Guardian Failure to Return to Standby

Generator continues to run after utility power has been restored; transfer switch may or may not retransfer.

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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

Utility sensing circuit not detecting return, Stuck transfer switch contacts, Controller programming error, Faulty control board

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Verify utility power is stable and within normal voltage before forcing any transfer. Use proper PPE when working in live panels.

  • Check utility voltage: Measure voltage at the ATS utility terminals to confirm power is present and within spec.
  • Inspect sensing wiring: Ensure the utility sensing leads to the Guardian controller are intact and properly connected.
  • Controller settings: Verify retransfer delay and sensing thresholds in the controller menu.
  • Manual retransfer: If safe and per Guardian instructions, manually retransfer the ATS to utility and place the generator in OFF.
  • Service boards: If the problem recurs, the ATS or generator control board may need replacement.
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Repair Difficulty

Hard 4/5

Required Part

Transfer Switch Control Board
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