thermostat are not behaving properly.

If the “Return” light of the thermostat keeps flashing, it could be a problem with executing the heating/cooling configured in the return schedule.

• To reboot your system from the float switch, push it down for 3 seconds!

Where is the Float Switch in an HVAC System?

Head into your furnace compartment/room and locate the main supply pipe coming out from the furnace.

Find the float switch, push it downwards (or spun it based on the mechanism), and hold it down for 3-4 seconds.

This will reboot the system and hopefully resolve the issue for good.

Can’t Find a Float Switch?

Make sure to also search for a “Safety Switch” to determine if your system has one. It could either be a “Float” or a “Safety” switch that when pushed down.

The HVAC system’s devices (the ACs, the furnace, and the thermostat) will be suspended from working temporarily.

6. Factory Reset Honeywell Thermostat

One of the most beneficial methods is the factory reset on the Honeywell thermostat. This will delete all schedules, settings, and customized options and hopefully resolve the problem with the flashing “Return” light.

• After the reset, the initial setup must the carried out!

Here’s how to perform a factory reset on your Honeywell thermostat easily:

1. Press the Menu icon from your thermostat’ screen.
2. Scroll down to the “Thermostat Information” page.
3. Press on the “Date Code” button and press the back arrow.
4. Highlight and enter the “Installer Options” thermostat menu.
5. Enter the Date Code and then press “Enter your password”.
6. Insert the password code and press “Reset” > “Factory Reset”.

Note: Do not interact with your Honeywell thermostat once it has started the factory reset!

Need More Help?

If the “Return” light is flashing indefinitely, even after the solutions from this guide, then surely you would need some qualified assistance.

Simply contact Honeywell Customer Service for more assistance, and don’t forget what you’ve already tried in this guide. Good luck!

Quick Recap:

When the Honeywell thermostat return flashing, the best solution is to clear all current schedules with the “Return” segment and set up a fresh new one.

If that didn’t work, correct the time and date of your thermostat, reinsert the batteries, and reset the device.

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