Ecobee Doorbell Chime Not Working? Here’s the Quick Fix!

ecobee doorbell chime not working

We understand the frustration of being unaware of guests at the front step because the Ecobee doorbell chime not working.

The causes vary, such as loose wires, a worn-out transformer, or an improperly installed Ecobee chime adapter. 

Don’t worry—we’ve prepared professional solutions to restore the functionality of your doorbell and restore the security of your home!

Ecobee Doorbell Chime Not Working? – (Fix Methods)

Note: Press and hold the Ecobee doorbell’s “RING” button for 10–15 seconds to force a reboot.

1. Power Cycle the Ecobee Doorbell

power cycle the ecobee doorbell

An inoperable Ecobee doorbell chime might be related to a power insufficiency in the doorbell wiring installation.

Any power interruptions or glitches can silence the chime, and the only way to reset the power supply is to disable the power at the circuit breaker or flip the doorbell switch.

Here’s how to power cycle Ecobee using the breaker:

  1. Locate the breaker for your doorbell circuit.
  2. Flip the doorbell’s switch to the “OFF” side.
  3. Wait ~5 seconds before turning it back on.
  4. Test the doorbell to check if the chime rings.

Verify the Ecobee doorbell’s breaker is pushed to the “OFF” side during the reset, then press the doorbell button to ensure the chime responds.

2. Inspect the Transformer Voltage

A quiet Ecobee doorbell chime might indicate an underlying problem with your installation’s transformer.

Ensuring the transformer is compatible with your Ecobee doorbell system and works properly is essential to restore the chime’s functionality. 

Step #1: Selecting a Transformer

selecting a transformer

The transformer of your Ecobee doorbell system should be rated 16–24V with at least 10VA to match requirements.

This ensures sufficient power delivery for all components in your doorbell.

Step #2: Inspecting the Transformer

  1. Locate the transformer near your chime.
  2. Turn off the power at the circuit breaker.
  3. Use a multimeter to measure the voltage.
  4. Test if it reads between 16 and 24 volts.
  5. If required, replace the entire transformer.

Step #3: Replacing the Transformer

replacing the transformer
  1. Turn off the power at the circuit breaker.
  2. Safely unplug the old transformer wires.
  3. Tip: Take a screenshot of the wiring.
  4. Mount the new transformer in its place.
  5. Tightly secure the input and output wires.
  6. Turn the power on and test your chime.

Note: Look for signs of overheating and verify the transformer doesn’t contact other components. 

3. Clean the Chime Unit Housing

Note: Only proceed with this step if you use a mechanical chime!

An issue with the Ecobee doorbell chime may result from dust or wear in the chime compartment.

Well, you can address this problem by careful cleaning and inspection of the chime’s housing.

clean the chime unit housing

Here’s how to inspect and clean the chime unit:

  1. Switch OFF the breaker to ensure safety first.
  2. Now, find the chime unit in the central location.
  3. Remove the cover to expose internal parts.
  4. Next, wipe away any dust with a soft, dry cloth.
  5. Finally, check for any wear on the components.

The main difference between a mechanical and a digital chime is the noise production method.

A mechanical chime uses the traditional bell and a hammer to produce the noise of the Ecobee doorbell, whilst a digital unit has pre-recorded tones.

4. Verify the Chime Adapter Setup

Whenever the Ecobee doorbell chime won’t work, a misconnected Ecobee Chime Adapter might disrupt the connection between the doorbell and chime.

So, the next step is to ensure Ecobee’s adapter is properly installed and wired with the transformer of your doorbell system.

verify the chime adapter setup

Here’s how to inspect the Ecobee chime adapter:

  1. Turn off the breaker to safely start the inspection.
  2. Find the chime unit and remove its cover carefully.
  3. Identify the chime “Front” and “Transterminals.
  4. Connect the yellow wire to the “Frontterminal.
  5. Connect the adapter’s green wire to the “Trans”.
  6. Secure the adapter connections in the chime box.

Can I Use Ecobee Without a Chime Adapter?

So, the Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera requires a chime adapter to connect with digital or mechanical chimes.

Without the adapter, the transformer’s voltage will not be converted into values that are usable by the doorbell and chime.

Hence, the chime won’t detect the Ecobee doorbell as an active component in your installation, therefore, it will not ring when someone is at your door.

Warning: Using the Ecobee doorbell without a chime adapter may damage your transformer!

5. Check Ecobee Doorbell Terminals

check ecobee doorbell terminals

The problem may be with the Ecobee doorbell’s installation, rather than the mechanical or digital chime in your system.

So, the next step is to examine and secure the doorbell’s terminal wiring, to ensure the circuit with the chime is closed.

To inspect Ecobee’s terminal wiring, follow these steps:

  1. Disable the circuit breaker power in the system.
  2. Uninstall the faceplate of your Ecobee doorbell.
  3. Find the terminal screws on the mounting plate.
  4. Check the wires for looseness or visible wear.
  5. Tighten the terminal screws to secure the wires.
  6. Reattach the doorbell and restore power to test.

This ensures the doorbell’s terminal wiring is installed securely and connects with the chime’s “TRANS” and “FRONT” or “REAR” terminals.

After securing the wires, press the doorbell to confirm the chime is responding.

6. Re-add the Ecobee Doorbell Profile

The Ecobee chime might be fully functional, but the doorbell won’t be able to send a signal if there’s a problem with the Ecobee app.

Hence, we recommend re-adding the doorbell’s device profile from the app, reconfiguring all of the settings from scratch, and testing the doorbell again.

re-add the ecobee doorbell profile

Here’s how to re-add the Ecobee doorbell:

  1. Open the Ecobee app on your phone.
  2. Sign in or create an account if needed.
  3. Navigate to the homepage of the app.
  4. Tap on your doorbell and scroll down.
  5. Press “Remove Device” → “Remove”.
  6. Head back to the application’s “Home”.
  7. Tap the plus sign to re-add the Ecobee.
  8. Select Doorbell from the list of options.
  9. Follow the instructions to finish the setup.

Note: You will be prompted to reconfigure all of the doorbell’s settings from scratch, so verify you’ve connected Ecobee to the internet and assigned it to a configuration in the application.

7. Check Ecobee’s Wi-Fi Connection

A network issue might prevent the Ecobee Smart Doorbell camera from syncing with the app and disrupt the connection with the chime.

Well, you can check the Wi-Fi status of the doorbell through the Ecobee application and attempt various methods to strengthen the signal.

There is no option in the Ecobee app that allows you to check the doorbell’s Wi-Fi connection quality.

check ecobee’s wi-fi connection

Instead, we can recommend several quality tips to improve the connection right away!

  • Confirm the doorbell is within Wi-Fi range.
  • Restart your router to refresh the network.
  • Reduce the overall usage of your network.
  • Check for interference from nearby devices.
  • Move the Wi-Fi router closer to the doorbell.

We also recommend testing your network’s overall connection quality. There could be a fault with the router or an external outage that has slowed down your connection.

Note: Get in touch with the ISP if you experience network issues on other devices!

8. Reinstall the Ecobee Application

A problem with the Ecobee mobile application could disrupt the communication between the Ecobee doorbell and the chime.

Reinstalling your Ecobee app is much more effective than clearing the cache and resolving issues with corrupted data or an outdated firmware version.

reinstall the ecobee application

Here’s how to reinstall the Ecobee application on your phone:

  1. Locate the Ecobee app on your phone’s menu.
  2. Press and hold the app icon to access options.
  3. Tap the option to Uninstall or Remove the app.
  4. Launch the Google Play Store or the App Store.
  5. Find the Ecobee application and re-download it.
  6. Pair the Ecobee doorbell and test the chime unit.

Tip: Grant the Ecobee app all required permissions, such as location-sharing and local network access. 

9. Reset the Ecobee Doorbell OS

When the Ecobee doorbell chime not working issue persists, at last, we recommend factory resetting the doorbell using the built-in “Reset” button. 

A power cycle followed by a factory reset can resolve underlying errors and restore the chime’s functionality, especially when you’re dealing with a bug.

reset the ecobee doorbell os

Here’s how to factory reset the Ecobee doorbell:

  1. First, flip the circuit breaker to the “OFF” position.
  2. Wait 5 seconds to ensure a complete power cut.
  3. Next, flip the breaker back on to restore the A/C.
  4. Now, press the Reset button on the Ecobee unit.
  5. Follow the audio instructions to complete the reset.

The factory reset lasts for approximately 2–3 minutes, and once it’s finished, re-add the doorbell from the app.

In the meantime, keep the circuit breaker’s power switch OFF to drain the system. 

Note: If your chime is still not working, it’s time to replace the chime or transformer. Alternatively, get in touch with Ecobee customer service for more help.