How do I reset Gardner Denver shutdown 105 emergency stop?
Short answer: Emergency stop button pressed. If your Gardner Denver AirSmart controller is showing SHUTDOWN #105 EMERGENCY STOP, the controller has logged a specific, documented condition. This page covers what it means, what causes it, what you can safely fix yourself, and when — and why — it takes a technician.
What exactly is the machine telling you?
The compressor was stopped with the Emergency Stop button. The controller will not restart until the button is released.
Which machines show this?
Gardner Denver rotary screw compressors fitted with the first-generation AirSmart microprocessor controller — a wide range of oil-injected packages, including VFD-equipped variable-speed units where the controller supervises the drive. The first-generation AirSmart reports problems as numbered codes: SHUTDOWN #1xx and #2xx faults that stop the machine, and ADVISORY #3xx warnings that let it keep running while flagging maintenance. That numbering matters when you search — the later AirSmart G2 dropped the numbers and displays plain-text fault names instead, so a numbered code on the screen tells you that you are on the earlier controller. Shutdowns clear with Stop/Reset once the machine has stopped; advisories acknowledge with the Enter key.
What causes it?
- Someone pressed the Emergency Stop button — deliberately or by accident
- The E-stop button is still latched in, so the controller refuses to restart
- The machine was E-stopped for a real mechanical problem that still needs attention
Can you fix it yourself?
Yes, if the reason for the E-stop is known and resolved — pull the button out, press Stop/Reset, and restart. Never reset an E-stop without knowing why it was hit.
Step by step — what to try, in order:
- Find out why the E-stop was pressed before restarting
- Pull the Emergency Stop button out to its normal position
- Press Stop/Reset to clear the shutdown, then restart normally
When do you need a technician — and why?
If the fault won't clear with the button released, the E-stop circuit wiring has to be checked inside the electrical cabinet, and if the machine was stopped for a mechanical failure, restarting it blind can wreck the airend.
If it does come to a service call and you're in Nashville, TN or Birmingham, AL, we maintain independently compiled lists of local companies that service industrial air compressors — real businesses with verified contact information, none of whom paid to be listed.
Related questions
What does SHUTDOWN #105 EMERGENCY STOP mean on a Gardner Denver AirSmart controller?
Emergency stop button pressed. The compressor was stopped with the Emergency Stop button. The controller will not restart until the button is released.
Can I fix SHUTDOWN #105 EMERGENCY STOP on a Gardner Denver AirSmart controller myself?
Yes, if the reason for the E-stop is known and resolved — pull the button out, press Stop/Reset, and restart. Never reset an E-stop without knowing why it was hit.
When does SHUTDOWN #105 EMERGENCY STOP on a Gardner Denver AirSmart controller need a technician?
If the fault won't clear with the button released, the E-stop circuit wiring has to be checked inside the electrical cabinet, and if the machine was stopped for a mechanical failure, restarting it blind can wreck the airend. Call for service if the machine will not reset with the button released, or if it was stopped for a mechanical problem.
Verified against service documentation: Gardner Denver AirSmart controller documentation for SHUTDOWN #105 EMERGENCY STOP (best-aire.com)