Horizon elliptical trainers are one of the top choices when it comes to at home cardio machines.
They offer a great value for money and have a fantastic range of models to provide something to suit every individual.
If your Horizon Elliptical console doesn’t power up properly or the display readout is growing dim, then let’s review the most proven troubleshooting steps you should follow if your Horizon elliptical console not working or displays incorrect workout data.
Without further ado, let’s get right into it!
Why Your Horizon Elliptical Console Not Working?
The digital console is an important part of exercising on your elliptical, you can basically use it to adjust things like speed, resistance and incline.
You basically can’t use programs or see your time, distance or estimated calories burned without a working console.
The two most common reasons why Horizon elliptical display console will be dim, display bad results, or fail to turn on are bad batteries and problems with the reed switch.
The following troubleshooting guides will help you identify and fix your Horizon elliptical display problem.
Horizon Elliptical Console Not Working – Troubleshooting Guides
If your Horizon Elliptical console doesn’t power up, or the display readout starts growing dim while the machine is in operation, the first thing you have to try is replace the batteries to see if it fixes the problem.
1. Replace The Batteries First
Check your Horizon elliptical manual if you are unsure which batteries to use here.
Different machines will require different batteries.
Start by taking off the cover to the battery compartment, remove and discard the old batteries.
Replace all of the batteries, not just one if you happen to have one good one.
Make sure they are facing the right direction and that the connections are clean, and free of damage.
Replace the battery cover and turn on the elliptical console.
2. Adjust The Reed Switch
In case your screen only reads zeros, or displays inaccurate workout data, you need to adjust its reed switch.
The information on the display will not be right if the reed switch is too far from the flywheel magnet.
So what you are going to do is to remove your Horizon motor cover, then regulate the reed switch using a robust Phillips screwdriver.
First, unplug and turn off Horizon elliptical, then pry up the lower upright cover using a slot screwdriver, then slide the cover up to release it from the side shield.
Next, slide the right side shield off to expose the flywheel magnet.
Next, loosen the screw located on the reed switch without removing it and move it manually until you successfully lengthen the distance between the magnet and the switch of ⅛ inch.
Plug in the power cord, turn on the machine, and rotate the pulley for a moment.
Repeat these actions until the console displays correct feedback.
When the reed switch is correctly adjusted, press the power switch to the off position, unplug the power cord and reattach the top shield and the large storage foot.
3. Update The Console Software Version
When you complete a workout, the Horizon display may turn black or show an application crash.
In order to resolve this issue, you need to update the Horizon elliptical machine console software version to the most current version.
Here is how to download and install new software
- First visit the Software Updates page and scroll to locate your Horizon elliptical model from the list of units and try to find the most current version of the software.
- Click to download the zip file onto your computer.
- Extract the files and copy them from your computer to your USB stick.
- Turn off the machine and insert the USB stick into the USB port on your elliptical console.
- After you turn Horizon elliptical on, some console updates will automatically begin, some may require user input.
Simply follow the prompts on the console as your software is being updated.
4. Check The Wires Connections
If your elliptical machine doesn’t entirely power up after you plug it into a power outlet, then you need first to secure the Horizon console wire connections
Here is how to check the console cables and loose wires.
- Unplug the elliptical from the power outlet and wait 60 seconds.
- Remove the four screws that hold the console on the mast.
Verify that the console’s wiring connection points are securely connected and not loose, and the console cable is not pinched or damaged in any way.
Next check if the outlet the machine is plugged into is functional.
Also make sure that the power switch is turned to the ON position if your Horizon model has one.
Finally assemble Horizon elliptical back together, plug in the elliptical again and see if the issue has gone or not.
If your Horizon elliptical console uses batteries, they may need to be replaced.
Final Tip
If none of the above fixes work, then your console is probably damaged and needs to be replaced. Reach out to Horizon customer service for a new part or repair service.
Final Thoughts
It can be quite frustrating when your elliptical machine console stops operating properly as it should be.
Sometimes it may shut down entirely with you having no clue on what has just happened.
After today’s article you will be willing to know the reason why your Horizon elliptical console is not working and the necessary steps to take in order to safely resolve the issue.
