Article Summary:
If you’ve noticed your Nest Learning Thermostat restarting unexpectedly or have intermittent Wi-Fi connectivity, the problem may be caused by your Wi-Fi router. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can take to isolate the problem and get it fixed.
How can I tell if my Nest Learning Thermostat is restarting more than it should?
There are two ways:
- The Nest Thermostat shows up in your Nest Account with a question mark.
- Your Nest Thermostat shows the screen “The Nest Thermostat is restarting. Back in a Bit” often.
If you’re noticing either of these symptoms, your Nest Thermostat is having problems with the connection to your Wi-Fi router.
How can I verify that this is the problem?
Not all restarts mean there is a problem. The Nest Thermostat will restart automatically when installing an automatic software update, for example. However, if your Nest Thermostat is offline more than a few times a week when you access your Nest Account, your Wi-Fi router may not be fully conforming with the Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) standards and specifications.
Why is it important that my Wi-Fi router fully supports IEEE 802.11 standards?
The Nest Thermostat uses Wi-Fi "Power Save Mode" to allow it to sleep and charge its battery while remaining connected to the internet. Not all Wi-Fi routers support this feature or implement it correctly.
When they don't, the Nest Thermostat will have difficulty sleeping and will restart in an attempt to reset its network connection. This may happen repeatedly if your Wi-Fi router is incompatible with the “Power Save Mode” feature.
What can I do to resolve the issue?
Follow the steps below to try to resolve the problem.
While most routers just need to be unplugged and plugged back in to restart them, you should refer to your router’s documentation for specific instructions.
Once your router finishes restarting, verify that it's working by connecting to that Wi-Fi network with a computer or mobile device and visiting http://nest.com.
See the list below of known routers with these problems. We’ll let you know there if we’ve found that a specific version of the router’s firmware fixes the issue.
If you purchased your access point through your Internet service provider (ISP), please contact the ISP’s technical support to confirm that all firmware is up to date.
If you purchased it yourself, refer to the manufacturer's technical support documentation and resources for instructions to update firmware.
1) Restart your Wi-Fi router
The best first step in troubleshooting these types of issues is to try restarting your router.
2) Update your Wi-Fi router firmware
Your router may not support these features if it’s running old firmware. An update may be available for your router that will resolve the issue.
If this doesn’t resolve the issue, your Wi-Fi access point/router may not support Power Save Mode. This is rare and mainly affects older routers. If that’s the case, you may need to replace your router.
If you can’t resolve the issue immediately, you can disconnect your Nest Thermostat from your Wi-Fi network. You'll no longer be able to control your Nest Thermostat remotely, but it will stop restarting unexpectedly. To do this, go to SETTINGS > NETWORK and select DISCONNECT.
Known incompatible Wi-Fi access points/routers and the affected firmware versions
Below is a article that lists Wi-Fi access points that we’ve confirmed are not compatible with the Nest Thermostat. In some cases there is a later version of the firmware available that fixes the problem.
Unsupported Wi-Fi access points