❄️ Is your Ecobee thermostat running but not cooling your home? Don’t sweat it! This issue is more common than you might think—and it’s usually easy to fix with a little troubleshooting. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common reasons your Ecobee isn’t cooling and how to get things working again.
Contents
🔍 Check Your Thermostat Settings
Sometimes, the issue is as simple as a setting:
- Make sure your thermostat is set to “Cool” mode (not “Off” or “Heat”).
- Verify that the temperature setpoint is lower than the current room temperature.
- Go to Menu > Settings > Preferences > HVAC and double-check your cooling configurations.
⚠️ Inspect the HVAC System
Your Ecobee acts as a controller, but your AC unit does the heavy lifting.
- Listen for the outdoor AC unit. Is it turning on?
- If it’s silent or humming but not blowing air, it might be a capacitor or compressor issue.
- Check the air handler or furnace blower to ensure it’s pushing air through the vents.
If either of these isn’t running when cooling is on, the issue may lie with your HVAC system rather than the thermostat.
🔌 Confirm Wiring Connections
Improper wiring can prevent cooling:
- Turn off power to your HVAC system and thermostat.
- Remove the Ecobee from the wall plate.
- Check that the Y wire (cooling control) is connected properly.
- Look for any loose wires, corrosion, or damage.
- If you’re unsure about the wiring, refer to your Ecobee wiring diagram or call a professional.
🌡 Examine Sensor Readings
Your Ecobee uses temperature sensors to decide when to cool:
- Go to Menu > Sensors to view readings from all sensors.
- If one sensor is reading too high or too low, Ecobee might think your house is already cool enough.
- Try removing or relocating a sensor that’s giving false readings.
⚙️ Restart Your Thermostat
Sometimes, a simple restart does the trick:
- Go to Menu > Settings > Reset > Reboot Thermostat.
- Alternatively, you can pull the Ecobee off its wall plate for 30 seconds and then reattach it.
🔁 Check for Smart Recovery or Eco+ Features
Ecobee’s smart features may delay cooling:
- Smart Recovery tries to learn your schedule and pre-cool your home before you arrive.
- Eco+ may adjust temperatures to save energy.
If your home feels warm and these features are enabled, try disabling them temporarily to test if that resolves the issue.
⚡ Ensure Your System Has Power
- A tripped breaker or blown fuse can prevent your AC from running.
- Check your electrical panel and HVAC fuse.
- Make sure the C wire (common wire) is properly connected to provide consistent power to the Ecobee.
🛠️ Contact Support or a Technician
If you’ve gone through these steps and your Ecobee still won’t cool, it’s time to call in help:
- Ecobee Support can walk you through additional diagnostics.
- An HVAC technician can check refrigerant levels, compressor health, and deeper electrical issues.
✅ Final Thoughts
When your Ecobee isn’t cooling, it’s often a small issue like incorrect settings or a loose wire. By checking the basics first, you can often get your system back on track without needing a service call.
Stay cool! 😎