My Nest Thermostat Won’t Connect to WiFi? (6 Quick Fixes)

My Nest thermostat won’t connect to WiFi? Well, then, this guide is designed to help you out!

We must first analyze all possibilities and influencing factors to answer why the Nest thermostat cannot connect to the WiFi.

So, in this guide, we’ll explore how the thermostat’s Wi-Fi coverage works, learn more about the unit’s specifications, and help you optimize the device’s connection.

Whenever the Nest thermostat can’t connect to Wi-Fi, reinsert the batteries and try to pair the unit with your phone’s mobile hotspot. Next, check the connection of the terminal wires, verify your WiFi is intact, and force a factory reset on your thermostat.

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

Why Won’t My Nest Thermostat Connect to WiFi?

Here’s what could prevent the Nest thermostat from establishing Wi-Fi connectivity:

Info: The Nest thermostat is compatible with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network threads, allowing optimal connectivity and radical switch of the networks. 

Is the Nest Thermostat Battery-Operated?

The Google Nest thermostat uses a replaceable battery, while the Learning and E models use a rechargeable ion battery.

Hence, if you have the base model, the batteries might cause issues with the WiFi connectivity, especially when their charge is low.

Hence, you must replace the battery of your Google Nest Thermostat before continuing further so you can be confident that the issue is not related to the charge. 

Important: Use only high-quality batteries for your Nest thermostat!

How to Fix When My Nest Thermostat Won’t Connect to WiFi?

Tip: Follow the steps and instructions in a consecutive order!

1. Repeat the Nest Wi-Fi Setup!

Connecting the Nest thermostat to Wi-Fi can be solely completed through the user interface of the programmable device.

You won’t need to access the Google Home app on the smartphone since the Wi-Fi is set up entirely through the thermostat’s menu.

Here’s how to connect a Nest thermostat to a nearby Wi-Fi network:

1. Tap the thermostat’s ring button to open the Quick View.
2. After that, enter the “Settings” icon and select “Network”.
3. Wait until the thermostat scans all the available networks.
4. Tap on the home WiFi network and input the password.
5. When prompted, press “Connect” to pair your thermostat.

How to Test Nest Thermostat On a Mobile Hotspot?

If the thermostat fails to pair with your local network, a reliable method to test the connectivity is to hook up the device to your mobile phone’s hotspot.

The mobile hotspot is a personal WiFi that you can share from a SIM-enabled device and connect units, including your thermostat.

• To enable the hotspot on your device, go to “Settings” > “Mobile Data” > “Hotspot.”

Once enabled, access your thermostat’s “Network” menu and select the phone device’s hotspot SSID.

You can view the password in your phone’s “Hotspot” menu, enabling you to connect the Nest thermostat with the newly shared hotspot and test whether this will work.

Conclusion: If your thermostat connects to the personal hotspot, the problem is your home’s WiFi connection.

2. Identify Issues with the Network

You can quickly resolve connectivity issues in the Nest thermostat’s connection by inspecting the network equipment.

A potential Wi-Fi failure might have led to a total blackout of the local network, causing all devices involved to lose connection, including your Nest thermostat.

Reliable Methods to Troubleshoot Wi-Fi Network!

• Power cycle the Wi-Fi router/modem and gateway.
• Reseat the service (coaxial) cable from the modem.
• Unplug all third-party devices and network switches.
• Lower the utilization of the WiFi network bandwidth.

We also recommend testing whether you can access the WiFi connection by using any other unit other than the thermostat.

It’s essential to try to connect from the spot where your Nest thermostat is installed to justify whether the signal strength is good enough for a connection.

Tip: Verify that nothing is covering/obstructing your Nest thermostat!

3. Reinsert the Thermostat’s Battery

To address any issues with the Nest thermostat’s Wi-Fi functionality, reseat the batteries and/or replace them if necessary.

As mentioned earlier, when the battery is low, your thermostat may not be able to utilize any of its networking features, and perhaps that’s why it is not connecting.

Follow these steps to reinsert the battery of your Nest thermostat:

1. First, grab a hold of the Nest thermostat’s front plate.
2. Pull the frontal plate with slight force until it comes off.
3. Locate the non-rechargeable AAA alkaline batteries.
4. Then, gently eject both batteries from your thermostat.
5. Wait for about 60 seconds and reinsert the battery units.

If your thermostat can’t connect to the WiFi after reinserting the batteries and restarting the unit, you must replace them with a fresh pair. 

Note: If you have a Nest Learning or Nest E thermostat, skip this step!

Charge Your Thermostat!

If you have the Nest E/Learning thermostat, you can manually charge your thermostat using the USB-C port on the back.

You must dismount the thermostat from the wall, plug the unit into an adapter, and wait about 40-45 minutes, after which you should test whether the issue is gone!

4. Correct the Nest Thermostat Wiring

The terminal wires connect the Nest thermostat to your HVAC system, enabling the cooling and heating functions.

Improper configuration of the terminal wires may prevent the Nest thermostat from working correctly or cause issues with the programmable features, so you must check this!

To access the terminal wires of the Nest thermostat, pull the frontal plate of the thermostat out and uninstall the wall mount.

Next, carefully remove the wall mount and expose all terminal wires, but remember not to touch any wires before turning off the power from the main breaker.

Important: The Nest thermostat’s terminal wires must be installed correctly!

How to Configure Nest Thermostat Wires?

Alert: Stop the power from the primary circuit before proceeding!

Here’s the setup for the Nest thermostat terminal wires:

• The Yellow wire connects with the “Y1” terminal.
• The Gray wire connects with the “Y2” terminal.
• The Green wire connects with the “G” terminal.
• The Orange wire connects with the “OB” terminal.
• The Red wire connects with the “Rc” terminal.
• The Brown wire connects with the “W2” terminal.
• The Blue wire connects with the “C” terminal.

Note: Your Nest thermostat may not include all the wires listed above!

5. Update the Nest Thermostat

Updating the firmware version of the Nest thermostat and the Google Home app is a proven and effective solution against issues with Wi-Fi connectivity.

We will guide you through all the steps to upload your Nest thermostat’s most current operational software, so let’s update everything!

How to Update Google Home App?

1. First, open the Google Play or App Store on your mobile.
2. Tap on your profile and choose “Manage Installed Apps.”
3. Go down and locate the Google Home app in the listings.
4. Tap the “Check for Updates” button next to the application.
5. Then, tap the “Start Update” button if an update is available.

How to Update Nest Thermostat OS?

1. Wake up the Nest thermostat by tapping the display once or twice.
2. Access the Quick View menu from the screen and tap “Settings.”
3. Turn the settings cog until the “Software Update” button appears.
4. Next, select the “Software Update” option from the following tab.
5. Follow the on-screen steps to install the latest thermostat update.

Remember that installing a thermostat update is possible even without a Wi-Fi connection if the package was already downloaded.

If the Nest thermostat is prompted to download the update, you will be automatically forwarded to the “Network” section.

Note: Avoid interrupting the Nest thermostat or the Google app while still updating!

6. Format the Nest Thermostat System

When the networking of your Nest thermostat is not working, perhaps the factory reset will help but will erase all settings, configurations, and pairing.

However, if the connection problem with the thermostat is related to the system, the factory restoration will eliminate the potential faults!

Here’s how to force a factory reset on the Nest thermostat’ system:

1. Press the dial button on the display of the thermostat.
2. Open the Quick View menu and rotate the dial left.
3. Next, highlight “Settings” and then choose “Reset”. 
4. Confirm the selected option and follow the steps.

Once the Nest thermostat has gone into the factory reset regime, do not interact with the device, as this could cancel the process.

Also, remember that the programmable unit will power off and restart when the factory reset process is completed, prompting you to set up the initialization.

Note: The factory reset shouldn’t take longer than 3 minutes!

Quick Recap:

So, when my Nest thermostat won’t connect to WiFi, reinsert or replace the battery and update the OS of the Google Home app and the thermostat.

Also, you must reconfigure the thermostat’s terminal wires, inspect their state, and force a thermostat factory reset.

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