Oil Furnace Reset Button: How to Reset & When to Call for Help
It’s a cold winter night, and your oil furnace just shut down. You’re standing in front of your heating system, staring at that small red button, wondering if you should press it. If your oil furnace won’t start and you’re looking for answers, you’re in the right place.
This guide covers everything you need to know about your oil furnace reset button — what it does, how to use it safely, what causes repeated shutdowns, and most importantly, when to stop and call a professional.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer: This article provides educational information about oil furnace reset buttons for homeowners. While we’ve made every effort to provide accurate safety guidance, oil heating systems vary by manufacturer, model, and installation. This content does NOT replace professional HVAC service or emergency assistance.
Working with oil heating equipment involves real risks including fire, explosion, and carbon monoxide poisoning. If you are uncomfortable performing any procedure described here, or if you observe any signs of malfunction (oil smell, smoke, unusual sounds), stop immediately and contact a licensed HVAC technician.
By using the information in this article, you acknowledge that TryCODFuel.com and its affiliates are not liable for any damages, injuries, or losses that may result from following these instructions. When in doubt, always call a professional.
Quick Answer: Should You Press Your Oil Furnace Reset Button?
Yes — but only ONCE, and only after following proper safety steps.
- Press the reset button ONE time only
- Wait at least 5 minutes after the furnace shuts off before pressing
- Never press it repeatedly if the furnace doesn’t stay running
- Have a working carbon monoxide detector installed before you begin
- Call a professional immediately if one reset doesn’t solve the problem
Serving New York, Connecticut & Pennsylvania
What Is the Oil Furnace Reset Button?
The reset button is a safety feature built into your oil burner’s primary control system. Think of it as the emergency shutoff that activates when your furnace detects something wrong during operation.
Your oil burner constantly monitors critical functions:
- Whether the burner ignited successfully
- If the flame is burning properly
- How long ignition is taking
- Whether the flame stays lit after ignition
When it detects a problem — like the burner failing to ignite within 45–90 seconds, or the flame going out unexpectedly — the system automatically shuts down and enters safety lockout mode. This prevents unburned heating oil from flooding the combustion chamber, which could create a serious fire or explosion hazard.
The reset button lets you manually override this lockout and tell the system to try starting again. However, this should only be done once — and only when you’ve confirmed there are no immediate safety hazards present.
Where Is the Reset Button on Your Oil Furnace?
The reset button is typically a small red or black button located on your oil burner. Most homeowners find it on a control box attached to the burner unit itself, usually somewhere near the front where it’s accessible.
Look for:
- A small red button (most common) labeled “RESET” or “SAFETY RESET”
- Sometimes a black button with similar labeling
- Usually slightly recessed to prevent accidental pressing
The button may be in your basement, utility room, or wherever your heating system is located. A flashlight helps if the area is dimly lit.
Important: If you see multiple buttons on your system, look specifically for the one labeled “RESET.” Other buttons are for testing or other functions and should only be used by trained technicians.
How to Safely Reset Your Oil Furnace: Step-by-Step
Follow these steps carefully. Remember: you should only do this ONCE. If it doesn’t work, call a professional immediately.
Step 1: Ensure Safety First
Before you touch anything, confirm you have a working carbon monoxide detector installed near your furnace. Carbon monoxide is odorless and deadly — this is not optional.
Also check for:
- Any smell of heating oil around the furnace
- Smoke or unusual odors
- Visible oil leaks
Step 2: Wait 5 Minutes
Wait at least 5 minutes after the furnace shuts off. This allows the safety control system to fully reset and any accumulated oil fumes to dissipate.
Use this time to check your oil tank gauge. If it’s below 1/4 full, running out of oil may be the cause. Visit CODFuel.com to compare prices and schedule delivery.
Step 3: Check Your Thermostat
Before resetting the burner, verify:
- Thermostat is set to “HEAT” mode
- Temperature is set at least 5 degrees above current room temperature
- Display is functioning properly (check batteries if applicable)
Sometimes what seems like a furnace problem is actually just a thermostat issue.
Step 4: Press the Reset Button Once
Press the reset button firmly ONE time, then release.
Do NOT:
- Hold the button down
- Press it multiple times
- Keep pressing it if nothing happens
Simply press and release once, then wait.
Step 5: Observe the Results
After pressing reset, your furnace should start up within 1–2 minutes. If it ignites and continues running for at least 10–15 minutes, the reset worked. Monitor the system for a while to confirm stable operation.
Step 6: Call a Professional If It Doesn’t Work
If your furnace doesn’t ignite, or starts but shuts off again:
- DO NOT press the reset button again
- Turn your thermostat to “OFF”
- Call a licensed HVAC technician immediately
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Repeatedly pressing the reset button can flood your combustion chamber with unburned oil. When that oil finally ignites, it can cause an explosion or fire. Professional HVAC technicians regularly see dangerous situations caused by homeowners pressing reset multiple times. Don’t take that risk.
Why Does My Oil Furnace Reset Button Keep Tripping?
If your furnace shut down again after one reset, stop right now and call for professional service. Do not press the reset button again. Do not attempt to troubleshoot or fix anything yourself.
Understanding what may be causing the problem can help when you speak with your technician — but these are not repairs you can or should attempt yourself.
Common Causes of Repeated Furnace Shutdowns
Your oil furnace has multiple precision components and safety systems working together. When the reset button keeps tripping, something in this complex system has failed and requires professional diagnosis:
- Dirty or Clogged Oil Filter restricting fuel flow to the burner nozzle
- Faulty Flame Sensor (Cad Cell) that can’t detect the flame even when it’s burning
- Worn Burner Nozzle producing poor ignition or incomplete combustion
- Air in the Fuel Line — especially common after running very low on oil
- Failed Ignition Transformer that can’t create the spark needed to ignite the oil
- Blocked Chimney or Flue preventing proper exhaust venting
- Low Oil Tank Level pulling sludge and sediment into your fuel system
- Electrical Control Failures in the burner’s primary control system or safety switches
Get Your Heat Back On Today — Schedule Service Now
Most furnace service calls are resolved in a single visit within 1–2 hours. Your technician will diagnose the exact problem, make the proper repairs, and verify safe operation before leaving.
Licensed HVAC technicians serving New York, Connecticut & Pennsylvania
What your professional technician will do:
- Diagnose the exact cause of repeated shutdowns using professional diagnostic tools
- Inspect your complete oil delivery and combustion system
- Test ignition components, flame sensor, and all safety controls
- Verify proper venting and exhaust draft
- Clean or replace failed components with manufacturer-approved parts
- Adjust and tune the burner for optimal, safe performance
- Test the complete system and verify reliable operation
- Explain what caused the problem and how to prevent future issues
Running low on heating oil? That’s often the underlying cause of furnace problems. Visit CODFuel.com to compare real-time prices from dealers in your area and schedule delivery today.
When to Call a Professional
Here’s the bottom line: if one reset doesn’t fix the problem, you need professional HVAC service immediately. Don’t keep pressing the reset button, don’t attempt to troubleshoot further, and don’t try to fix anything yourself.
Call for professional help immediately if:
- The furnace doesn’t start after pressing reset once
- The furnace starts but shuts off again and does not come back on
- You smell heating oil around the furnace or in your home
- You see smoke or unusual flames coming from the burner
- You hear loud banging, popping, or unusual sounds during startup
- Your carbon monoxide detector goes off
- This is the second or third time the furnace has shut down this winter
- You’re not comfortable performing the reset procedure safely
- You’re unsure about anything related to your heating system
Emergency service available — NY, CT & PA
What to Expect from Professional Service
- Immediate diagnosis: The technician identifies the exact cause of the shutdown using specialized testing equipment
- Complete system inspection: Checks oil supply, fuel delivery, ignition components, flame sensor, combustion quality, venting, and all safety controls
- Professional repair: Cleans or replaces failed components with manufacturer-approved parts
- Safety verification: Tests and adjusts the burner for optimal, safe performance
- Prevention guidance: Explains what caused the problem and how to avoid future issues
Most service calls are resolved in one visit, typically within a few hours. You’ll have your heat back on safely and reliably, often the same day you call.
How to Prevent Reset Button Problems
The best way to avoid middle-of-the-night emergencies is regular professional maintenance. Your oil heating system is complex equipment that requires expert care to run reliably and safely all winter long.
Annual Professional Tune-Up (Essential)
Schedule professional furnace service every year — ideally in late summer or early fall before heating season begins. A comprehensive tune-up includes:
- Cleaning and adjusting the burner
- Replacing the nozzle
- Inspecting the combustion chamber
- Replacing the oil filter
- Checking and adjusting combustion efficiency
- Testing all safety controls
- Inspecting venting and draft
- Checking for oil leaks
- Testing the ignition system
An annual tune-up typically costs a few hundred dollars but can easily save you that much or more in efficiency gains and avoided emergency repairs. More importantly, it dramatically reduces the chance of a winter failure when you need your heat most.
Qualified technicians serving NY, CT & PA
What Homeowners Should Monitor
Between professional service visits, keep an eye on these:
- Oil tank level: Never let your tank drop below 1/4 full
- Unusual sounds: Listen for grinding, banging, or continuous clicking
- Heating performance: Notice if your home isn’t heating as well as it should
- Oil smells: Any smell of heating oil around the furnace warrants immediate professional attention
- Carbon monoxide detector: Test monthly and replace batteries twice a year
Smart Monitoring Tools
Two simple tools can prevent emergencies and give you peace of mind throughout the heating season:
- WiFi oil tank monitor: Sends smartphone alerts when your oil is running low, so you never run out unexpectedly
- Carbon monoxide detector with digital display: Shows actual CO levels, not just an alarm at dangerous levels
Critical Safety Warnings
Your oil furnace is generally very safe when properly maintained. But there are serious risks to understand:
Every time you press reset, your furnace attempts to fire. If ignition is failing, each attempt pumps more unburned oil into the combustion chamber. When ignition finally does occur, all that accumulated oil ignites at once — potentially causing an explosion or “puff back” that can damage your furnace, your home, and seriously injure you.
HVAC technicians regularly encounter dangerous situations caused by homeowners who “kept pressing the button until it worked.” Don’t be that person.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless gas produced by incomplete combustion. A faulty or poorly maintained oil burner can produce dangerous levels of CO without any visible sign.
Install a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace AND on each sleeping level of your home. Test monthly and replace batteries twice a year.
If your CO detector goes off:
- Immediately evacuate everyone from the house
- Call 911 from outside
- Do NOT re-enter until emergency responders say it’s safe
- Do NOT turn your heating system back on until it has been professionally inspected and repaired
Every oil burner has a red emergency shutoff switch — usually at the top of your basement stairs or near the furnace. Know where yours is.
Flip this switch to OFF immediately if:
- You smell oil or see a leak
- You see smoke or flames outside the combustion chamber
- You hear loud banging or unusual sounds
- Your CO detector alarms
- The reset button won’t stay in and keeps popping out
After shutting off the furnace, call for emergency service immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oil Furnace Reset Buttons
Where is the reset button on my oil furnace?
The reset button is typically located on the burner primary control box mounted on the front of the burner unit. Look for a small red or black button, often labeled “RESET” or “SAFETY RESET.” Some older systems have the reset button on the stack relay mounted in the exhaust flue pipe. If you’re having trouble finding it, call a professional rather than wasting time searching.
How many times can you press the reset button on an oil furnace?
You should only press the reset button ONCE. If your furnace doesn’t start or shuts off again after one reset attempt, do not keep pressing the button. Repeated resets can flood your combustion chamber with unburned oil, creating a serious fire or explosion hazard. Call a professional HVAC technician immediately.
Why does my oil furnace reset button keep tripping?
Common causes include: a dirty or clogged oil filter restricting fuel flow, a faulty flame sensor (cad cell) that can’t detect the flame, a worn burner nozzle, air in the fuel line after running out of oil, a failed ignition transformer, a blocked chimney or flue, low oil tank level, or electrical control failures. All of these require professional diagnosis and repair — they are not DIY fixes.
What does it mean when the reset button won’t stay in?
If the reset button pops back out immediately, the burner is in safety lockout mode — a protective feature indicating a repeated unsafe condition such as failed ignition. You may wait 5–10 minutes and try once more, but if it continues, call a professional. The lockout is protecting you from a potentially dangerous situation.
Can I reset my oil furnace myself or do I need a professional?
You can safely press the reset button ONCE if it shuts down, provided there are no oil smells, smoke, or leaks. If the furnace doesn’t stay running after a single reset, you need a professional. Never repeatedly press the button, and always have a working carbon monoxide detector in place before you start.
How long should I wait before pressing the reset button?
Wait at least 5 minutes after your furnace shuts off. This allows the safety control system to fully reset and any accumulated oil fumes to dissipate. Pressing reset too quickly can prevent proper system reset and may create safety hazards.
What should I do if my furnace won’t start after pressing reset?
First, check that you have oil in your tank (at least 1/4 full). Verify your thermostat is set correctly and has working batteries. Check that your circuit breaker hasn’t tripped. If everything checks out but the furnace still won’t run, call a licensed HVAC technician — do not keep pressing the reset button.
Is it dangerous to press the reset button on an oil furnace?
Pressing the reset button once is generally safe when you follow proper procedures. However, pressing it multiple times IS dangerous because it floods your combustion chamber with unburned heating oil. When that oil ignites, it can cause an explosion or fire. Press it once — if it doesn’t work, call a professional.
How much does it cost to fix an oil furnace that won’t stay running?
Simple fixes like replacing a clogged oil filter or cleaning a flame sensor typically cost $150–$300 including the service call. More complex repairs such as replacing an ignition transformer or fuel pump can run higher. Emergency service during off-hours typically costs 1.5–2 times the normal rate. The best way to avoid expensive repairs is scheduling an annual professional tune-up before heating season.
Can running out of heating oil damage my furnace?
Yes. Running completely out of oil introduces air into the fuel lines (requiring professional bleeding), pulls sludge and sediment from the bottom of the tank into the fuel system, and may cause repeated startup attempts that damage electrical components. Always keep your tank above 1/4 full. Order oil through CODFuel.com before you run low to compare prices and avoid emergency delivery fees.
Final Thoughts: When in Doubt, Call a Professional
Your oil furnace reset button is a useful safety feature — not a fix-everything button. Using it incorrectly is genuinely dangerous.
The key rules to remember:
- Only press reset ONCE
- Wait 5 minutes before attempting reset
- Always have a working carbon monoxide detector
- Call a professional if one reset doesn’t solve the problem
- Keep up with annual professional maintenance
- Never let your oil tank drop below 1/4 full
If you’re dealing with a furnace that won’t start right now, press reset once following the safety procedures in this guide. If that doesn’t work, don’t spend the night troubleshooting — call for emergency service and stay warm somewhere else until help arrives.
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Stay warm, stay safe — when it comes to your heating system, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
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