Why is my Honeywell thermostat showing a 5-minute delay and not cooling?

When the thermostat blinks 'Cool On' while set to cool, it typically means the system is in a 5-minute delay mode to protect the compressor. Wait 5–10 minutes to see if cooling starts. If the system still doesn't cool, try turning the thermostat off, removing and reinstalling the batteries, then setting it to cool again. Also ensure the circuit breaker is on, the furnace door is closed, and the power switch is on.