My Ecobee Says “Calibrating”: How To Fix? (2023)

Alexa has been my best friend since I moved out on my own and became self-sufficient. However, after installing the Ecobee, I’m not sure I’ll be using my Echo Dot as much anymore.

As a bonus to the great capabilities of the thermostat, I appreciate the fact that I can listen to music on Spotify while I am performing home duties.

Earlier this week, I shut off my Ecobee before heading to my parent’s place for a few days of relaxation.

After returning home, I discovered that I needed to reset the thermostat. My screen displayed the message “Calibrating: Heating and Cooling Disabled” when I looked at it.

I was a little perplexed about what the message was trying to tell me. All I understood was that my room would be at the same temperature for some time because the heating had been turned off for some reason.

In retrospect, I’m just relieved that the screen didn’t go blank like it did that one time. To divert my attention away from the oppressive heat, I began investigating the meaning of the message.

The definition of the term and how to troubleshoot if something went wrong became clear after reading various articles on the internet. Below you’ll find a collection of everything I was able to find.

The phrase “Calibrating” appears on the screen of your Ecobee thermostat, indicating that it is currently measuring the current indoor temperature.

After it is installed for the first time or reboots, Ecobee calibrates itself, usually between 5 and 20 minutes.

What Does It Mean When Ecobee Says “Calibrating”?

This allows your Ecobee thermostat to provide an accurate reading of the temperature inside your home or workplace after it has been calibrated.

The Ecobee measures the temperature with the help of its built-in sensors, which also assist it in measuring humidity and room occupancy levels.

Most of the time, calibration occurs immediately after installation and every time your device is rebooted.

Your thermostat’s heating and cooling functions will be turned off during this time, as indicated on the screen of your thermostat.

Calibration After Initial Installation

This allows your Ecobee thermostat to provide an accurate reading of the temperature inside your home or workplace after it has been calibrated.

The Ecobee measures the temperature with the help of its built-in sensors, which also assist it in measuring humidity and room occupancy levels.

Most of the time, calibration occurs immediately after installation and every time your device is rebooted.

Your thermostat’s heating and cooling functions will be turned off during this time, as indicated on the screen of your thermostat.

WireWire Color

WireWire Color
CBlue or Black
GGreen
R, RC or RHRed
WWhite
Y or Y1Yellow

Calibration After Ecobee Reboots

Another time the Ecobee calibrates is when you reboot it. Here are the reasons why your Ecobee restarts:

  • There is a power outage in your area
  • A firmware update on your Ecobee
  • Overheating of the furnace
  • Water has built up in your air conditioner
  • The wires of your thermostat are faulty

If a power outage causes a problem in your home, all you have to do is wait for the electricity to be restored. Your Ecobee will automatically calibrate itself once the power is restored.

When a firmware upgrade is the root cause, the calibration process may take longer than 20 minutes. It will, however, never continue for more than an hour at the most.

If this occurs, you should contact Ecobee Support and describe the nature of the problem.

My Ecobee Says Calibrating 1

Ecobee Calibration Troubleshooting

However, even though calibration is an important aspect of regulating your temperature, a few things can go wrong throughout the procedure. If you ever encounter a problem, follow the following troubleshooting procedures.

What To Do If Ecobee Keeps Rebooting

If you notice that your Ecobee reboots more frequently than it should, it is possible that there is a problem with the thermostat or with your HVAC system.

You should check whether you need to change the filter in your furnace or clean the drain pan in your air conditioning system.

Alternatively, if the problems are more significant than those involving wire repairs or capacitor difficulties, you should consult an expert to determine the best course of action.

Ecobee Calibrating for Too Long

The Ecobee should be calibrated for around 5 to 20 minutes in ideal conditions. It shouldn’t take any longer than that to complete.

If you still see the notification after half an hour has passed, it is most likely due to a clerical error.

When this occurs, you should try restarting the thermostat. You can unplug it from the wall, wait approximately 5 minutes, and then plug it back in. A power cycle might be beneficial in resolving the issue.

Continue to wait for the calibration to begin and see if it has finished in 20 minutes after rebooting.

Another option for resolving the problem is to unplug your router and modem for a minute or two and plug them back in again.

If it continues to take more than 20 minutes, you should contact Ecobee support for assistance.

Incorrect Ecobee Thermostat Calibration

The ultimate result of the calibration procedure is meant to be a very precise reading of the temperature in your space.

A tiny difference is normal; however, if the temperature is not even close to the correct value, it indicates that the calibration did not operate properly.

Fortunately, you have the option of manually adjusting your temperature reading. To resolve the problem, follow the actions outlined below.

  • Select the menu option from the Ecobee screen.
  • Select ‘Installation settings’ from the ‘Settings’ drop-down list.
  • Select ‘Temperature Correction’ from the ‘Thresholds’ drop-down menu.
  • You have the option of adjusting the temperature to your liking.

Conclusion

Ecobee has always been hard to beat in the thermostat market. Even though you won’t be able to use your thermostat for nearly half an hour, calibration improves the overall performance of your Ecobee.

The new remote sensors in my house, which track both temperature and occupancy, allow even the coldest portions of my house to become comfortable minutes after I go into them.

Best Seller List of Ecobee Thermostats:

FAQs:

Question

How long does ecobee take to activate?

It will take approximately 45 minutes to complete the installation. The thermostat will need to be calibrated, taking between 5 and 20 minutes.

Why is my ecobee not connecting to WiFi?

This can be due to the distance or obstructions between your router and Ecobee, outdated firmware on your router, or power interruptions.

How do I update my ecobee firmware?

When a new version of the firmware for your Ecobee becomes available, it will be downloaded and installed automatically.
You can contact Ecobee support if the update does not occur automatically, and they will manually push the update or repair your thermostat for you.

What version is my ecobee?

Select the ‘About’ option from the ‘Main Menu’ of your Ecobee to find out what version it is running. You’ll be able to see the Ecobee version that you have listed there.

Last update on 2025-08-10

Lance Ulanoff is a renowned tech journalist, commentator, and on-air expert with over 36 years of experience. He has held esteemed positions including Editor in Chief of Lifewire and Mashable, where he delved into the impact of technology on daily life. Lance's expertise has been featured on major news programs globally, and he has made appearances on Fox News, CNBC, and the BBC.