Table of Contents
Blank Display on Thermostat Problem - Screen Disappeared - The thermostat display is our interface with our HVAC equipment. The display lets us know what the temperature is in the house. The display tells us what the desired settings are including letting us know the setpoint setting the temperature.
Some displays give us time, and the newer modern displays show us family photos like a screensaver on our computer. But what happens when the display is not there, or there is a blank thermostat display or no display on the thermostat?
Is it a bad thermostat or something else that caused the display to disappear? What do you do when the thermostat screen is not working?
Blank Display on Thermostat Problem – Types of Thermostats
Thermostat Screen not Working - First, we need to distinguish between the different types of thermostats available on the market. Some thermostats are battery-powered only and need to have fresh batteries replaced from time to time. It is a possibility that your thermostat is this type of thermostat.
Possibly, also why your display is not working. You will notice the display starting to fade a little when the batteries are getting low.
Furthermore, some of the battery-powered thermostats have a battery indicator on the display, and some do not.
The thermostats with the battery indicator on the screen will tell you when your batteries are low. They also give you an indication of when the batteries need replacing. Other types of thermostats will not tell you when to replace the batteries.
Those without the indicator will cause you to guess when to replace the batteries. Furthermore, if you have either of these thermostats and your display is not working, then the first thing you need to do is try to replace the batteries.
Power Check - Blank Display on Thermostat Problem
The other types of thermostats use the 24 volts from the transformer that is inside your HVAC equipment for power. These thermostats use power stealing technology as their primary source of power. Consequently, a problem with the low voltage part of your HVAC equipment can fail for various reasons. It’s possible you blew a low voltage fuse.
Therefore, this will cause your thermostat display not to work. Some thermostats use both batteries as a backup power source. Additionally, they also use the 24-volt system from the HVAC equipment. As the primary source of power, it is possible to have a display on your thermostat but have a problem with the 24-volt system. That will likely result in a service call from an HVAC contractor.
Furthermore, they have the skills to figure out why the thermostat is not responding or is blank on the display.
Modern Thermostats | Blank Display on Thermostat Problem
Most of the modern thermostats today use power stealing technology. These thermostats utilize the low voltage system (24-volts) of the transformer located in your HVAC equipment. If you have problems with the 24-volt low voltage system calling an HVAC contractor is best.
The contractor can troubleshoot the problem quickly and efficiently. There are many things, including safety-related things that can cause you to lose 24 volts. Furthermore, these issues result in no or a blank display on the thermostat.
For example, a high limit switch on a gas furnace can trip for safety-related reasons. Professional HVAC contractors can troubleshoot the problem and fix it properly, so there is not safety-related issue. It could be something severe, or it could simply be a bad switch.
The HVAC contractor will be able to tell what the exact problem is and repair it quickly and efficiently. You can be assured there will be no further problems with the HVAC equipment or the display.
Power Check | Thermostat Reset
Blank Display on Thermostat Problem
The possible reason your thermostat screen can go blank is a loss of power to the furnace. Power stealing thermostats get their power from the transformer. Most modern thermostats are powered by the transformer in your air handler or furnace. In rare cases, the transformer could be located in the condensing unit. It depends on what type of HVAC system you have. Either way, the power comes from the transformer.
If there is no power to the transformer, then the thermostat screen will be blank. First, check the breaker to make sure it has not tripped. Air conditioner breakers trip for various reasons. Additionally, furnace breakers trip also for various reasons that may not be related at all to your thermostat. Furthermore, if you reset the breaker and it trips again, you have a serious problem and need to consult an HVAC contractor.
Other possible reasons why your thermostat screen is blank or dead is the transformer is bad, or a thermostat wire is not connected or broken. I’ve seen cases where a squirrel got into the attic and chewed on the thermostat wire and caused a transformer or transformer fuse to go bad.
Additionally, if someone has driven a nail into the wall and nicked the thermostat wire inside the wall. Additionally, that could cause problems with your thermostat including causing the screen to go blank.
Conclusion | Thermostat Screen not Working
In conclusion, check the following:
- Check the thermostat for bad batteries. Note: Some thermostats do not use batteries.
- Check the breaker for the air handler and condensing unit. Additionally, any power switch that may be near the air handler and control the power for the air handler or furnace.
- Inspect any visible wiring including the wiring attached to the thermostat and at the air handler or furnace.
If any of these things are beyond your skill level or you do not feel comfortable doing this, please consult a professional. Thanks and good luck!!
Questions From Our Readers | Blank Display on Thermostat Problem
What can cause my thermostat to go blank?
See the article above for lots of troubleshooting tips for Blank Display on Thermostat Problem.
Why is my thermostat not working?
We have addressed lots of tips in this article to help you fix your thermostat for Blank Display on Thermostat Problem. We also have another article concerning thermostat troubleshooting.
Blank Display on Thermostat Problem
Try one of the handy HVAC calculators located throughout the site to help you
COVID 19 Home Protection
UVC Light to Kill Viruses and Other Airborne Harmful Things that Affect Health
For additional protection you can also use a UV Light that will kill harmful viruses and bacteria inside the airflow of the air handler. In labs researchers used a spectrum of ultraviolet light called UVC to kill viruses. This product requires professional installation so it will turn on and off with the blower fan in your air handler but it will offer the protection you need for you and your family from any viruses.
Click the image to the right for purchase options of the UV light to protect your family.
I have a Goodman furnace and heat pump changed thermostat. Still not right when HP goes into defrost mode aux heat kicks on the thermostat stat work temperature will drop to say 68 set point 71 it will get real hot but doesn’t show it remains 68 degrees
Call a technician. Not enough info to tell you exactly what is wrong.
I replaced the batteries on my Honeywell, and settings show up until I place it on the receptacle. then it goes blank, and I cannot adjust the settings. I don’t know what to do , please give me some suggestions
replace the thermostat or call an HVAC contractor.
Easy fix.
The water drain line is clogged.
Condensation water backed up into the pan beneath the air handler, throwing the safety switch which prevents water overflowing the pan and ruining your ceiling.
Look at the pan.
Full of water?
Then that is the only problem.
Usually the blockage is at the end of the drain outdoors. You should have been putting some bleach into the line once a year to prevent this.
the pan switch, if wired properly, should kill the condensing unit and not the entire control circuit although I can see some that are wired the way you are suggesting.