W1
Payne First‑Stage Heat Call Error

Thermostat displays W1 and indicates a first‑stage heat call fault; furnace may not start or may short‑cycle.

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Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

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Possible Causes

Open W1 circuit between thermostat and Payne furnace control board, Misconfigured heat type in thermostat, Failed W1 output driver on thermostat PCB, Blown low‑voltage fuse on furnace board

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Turn off power to the furnace before accessing the control board or wiring.

  • Check low‑voltage fuse: Inspect and replace the 3–5A fuse on the Payne furnace control board if blown, after checking for shorts.
  • Inspect W1 wiring: Ensure the W or W1 wire is secure at both the thermostat and furnace control board. Repair any damaged conductors.
  • Bypass thermostat (advanced): With power off, temporarily jumper R to W at the furnace control board. Restore power; if the furnace starts and runs normally, the thermostat or W wire is at fault. Remove the jumper after testing.
  • Verify thermostat configuration: Confirm the thermostat is set for the correct heat source (gas/oil furnace vs. electric) in installer settings.
  • Replace thermostat if needed: If the furnace responds to an R‑W jumper but W1 fault persists with thermostat control, replace the thermostat.
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Repair Difficulty

Medium 3/5

Required Part

Payne Furnace Control Board
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