Honeywell Water Heater Troubleshooting [9 Easy Solutions]  

The most common Honeywell water heater problems are the heater not heating or the heater keeps shutting off. Plus, your Honeywell water heater beeping, keeps shutting off, heater overheating and ignition failure may bother you frequently.    

honeywell water heater troubleshooting

Whatever the problem, first reset your heater and find out if resetting could fix your heater issues or not. If it doesn’t work, you need to replace the corresponding defective part. 

Go on reading our Honeywell water heater troubleshooting guide. We will tell you all the reasons behind each issue with their simple solutions. So, let’s start…

Honeywell Water Heater Troubleshooting [9 Easy Solutions]

Here are the Honeywell water heater issues explained with their easy solutions:

Note: Also read to know how to fix Honeywell water heater sensor failure.

1. Honeywell Water Heater Is Not Hot Enough

The main reason for the Honeywell water heater not becoming hot enough is the malfunctioning of the thermostat.

A typical issue with a thermostat is that it may be over-saturated or dirty and not working effectively. The other leading reason for the low heating problems include: 

  • Wrong thermostat setting 
  • Sediment build-up in the tank
  • Tripped circuit breaker
  • Broken gas valve
  • Damaged dip tube
  • Faulty heating system
  • Water leaking in the system

Solution:

  • Start troubleshooting simply by increasing the thermostat’s temperature as the temperature may turn down anyhow. But it should not exceed  120ºF or 49ºC. 
  • If that doesn’t prove well, ensure your thermostat is working properly by checking for continuity between its terminals. If there is no continuity or poor contact, you may need to replace your heater thermostat. 
  • Now check for sediment build-up at the bottom of the tank as it may be the culprit for reducing the amount of heat. Just drain the water and do a flush in the tank. 
  • If you suspect that your water tank is leaking, call a professional to repair the damage.
  • To stop tripped circuit breaker try turning the power off and on again. 
  • Then, look for any broken or burnt-out heating element. Replace the defective ones immediately.
  • Don’t miss to check the gas valve. Replace the broken valve. 
  • Check the dip tube, and it should be in good working condition. 
  • Make a proper adjustment to the thermostat. Turn it off at the breaker panel and then on to the “heat” setting. Use the “+” or “-” signs to change the setting. 

2. Honeywell Water Heater Beeping

The Honeywell water heater is making noise because the fan has to turn on quickly to create a flow of air through the heater. Also, there have some common reasons that can cause your heater to beep:

  • Water leaking inside the heater
  • Low fuel
  • Overheating
  • A leak in the evaporator coil
  • High pressure

Solution:

  • It’s essential to regularly clean your water filter to avoid this issue, and if you find that it’s already clogged, you’ll need to replace it. 
  • Check out the complete heater elements and look for any leaks. Repair the damage to stop beeping.
  • Then, check to see if the water line is correctly connected to the heater. If the water line is connected properly, check to see if there’s an obstruction in the water line itself. 
  • Sometimes due to low fuel, the heater may start beeping. So, check and fill out the fuel. 
  • If your water heater is beeping due to overheating, turn the thermostat down to reduce the temperature. 
  • Most often, the water heater beeping signals that the water pressure is too high. Turn down the valve into the Off position.
  • If still, you are hearing the beeping noise, then try to restart the system. 

3. Honeywell Water Heater Keeps Turning Off

The water heater keeps turning off is a common phenomenon for water heater owners. The problem indicates that there are problems with the gas supply.

Either the pilot light is going out, or the pilot light is failing to start. The other reasons for water heater shutting down unexpectedly include:

  • Dirty thermocouple
  • Damaged thermocouple
  • Burnt out heating element
  • Corrupted reset button
  • Loose wiring connection

Solution:

  • If the pilot light keeps going out, your first step will be to check the thermocouple. It could be dirty, bent, or damaged. Bad thermocouples and heating elements need to be changed to fix this issue.
  • Now look for any soot build-up in the pilot light tube that is preventing the pilot light from lighting. Clean the pilot tube using a sharp object to remove the blockages.
  • Then, check and replace the bad gas control valve.
  • Insufficient air supply may be the culprit due to a clogged air screen. Unclog the heater vents and air intake.

4. Honeywell Water Heater Overheating

A water heater can overheat for many reasons, but the most common cause is a failure of the thermostat. A Honeywell water heater will overheat if it isn’t receiving enough heat from the furnace or hot water tank. Other reasons for this problem are: 

  • Not enough insulation
  • The stuck pressure relief valve
  • Sediment build-up in the heating element
  • The heating element could be defective

Solution:

  • First up, check the thermostat for an accurate reading. If the thermostat is not set at a comfortable temperature, adjust it to the correct setting. The recommended thermostat temperature is 120°F.
  • Then, ensure that the reset button of the thermostat is working correctly.
  • Verify the water pipes are properly insulated and ventilated. 
  • After that, check the pressure relief valve if it breaks or gets stuck in the closed position. Repair the valve issue with the help of a plumber.
  • Ensure each of the heating elements is blockage free.
  • Also, make sure that every heating element is in good working condition. 

5. Honeywell Water Heater Igniter Not Working

There are a few possible causes for a malfunctioning Honeywell water heater igniter. One possibility is that the electrical wiring to the igniter is damaged. 

Another possibility is that there is something blocking the igniter’s contact with the wire coil in the furnace. Similarly, there are some other causes due to the water heater igniter not working:

  • Clogged pilot line
  • Loose wire connection
  • Broken or damaged electrode

Solution:

  • First of all, clean the pilot line and make sure no dirt or debris is clogging the line.
  • Also, check the wiring connection. If it’s loose, broken, or damaged, fix all the issues. 
  • If the electrode is faulty or broken, replace the electrode entirely.
  • Check the power supply to the unit. If the power is OK, then it may be a problem with the igniter itself. It may need to be replaced or re-tipped. 
  • If the power still isn’t working, try to replace the igniter. Another solution is resetting the unit by pressing and holding down both buttons for three seconds.

6. Honeywell Water Heater Leaking

Honeywell water heater leaking is one of the common problems among water heater users. Most often, the water may start leaking from a defective gasket that has failed fail due to corrosion or wear. 

Another reason for water heater leaks is the tank not being properly sealed. When the tank isn’t properly sealed, moisture and bacteria can get into the system and cause a leak. Here are many more reasons for water heater leaking:

  • Loose or broken drain valve
  • Defective T&P valve
  • Loose pipe connections
  • A load of high water pressure
  • Split in the system

Solution:

  • First up, check all the pipe connections of the water heater. If any of the pipes are loose, tighten them. Replace the defective pipe.
  • Do a special concentration on the drain valve. Ensure the valve is properly tightened to the connection. Replace the bad drain valve.
  • Check the T&P valve and verify whether it is in good working condition or not.
  • There may have a higher possibility of cracks in the water heater. Inspect the water heater for any visible cracks or leaks present. Repair the damaged part as soon as possible.
  • Also, check the thermostat to see if the temperature is correctly set or not. Due to the high temperature, the T&P starts leaking.
  • Finally, inspect and replace the broken anode rod. 
  • To prevent the water heater from leaking, ensure that the flue pipe is venting the combustion gases properly.

7. Honeywell Water Heater Control Not Working

There are a few possible reasons why your Honeywell water heater control might not be working. One possibility is that the power to control may have been lost. Another possibility behind the malfunctioning of the control system includes:

  • Tripped circuit breaker
  • Blown fuse
  • Faulty heating element
  • Damaged thermostat
  • Defective controller.

Solution:

  • Check the thermostat and if it is defective, replace it with the new one. 
  • If the power to the water heater is not working, then either the circuit breaker or fuse may need to be replaced. 
  • In some cases, the electronic control board is the culprit. If the control board is faulty, it might also need to be replaced.
  • Change the defective elements of the system to prevent this problem. 

8. Honeywell Water Heater Not Turning On

If your Honeywell water heater is not turning on, it may be because of a problem with the electrical system. These can include problems with the water heater’s storage tank or coils, which would require expensive repairs or replacement. Some other issues related to the water heater not turning on:

  • The broken wire from the tank or plug
  • Clogged drain valve
  • Blown fuses
  • Defective thermostat

Solution:

  • Make sure that the power of the water heater is turned on. Also, check that the thermostat is set to the proper temperature.
  •  If the power supply to the water heater is not working, you may need to replace the fuse or circuit breaker.
  • Clean the drainage area so that it doesn’t get clogged anymore. Ensure the drain valve is unclogged and working fluently.
  • If you find any wire or plug broken you can call the electrician to fix it. 
  • A defective thermostat can be changed by professionals to overcome this problem.

9. Honeywell Water Heater Is Blinking

If you are seeing the blinking light on your Honeywell water heater, it is likely that the element is not working properly and needs to be replaced. You have to define the errors depending on the number of blinks. 

The blinking light on a different number of times indicates that there’s something up with your water heater that needs to be fixed as soon as possible. 

The Honeywell water heater has 3 types of blinking lights. They are red/green or blue. Each of them indicates different problems. The below table will provide you with a clear idea:

Also Read,

i. How to fix Honeywell water heater status light blinking 7 times

ii. How to fix Honeywell water heater status light blinking 3 times

FAQ:

What will happen if the water heater gets a high-temperature shutdown?

If the water heater shuts down due to a high temperature, it will need to be replaced.

What if the Honeywell water heater light not blinking?

If the Honeywell water heater light is not blinking, it may be due to a faulty light switch. If the light switch is not the issue, then the water heater may need to be serviced.

How to do Honeywell water heater adjustment?

There is no universal answer to this question as it will vary depending on the model of water heater that you have. But they usually have a manual adjustment knob on the front. Turning the knob will change the water temperature in the tank.

How do I know if my water heater is working?

If your water heater has a digital readout or an automatic reset thermostat, it’s likely working. If your water heater does not have a digital readout or an automatic reset thermostat, you can test it by turning the knob to the off position and waiting 10 minutes.

What are the symptoms of a broken water heater?

The most common symptoms of a broken water heater are the smell of gas. If the water heater is leaking, you may also see water on the floor or in the sink.

Conclusion

After going through our ultimate guide, already you know what are the common Honeywell water heater problems, their reason, and solutions. So, whenever you start to struggle with any issue with your heater, just follow our Honeywell water heater troubleshooting guide and fix it by yourself. 

However, if you have any more struggles with any other issues with your heater, don’t hesitate to let us know in the comment box. We will be happy to help you. 

About William

William is the founder of Fireplacehubs.com. He has real life practical skills in fixing smoker & heating appliance issues. He loves to share his knowledge & helps others in fixing their appliances & saving their money. William firmly believes that anyone can repair his or her unit with the correct guidance & knowledge. See more at about us.

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