Thermostat Not Working After A Power Outage? (We Have a Fix!)

Upgraded Home Team
by Upgraded Home Team

Nothing is more frustrating than when your power goes out, except for when your thermostat won’t work when the power comes back. Many modern thermostats can work during a power outage, but not all homeowners are so lucky. So, what should you do when your thermostat is not working after a power outage?

Hold the “reset” button on your thermostat for 5 seconds if it’s not working after a power outage. Otherwise, you can remove the batteries and place them back in the compartment to reset your thermostat if it isn’t hardwired. Inspect your circuit breaker and replace blown fuses if resetting the thermostat doesn’t work.

You may need to replace the thermostat entirely if none of these fixes work. However, that isn’t likely and your thermostat will generally work after troubleshooting a few methods. Follow along as we explore what you should do when your find your thermostat not working after a power outage.

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Can a Power Outage Damage a Thermostat?

A power outage or surge can damage the components in a thermostat and cause it to stop working. A surge and an outage are not the same things, but they can occur under similar circumstances such as storms. Power outages generally only cause your thermostat to stop working temporarily, but a surge may cause it to break entirely.

Thermostats can sometimes fail if there is a power surge when the power comes back on after an outage. The overwhelming electrical load of each device and appliance within your home can create a surge that can damage your thermostat. However, this is rare and generally only occurs if you were running many appliances at once when the power outage occurred.

The average thermostat can work as usual when the power comes back on after an outage. Many modern thermostats can continue to work during and after a power outage. Some homeowners find their thermostat not working after a power outage, but luckily, you can often fix the thermostat with a quick reset.

How to Fix Thermostat After Power Outage

It can be unsafe to be in a house without a working thermostat after a power outage. Your home won’t be comfortable and it can be dangerous in extreme heat or cold weather. Luckily, you can typically fix a thermostat a power outage if you troubleshoot with one of several solutions.

1. Read the Owner’s Manual

Thermostats come with owner’s manuals that are either printed or available to read online. Refer to the manual before you try any other solution because each thermostat is different. Some thermostats have specific protocols in place to reset a thermostat after the power goes out.

2. Inspect Circuit Breaker

Examine your circuit breaker if you find your thermostat not working after a power outage. Look for blown fuses that could cause your thermostat to stop working. Unfortunately, you cannot repair blown fuses and you will need to replace them to make your thermostat work.

Blown fuses can cause power to go off for that circuit or your entire home. Fuses on a circuit board are generally labeled based on which room they control. Check to see if there is a worn or blown fuse in the breaker box that is assigned to the room with the thermostat.

So, if your device is located in the living room, check the living room circuit. You can also check to see if other electronics are working in the same space. You can replace a blown fuse without professional help, but electricians are best equipped to do it.

3. Reset Thermostat

Most modern thermostats have a reset button that you can find at the top or bottom of the unit. You can generally rest a thermostat if you press and hold the reset button for 5 seconds. Let go of the reset button, wait a moment, and see if your thermostat works like normal.

It may take a minute or two for your thermostat to work perfectly directly after you reset it if it has a C-wire. However, the process to reset a battery-operated thermostat is different. All that you need to do is remove the batteries for a few moments and place them back in the compartment.

That fix may not work if your thermostat is hardwired and also contains batteries, however. In that case, you will likely need to remove the batteries and hold the reset button to reset the thermostat. It is a sign that someone else is wrong, such as a blown fuse, if resetting your thermostat doesn’t fix it.

What If My Thermostat Is Still Unresponsive After I Reset It?

Keep in mind that it could take your equipment several minutes to reset. So, wait for it to kick back on by itself before panicking. You can also try these five hacks to make it happen faster:

  • Replace the batteries inside your thermostat. They could have been zapped.
  • Reconnect the system to your smart devices. Uninstall and reinstall the app.
  • Clear the way for a good connection. Clean debris from your circuit breaker and fuses.
  • Stiffen up. Look for loose screws in the electrical terminal and tighten the ones you find.
  • Get an upgrade. It may be the perfect time for you to buy better equipment.

Troubleshooting a faulty thermostat is supposed to be easy. Most devices are designed to be user-friendly and simple. However, a great design doesn’t make a thermostat work any better if it’s broken. When you’ve tried everything and it still won’t work, contact the manufacturer.

Do You Need Your Thermostat Repaired or Reprogrammed?

Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.


Related Questions

What would cause a thermostat to stop working?

A thermostat may stop working because of a blown fuse, tripped breaker, or faulty equipment. Check your owner’s manual for more information.


How often should I change the batteries in my digital thermostat?

The battery life of your thermostat depends on several factors. However, you should change them at least once every six months. Check their condition intermittently to prevent leakage.


How long does a home thermostat last?

Home thermostats last for different amounts of time depending on the design. Typically, digital (smart) devices outlast battery-powered ones. That’s because high-tech thermostats use components that help conserve energy.

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Upgraded Home Team
Upgraded Home Team

We are a team of passionate homeowners, home improvement pros, and DIY enthusiasts who enjoy sharing home improvement, housekeeping, decorating, and more with other homeowners! Whether you're looking for a step-by-step guide on fixing an appliance or the cost of installing a fence, we've here to help.

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