Picture of the Honeywell RTH9580WF Smart Thermostat, displaying the Restoring Factory Default Settings screen during reset.

How to Reset Honeywell WiFi Thermostat

This post gives reset Honeywell WiFi thermostat instructions. We demonstrate these on the RTH9580WF wireless t-stat. This method does the following.

  • First of all, it clears out all custom settings.
  • Then, it resets the WiFi network.
  • Finally, it restores the WiFi thermostat back to factory default state.

So, follow the steps below, to hard reset most any Honeywell WiFi thermostat.

We suggest these directions when fixing problems. Resetting cuts the chance that faulty settings are causing the t-stat to act funny.





But after doing this, the t-stat forgets any programmed settings. So you must re enter your WiFi network name and password again. Also, your custom schedules, if any, will disappear as well. Resetting returns the Honeywell WiFi thermostat to the built-in heating and cooling routines. So again, you might want to adjust them again for to your specific needs.

Picture of the RTH9580WF displaying the Home screen.
Displaying the Home screen.

Before you Start with How to Reset Honeywell WiFi Thermostat

Grab your Manual

Before restoring to factory default settings, gather your t-stat manual that shipped with it. Or, find it online at Honeywell’s web site.

Jot Down the Current Thermostat Program Schedule

Write down the current daily program schedule currently stored in the t-stat. Do this if you’ve changed it from the default schedule.

Write Down any other Settings you’ve Changed from Default

Then, run down through the menus in the t-stat. Jot any settings that you changed prior that let the Honeywell WiFi thermostat work with your furnace. These include filter-change reminders, WiFi network connection info, system type, t-stat name, location, et al.





How to Reset Honeywell WiFi Thermostat Step by Step

1. First, Tap the  Menu  button on the Touchscreen 

Find this button in the picture above, at the top right corner of the screen.

Then, scroll down by pressing the down arrow key, until you see the Preferences button, as shown next.

Picture of a Honeywell WiFi thermostat displaying the Menu Screen with Preferences button circled. Reset Honeywell WiFi thermostat.
Displaying the Menu Screen with Preferences button circled.

2. Then, Tap the Preferences Button

When the Preferences screen appears, scroll with the down-arrow key.  Look for the  “Restore Factory Defaults” button.  We circled this in red in the next picture.

Picture of a Honeywell WiFi thermostat with the Menu, Preferences, Restore Factory Defaults button circled.
Thermostat touchscreen, showing Menu, Preferences, Restore Factory Defaults button circled.

3. Then, Tap the “Restore Factory Defaults” Button

The thermostat then prompts you to confirm that you surely want to restore the thermostat, as shown next.





4. Then Confirm that you Want to Reset

WARNING: Tapping the green Yes button next, erases all user specific settings. So do not reset until you feel that you can set it up again after. Get help from a climate control specialist if you’re unsure.

Picture of the RTH9580WF, displaying the Restore Factory Defaults confirmation screen.
Displaying the Restore Factory Defaults confirmation screen.

If you wish to proceed, then tap the green Yes button.  Otherwise, tap the red No button.

When you press Yes, the display then shows the Restoring Factory Default Settings screen for a bit, as shown next.

Picture of a Honeywell WiFi thermostat, displaying the Restoring Factory Default Settings screen during reset.
Displaying the Restoring Factory Default Settings screen during reset.
After some seconds, the screen goes dark. The RTH9580WF reboots next.  Then, the boot screen, showing the logo shows next, as shown below.
Picture of a Honeywell WiFi thermostat displaying the Boot screen after factory reset completes.
Displaying the Boot screen after factory reset completes.

Then, after boot-up, the t-stat prepares to get new data from you.  While it does this, it shows the Please Wait screen as follows.

Picture of a Honeywell WiFi thermostat displaying the Please Wait screen after booting.
Displaying the Please Wait screen after booting.

5. Enter New Startup Data at the Prompts

Then, the Honeywell WiFi thermostat prompts you to enter some initial settings. Finally, this allows it to start up with working default values, as shown next.

Picture of the RTH9580WF displaying the Connect WiFi Network prompt after factory default reset.
Displaying the Connect WiFi Network prompt after factory default reset.

After WiFi reset, follow the prompts. They ask for info about your WiFi network and HVAC system.

6. Done with How to Reset Honeywell WiFi Thermostat !

At last, you have now restored your Honeywell WiFi thermostat to factory default settings.





Other Posts About Honeywell WiFi Thermostat

  1. Fixing WiFi Problems on Honeywell RTH9580WF Smart Thermostat
  2. How to Change Honeywell Thermostat Temperature Setting
  3. Echo Spot WiFi Setup Instructions
  4. How to Register Honeywell WiFi Thermostat RTH9580WF Online
  5. Unregister Honeywell Thermostat RTH9580WF Instructions

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References for How to Reset Honeywell WiFi Thermostat

  1. Additional Info on Wifi Thermostats from Honeywell
  2. Honeywell Total Connect Comfort Solutions web site
  3. What is a Programmable Thermostat? on Wikipedia

Revision History

  • 2020-06-03: Added tags and optimized text further.
  • 2019-05-11: Tuned the targeting for ‘Reset Honeywell WiFi thermostat’ and added tags.
  • 2019-03-30: Originally published.