hj
You question is confusing for a couple of reasons. A factory wired 220/240 volt water heater never has a white wire. And the thermostat should have either four or six wires depending on whether you count the two top ones supplying power. This is the normal wiring system, although there are a couple of older thermostats that use a different pattern. The lower left wire goes to the upper element. The lower right wire goes to the bottom element/thermostat. The middle screw on the right side should have two wires. One goes to the upper element and the other goes to the bottom element. Do not remove any wires or interchange them. You may damage the thermostat or yourself. Use a voltmeter to see if there is power at teh two terminals beneath the red ECO button. If not press the button. Check for 240 v. at the upper element’s terminals if it has power, then use a clamp around ammeter to see if it is drawing any power. If not, change the element. If it is working, then wait until the top of the tank is hot and then repeat the process with the bottom element. For you, this is the quickest and safest way.
