White Rodgers Thermostat Blinking Snowflake – How to Fix It?

If you are familiar with famous HVAC equipment, you must have heard of the White Rodgers thermostats, no? They are some of the most reliable and durable thermostats on the market. That, however, doesn’t exclude them from the occasional problem.

One of the most common issues is a White Rodgers thermostat blinking snowflake. While several things would cause this, they aren’t much familiar to most people.

That’s why we have looked at the reason you would see that behavior from your thermostat. We have also looked at ways you can solve the problem. Do read on to find out.

Table of Contents

What Does a Blinking Snowflake on a Whiter Rodgers Thermostat Mean?

The planet is getting hotter, and one of the best ways to prevent us from being overrun by erratic weather is to get a thermostat. Because of the advancements in technology, today’s thermostats are usually more advanced than those of previous eras.

Not only are they easier to use, but they can also notify you whenever they have an issue. One way the White Rodger thermostat would show you that is with the blinking snowflake.

Several things would cause your thermostat’s snowflake to blink. Most, however, are standard responses by the White Rodgers thermostat.

The first reason the snowflake icon would flash is if you have the compressor lockout feature. That will occur in tandem with flashing from the flame icon on your White Rodgers thermostat.

The next thing that would make the snowflake blink is if the thermostat is in lockout mode. It would do that to stop the thermostat’s compressor from cycling too fast. That, again, isn’t a cause for alarm.

Another explanation for the White Rodgers thermostat blinking snowflake is a time delay with the thermostats compressor. You will see the flashes for about five minutes, after which they will stop.

All the above reasons shouldn’t make you panic. However, there are several that should concern you.

Take, for instance, the snowflake’s incessant flashing, which doesn’t seem to stop after a few minutes. That will mean there might be an issue with the thermostat’s outdoor unit.

If the outdoor unit has an issue, it communicates to the central unit, which then blinks, notifying you.

Finally, a low battery is another common cause of a blinking snowflake. If the thermostat runs on a battery, you will notice continuous blinking whenever you power on the thermostat.

How to Fix Flashing Snowflake on Thermostat

The above reasons shouldn’t worry you too much since you can do things to stop them. There is blinking that is standard procedure for the thermostat, but some will need a response from you.

The blinking that should concern you is the constant type that doesn’t seem to stop. Count the number of blinks each time you see them and note them down. If you determine they are blinking between two times to a maximum of nine or ten, there will be an issue.

Here is what to do.

First, check the battery. We have already established that a low battery might be a cause of a flashing or blinking snowflake. Therefore the first thing you should do is to check the battery. If the batteries are the issue, then duly replace them with new ones.

Second, you need to check the outdoor unit. When the snowflake is blinking, it means there is an issue with the outdoor unit. You can fix this by restarting the thermostat.

Switch off everything for about one minute, then turn it on. After that check, if the outdoor unit is working well after the restart. The blinking light should have stopped if the outdoor unit was the problem.

If that doesn’t solve the issue, then it means that there could be a problem with the circuit breaker. Check the circuit breaker. If it is okay, it means there will be a more severe problem with your unit, and you’ll have to call in an HVAC specialist.

Resetting Your White Rodgers Thermostat

The other potential solution to the blinking snowflake is to reset your thermostat. That might enable it to self-correct any internal issues that might cause the blinking. Here’s how to reset your thermostat.

Switch off the thermostat
Go to the circuit breaker box and reset it.
Wait for about one minute.
Turn the thermostat back on.

Alternatively, you could open up the thermostat, remove the batteries and terminal R and C wires for several minutes before replacing them. That should help solve the snowflake blinking issue.

If it doesn’t, then you’ll have no choice but to consult an HVAC specialist.

Cool Blinking on White Rodgers Thermostat: How to Fix It

There are times when you will notice “cool on” on the snowflake icon as it blinks. That shouldn’t be a cause of alarm since it only means that the device is undergoing delay mode.

Delay mode might last for approximately five minutes, after which the blinking will stop. It is a necessary procedure by the thermostat to protect itself from short cycling. The first thing you should do when you notice is to reduce the thermostat’s temperature.

That should stop the blinking due to the cooling. Also, when you see that, it’s a wise idea to confirm if the furnace door is safely locked with the power switch on.

If any of the above things don’t change, then contact an HVAC specialist for assistance.

Bonus Things to Try To Stop Problematic Blinking Snowflake

If you have recently installed the thermostat, check whether the wiring is in the correct configuration. Incorrect wiring could cause the snowflake to blink and become a head-scratcher for you persistently.

Secondly, confirm if your thermostat setting perfectly matches your heating system. You can do that by checking the user manual for the correct configurations of the thermostat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q – Why does my White Rodgers thermostat go into lockout mode?

The lockout mode in the White Rodgers thermostat is to prevent misuse of the thermostat.

Q – Is a White Rodgers thermostat worth it?

Yes, White Rodgers thermostats are worth it. They are reliable, easy to operate, and, best of all, digital.

Final Thoughts

We hope you now understand what to do when you encounter a White Rodgers thermostat blinking snowflake problem. The fixes we have highlighted will help you rectify the issue relatively effortlessly. If they don’t, then contact a specialist to help or call White Rodgers customer support.