Troubleshoot wireless interference

Wireless interference can give you trouble connecting Nest products or other wireless devices. It can also cause slow network communications or intermittent disconnections. So your Nest products might continuously disconnect and reconnect, or they may be slow to respond to app control.

Symptoms of wireless interference

Most homes experience all three kinds of wireless interference, but symptoms can vary. Read below to know if your Nest product is experiencing any of the symptoms of wireless interference.

• Difficulty connecting to the app during setup.
• Your Nest product repeatedly disconnects and reconnects to Wi-Fi.
• Your product is 'Offline' in the app but reconnects automatically.
• Your product responds slowly to changes that you make with the app.
• Your product’s Energy History, Video history, Security history or Protect History has gaps or missing data.
• Camera video skips, is pixelated or you have other problems watching video.
• Guard repeatedly switches between Wi-Fi and mobile backup.

Troubleshooting tips

Here are a few quick tips for troubleshooting wireless interference in your home.

• If possible, move your Wi-Fi router and Nest product closer together. Just a few centimetres or a metre can make a big difference in signal strength.
• Enable channel auto-switching on your router.
• Move, unplug or disable other electronics that may interfere with your Wi-Fi connection.
• Install a Wi-Fi range extender or repeater. For the best compatibility, use an extender from the same manufacturer.

Make sure that all Wi-Fi routers, extenders and repeaters use these recommended settings.

Tip: When troubleshooting wireless interference, test what works best for your home connection. Every network is different, and every home experiences unique difficulties caused by wireless interference.

For more information on the three most common types of wireless interference and additional tips to help minimise interference on your home Wi-Fi network:

1. Minimise interference from walls, floors and other objects

The construction materials in your home can greatly affect wireless communication speed and range. Materials such as wood and clear glass don’t have much of an effect. However, denser materials such as concrete, brick and metal can make it difficult to connect. These denser materials can also slow your network speed or even completely block wireless signals from reaching certain parts of your home.

Large pieces of furniture, such as filing cabinets or bookshelves, as well as appliances like cookers or refrigerators, can also interfere with Wi-Fi. Mirrors, which have a metallic coating on the back can also block wireless signals.

Troubleshooting tips

1. Some Wi-Fi routers or access points have adjustable antennae. Pointing the antenna so that the signal is aimed at your Nest product can help improve your connection.
2. If possible, move your Nest product to a new location. Moving it by just a few centimetres, or a metre, can make a big difference to the signal strength.
3. In some homes, moving your wireless router or access point is an option. Moving your router or access point closer to your Nest product can improve your connection.
4. Powerline adaptors are another option, especially useful for larger homes with thick or dense walls and floors.
5. Another option is to add a Wi-Fi extender to your network. Extenders rebroadcast your router’s signal from another room or location.

Tip: Powerline adaptors use your home’s electrical wiring for Ethernet, so you can easily extend your network right through the walls without installing expensive new wiring. Connecting a powerline adaptor to a Wi-Fi access point can bring a strong wireless connection to even the remotest rooms in your home.

2. Troubleshoot interference from other Wi-Fi networks

Interference from competing Wi-Fi networks is especially common in cities, blocks of flats and densely populated areas, where there are usually a large number of Wi-Fi networks nearby. Tip: Check for competing networks by opening the wireless options on your phone or computer. Wait a moment for the list of networks to refresh. If there are lots of networks to choose from, you may experience this type of interference. Wi-Fi networks broadcast on channels. When Wi-Fi networks nearby are set to use the same channel, they’ll be competing constantly with each other for limited bandwidth.

Troubleshooting tips

1. Many of the latest routers have a feature that lets them find the least crowded Wi-Fi channel automatically. Check your router's documentation to find out how to enable and set the options for this feature.
2. If you already have channel auto-switching enabled but are still getting slow speeds or a poor connection on your home network, you can try setting the channel manually and then performing speed tests to find the fastest one.
3. If your router is more than a few years old, you may want to consider upgrading to a new one.

3. Reduce interference from other electronics

Interference can also come from other electronics and appliances that aren’t connected to your wireless network, but use the same 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequencies to communicate. Cordless phones, Bluetooth devices and baby monitors are some examples. You might also experience interference around wireless cameras or security systems.

Electronics and appliances, like microwave ovens, generate radio frequency noise as a byproduct, so you may notice a network slowdown or get disconnected only when you’re reheating dinner. Some larger electronics, such as TVs, can affect Wi-Fi signals even when they’re asleep or turned off since their power supplies may generate short range interference.

Troubleshooting tips

1. Placing a Nest product too close to a router, access point, cordless phone or other device that emits radio frequency signals can cause connection issues. Try moving them so that they're at least one metre apart.
2. Try turning off or unplugging your electronics in turn to determine which device is causing connection issues. When you've turned off the culprit, your Nest product should be able to connect and maintain the connection. It may take a few minutes to automatically connect and change its status in the app.
3. Some wireless devices can broadcast and receive both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz signals. If you suspect a particular wireless device, it may have options for switching frequencies. If other products in your home are using a 2.4 GHz connection, try switching to the 5 GHz frequency.

If you've tried the steps listed above and you're still having issues, go to Troubleshoot Wi-Fi and connection issues for Nest products.