Ecobee thermostats make your life easier because they allow you to control your home’s temperature anywhere. Additionally, they have sensors that help control the temperature, which is an excellent way to stay comfortably warm/cool at home. But how do you fix the internal temperature sensor when it isn’t working?
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To fix an Ecobee thermostat’s internal temperature sensor, you should examine the location of where it’s installed. If it’s in a drafty area or in direct sunlight, the sensor may be wrong and not work correctly. You should also check the internet connection; change the settings if that doesn’t work.
This article will discuss how to fix Ecobee internal temperature sensor issues in greater detail. Read on if you want to learn some helpful tips and solutions.
1. Examine the Location of Your Ecobee Thermostat
The location of your Ecobee thermostat is essential. Putting it in the wrong place can affect the temperature sensor and give you an inaccurate reading. The same goes for the individual sensors you set up in each room of your home.
If your Ecobee thermostat is near a heat source (like a fireplace or heater), you should move it. The same goes for if it’s near a cold spot (for example, an open window). The sensor will pick it up when your Ecobee thermostat is near something cold or warm. As a result, you won’t get the right temperature displayed.
You should also avoid placing your Ecobee thermostat and sensors near open doors, especially front doors. If the air is much colder outside than inside, it will affect the reading on your sensors, meaning they won’t work. The temperature will appear colder than it actually is.
To ensure your internal sensor works correctly and gives you the most accurate reading, place it on a flat wall away from cold and heat sources. You also want to ensure it’s facing the room and that nothing is blocking it.
While each Ecobee thermostat has a built–in (internal) sensor, you can also place add-on sensors around your home to more accurately control the temperature.
It’s essential to ensure the thermostat is in the right place, but it’s equally important to ensure the add-on sensors are placed on the wall or other flat surfaces appropriately. Otherwise, the sensors won’t work correctly. You also have the choice to place sensors on the wall or a stand.
Read: Ecobee Thermostat Not Reading Correctly?
Room Sensors Shouldn’t Be Too Far From the Ecobee Thermostat
I’ve discussed the importance of keeping your Ecobee room sensors away from cold and warm sources, but you should also be sure to keep them close enough to the Ecobee thermostat. If your sensors are too far away, they won’t be able to connect to the thermostat. As a result, they won’t work correctly.
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Be sure to place your Ecobee sensors no more than 60 feet (18 meters) away from the central Ecobee thermostat. That way, they will stay in range and connected.
Read: Why Ecobee Thermostat Not Holding Temperature?
Avoid Placing Sensors Near Baby Monitors
If you have a baby monitor, it could be interfering with your Ecobee sensor. The best way to see if this is the problem is to turn the baby monitor off or move it far away from the sensor. If your sensor works again after moving or turning off the baby monitor, you’ll know that that’s the issue.
2. Change Sensor Batteries
Your Ecobee sensor won’t work if the battery dies, so you’ll need to replace it. You’ll need to use 3-volt CR-2032 batteries for the Ecobee sensors. To replace the battery, you must open the battery cover and remove the old one.
If you notice that some sensors are working and some aren’t, some of the batteries may be dead. It’s good to be aware that the batteries in your Ecobee sensors should last around four years. So if you haven’t had them for very long, you may need to consider a different solution, as it’s unlikely to be a battery issue.
Here is a brief guide on how to replace the battery in an Ecobee sensor:
- Remove the sensor from the wall (if placed on the wall)
- Pry open the battery cover
- Pry out the dead battery
- Insert the new battery, ensuring the + symbol is on top
- Click the battery cover back on
- Give your Ecobee sensor some time to turn on and start working again
Read: Ecobee Thermostat Air Quality Problems And Solutions
3. Change the Settings Manually
Your Ecobee thermostat’s sensor might not be working because it’s off by a couple of degrees. For example, it might always display a temperature 3 degrees above or below the actual temperature. If that’s the case, you can change the settings manually to fix the issue.
The setting is known as temperature correction, and you can find it by going to MORE/MENU > SETTINGS > INSTALLATION SETTINGS > THRESHOLDS > TEMP CORRECTION.
Changing these settings will make your temperature readings more accurate and hopefully fix the issue. However, if the temperature on the sensor is off by many degrees or it seems to be giving you random readings, this solution won’t work.
In that case, the issue is most likely to do with the location of your Ecobee sensor.
4. Reset Your Ecobee Device
If you’ve tried everything and still can’t get the Ecobee sensor to work, you should reset your Ecobee device. Doing this will remove all your current personal settings, so you’ll need to set it up again once it’s reset.
Here is a brief guide on how to factory reset your Ecobee device:
- Go to your Ecobee device
- Go to the home screen
- Click on the menu button
- Go to settings and find the reset option
- Be sure to reset all settings to ensure you do a full factory reset
Once you’ve reset your Ecobee device, you can start using it again and change the settings as usual. Hopefully, a factory reset will fix the sensor issue, and you’ll be able to get accurate temperature readings again.
6. Ensure Your Ecobee Thermostat Is Set Up Correctly
You should ensure everything is set up correctly (including the wiring) if your thermostat’s internal temperature sensor isn’t working. To do this, you’ll need to examine the wires at the back of the device. Make sure each wire is fully in by tugging them lightly.
You should also make sure each wire is connected to the right port. To check the wiring on the thermostat’s screen, go to Menu > Settings > Installation settings > Equipment > Wiring. From there, you can compare the wires on the back to what comes up on the screen.
If you notice some of the wirings are in the wrong spots, fix them and see if that solves your issue.
Read: Nest Or Ecobee Thermostat. What To Choose?
7. Contact Ecobee Support if You Receive an Error Message
You may receive an error message via email or on the thermostat on your wall. Examples of error messages include:
- “The thermostat’s internal temperature sensor isn’t working, and this device must be replaced. Heating and Cooling will not run until this is corrected”.
- “The thermostat’s internal temperature sensor isn’t working. Please contact support for assistance. Heating and Cooling will continue to function using remote sensors”.
If you receive any kind of error message (like the ones above), you should contact the Ecobee support team because they may be able to enlighten you on what’s causing the issue. In some cases, they might be able to find a solution, meaning you can get the temperature sensor to start working again.
A support team member can open a ticket for you, and you can hopefully have the issue solved in no time.
Read: How To Fix Ecobee Thermostat AC Blowing Cold Air Through Intake Vent?
Conclusion
If your Ecobee thermostat’s internal temperature isn’t working correctly, you should examine its location to ensure it’s not near a warm or cold source (like an open window or fireplace). Room sensors can also cease to work if the batteries are dead or the device needs to be reset.
If the temperature on your sensor is only off by a few degrees, you can go to the temperature correction settings to fix the issue. You should also ensure there isn’t a baby monitor near your Ecobee thermostat or room sensors, as this can cause interference.