Few HVAC topics generate more confusion than the furnace reset button. Homeowners search for everything from how to reset a furnace and where is the reset button on a furnace to more specific questions like how to reset an electric furnace heater, gas furnace reset button, or blower motor reset button location. I’ve even been asked for a picture of reset button on a Goodman furnace more times than I can count.
The confusion is understandable. Not all furnaces have a traditional reset button, and the ones that do don’t all work the same way. Electric furnaces, gas furnaces, blower motors, and control boards all use different safety logic. Pressing the wrong button—or pressing the right one too often—can lead to bigger problems.
In this article, I’m going to clarify what a furnace reset button really is, how it applies to different furnace types, and how the Goodman MBVK electric furnace fits into the conversation. I’ll also explain how to restart a furnace safely, what to do when the reset button on a furnace is not working, and when it’s time to stop resetting and call a professional.
Is There a Reset Button on a Furnace?
Let’s start with the most basic question: is there a reset button on a furnace?
Sometimes yes. Sometimes no.
The term furnace reset button is not a single, universal component. Instead, it’s a catch-all phrase homeowners use to describe several different safety or electrical devices, including:
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Manual-reset high-limit switches
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Flame rollout or spill switches (gas furnaces)
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Oil burner reset buttons
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Blower motor overload resets
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Power resets via breakers or disconnects
Understanding which one applies to your system is critical.
The Goodman MBVK Electric Furnace: Reset Logic Explained
The Goodman MBVK is a variable-speed air handler that functions as an electric furnace when paired with electric heat strips. It does not burn fuel, does not use flame, and does not have a traditional gas furnace reset button.
Instead, the MBVK relies on:
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Manual and automatic high-limit safety switches
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Electronic control boards
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Blower motor protection logic
Goodman’s documentation for the MBVK series explains how these safety systems protect the furnace from overheating and airflow problems (Goodman MBVK air handler series).
So when someone asks where is the reset button on an electric furnace, the answer is often: inside the cabinet, on a safety limit—not on the outside of the unit.
Furnace Reset Button Location: What Homeowners Expect vs. Reality
Many homeowners expect:
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A clearly labeled external button
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Something easy to press and reset repeatedly
That’s almost never the case.
Furnace Reset Button Location (Electric Furnaces)
On electric furnaces like the Goodman MBVK:
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The reset button is usually inside the furnace cabinet
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It may be mounted on the electric heat element housing
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It often appears as a small red or black button on a round limit switch
That’s why people search for picture of reset button on Goodman furnace—because it’s not obvious or accessible by design.
Safety switches are intentionally hidden to discourage frequent resets without diagnosis.
How to Reset an Electric Furnace (Correctly)
If you’re confident you have an electric furnace and need to know how to reset electric furnace heater, here’s the correct approach.
How to Reset Electric Furnace Safely
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Turn off power at the breaker or disconnect
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Allow the furnace to cool for 5–10 minutes
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Remove the access panel
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Locate the manual reset limit (if equipped)
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Press the button firmly until it clicks
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Replace the panel and restore power
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Monitor operation carefully
If the furnace resumes normal heating and stays on, the reset may have cleared a temporary issue. If it trips again, stop.
Repeated resets mean there is an underlying problem—usually airflow or electrical.
The U.S. Department of Energy identifies airflow restrictions and overheating as leading causes of electric furnace shutdowns (DOE heating system maintenance guidance).
Gas Furnace Reset Button: A Different System Entirely
When homeowners search gas furnace furnace reset button or how to reset gas furnace, they’re usually dealing with a completely different safety system.
Gas Furnace Reset Button Types
Gas furnaces may include:
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Flame rollout switches
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Spill switches near the draft hood
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Pressure switch lockouts
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Electronic ignition resets
Some gas furnaces allow a manual reset. Many do not.
If you’re asking where is the furnace reset button located on a gas furnace, the answer varies widely by manufacturer and model.
HVAC education resources like HVAC.com explain why gas furnace resets should be handled carefully, especially when flame or venting issues are involved (HVAC.com furnace reset and safety overview).
Blower Motor Reset Button: What It Is (and Isn’t)
Another major source of confusion is the blower motor reset button.
Do All Blower Motors Have Reset Buttons?
No.
Older PSC blower motors sometimes include a manual thermal overload reset. Modern ECM blower motors—like the one used in the Goodman MBVK—do not have a traditional furnace blower motor reset button.
Instead, ECM motors:
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Shut down electronically
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Report fault codes
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Require power cycling or component repair
So when homeowners ask how to reset furnace blower or blower motor reset button location, the answer for modern systems is often: there isn’t one.
Honeywell Furnace Reset Button: Another Common Misunderstanding
Many thermostats and controls are made by Honeywell, which leads homeowners to search for a Honeywell furnace reset button.
Important clarification:
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Honeywell thermostats do not reset furnaces
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Power cycling the thermostat does not reset safety limits
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Furnace resets occur at the furnace, not the thermostat
Thermostats can cause operational issues, but they are not reset switches.
How to Restart a Furnace the Right Way
Sometimes the best solution isn’t pressing a reset button—it’s knowing how to restart a furnace properly.
How to Restart an Electric Furnace
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Turn off the breaker
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Wait 2–5 minutes
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Turn power back on
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Observe startup sequence
How to Restart a Gas Furnace
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Turn off power and gas supply (if needed)
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Wait several minutes
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Restore power
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Allow ignition sequence to complete
If the furnace fails again, stop troubleshooting and call for service.
ENERGY STAR emphasizes that repeated restarts without diagnosis can damage components and reduce system lifespan (ENERGY STAR heating system maintenance).
Reset Button on Furnace Not Working: What That Means
If you press a reset button and nothing happens, that’s not a failure—it’s information.
Possible causes include:
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The system hasn’t cooled enough
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The switch is defective
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The furnace is still detecting unsafe conditions
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The problem is elsewhere entirely
A furnace reset switch that won’t reset is often preventing serious damage.
Why the Goodman MBVK Handles Resets Differently
The MBVK’s variable-speed design reduces reset events by:
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Maintaining consistent airflow
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Reducing heat stress
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Monitoring electrical load continuously
When a reset occurs on an MBVK, it’s usually due to:
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Dirty filters
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Blocked ducts
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Improper installation
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Electrical supply issues
The system is doing exactly what it’s designed to do—protect itself.
Final Thoughts from the Field
The phrase furnace reset button covers a lot of ground, but understanding what applies to your system makes all the difference. Electric furnaces, gas furnaces, blower motors, and thermostats all use different logic—and pressing buttons blindly can turn a small issue into a big one.
With modern systems like the Goodman MBVK electric furnace, resets are rare and meaningful. If you find yourself repeatedly searching for how to reset heating system or where is the reset button located, the furnace is telling you something needs attention.
Listen to it.
