In this short guide, I will take you through how you can fix your Ecobee thermostat if it is not responding to touch.
And by the way, at times the screen might also run constantly while remaining unresponsive – what is commonly referred to as ‘phantom/ghost’ touches.
But worry not – the troubleshooting steps below will help you solve this unresponsive screen problem.
Ecobee thermostat not responding to touch – how you can fix the problem
Start by trying to wipe the touchscreen
This is because the screen won’t respond to touch if it is dirty or wet.
Though I must mention that this is not a fairly common problem.
Nevertheless, try and wipe the screen using a dry soft cloth.
Also, remember to dry your hands before trying to use your thermostat.
This is because, like other touchscreens, the thermostat’s touchscreen might also fail to recognize wet/moist hands.
Try rebooting (power-cycling) your thermostat
As an appliance tech, I have found that rebooting the thermostat fixes the problem 95% of the time.
The reason this step works so well is because most times, the problem usually arises from an electrical glitch in the system.
This results in the unit ‘hanging’ and not responding to touch, just like most other smart devices.
Now that that is clear, here is how you can reboot your Ecobee thermostat…
How to reboot Ecobee thermostat
There are three methods you can use to reboot your thermostat. They are:
- Flip the breaker off, wait 1 minute, and then flip it on.
- Turn the furnace power off and let it sit for 1 minute before powering it on.
- Pop and unplug the plate from the wall, wait 1 minute, and plug it back in. However, when doing this, be careful not to loosen or break the contacts.
Take it apart and check if something is loose
Though I must say that this is usually not a common cause.
To cut a long story short, you should only try it if you have recently dropped your thermostat – something could have worked itself loose in the process.
Otherwise, it will be an unlikely suspect.
Try updating the firmware
This will be more common if you are using a newer premium or enhanced thermostat… The touchscreen on these models might freeze or die and stop responding over time.
The thing is, some of these models had firmware issues (right from the factory).
Fortunately, a firmware update that fixes the problem was recently released (first as a beta).
So, from your Ecobee app, confirm that it’s running on the latest firmware version. If it isn’t you can update it directly from the app.
Alternatively, you can contact Ecobee and give them your thermostat’s serial number – they will remotely update its firmware for you.
Pro tip: On the app, go to Menu > About to know the serial number.
Is your Ecobee thermostat experiencing phantom/ghost touches? Try this
In case you missed it: Phantom/ghost touches is where your thermostat’s touchscreen starts scrolling around by itself.
At times, it might even expand and collapse the settings all on its own while not responding to your inputs.
Now, the workaround to this problem will be to set an access code for the unit – it will prevent the ghost inputs from having any effect.
Ecobee thermostat not responding to touch – final thoughts
If these possible solutions do not fix your thermostat and the thermostat is still under warranty, I recommend you get in touch with the Ecobee team.
They will take you through these troubleshooting steps and if the steps do not work, they will send you a replacement thermostat.
On the other hand, if your thermostat is out of warranty, I recommend you continue controlling it from the app… It will be more economical than getting a new thermostat right away.
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