Nest Thermostat and Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) Pro setup

This article will help you install and set up the Nest Thermostat and Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen).

Types of installations

Install use case	Example scenario	Outcome
Pro installation without Wi-Fi or (end) customer’s user account. (The customer is not present.)	Newly-built home	Thermostat  set up with a single heat or cool point. Customers can later add their Wi-Fi and Google accounts. Nest Pro ID captured.
Pro installation with Wi-Fi, without a customer's user account. (The customer is not present.)	Serviced apartments and/or condominiums	Thermostat set up with a single heat or cool point. Device is already online. Customers just need to pair it to  their Google Account. Nest Pro ID captured.
Pro installation with Wi-Fi, no need for direct access to the customer's phone. (The customer is  present)	Pro replacing an existing thermostat in a home.	Thermostat set up with a single heat or cool point, then provides a transition to the customer to add the Google Account and Wi-Fi information from their Home app. Nest Pro ID captured.
Retail, Nest.com, or Energy customer installing with Wi-Fi.	Majority retail sales	Thermostat set up with a single heat or cool point, Device is online and paired to the customer’s account.
Retail, Nest.com, or Energy customer installing without Wi-Fi	Installing in a new home (without internet)	Nest Thermostat (2020) set up, single heat/cool point. Customers can add Wi-Fi and user accounts simply when the internet is available.
The customer is moving out, removes account and/or data from the thermostat for the new homeowner’s use. Alternatively, the customer factory reset the device.	House sale or factory reset	Thermostat remains set up and may revert to a single heat or cool point. New customers can add their Wi-Fi information  and Google Accounts.

Questions to ask

• Is this a pre-installed Nest Thermostat or Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen)?
• Do you have a pre-existing thermostat?
• Is your Wi-Fi network already set up?
• Do you have your mobile device or tablet with you?
• Does the customer have the Google Home app installed on their phone or tablet?
• Does the customer have a Google Account? (If no, you may need to walk the customer through setting one up.)
• Do you have a Nest account? Migrate your Nest account to a Google Account.
• What network is the customer currently using -- 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz?
• Are the thermostat and router in the same room?
• How far away is the thermostat from the router?
  Note: For the best pairing experience, have the customer place their thermostat at least 12 inches away from the router. This is the closest acceptable distance for pairing. If it’s too close, the connection may become unstable.

What you need to get started

Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen): Thermostat display Thermostat base Trim plate Steel plate Mounting screws and wiring labels Nest Temperature Sensor (2nd gen) Welcome guide Quick Start Card Legal and warranty card
Nest Thermostat: Thermostat display Backplate 2x AAA batteries 2x Wall screws Welcome Guide Quick Start Card Legal and warranty card

Required tools

• A Phillips screwdriver
• Optional: A 3/32” drill bit (in case new holes have to be drilled)

Google Home app requirements

• A supported phone or tablet (either Android or iOS) with the Google Home app installed
• Google Home app
  • Android: 2.30.1.17 
  • iOS: 2.30.123
• A Google Account 

Get started with your thermostat

Before starting the installation, ask the customer to do the following steps:

1. Check whether the thermostat is already configured.

2. Confirm that the old thermostat works for heating and cooling.

3. Shut the power to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit.

Important: Failure to shut the power to the HVAC may result in electrical accidents that may either cause damage, injury, or even death.

4. Before removing the old thermostat, take a picture of the wiring setup and label the wires. This will act as a guide when installing the new thermostat.

5. Remove the old thermostat.

6. Install the Nest thermostat backplate.

Tip: It’s recommended that the customer watches the installation video to get a better understanding of how to set up the thermostat. 

Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) installation

Step 1: Turn the thermostat on.

Press and hold the thermostat display for a few seconds and wait for the screen to turn on. If the screen doesn’t turn on, plug the thermostat to a USB-C charger to ensure it has enough power.

Step 2: Add the thermostat in the Google Home app.

a. Open the Home app .

b. On the Devices tabtap Add on the lower right corner.

c. Add the device as follows:

Step3: Scan the QR code

Scan the QR code behind the thermostat display.

If you’re unable to scan the QR code, choose Set up without QR code.

Step 4: Enter your Pro ID

Tap Pro setup on the bottom left of the screen and enter your Nest Pro ID. Tap Next.

Once Pro ID is confirmed, tap Next.

Step 5: Connect your App to the Thermostat

a. Click Already installed at the bottom left of the screen. Then wait for the app to connect to the thermostat.

 

b. Once the app confirms connection to the thermostat, choose your language and tap Next.

Step 6: Test your system

Review the detected wires and ensure that all wires are detected by the app. If a connected wire is listed as ‘Empty’, turn off the power and ensure that the wire is clean and fully inserted. Turn the power back on. Once all the wires are detected, tap Next to test the system.

Step 7: Heat fuel delivery settings.

Choose the heat fuel source.

Step 8: Additional Pro settings

Adjust additional Pro settings.

Nest Thermostat installation

Set up and installation video

Installing and pairing the thermostat

Important: Make sure that the thermostat is connected to Wi-Fi, otherwise, features like Hold, Schedules, and most of the device settings won’t be available.

Step 1: Insert the 2 AAA batteries into the back of the thermostat display.

Step 2: Open the Google Home app.

Open the Google Home app .

Step 3: On the top left of the screen, tap +. This will bring up the Add and manage screen.

 

Step 4: Tap Set up device > Set up new devices. There will now be a prompt to select a home.

Step 5: Choose the home in which to set up the thermostat > tap Next.

Choose the home in which to set up the thermostat.

Step 6: Scan the QR code in between the battery sockets underneath the thermostat display.

 

Note: If you can’t scan for whatever reason, on the lower right hand corner, you can tap Continue without scanning. You'll then be asked to enter the 6-digit setup code.

  

If you don’t know where to find the setup code, you can tap Find the setup code, and it will guide you to the location of the 6-digit setup, which is found underneath the QR code.

Step 7: After scanning the QR code, the screen will switch to the Let’s set up your Nest Thermostat screen. Tap Nest Pro Install.

Step 8: Enter your Nest Pro ID.

 

Step 9: Once your Pro ID is confirmed, tap Next.

Step 10: See what tools are required or recommended.

Step 11: Check the current system, turn off the power, and remove the cover.

 

Step 12: Is the customer’s thermostat installed on an electrical box?

• If Yes, the customer will need a trim kit. If the customer doesn't have a trim kit, offer to check in the Google Store. 
• If No, continue to the next step. 

Step 13: Take a photo of the customer’s thermostat’s wiring. If the customer hasn't allowed permissions for the camera, walk the customer through granting the permissions.

Step 14: Confirm and save the photo.

Step 15: Determine if the customer has a high voltage thermostat.  

Note: If the customer has high voltage, it won’t be compatible.

 

Step 16: Remove jumper wires, if there are any.

Step 17: Check for any wires with 2 labels.

If the customer has wires with 2 labels, find out if the customer has a heat pump. 

• If they do, use the heat pump wire labels.
• If they don’t, or if they’re unsure, ask the customer what color are the W and O/B labels.
  • If Orange: Use the heat pump labels. 
  • If White: Use the conventional labels. 
  • If Other: Refer to the Help Center.

If the customer doesn't have wires with two labels, continue to the next step.

Step 18: Identify the wires. Is the R wire selected?

If there are no R wires selected, the customer will be prompted with an R wire required page. Otherwise, continue to the next step. 

Step 19: Possible wiring questions.

Step 19A:  If Other is selected:

 

Step 19B: Possible wiring errors:

  

Step 20: Wiring labels and summary.

Step 21: Disconnect the old thermostat.

Are you installing the thermostat on an electrical box?

Yes

 

No

I have a Trim Kit

 

I'm not using a Trim Kit

Proceed to the next step.

Step 22: Pull the wires through the base plate, attach the base plate to the wall, connect the wires, remove the battery tab, attach the display, and turn on the power.

Step 23: Turn the power to the breakers back on.

 

Step 24: Pair the thermostat via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

 

Step 25: Select a language.

 

Step 26: Battery check.

Is there a warning message? 

Yes

The app may say “Connection lost” since the battery was replaced. If this happens, go back to Step 25.

 

No

Proceed to the next steps.

Step 27: Power detection and calibration.

Is it detecting the wires?

Yes

Is there a C wire fuse issue (E299)?

Yes

Contact Nest Support for assistance

  

No

Proceed to Step 28.

 

No

Is it a C wire fuse issue? If it is, contact Nest Support for assistance.

 

Step 28: Power test.

 

Good

Any wiring errors?

N260 (C wire not configured in mechanical)

N261 or N260 (C wire configured in mechanical)

First Time	Second Time

 

If it’s already a second time failure, recommend the customer to get a Nest Pro. For more info, refer to [Process] Recommend a Nest Pro or technician.

Failed

C Wire?

Yes

 If it’s a first time failure, troubleshoot for C wire issues. Refer to the Help Center article Troubleshoot strange heating or cooling behavior.

 

If it’s already a second time failure, recommend the customer to get a Nest Pro. For more info, refer to [Process] Recommend a Nest Pro or technician.

No

 Make sure the power to the HVAC system is on.

 

If it fails the second time, it will prompt that a C wire is recommended.

Step 29: Heat fuel delivery.

 

Step 30: Fan activation.

 

Step 31: Choose mode.

 

Step 32: Basic setup complete - for Nest Pro.