Wi-Fi answers
Nest Learning Thermostat — smart-home gadget keeps going offline
Why does my Nest Learning Thermostat smart device keeps going offline?
The short answer
Heating still works, but the app says it can't reach the thermostat. On the WiFiXpert Compatibility Index the Nest Learning Thermostat scores 80/100, and its weakest check is "Works on a guest network" — which is exactly where this problem comes from. Setup needs your phone on the same network as the thermostat.
We publish what breaks with each router and mesh system, and the setting that fixes it.
| Check | Verdict | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Works on 2.4 GHz | Excellent | 14/14 |
| Works on 5 GHz | Supported on newer models | 10/14 |
| Modern Wi-Fi security | Good | 11/12 |
| Happy on mesh Wi-Fi | Good | 13/16 |
| Works on a guest network | Poor | 5/8 |
| Survives a plug-in extender | Usually fine | 6/8 |
| Doesn't depend on chatty discovery | Low dependency | 13/16 |
| Easy to fix when it goes wrong | Medium | 8/12 |
The short answer
- Heating still works, but the app says it can't reach the thermostat.
What our compatibility data shows
- Works on 2.4 GHz: Excellent
- Works on 5 GHz: Supported on newer models
- Modern Wi-Fi security: Good
- Happy on mesh Wi-Fi: Good
- Works on a guest network: Poor
- Survives a plug-in extender: Usually fine
- Doesn't depend on chatty discovery: Low dependency
- Easy to fix when it goes wrong: Medium
Free fixes, in order
- Check the Wi-Fi signal on the thermostat itself in its settings menu.
- Move the router off the floor and out of the meter cupboard.
- Re-enter the Wi-Fi password on the thermostat after any router change.
Before you spend anything
- A mesh box in the hall, and only if signal there stays weak after moving the router.
People also ask
- Does the Nest Learning Thermostat work on mesh Wi-Fi?
- Can I put the Nest Learning Thermostat on a guest network?
- Does the Nest Learning Thermostat need 2.4 GHz?
- Which router works best with the Nest Learning Thermostat?
If you do end up spending money
Only after the free fixes. Nobody pays to appear here, and no shop link changes anything we say.
- Router or mesh known to suit this device
- A single wired connection to the device
Where this comes from
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