Smart thermostats are a useful technological advancement, but they only work efficiently if they are connected to the Internet. If you change your router or update its settings, you’ll also need to change the Wi-Fi settings on your thermostat so it can automatically maintain the right temperature in your home. If you’re wondering how to do it, we’re here to help.
Today we’ll explain how to connect your Nest, Nest E, or Nest Learning thermostat to a new Wi-Fi network. We’ll also explain how to update the password for an existing Wi-Fi network on your Nest. Additionally, we will share instructions to solve connection problems.
How to change the Wi-Fi network on a Nest
To change the Wi-Fi network your Nest thermostat connects to, you’ll need to disconnect it from your Google Home app and set everything up again from the beginning. You’ll need access to both the Home app and your thermostat to do this. Follow the instructions below:
- Launch your Google Home app and select your Nest thermostat on the screen.
- Tap “Settings” and then “Delete.”
- Go to your thermostat and tap “Settings” and then “Account.”
- Select “Disconnect.”
- Go back to the Home app and tap the plus icon in the top left corner of your screen.
- Tap “Set up a Nest product” to start a new Nest thermostat setup.
- Scan the QR code located on the back of your Nest thermostat using the Home app.
- Follow the instructions on the screen. When you get to the “Get Started” section, tap “Already Installed.”
- You can skip most of the steps if your thermostat is set correctly. When you see the Wi-Fi settings page, find your new network and select it. Enter your Wi-Fi password if prompted.
If you own the Nest E or Nest Learning thermostat, follow the steps below to change your Wi-Fi network:
- Go to your thermostat and press the ring to access the menu.
- Tap “Settings.”
- Turn the thermostat ring and tap “Reset.”
- Tap “Network” and then “Reset” to remove your current Wi-Fi settings.
- Press the ring on your thermostat once more to return to the main menu.
- Go to “Settings”.
- Tap “Network.”
- Find your new Wi-Fi network, tap it and enter the password.
How to update the password on an existing Wi-Fi network on a Nest
After updating the name or password of your existing Wi-Fi network, your thermostat will disconnect. Unfortunately, there is no way to update your password quickly. You’ll need to reconnect your Nest thermostat to the network as you would with a new Wi-Fi network. Follow the steps below:
- Open the Google Home app on your phone or computer and select your thermostat on the screen.
- Go to “Settings” and then “Delete.”
- Go to your thermostat and tap “Settings,” then tap “Account.”
- Tap “Disconnect.”
- Open the Home app again and tap the plus icon in the top left corner.
- Tap “Set up a Nest product.”
- Return to your thermostat and scan a QR code located on the back of it through the Home app.
- Follow the on-screen setup instructions. You can skip all steps except Wi-Fi setup.
- When you get to the Wi-Fi options, select your network name and enter the new password.
If you own the Nest E thermostat or the Nest Learning thermostat, the instructions are slightly different. Here’s how to update your existing Wi-Fi password with these devices:
- Go to your Nest thermostat and press the ring to access the menu.
- Go to “Settings”.
- Turn the ring on your thermostat and choose “Reset.”
- Tap “Network” and then “Reset.”
- Press the ring on your thermostat once more to return to the main menu.
- Go to “Settings”.
- Turn the thermostat ring to select “Network.”
- Find your network name and enter your new password.
Frequent questions
In this section, we’ll answer more questions related to setting up a Wi-Fi connection on your Nest thermostat.
How do I fix the “Failed to connect” error?
If you are having trouble connecting your thermostat to a Wi-Fi network and see the “Error connecting” message, first try resetting your thermostat:
1. Tap “Settings” on your thermostat screen.
2. Select “Restart” and confirm your choice.
3. Wait for your thermostat to reset and try connecting to Wi-Fi again.
If restarting your Nest thermostat doesn’t help, try restarting your router or checking the network connection on another device. Even if your router is working properly, the problem may be in its settings. Make sure your firewall or parental controls do not block your thermostat from accessing Wi-Fi. If none of the points mentioned above help, your router may be incompatible with the thermostat. Sometimes the thermostat may also not connect due to low battery. Follow the steps below to replace the batteries in your Nest thermostat:
1. Purchase two 1.5-watt AAA alkaline batteries from a trusted manufacturer.
2. Remove the thermostat screen.
3. Remove the old batteries from the thermostat.
4. Insert new batteries into your thermostat. Make sure you insert them correctly, connecting “+” on the batteries to “-” on the base and vice versa.
Why can’t I see my Wi-Fi name in the Nest menu?
Sometimes your thermostat may need a few minutes to locate all available Wi-Fi networks. Wait a bit until new available networks stop appearing on your screen.
stay connected
We hope our guide helped you change the Wi-Fi settings on your Nest thermostat. To avoid network connection problems in the future, be sure to replace the thermostat batteries regularly. Before installing security updates to your router, check its compatibility with your Nest thermostat.
Do you want the Wi-Fi password on your Nest to be easier to update, without going through the entire setup process? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
