Trane thermostats offer touch screen operation that allows you to easily control cooling and heating in the room. However, several issues can cause the touch screen to stop working or responding, leaving you frustrated when trying to make temperature adjustments.
Table of Contents
When your Trane thermostat touch screen doesn’t work or respond, there could be battery issues, glitches, power issues, and dust that affect the functionality of the device. Common fixes include replacing the batteries, removing dust, and repairing loose or faulty wires in the thermostat.
If the screen on your Trane thermostat is not working, do not panic. Read on to find out the common issues that might cause a non-responsive touch screen and discover ways to fix them.
1. The Circuit Breaker Has Tripped
When you overload your home or office’s circuits with electronic devices or have a sudden power surge, your breakers might trip. When the circuit breaker connected to your Trane thermostat trips, this can cause the screen to become non-responsive and leave it blank because the system shuts down.
How To Fix?
If your touchscreen is unresponsive, check its circuit breaker box and ensure all switches are in their “on” position. If you find one or more have been tripped, simply switch them back into the “on’” position and see if this resolves your touch screen problem.
Read: Why Trane Thermostat WiFi Is Not Working?
2. There Is Corrosion at the Battery Terminals
Sometimes, a Trane thermostat is not wired to the HVAC unit for power but instead runs on batteries. Lack of voltage can follow corrosion at the battery terminals, often from excess humidity.
How To Fix?
You can use diluted vinegar or lemon on a cotton swab to neutralize the corrosion residue on the thermostat’s terminals. You will then rub off the affected area with baking soda and leave it to dry before installing new batteries.
Here is a video on cleaning corroded electrical terminals to guide you.
3. The Batteries Need Replacement
Though most Trane thermostats are electric, some use batteries. You might be having issues with dead batteries if your touch screen isn’t working or responding. Some thermostats will emit a low beeping sound now and then when the battery is running low to alert you, but others will not.
Read: Trane Thermostat Error Codes – Troubleshooting Guide
Have a Question? Ask HVAC Technician
Click here to use the chatbox to speak with one of our technicians.
No in-home service calls. No appointments.
How To Fix?
By replacing dead batteries, your touch screen will be up and running in no time. Before doing so, check the owner’s manual on how to replace the batteries on your Trane thermostat. Most models require removing the front cover to access the battery slots at the back of the Trane thermostat. It would help if you replaced your thermostat’s battery at least once annually.
4. Dirt and Dust Have Accumulated on the Screen
Dust can accumulate on your Trane thermostat’s touch screen if you have installed your thermostat in a dirty environment. Over time, this dust filters into the device and damages it, making the screen non-responsive.
An air filter that has not been changed in a while can also lead to a non-responsive thermostat touch screen. The dust might trigger a safety airflow switch in your indoor HVAC unit and cause the device to shut down.
Read: How To Override A Trane Thermostat?
How To Fix?
You can remove dirt and dust using a microfiber cloth and water. To prevent this issue, I recommend changing your air filter every 1-3 months. You can also get a protective cover for your device to keep the dust away. By keeping the room clean and dust-free, you can prevent dust buildup on your touch screen device.
5. The Safety Switch Has Been Triggered
The safety switch can be triggered in case of any damage to your furnace or air conditioner. When this happens, the thermostat stops working. If you’re using an air conditioner in warmer months, water overflow in the unit can condensate and trigger the safety switch.
Some modern air conditioners have sensors to detect high moisture and automatically switch them off. The overflowing condensate pan can be misread as excess moisture and trigger the safety switch.
This switch might be triggered in furnaces when your appliance becomes too hot because of poor airflow or broken and defective parts.
Read: Trane Error Code 126 – Troubleshooging Guide
How To Fix?
Some units trip the safety switch if the furnace door is partially closed. This can happen when the door and furnace are incompatible. When your touchscreen is unresponsive, check the safety switch to ensure it has not been triggered and has switched off the thermostat.
6. The Thermostat Has Loose or Faulty Wires
Trane thermostats have several electrical connections that power your touchscreen display. Each electrical connection serves a different purpose and facilitates communication between the thermostat and the HVAC unit.
Wiring issues like loose or faulty wires are common among newly installed thermostats. They can also become a problem if you’ve recently switched to an electric thermostat from a battery-powered one.
How To Fix?
A blank thermostat screen might indicate a blown fuse and burnt wires if you have connected your unit to a higher voltage. If wiring issues affect the thermostat, get an HVAC expert to inspect the damage and configure the system. This might include replacing the fuse or modifying the wiring. You might have to replace your air conditioner or furnace with extensive damage.
Read: Trane Furnace Error Codes -Troubleshooting Guide
7. Your Air Conditioner Has Incompatible Parts
Suppose you have recently replaced any part of your air conditioner or installed a new furnace; the components might be incompatible with the Trane thermostat, thus the blank screen. This means that there is no communication to the thermostat from your unit.
How To Fix?
You will need an HVAC expert to check that the air conditioner or furnace is compatible with your Trane thermostat. If the two systems are not compatible, then an upgrade of the thermostat or air conditioner may be necessary for them to work together properly.
An HVAC expert will be able to advise on any specific changes or upgrades that you may need.
8. The LCD Has Low Brightness Display
Trane thermostats often allow users to change the brightness levels of the touch screen. Though some require you to adjust the brightness manually, a few models will change it automatically based on the intensity of light around them.
How To Fix?
What you perceive as a non-responsive or blank screen might be one with a very low LCD brightness level. Check your manual for instructions on adjusting the brightness level manually or increasing the brightness around your thermostat.
9. The Thermostat Is Old
Your Trane thermostat will last for an average of 15–20 years. An old thermostat will typically also lead to unusually high energy bills, make your HVAC unit switch on and off without prompting, not respond to changes in settings, and give faulty readings.
How To Fix?
A blank touch screen might indicate that the thermostat is old and needs replacing. You can even get an upgrade to a more advanced Trane thermostat. Nonetheless, this is often the last reason you should explore to avoid replacing a thermostat that only needs repair.
Conclusion
If you’ve been wondering why your Trane thermostat’s touch screen isn’t working, there are a few fixes to try:
- Flip the circuit breaker
- Repair loose or faulty wires
- Clean dust and dirt
- Adjust the LCD brightness display
- Check the safety switch
- Replace dead batteries
- Upgrade incompatible parts
If these solutions do not work for your non-responsive touch screen, your thermostat might be old and need a replacement.