Is your Nest thermostat not working after power outage? Well, we got the solution here!
Sudden power outages can often impact devices connected to the electrical installation, and your Nest thermostat may have become one of the unfortunate victims.
This guide strives to restore the Nest thermostat’s functionality by following top-tier solutions and practical steps.
If the Nest thermostat is not turning on after the power outage, insert a fresh pair of AAA batteries or manually charge the thermostat (model-based). If the fault persists, reset the power of the HVAC system.
Let’s dig deeper!
Nest Thermostat Not Working After Power Outage AC Running?
The first step to uncovering the best-working solutions for the Nest thermostat is reviewing what could possibly have caused the issue in the first place.
If the Nest is not turning on while other HVAC devices are functioning correctly, such as the ACs, the issue is likely with the thermostat!
Let’s explore all viable causes for the Nest thermostat’s malfunction:
Before proceeding any further, verify that the power has ultimately come back by testing some of your electrical appliances or turning on the lights in the room.
We recommend simply waiting for about 10 minutes after the power has come back to verify that the A/C voltage is sufficient.
Note: Technicians often conduct tests after restoring the power so that it may go off again!
Is There a Light On The Thermostat?
The indicator on the Nest thermostat can often provide information about the device’s condition and help you detect issues.
Hence, you must look at the indicator’s color to understand more!
Here are the three states of the indicator on your Nest thermostat:
- A blinking red light – indicates that the battery is low but is currently charging.
- A blinking green light – indicates that the software of Nest is being upgraded.
- No status light – indicates a fault with the thermostat’s power supply or wiring.
Note: A total blackout of the Nest device might indicate a further complication caused by the recent power outage in your area.
Nest Thermostat Not Working After Power Outage – Fixed
Tip: Follow the steps and instructions consecutively!
1. Replace the Thermostat’s Batteries
The first and most practical solution to the malfunction of the Nest thermostat is to insert a fresh set of batteries.
In case of a short-circuit with the Nest thermostat, the protection protocols of the motherboard will not allow for direct electrical impact, instead, the batteries might get burnt out.
Note: Only the Google Nest thermostat uses replaceable battery units!
Here’s how to replace the batteries of a compatible Nest thermostat in easy steps:
- Find the battery compartment on the back of the Nest thermostat.
- Next, remove the compartment’s cover and eject the battery units.
- Insert a fresh set of replaceable triple-A alkaline batteries inside.
- Close and secure the battery compartment cover of the thermostat.
The batteries are the most external layer of protection in any battery-operated device, including the Nest thermostat.
Hence, any defect in the electrical system will heavily impact the batteries, and if that doesn’t negate the electric shock, other components may get damaged collaterally.
Tip: Replace the thermostat's batteries twice yearly to maintain the power supply!
2. Reconnect the Display to the Base
If the display of the Nest isn’t fully seated into the base, the thermostat will not charge and, therefore, will not turn on.
Hence, reinserting the display of the thermostat from the base helps refresh the internal battery and fixes issues with the terminal wires and the HVAC connectivity.
Here’s how to reconnect the display of the Nest thermostat in easy steps:
- Grab the thermostat’s frontal panel and gently pull it towards you.
- Once the display clicks on one end, carefully lift it from all sockets.
- Remove the faceplate of the thermostat’s base entirely and wait.
- After ~30 seconds, position the display back onto the Nest’s base.
- Push the faceplate slightly until it clicks securely on all of the ends.
Operating with the display of the thermostat must be done with extreme caution to prevent any damage to the equipment.
The slightest impact on the display may heavily defect it and cause further complications with the functionality of the Nest thermostat and the hardware involved.
Tip: For faulty components of the Nest thermostat, reach out to Google Nest Support!
3. Inspect the Thermostat’s Supply
If you’ve connected an external power supply to your battery-operated Nest thermostat, there’s a chance that the power outage has caused the equipment to defect.
The next step is to inspect and rule out issues with the C-wire of the thermostat installed in the Nest Power Connector.
How to Identify the Nest Power Connector?
If technicians installed the power connector, it can be found within the breaker panel, where all your circuit switches are.
All you have to do is open the panel, carefully lift the connector from the wiring, and inspect the device for potential damage and malfunction.
How to Reinstall the Nest Power Connector?
If you are hesitant about whether the power connector is installed correctly, simply push the HVAC breaker downwards and unplug the Nest connector from the socket.
After that, remove the “C” wire from the Nest thermostat’s terminal and reinstall the connector after 30 seconds.
Note: The power connector might have sustained damage due to the power outage!
4. Reset the Circuit Breaker’s Power
The heaviest impact of a power outage can be inflicted on the circuit breaker, and the room switches powering the devices plugged in with the electrical installation.
The circuit breaker panel is much more vulnerable to electric shocks and short circuits during power outages.
Here’s how to reset the power of the HVAC system through the circuit breaker:
- Locate the circuit breaker’s panel somewhere across your home.
- Access the panel and locate the “HVAC” switch on the control table.
- Push the switch of the system downwards to turn off the A/C supply.
- Wait for 1 minute while the power of the HVAC system is turned off.
- Push the switch back to the “ON” side to restore the power supply.
Important – A Blown Fuse?
When you open the primary circuit in your home, check for any smoke odor or burnt spots that may potentially cause the problem.
If you identify that a fuse is blown, you must replace it as soon as possible to restore the power to your Nest thermostat.
Alert: A tripped circuit breaker switch can often impact the system’s electrical functionality!
5. Configure the Thermostat’s Wiring
Another possible cause why the Nest not working after a power outage is because of a lousy wire installation.
If the installation of the terminal wires has been prematurely misconfigured, the A/C outage might have contributed to a complication with the terminal or impacted an essential wire!
Warning: Stop the power to your thermostat before interacting with the wires!
How to Properly Install Nest Thermostat Wires?
Note: Your thermostat may or may not include all the wires listed below!
- “C” – Blue wire.
- “Y1”- Yellow wire.
- “Y2” – Gray wire.
- “G” – Green wire.
- “O/B” – Orange wire.
- “RC” – Red wire.
- “W2/AUX” – Brown wire.
Tip: We recommend unscrewing each terminal and reconnecting all wires securely!
6. Reset the HVAC Float Switch
A universal solution to any issues with your HVAC system is to reset the float switch.
This is the emergency switch that activates during flooding or under other catastrophic conditions.
The float switch restricts the functionality of all devices wired to the breaker of the HVAC installment.
Info: The Nest thermostat’s “C” wire connects directly to the HVAC system’s breaker!
Follow these steps to identify and flip the float switch of your HVAC system:
- First, deactivate the power supply of the HVAC system.
- Find the main water pipe coming out from the furnace.
- Recognize the controller switch imbued on the pipe.
- Next, push the switch’s handle towards the “ON” side.
- Wait for 30 seconds while the switch is in that position.
- Finally, push the switch back to the “OFF” side of the dial.
Remember that while the float switch is set to restrict the water flow, the Nest thermostat will also deactivate by utilizing the built-in security mechanisms.
So, not turning off the power to the system before pushing the switch may cause further complications with the furnace of the pipes.
Note: If the float switch is defective or doesn’t affect the water flow, contact an HVAC technician!
Quick Recap:
So, when the Nest thermostat not working after a power outage, you must reconnect the thermostat’s display from the base and reset the circuit breaker.
If the problem persists, correct the thermostat’s terminal wiring and reset the power from the primary breaker!
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Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites. Check out more about him here.