Why Does My Ecobee Keep Turning Off? (Instant Fix)

Why does my Ecobee keep turning off? We will help you understand and fix it!

Ecobee has changed the way we deal with your houses’ cooling and heating. When it doesn’t work, we worry. After all, we notice that the thermostat cannot control the house’s temperature. 

Fixing frequent power loss on your Ecobee thermostat involves preventing overheating, checking the power transformer, unclogging AC or HVAC components, and adjusting the wiring.

Let’s find out how to prevent the Ecobee from turning off!

Why Does My Ecobee Keep Turning Off? – 9 Solutions

1. Prevent Overheating 

The forced air furnace might overheat during the heating season, and that will cause your Ecobee thermostat to shut off immediately.

In that case, it is necessary to find out why the furnace is overheating and how to prevent it. 

Check The Furnace’s Filter

First, let’s check if your furnace is truly the culprit:

1. Turn off the power to the furnace;
2. Locate the filter inside the furnace;
3. If the filter is dirty, you need to remove it.

A dirty filter is a surefire cause of the furnace overheating. In that case, you need to discard the dirty filter and install a new one.

Note: You should check the furnace's filter once in a while to ensure it doesn't cause the system to overheat.

2. Check The Power

You must check the power transformers used for your Ecobee and the associated devices.

Do you have an old boiler or zone valve system? You need to check the type of transformer being used. 

• First of all, it is not indicated to use the same transformer for more than one Ecobee;
• Also, don’t use the same transformer for your Ecobee and another device (your furnace, for example);
• For each Ecobee you have, the brand recommends using a 24 VAC transformer with a rating of 40VA;
• Hook up the transformer with the correct electrical rating to the Rc and C terminals on your Ecobee thermostat.

After following the info above, you should be able to stop the Ecobee from powering off all the time. If your setup is already correct, the problem lies somewhere else.

3. Investigate The Float Switch

The float switch is a component that allows the AC system to sense when there is a clogged drain.

That prevents condensation water from leaving the system. Since the clogged drain could damage the device severely, the float switch is a safety mechanism that turns everything off. 

1. Locate the drain pan(s), evaporator coil, and condensate drain line
2. Empty the pan with a vacuum (if available);
3. Rinse away any mold and other build-ups;
4. Clear the drain line;

Once everything is looking fine, the switch should reset itself. Then, you can turn the whole system on again. The problem shouldn’t persist.

4. Examine The Wiring

Another common cause of the Ecobee constantly losing power is that the wires are not well installed or another issue is affecting them.

If you suspect the wiring, here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Turn off your thermostat and HVAC system;
2. Remove the thermostat from the wall;
3. Grab your installation guide;
4. Check if the wiring is correctly according to the guide;
5. If they are not, then simply adjust.

If you do not have the installation guide anymore, here is how the wires must connect:

• The G wire (green colored) is responsible for running the fan;
• The R wire (red-colored) delivers power to the fan.

If the wires are somewhat loose, then tighten them. However, if you see corrosion in any place, grab a wire brush and eliminate it.

5. Adjust The Wiring Settings

Beyond the physical wiring being correct, it is also necessary that the settings in Ecobee’s system are well-adjusted.

Let’s see what to do:

1. Go to the Main Menu;
2. Select “Settings”;
3. Choose “Installation Settings”;
4. Tap on “Equipment”;
5. Select “Wiring.”

RC and RH must be highlighted if you have cooling and heating systems installed separately. In any situation, Y1 needs to stay highlighted.

Correct The Settings

If the settings found on your Ecobee don’t match what was just described, something is wrong.

Then do the following:

1. Go back to the “Equipment” screen;
2. Select “Reconfigure Equipment.”
3. Inform the correct number of installed R wires;
4. If Y1 doesn’t show up, choose “no.”

If Y1 didn’t show up, some prompts will help you adjust it manually.

6. Power Cycle Your Ecobee

It might sound ironic, but power cycling is a legit solution to the power problem on your Ecobee thermostat.

An effective power cycle will refresh the system and discharge any residual electricity.

Do the following:

1. Remove the Ecobee from the wall so it will shut off;
2. Wait a minute;
3. Put the device back in its place;
4. Turn it on.

While the Ecobee is off, don’t forget to check the wiring and any other associated components.

7. Unclog The Condensate Pump

Your HVAC system might have a condensate pump. It is common for systems installed underneath the floor/ground.

If the drain lines get clogged, the power will be cut to prevent serious damage.

So here is what you need to do:

1. Turn off the power if it is not off already;
2. Locate the condensate pump;
3. Disassemble it and any associated components;
4. Clean and unclog everything you can.

After that, reassemble the HVAC system and restart the system. Check how the Ecobee behaves.

8. Update The Firmware

Sometimes, the issue on your Ecobee is simply a matter of an update that was not installed.

Verifying if your Ecobee is up to date follows the route below:

1. Access the device’s Menu;
2. Go to “About”;
3. Check the Ecobee’s firmware version;
4. Go to the Ecobee site and check the latest version released.

Unfortunately, you can’t install an update through the device or from the app. Rather, you need to contact Ecobee support on the site. 

9. Reset The Ecobee

Finally, the issue with your Ecobee might be a hardware or software malfunction that can only be solved through a factory reset.

Here is how you can factory reset your thermostat:

1. Open the Ecobee’s Menu;
2. Go to “Settings”;
3. Click on “Reset”;
4. Select “Reset All”;

Remember that resetting your thermostat will erase all of its info and settings. You will need to add it to the app again later.

What We Learned

Why does my Ecobee keep turning off? Now you have a good grasp on the matter, and we hope your Ecobee is no longer turning off.

Remember to clean all of the associated devices, such as the AC, heater, and HVAC, frequently. That way, you avoid plenty of problems.

For other Ecobee guides, check the rest of the articles on the site!

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