Emerson Thermostat Blinking Snowflake? (6 Quick Fixes)

If you’re wondering why the Emerson thermostat blinking snowflake, keep reading ahead!

The blinking snowflake icon is a temporal state of the thermostat, indicating that the HVAC system has entered a “Time Delay” regime.

So, this guide will help you uncover the exact cause of the persistent blinking snowflake icon and help you solve the issue with quick and proven solutions!

The constantly blinking snowflake on the Emerson thermostat can be fixed by correcting the wire installation of the device and reinserting the backup batteries.

There is much more to investigate, so let’s get started!

Why is there a Blinking Snowflake On Thermostat Emerson?

The pulsating snowflake indicates that the thermostat has detected the cooling regime, but the HVAC system has gone into time delay mode.

Airflow problems usually cause time delay mode issues with the electrical installation of the Emerson thermostat or even malfunctioning sensors.

In most cases, the blinking snowflake on the Emerson thermostat isn’t caused by an issue with the thermostat but because of a failure with the HVAC system.

So let’s investigate everything:

Those are the possible conditions for the occurrence of the blinking Emerson snowflake icon.

To understand the problem further and troubleshoot the cause correspondingly, keep reading on…

Emerson Thermostat Blinking Snowflake – Proven Ways to Fix

Tip: Follow the steps and instructions consecutively!

1. Wait Until Emerson Exits “Delay” Mode

As established, the blinking snowflake icon indicates that the Emerson thermostat has accessed time-delay mode due to an issue with the HVAC system.

• The thermostat goes into a time delay while the system undergoes a mandatory technical functionality check.

The “Time Delay” mode of the HVAC system is a non-lasting state that should go away within 5 to 10 minutes of starting up the Emerson thermostat and enabling the cooling.

Hence, verify that the Emerson thermostat is turned on and wait for automatic snowflake icon deactivation.

How Long Can the “Delay” Mode Last?

It’s important to know whether the “Delay” mode is temporary and will last for as long as the thermostat is turned on.

So, the time-delay mode or snowflake will stay there during the check and remain on indefinitely, if a problem has been found.

Note: When the Emerson thermostat exits the “Delay” mode, the snowflake icon will disappear!

2. Reinsert the Emerson Backup Batteries

Although Emerson uses a standard “C” wire to deliver electricity to the thermostat, backup batteries are also required in case of a failure with the voltage.

Reseating the batteries within the thermostat will discharge the unit and fix issues with the cooling regime, so it’s worth trying.

Here’s how to access and eject the backup batteries of the Emerson thermostat:

1. Remove the front Emerson panel from the Emerson wall mount.
2. Next, locate the battery compartment on the side of the device.
3. Take off the cover of the compartment and expose the batteries.
4. Eject each of the backup batteries inserted into the compartment.
5. Next, wait for 60 seconds while the Emerson device is deactivated.
6. Reinsert the backup batteries of the device and reinstall the cover.

Bonus Tip: Test the Emerson Batteries!

The Emerson thermostats use two double-A backup batteries for emergency activation or whenever the “C” wire fails.

You can test whether there’s a charge remaining in the batteries by inserting them into a compatible device or connecting them with a tester.

Note: The charge of the backup batteries can last for months!

3. Inspect the Wiring of the Thermostat

Improper or defective wire installation is the primary cause of any malfunction with the Emerson thermostat.

So, the next step is to verify that each of the wires responsible for allowing Wi-Fi and furnace connection are adequately secured with the terminal poles on the thermostat.

Here’s how to access the wiring panel of the Emerson thermostat:

1. Undo all screws holding the frontal plate of the Emerson unit.
2. Deactivate the HVAC system’s power from the circuit breaker.
3. Carefully lift off the face of the thermostat to reveal the wires.
4. Disconnect each colored wire from the thermostat terminals.

Proper Wire Installation On Emerson Thermostat

The wires must be connected to the following terminals for proper functionality:

• The blue wire must connect with the “C” terminal.
• The red wire must connect with the “R” terminal.
• The yellow wire must connect with the “Y” terminal.
• The orange wire must connect with the “W1/O/B” terminal.
• The green wire must connect with the “G” terminal.
• The white wire must connect with the “W/E” terminal.

Thus, the wire terminals of the Emerson thermostat can be loosened up using a Phillips-head screwdriver for installing the wires.

Remember that each wire must be tightly secured around the contact point underneath each terminal for proper transmission.

Tip: Check whether any wires are incorrectly plugged in or loose!

4. Check the HVAC System’s Furnace

A defect with the HVAC system could be another cause for the Emerson thermostat snowflake blinking.

So, the next step is to verify that your HVAC system is working correctly by following the pre-made instructions below.

Here are the best methods to troubleshoot the HVAC system installation:

• Verify that the circuit breaker switch of the system is set to “ON.”
• Close and secure the door of the HVAC furnace in the boiler room.
• Check if the system detects the boilers and turns the float switch.
• Unclog the air filters and check the ventilation of the HVAC furnace.
• Reset the float switch by forbidding and allowing the water to flow.

If your HVAC furnace has a float switch, you must be on alert if the switch locks automatically and forbids the water flow.

There could be a sudden system flooding if the float switch defects and cannot hold the water in the furnace pipes.

Alert: Contact an HVAC technician for issues with the furnace installation or the float switch!

5. Power Cycle the Connected AC Units

If the HVAC system’s cooling mode isn’t coming on, there could be a fault with the connected AC units.

So, recognizing potential issues with the AC devices is mandatory for restoring the system’s functionality and resolving the snowflake mode on your Emerson thermostat easily!

Here’s how to power cycle a connected HVAC AC unit:

1. Locate the in-built power switch on the AC unit.
2. Push the power switch towards the “OFF” side.
3. Disconnect the power cable of the cooling unit.
4. Wait for 60 seconds while the AC is unplugged.
5. Reconnect the power adapter of the AC device.
6. Press the power switch towards the “ON” side.

So, repeat the steps above for all AC units added to your HVAC system.

Once you’re done with power cycling each AC unit, access the cooling settings of the Emerson thermostat.

Then, verify that the device is set to a “Cooling” or “Automatic” setting to solve the blinking snowflake icon.

6. Reset the Emerson Thermostat System

If the blinking snowflake icon is still there, then factory resetting the thermostat yields the best possibility for resolving the issue.

Although the time delay is not a constant state of the HVAC system, and it should go away after 5-10 minutes, there could be a defect with the thermostat.

Follow these steps to restore the Emerson thermostat to factory defaults:

1. Switch off the Emerson thermostat from the circuit breaker.
2. Uninstall the frontal plate and disconnect the “C” terminal wire.
3. Open the battery compartment and eject both of the batteries.
4. Insert the batteries on the opposite side and close the panel.
5. Next, wait for 15 seconds and reinsert the batteries correctly.
6. Reconnect the “C” terminal wire of your Emerson thermostat.
7. Close the thermostat plate and restore power from the breaker.
8. Turn on the thermostat and check if the snowflake icon is there.

Warning: Not deactivating the HVAC system’s power supply while working may result in severe injury or electric shock.

Quick Recap:

To fix whenever the Emerson thermostat blinks snowflake, first check the thermostat’s wiring and verify that the furnace door is closed.

Also, correct the HVAC system’s airflow, power cycle all AC units, and factory reset the Emerson thermostat if the issue persists.

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