Every heating season, I get at least a handful of calls that start the same way: “My Goodman furnace stopped working—where’s the reset button?” Sometimes the question is more specific: “Where is the reset button on a Goodman furnace?” Other times it’s pure frustration: “I flipped the switch, I changed the thermostat, I just need to know how to reset a Goodman furnace.”
If you own or are thinking about installing a Goodman MBVK electric furnace, this article is for you. Not because the MBVK is unreliable—it’s not—but because modern electric furnaces don’t behave the way older systems did. And that difference creates confusion, especially around the idea of a Goodman furnace reset button.
Let me say this upfront, because it’ll save you a lot of time:
Most Goodman electric furnaces do not have a single, obvious “reset button” the way people expect.
But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to reset. It means the concept is more nuanced—and understanding that nuance can keep you warm, safe, and out of trouble.
Why Everyone Looks for a Reset Button First
The reset button has become HVAC folklore.
Older furnaces, especially oil systems, often had a big red button. When the furnace locked out, you pressed it, the burner fired, and heat returned. That muscle memory stuck. So when a modern electric furnace like the MBVK stops heating, people immediately go hunting for a switch, a button, or a lever that says “reset.”
That instinct is understandable—but it can also be misleading.
Electric furnaces are built differently. They rely on multiple safety controls, not a single manual reset. And pressing the wrong thing at the wrong time can actually make things worse.
Understanding the Goodman MBVK Electric Furnace
Before we talk about reset buttons, we need to talk about the system itself.
The Goodman MBVK is a multi-position, variable-speed electric furnace designed to work as a standalone electric heater or in combination with a heat pump. It uses electric resistance heating elements, not combustion, to produce heat.
That design choice eliminates:
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Burners
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Igniters
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Pilot lights
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Fuel delivery systems
Instead, the MBVK relies on:
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Heating elements
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Sequencers or electronic relays
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Control boards
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Limit switches
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A variable-speed ECM blower motor
Because of this, “resetting” the furnace usually means resetting one of these components—or restoring power so the control logic can reset itself.
Does the Goodman MBVK Have a Reset Button?
Here’s the straight answer.
There is no universal Goodman furnace reset button on the MBVK that you can press to magically fix every issue.
What does exist are:
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Manual-reset limit switches (in specific conditions)
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Power resets via breakers or disconnects
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Furnace door safety switches
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Control board fault resets
When people search for goodman furnace reset button location, they’re usually hoping there’s one clearly labeled button. In most cases, there isn’t.
And that’s intentional.
Where Is the Reset Button on a Goodman Furnace?
This is one of the most searched questions I see, so let’s tackle it head-on.
Where is the reset button on a Goodman furnace?
On most electric Goodman furnaces, including the MBVK, there is no external reset button accessible to homeowners. Any resettable safety device is typically:
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Inside the cabinet
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Not meant for frequent manual resetting
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A sign of a deeper issue if tripped
If a technician talks about a Goodman furnace reset switch, they’re usually referring to:
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A high-limit switch that has tripped
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A manual-reset thermal cutoff
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Or, more commonly, a power reset
That distinction matters.
Goodman Furnace Reset Button Location: What People Are Really Asking
When homeowners ask about Goodman furnace reset button location, they’re usually experiencing one of these situations:
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The furnace isn’t producing heat
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The blower runs but no heat comes out
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The system shut off suddenly
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The thermostat is calling for heat, but nothing happens
In gas or oil systems, those symptoms often led back to ignition. In electric systems, they usually point to safety limits or electrical interruptions.
That’s why the “reset” process often starts at the breaker panel, not the furnace cabinet.
How to Reset a Goodman Furnace (The Right Way)
Let’s talk about how to reset a Goodman furnace safely, without guessing or causing damage.
Step 1: Check the Thermostat
Make sure it’s:
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Set to heat
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Set above room temperature
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Properly configured for electric heat or heat pump operation
You’d be surprised how often this is the issue.
Step 2: Check the Breaker
Electric furnaces draw significant current. If a breaker trips, the furnace shuts down.
Flip the breaker fully off, then back on. This restores power and forces the control board to reboot. In many cases, that’s the reset.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, repeatedly tripping breakers is a warning sign—not a fix—so if this keeps happening, stop and call a professional.
Step 3: Check the Furnace Door Switch
Goodman furnaces have a safety switch that cuts power when the cabinet door is removed. If the door isn’t seated properly, the furnace won’t run.
This “switch” is sometimes mistaken for a reset button, but it’s not. It’s a safety interlock.
Step 4: Let the System Cool Down
If a limit switch tripped due to overheating, it may reset automatically once temperatures normalize. Running the system again immediately can cause it to trip again.
The Switch Goodman Furnace Reset Button Myth
I want to address this phrase specifically: switch Goodman furnace reset button.
There is no dedicated toggle switch on the MBVK labeled “reset.” What people are usually referring to is:
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The service disconnect near the furnace
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The breaker in the electrical panel
Using these to reset power is legitimate—but only once or twice. If the furnace keeps shutting down, the system is protecting itself for a reason.
Repeatedly cycling power without addressing the cause is like resetting a smoke alarm without putting out the fire.
Why Electric Furnaces Trip Limits in the First Place
Understanding why you’re looking for a reset button matters more than finding one.
Common causes include:
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Dirty or restrictive air filters
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Blocked or undersized ductwork
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Incorrect blower speed settings
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Oversized heating elements
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Poor installation
The Goodman MBVK’s variable-speed blower is designed to manage airflow intelligently, but it still needs a properly designed duct system. The Environmental Protection Agency has long emphasized that airflow problems are a leading cause of HVAC inefficiency and shutdowns.
When airflow drops, heat builds up. When heat builds up, limits trip. When limits trip, people start Googling reset buttons.
Manual Reset Limits: What They Are and Why They Matter
Some electric furnaces include manual-reset high-limit switches. These are not convenience features—they’re last-resort safety devices.
If one trips, it usually means:
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Severe airflow restriction
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Electrical malfunction
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Component failure
Resetting it without correcting the cause is dangerous. That’s why manufacturers don’t advertise their location to homeowners.
If a technician resets a manual limit, they should also explain why it tripped. If they don’t, ask.
The Control Board Reset: The Brain of the Furnace
The MBVK uses a control board to manage operation. When power is interrupted, that board resets.
This is often all that’s needed after:
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Power outages
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Electrical surges
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Minor control faults
Organizations like ACCA stress that modern HVAC systems rely heavily on control logic, which means many “problems” are resolved by restoring clean, stable power.
Again, this is not a button—it’s a process.
Why You Shouldn’t Keep Resetting Your Furnace
Here’s the hard truth.
If you’re frequently searching for how to reset Goodman furnace, the furnace isn’t the problem—it’s the symptom.
Electric furnaces don’t lock out randomly. They shut down because something isn’t right. Resetting without diagnosing is how minor issues become expensive repairs.
ASHRAE guidelines consistently emphasize that safety shutdowns exist to prevent equipment damage and fire risk. Treat them with respect.
When to Call a Professional
Call a professional if:
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The furnace shuts down repeatedly
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Breakers keep tripping
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You smell hot electrical components
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The blower runs but heat never engages
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The system won’t respond after a power reset
A trained technician will check:
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Airflow
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Electrical load
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Heating element resistance
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Control board fault codes
That’s not guesswork. That’s diagnostics.
Living Comfortably Without a Reset Button
Once you understand that the Goodman MBVK doesn’t rely on a single reset button, a lot of stress disappears.
You stop poking around the cabinet.
You stop cycling breakers out of frustration.
You start focusing on root causes instead of quick fixes.
That’s how modern systems are meant to be handled.
Final Thoughts from the Field
The idea of a Goodman furnace reset button makes sense if you grew up with older equipment. But the MBVK represents a different generation of heating—one built around intelligent controls, layered safety, and efficiency.
So when someone asks me about Goodman furnace reset button location or a Goodman furnace reset switch, my answer is always the same:
There’s no magic button. There’s just a system doing its job.
If your furnace shuts down, listen to it. Find out why. And fix the cause—not just the symptom.
That approach keeps you warm, safe, and confident in the equipment you rely on every winter.
