Troubleshoot Nest thermostat Wi-Fi connection during setup

Important: If you receive a W5 help code, contact Google Home and Nest support. For more information about this error code, go to Troubleshoot a Nest thermostat W5 code.

If your Wi-Fi network doesn’t appear in your Google Nest thermostat’s network list during setup, or when you try to change the network:

1. Wait a few minutes for your network to appear.
2. Restart your router.
3. Check for a W5 error code.
4. Type in a hidden network name.
5. Restart your thermostat.
6. Check for wireless interference.
7. Check your Wi-Fi router settings.

If your thermostat was previously connected to Wi-Fi but isn't now, go to Learn how to Troubleshoot your Nest thermostat is offline.

Step 1: Wait a few minutes for your network to appear

Your Wi-Fi network may take a few minutes to appear on your thermostat. Your Nest thermostat continues to actively scan for Wi-Fi networks even after it displays the initial list.

Step 2: Restart your router

1. Unplug your router and wait a minute.
2. Plug your router in and wait a few minutes for it to fully restart.
3. Wait a few minutes before you try to reconnect your thermostat.

Step 3: Check for a W5 help code

If your thermostat can’t detect any nearby Wi-Fi networks, including your own, you may have a W5 issue. This only affects the Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd gen) and Nest Thermostat E.

1. Press the thermostat ring to open the Quick View menu.
2. Select Settings .
3. Turn the ring until Network appears.
   • If your thermostat displays "Error - nest.com/w5," go to Troubleshoot a Nest thermostat W5 code.
   • If there’s a different message or no message, continue to the next step.

Step 4: Type in a hidden network name

If your Wi-Fi network is hidden because your router doesn’t broadcast your network’s name or SSID, you’ll have to enter the name manually.

1. In your thermostat’s list of Wi-Fi networks, select Type Network Name.
2. Type your network’s name and password and choose your network’s security type, such as WPA or WEP, when prompted.

Step 5: Restart your thermostat

If you’re going through setup for the first time, you can skip the Wi-Fi connection step and finish the setup interview. Then you can restart your thermostat and try to connect it again.

Tip: Restart steps depend on which thermostat you have:

Nest Thermostat and Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen)

1. On your thermostat, select Settings Restart.
2. After your thermostat has finished restarting, use the Google Home app to try to connect again.

Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd gen or earlier) and Thermostat E

1. On your thermostat, select Settings Reset Restart.
2. After your thermostat has finished restarting, select Settings Network.
3. Try to connect again.

Learn how to restart or reset your Nest thermostat.

Step 6: Check for wireless interference

1. Stand near your Nest thermostat, and try to connect to your Wi-Fi network with another device, such as a mobile phone.
2. If your network doesn't appear, move your router closer to your thermostat if possible.
   • Even a couple of feet can make a difference in signal strength.
   • You can also add a Wi-Fi extender to increase wireless coverage for your phone.
3. Try temporarily turning off any wireless devices that can cause wireless interference.
   Common devices include:
   • Cordless phones
   • Baby monitors
   • Microwaves
   • Bluetooth devices
   • Wireless video equipment

Step 7: Check your Wi-Fi router settings

Router settings rarely cause this problem, but you should still check certain settings. Refer to your router’s manual for instructions on how to:

• Turn on your router’s 2.4GHz Wi-Fi signal.
• Enable 802.11 b/g/n if you have an 802.11 ac router.
• Set your Wi-Fi router's DHCP lease time to at least 2 hours.
• Turn on your router’s Power Save Mode (PSM).