Why Your Thermostat Is Blank – And How to Fix It

Stuck trying to figure out why your thermostat is blank?

Unfortunately, this is a known issue and can be super annoying when it happens, especially when you’re cold.

But the good news is that you’ve come to the right place to fix this issue.

If your thermostat is blank, you may need to check the power supply, batteries, and fuse.

Keep reading to learn more about these fixes and forget all about the issue!

8 Reasons Why Your Thermostat is Blank (With Fixes)

As you probably know, your thermostat is one of the most important parts of your HVAC system. I like to call it the hub.

With no thermostat, you can’t turn anything on or off—without flipping a breaker—and you can’t set or adjust your indoor temps. It’s your command center.

So a blank screen on your thermostat is a bad thing, but as I mentioned above, it could be a simple thing too. Let’s consider possible scenarios and fixes.

#1 Power Supply

Your HVAC thermostat, just like your computer, TV, smartphone, or anything else with a display, needs a power source to light up.

To do it, you’ll need to head to your home’s electrical panel. If you have everything labeled, this is an easy job.

Just check to see if the breaker that controls your thermostat has tripped. If so, reset it. If they’re not labeled, you will need to test each breaker.

Without actually turning everything on and off, if you just gently test the switch, you can tell if it isn’t fully engaged.

#2 Check Your Batteries

While your thermostat is wired to your HVAC system, the controls and display may be battery-powered.

Dead or weak batteries could explain why your thermostat is blank.

But, don’t worry. If that’s the case, you’ll just need to check the manual to see what batteries your thermostat uses. Then, replace them with fresh ones (don’t use old-looking batteries).

#3 Low Voltage

While some thermostats power the display with batteries, others are powered via a 24-volt transformer.

If the voltage has dropped, this can impact performance and cause a blank thermostat screen.

To see if that’s the case, please try checking if you have a tripped circuit breaker. If you reset it, and it immediately trips again, you’ll need to call an HVAC pro.

It could also be a wiring issue or a bad transformer. Check the wires to the transformer for corrosion or pest interference. If you see any issues, you should call a pro.

#4 Display Brightness

Ever tried seeing your smartphone display in full sunlight? If you don’t have it auto-adjusting, it may look like your screen is blank. The same can happen with some thermostat displays.

This is why I recommend checking your manual to see if this is a feature offered with your thermostat. If it is, simply adjust your screen’s brightness level.

#5 Close the Furnace Door

Depending on the brand of thermostat you have, it may have an override that kicks in if the furnace door is open. Meaning it will shut itself off and your thermostat will show a blank screen.

This is why, I recommend running down to the basement—or wherever your furnace is—and making sure the door is closed.

#6 Dirty Air Filters

Have you been negligent when it comes to replacing filters? Many require a change every three months.

Over time, your filters can become clogged with dirt that impedes airflow. If that happens, your system can shut itself down, resulting in a blank thermostat screen.

Please check if your air filter needs to be replaced and then get in the habit of replacing it regularly.

#7 Incompatible Parts

It’s always best to buy and install both a furnace and an air conditioner at the same time, but that isn’t always possible or even practical.

The problem is, your HVAC needs to operate as a complete system. So if you’ve recently replaced a furnace, condenser coil (outside), evaporator (inside), or another component, and one of them isn’t working properly with the rest of the system, it can cause issues with the entire system.

If you meet the above criteria—you’ve recently had something added or replaced—and now you have a blank thermostat or a system that isn’t turning on, you should call a pro.

#8 It’s Time to Replace Your Thermostat

Nothing today is built to last indefinitely. Sadly, decades ago, manufacturers realized they’d make more money if things had shorter than forever life cycles.

So if your thermostat is blank, and you bought it a long time ago—about 10 years—none of the above may be the reason or help. You may just need to buy a new thermostat.

If your thermostat is more than 10 years old, needing a new one isn’t necessarily a bad thing. There have been significant advances in their technology in the last decade.

If you’re into creating a smart home, a Wi-Fi or smart thermostat may be an exciting purchase for you.

Not everyone lives on a set schedule that allows them to precisely program their home thermostat. Being able to communicate with your thermostat and adjust your HVAC from your smartphone or watch as you head home might be a huge bonus.

A smart thermostat can even learn the patterns of your household and adjust your heating and cooling accordingly. How cool is that?

How to Get the Most Out of Your Programmable Thermostat: 3 Simple Tips

Programmable thermostats are marketed as a great way to increase energy efficiency. But in themselves, they don’t do this.

You could be just as energy efficient with your old-style mechanical thermostat, you’d just need to keep changing it manually.

Here’s three useful tips to do it:

#1 Set a Schedule

Take the time to properly set up your thermostat. And consider your schedule before you do.

Then do the following:

1. Program your thermostat to lower your temperature about an hour before you go to bed and raise it about half an hour before you get up. Note – newer thermostats may have ‘adaptive’ features to automatically start lowering the temperature anyway.
2. If everyone is out of the house during the day at work and or school, use the HOLD function to keep the temperature at an energy-saving temperature

A word of warning on that second guideline.

Don’t raise or lower the setback temperature too severely because you don’t want huge fluctuations. So if you like the thermostat at 76 in the summer, adjust it to hold at 80. Or if you like it at 70 in the winter, hold it at 66.

This way, you don’t cancel out any energy savings by overworking your system to bring it back to your desired temps.

And just like you raise and lower temps before you go to bed or get up, set your schedule so that by the time you leave or get home, your thermostat has reached your desired indoor temperature.

#2 Now Leave it Alone

You’ve put a lot of time and thought into setting your schedule. Now, don’t be tempted to override them.

Once you’ve set it up, let it be. Constantly overriding your set temps can just lead to higher bills and an uncomfortable home.

#3 Regularly Check Your Batteries

Unfortunately, not all thermostats give you a heads-up when it’s time to replace the batteries.

If yours is one of them, set up a schedule to replace them – typically once a year. Maybe every fall when you check your smoke detector batteries.

Conclusion

Clearly, there are a number of reasons why your thermostat might be blank.

You might just need to replace your batteries or make sure your furnace door is closed. Don’t forget to check the brightness level, air filters, and fuse.

Moreover, if your thermostat is old, you may need to replace it.

Hopefully, one of the solutions provided answers to why your thermostat is blank. Thanks for reading!

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