How to Connect a Nest Thermostat to Wi-Fi (or a New Network)
By Kanika Modi · Part of the Nest guides · Last verified 29 Oct 2026 against Google’s official Nest support documentation · 3 sources
A router upgrade or a new Wi-Fi password takes a Nest thermostat offline until its network information is updated. Google documents the path per generation, because the 2020 Nest Thermostat and the 4th-gen Learning Thermostat use the app while older models use the ring menu. Here are both, plus the trick that skips the whole process.
The Shortcut Google Recommends First
If you install a new router, the easiest documented path is to set the new router to the same network name (SSID) and password as the old one. The thermostat will typically reconnect on its own without any setup. The full process below only matters when the name, password, or other router settings changed.
Newer Models: Through the Google Home App
Nest Thermostat and Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) ~5 min
- Be near the thermostat (Google documents this requirement).
- Open the Google Home app and tap Home, then All devices.
- Select your thermostat.
- Tap Settings, then Device information, then Wi-Fi.
- The app walks you through picking the new network and entering the password.
If your network does not appear in the app’s list, give it a few minutes to scan; Google documents the wait before moving to deeper troubleshooting.
Older Models: On the Thermostat Itself
Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen or Earlier) and Thermostat E ~5 min
- Press the thermostat ring to open the Quick View menu.
- Select Settings.
- Turn the ring to Network (or use the Reset path for account-level changes, per Google’s Wi-Fi change article).
- Select your network and enter the password using the ring and the display.
Older thermostats handle the entry on their own screens, which is slower than the app but needs nothing but the thermostat in front of you.
If it Will Not Connect
Google maintains a dedicated article for Wi-Fi connection failures during setup, and the common culprits it addresses are range (the thermostat may be too far from the router), the phone being on a different network during setup, and router-side settings. A router set to WPA2 security, the 2.4 GHz band visible, and a password without exotic special characters clears most of it. If the thermostat shows offline in the app after connecting, that is a separate app-side issue covered in the offline guide; if the Wi-Fi still refuses, a network reset in the reset menu clears stale credentials for a clean retry.
Questions People Ask
How Do I Connect My Nest Thermostat to a New Wi-Fi Network?
On the Nest Thermostat and 4th-gen Learning Thermostat: Google Home app, select the thermostat, Settings, Device information, Wi-Fi, then follow the prompts. On 3rd-gen-or-earlier models and Thermostat E: the ring menu, Settings, Network, on the thermostat itself.
Do I Need to Reconnect My Nest After Getting a New Router?
Not if you set the new router to the same network name and password as the old one; the thermostat typically reconnects on its own. Only changed names or passwords require updating the thermostat.
Why is My New Wi-Fi Network Not Showing in the App?
Google documents waiting a few minutes while the app scans. Beyond that, check range to the router and that the phone running setup is on the network you want the thermostat to join.
Sources
Retrieved 12 Oct 2026:
- Change Nest Thermostat Wi-Fi Network (Google Support)
- Troubleshoot Your Offline Nest Thermostat (Google Support)
- Troubleshoot Nest Thermostat Wi-Fi Connection During Setup (Google Support)