Nest Thermostat Error E60 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Error E60 on your Nest thermostat means the cooling system (air conditioning) has been locked out. The Nest detected a condition that makes it unsafe or inefficient to run the AC and has stopped cooling until the issue is addressed. This can protect both your AC equipment and your home from damage.

Affected Models

Nest Learning Thermostat (2nd, 3rd gen)
Nest Thermostat E
Nest Thermostat (2020 model)
Google Nest Thermostat

Common Causes

The outdoor temperature is too cold for the AC to operate safely (heat pump protection mode)
The AC system has not cooled the home sufficiently despite a long run time — equipment fault suspected
A frozen evaporator coil has been detected or suspected by the Nest
The compressor lockout timer is running — too many short AC cycles have occurred
The AC system has its own fault that the Nest is responding to

How to Fix It

Check the outdoor temperature. If it is below about 50°F (10°C), the Nest may be protecting a heat pump from running in AC mode in cold weather.

Heat pumps should not operate in cooling mode when it is cold outside. This is a feature, not a bug.
Set the Nest to Off mode and wait 30 minutes. Then switch back to Cool.

The compressor needs a minimum rest time between cycles. Waiting 30 minutes respects this protection window.
Check your air filter. A clogged filter causes the evaporator coil to freeze, which triggers a lockout.

Replace the filter if it has not been changed in the past 1–3 months.
Check the indoor air handler and any accessible AC vents for ice buildup. If ice is present, turn the system to Fan Only mode for 1–2 hours to thaw.

Running the fan without cooling circulates warm room air over the coil to melt the ice faster.
After thawing and replacing the filter, restart the AC. If E60 returns quickly, the refrigerant level is likely low — call an HVAC technician.

Low refrigerant causes the coil to run too cold and freeze. Only licensed technicians can service refrigerant.

When to Call a Professional

If E60 persists after waiting and resetting, call an HVAC technician. A frozen coil or refrigerant issue requires professional diagnosis and repair. Attempting to force a frozen or low-refrigerant AC system to run can damage the compressor — an expensive repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Nest showing E60 on a very hot day?

Even on a hot day, a clogged filter, low refrigerant, or a faulty compressor can prevent the AC from cooling effectively. The Nest locks out the system to prevent damaging the compressor. Check the filter first — it is the simplest and most common fix.

Can I override the E60 cooling lockout?

You can set the Nest to Fan Only mode to circulate air without cooling. However, you should not try to override a genuine lockout — it exists to protect your AC equipment. Forcing a system with a frozen coil or low refrigerant to run can damage the compressor, leading to a repair bill of $500–$1500 or more.

How do I know if my AC coil is frozen?

Check the indoor air handler unit. If you see ice on the copper refrigerant lines leading to it, or the unit is dripping a lot of water, the coil is likely frozen. Also check around the base of the unit for water pooling — melted ice from a frozen coil. Turn the system off and let it thaw before calling a technician.