If your ecobee thermostat won't connect to WiFi, keeps disconnecting, or shows "Unable to connect to server," this guide covers the most common causes and fixes reported by the community.
Quick Fix: Reboot the Thermostat
According to ecobee, over 60% of connection issues are resolved by simply rebooting the thermostat.
- On the thermostat, go to Main Menu → Settings → Reset
- Select "Restart" (not Reset, which erases everything)
- Wait for the thermostat to reboot (about 2 minutes)
- Check if it reconnects automatically
ecobee Only Supports 2.4GHz WiFi
The ecobee thermostat does not support 5GHz networks. If your router uses a combined SSID (same name for both bands), the thermostat may struggle to connect or randomly disconnect.
Solutions:
- Create a separate 2.4GHz SSID in your router settings
- Connect the ecobee to the 2.4GHz-only network
- If using a mesh network, disable band steering or lock the thermostat to 2.4GHz
Mesh WiFi Network Issues
Many users report persistent connection problems when using mesh WiFi systems (Eero, Unifi, Google WiFi, etc.). The ecobee struggles when it roams between access points.
One user on the Ubiquiti Community reported: "When I mentioned I had a mesh WiFi network, ecobee tech support told me the thermostat is not designed to work with a mesh network and frequent disconnects are one of the major symptoms."
Solutions:
- Lock the thermostat to one access point – Assign a static BSSID in your router's settings
- Place an AP near the thermostat – Ensure strong signal from a single node
- Disable client steering/band steering – Prevents the network from bouncing the device between APs
Assign a Static IP or DHCP Reservation
Several community members report that assigning a static IP address (via DHCP reservation on your router) fixes intermittent disconnection issues.
- Find the ecobee's MAC address: Main Menu → About → WiFi
- In your router settings, create a DHCP reservation for that MAC address
- Assign it a static IP (e.g., 192.168.1.100)
- Reboot the thermostat to apply
Run WiFi Diagnostics
The ecobee has a built-in diagnostic tool that can help identify the problem.
- Go to Main Menu → Settings → Technician Access → WiFi Diagnostics
- Run the diagnostic and check the results:
- WiFi Connected: Can the thermostat see your network?
- Internet Connected: Can it reach the internet?
- Server Connected: Can it reach ecobee's servers?
Tip: If it connects to WiFi but can't reach servers, the issue is likely a firewall or router setting, not the thermostat itself.
Test with Mobile Hotspot
A quick way to determine if the problem is your network or the thermostat:
- Enable mobile hotspot on your phone (use 2.4GHz if possible)
- Connect the ecobee to your phone's hotspot
- If it connects successfully, the issue is with your home network
Check Router Firewall and Ports
Some routers block the ports ecobee needs to communicate with its servers.
Ensure these outbound ports are not blocked:
- Port 80 (HTTP)
- Port 443 (HTTPS)
- Port 123 (NTP for time sync)
Also check for:
- IoT device isolation features (may block server communication)
- Parental controls or content filtering that might block ecobee
- Guest network settings if you've placed IoT devices there
Check Signal Strength
Weak WiFi signal causes frequent disconnections.
- On the thermostat, go to Main Menu → About → WiFi
- Check the signal strength (RSSI):
- -30 to -50 dBm: Excellent
- -50 to -65 dBm: Good
- -65 to -75 dBm: Fair (may cause issues)
- -75 dBm or worse: Poor (likely causing disconnections)
If signal is poor, consider adding a WiFi extender near the thermostat or repositioning your router.
Update Firmware
Outdated firmware can cause connectivity issues.
- Go to Main Menu → About
- Note your firmware version
- Compare with the latest version on ecobee's support site
- Firmware updates are automatic when connected, but you can force an update by: Settings → Reset → Reset WiFi, then reconnect
Reconnect to WiFi
If the network password changed or you're having persistent issues, disconnect and reconnect:
- Go to Main Menu → Settings → WiFi
- Select your network and tap "Forget"
- Tap your network again and enter the password
- Wait for the connection to establish
Factory Reset (Last Resort)
If nothing else works, a factory reset may resolve the issue. Warning: This erases all settings, schedules, and preferences.
- Go to Main Menu → Settings → Reset
- Select "Reset All Settings" or "Reset to Factory Defaults"
- Confirm the reset
- Set up the thermostat from scratch in the ecobee app
pfSense and Advanced Router Issues
Users with advanced routers (pfSense, OPNsense, Ubiquiti) have reported issues specific to these platforms. One Netgate forum user reported their ecobee "loses connection to the servers" regularly, and switching to a different router resolved it completely.
If you have an advanced firewall, check:
- DNS resolution for ecobee domains
- Outbound NAT rules
- Suricata/Snort IDS rules that might block IoT traffic
Community Discussions
- Ecobee thermostat connection issue – Ubiquiti Community
- Ecobee thermostats are not compatible with mesh WiFi network – HomeSeer Forum
- Ecobee thermostat can't connect to servers – Netgate Forum
- 5 Reasons ecobee Won't Connect to WiFi – Home Inspection Insider