ecobee Fan Not Working — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Your ecobee fan is either not running when it should, or running continuously when it should stop. This is usually caused by a fan mode setting, a wiring issue at the G terminal, or a problem with the air handler blower motor. Most cases can be resolved by checking the settings and wiring before calling a technician.

Affected Models

ecobee SmartThermostat Premium
ecobee SmartThermostat Enhanced
ecobee3 lite
ecobee4
ecobee SmartSensor

Common Causes

The fan mode is set to 'On' instead of 'Auto', causing it to run continuously
The G terminal wire (fan control wire) is loose, missing, or incorrectly connected
A short circuit at the G terminal is keeping the fan stuck on
The air handler blower motor has failed and won't respond to the thermostat signal
An ecobee fan minimum runtime setting is causing the fan to run longer than expected

How to Fix It

On the ecobee home screen, check the fan icon and confirm it is set to 'Auto', not 'On'.

In 'On' mode the fan runs 24/7 regardless of heating or cooling. In 'Auto' mode it only runs when the system is actively heating or cooling.
Go to Main Menu > Settings > Fan Control and check the 'Fan Minimum On Time' setting.

If this is set to 30 minutes per hour, the fan will run a minimum of 30 minutes every hour even when the system is idle. Reduce it to 0 if you don't want this.
Turn off power at the breaker, then remove the ecobee from its base and check the G terminal wire.

The G wire controls the fan. Make sure it is firmly seated in the G terminal and not loose or frayed.
With the ecobee off the base, check if any wires are touching terminals they shouldn't be connected to.

A wire touching the G terminal accidentally can keep the fan running permanently even without a thermostat signal.
Go to Main Menu > Settings > Equipment > Fan Test to run a fan test from the thermostat.

If the fan turns on during the test, the thermostat and wiring are working. If not, the issue is likely at the air handler.

When to Call a Professional

If the fan won't run at all and you have confirmed the wiring is correct, the blower motor or control board may have failed. Contact an HVAC technician — these are not user-serviceable parts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my ecobee fan running all the time even when heating and cooling are off?

The most common reason is that the fan mode is set to 'On' instead of 'Auto'. Tap the fan icon on the ecobee home screen and switch it to 'Auto'. Also check Main Menu > Settings > Fan Control and lower the minimum runtime to 0.

Why won't my fan turn on even when heating or cooling is running?

If heating or cooling is active but no air is moving, the G terminal wire is likely loose or missing. Also check the air handler circuit breaker — the blower may be on a separate circuit from the thermostat. Run a fan test from Main Menu > Settings > Equipment to isolate the issue.

Is it bad to run my ecobee fan continuously on 'On' mode?

It won't damage the system, but it increases electricity use and wears out the blower motor faster. 'Auto' mode is recommended for most homes — the fan only runs during active heating or cooling cycles. Continuous fan mode can be useful for improving air circulation or filtering if you have allergies.