Why your ecobee thermostat is not turning on

⚡ Fast fix

• Check your breaker panel: The fuse for your HVAC system should be flipped on.
• Latch the furnace door: Close the furnace door to the HVAC system if it's open.
• Reset the thermostat: Remove the cover for 30 seconds to reset a black screen.

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It's a cold spring morning, and the house feels a bit drafty. You decide to take advantage of your smart thermostat features and use the ecobee® smartphone app to turn up the heat. However, the system doesn't respond. You walk down the hall to the physical device and see a black, unresponsive screen. Why is your ecobee thermostat not turning on?

Asurion Experts keep your home devices running smoothly. Whether you need help choosing a smart thermostat or are looking for the best smart home gadgets, count on us for answers you can trust. Here's what to do when your ecobee thermostat will not turn on.

Power cycle your thermostat and check the base

Most ecobee thermostats don't include a physical reset button. Instead, you must reset the device through its settings menu. However, if you're faced with a black screen, you can't access the thermostat's digital controls.

To get around this, remove the thermostat cover and wait for 30 seconds. Then, replace the cover and see if it turns on. This can fix minor issues like software glitches.

Check the power to the HVAC system

Storms and irregular electrical surges can trip the circuits of your HVAC system. To resolve the problem, check your breaker box. Look for the switch to your HVAC system. If it's turned off, switch it back on. Then check your thermostat to see if the screen lights up.

If your breaker box appears fine, move on to your HVAC system. Locate the power switch, and verify that it's on.

Verify thermostat voltage

The ecobee thermostat requires 24 volts of alternating current electricity to run properly. If you have a multimeter on hand, you can review the device's current voltage levels. Take these steps:

1. Turn off the power to the HVAC system at the breaker box.
2. Gently remove the ecobee thermostat cover from its wall panel.
3. Set the multimeter to the voltage setting.
4. Attach the multimeter's black probe to the C wire and the red probe to the R wire.
5. Wait for the multimeter to display a reading.

If the multimeter shows a reading below 24 VAC, the thermostat isn't receiving enough power. There may be a problem with the electrical wiring.

Inspect your HVAC system and wiring issues

The C and R wires control the power to your ecobee thermostat. If either wire is loose or disconnected, the device won't receive enough voltage to run properly.

Before checking the wires, disable the power to your HVAC system at the breaker box. This protects you and your home from safety issues while you assess the electrical wires.

Return to the thermostat and remove its cover. Then, confirm that the wires are properly inserted into the terminal. Each labeled wire should match its intended place in the terminal. You'll know the wires are secure if the terminal levers are slightly depressed.

There could also be loose connections in the furnace control board. Locate the board and perform the same checks. Verify that each wire is fastened securely into its designated spot, and reattach any that are loose.

If you used a Power Extender Kit (PEK) to install your ecobee thermostat, confirm that the connections are secure and in their correct positions.

Look for a blown furnace fuse or open service panel

The furnace circuit board includes a fuse that powers up your entire HVAC system. If it's blown, your ecobee thermostat won't display anything on its screen, and the fan and heating systems won't work.

To check for a blown fuse:

1. Turn off the power to your HVAC system at the breaker box.
2. Locate the circuit board on your furnace.
3. Look for a fuse with a 3A or 5A label.

Make sure to replace a blown fuse with one of the same amperage. Using a fuse with a different amp level can damage your HVAC system and electrical components.

Also, check the furnace door to verify it's fully closed. By design, most gas-powered furnaces will automatically shut down if they detect an open furnace door.

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FAQ

Why is my ecobee thermostat screen black?

A black screen usually means the thermostat is not receiving power. Check the breaker, wiring, and furnace fuse.

Does ecobee have a reset button?

Most ecobee models do not have a physical reset button. Removing the cover for 30 seconds can reset the device.

Why won’t my ecobee turn on after installation?

Loose C or R wires, an improperly installed PEK, or a blown furnace fuse can prevent the thermostat from powering on.

How do I know if my ecobee is getting power?

Use a multimeter to check for approximately 24 VAC between the C and R wires.