Changing temperature on the Nest app doesn't change the temperature Nest Thermostat

[avillasboas1]

Most times, changing the temperature on the Nest app doesn't change the temperature on my Nest Learning Thermostat upstairs. 

Everything appears fine on the app and thermostat, no "offline" status, the thermostat says it's connected to WiFi and the Nest app. I use an Orbi mesh system (a mix of 750 and 850 models), with the upstairs satellite mere feet away from the thermostat.

I've tried factory resetting the thermostat, my WiFi system, and disconnecting/reconnecting my account/Nest app to the thermostats.

A call to Nest support wasn't that helpful, they suggested the thermostat hardware itself might be the issue, but that's not the case — I switched a working Nest Learning Thermostat from downstairs with the "bad" thermostat upstairs, and the working thermostat from downstairs is facing the same issue when it's upstairs. Meanwhile, the upstairs thermostat works fine downstairs. 

Any ideas from anyone who's faced this issue? I've seen this issue posted in this forum, but none of the solutions work.
 

[CoolingWizard]

That implies a communications problem unique to the upstairs location.  The problem is not related to the thermostat since the swapping of the thermostats’ locations did not make problem move.  You verify the Orbi Mesh co figuration.  The 750 has a lower fronthaul but a similar backhaul.   Are sure the two RBS and RBR are at least 30’ apart. Double check the backhaul configuration and which WiFi are turned off and the wired connections as the primary path. 

AC Cooling Wizard

[avillasboas1]

Thanks for taking the time, CoolingWizard! Yes, I'm fairly certain the router and satellites are at least 30 feet away from each other.

What do you mean by double-checking which WiFi are turned off?

What should I double-check in the backhaul configuration? From what I can tell, the Orbi offer very little control or configuration options over the backhaul in the 192.168.1.1 Netgear Orbi GUI — I only have the option to use a password for the backhaul, which I haven't enabled.

I'd love to "force" the thermostat to connect to a specific satellite, or the main router if that's the best option. However, Orbi doesn't offer that option. I've tried finagling with transmission power on the router and satellites by setting from 100% to 50%, like some have suggested, to no avail. 

[CoolingWizard]

The key is the router itself.  If you can create a reserved address in the router for the Nest Thermostat, that might help.  

AC Cooling Wizard

[avillasboas1]

Currently testing this out. It looks promising so far!

[avillasboas1]

I'm afraid it's just as unreliable as before. 

I should correct something from my original post — I do occasionally (rarely) see that the thermostat is "offline" in the app, but only after trying to change the temperature. Then I wait about a couple minutes and it reconnects again. 

Maybe Nest Thermostats just don't play well with Orbis? 

[CoolingWizard]

That depends on how you set the mesh up. But as I suggested, go to your router and create a reserved address for the Nest Thermostat’s MAC address. 

AC Cooling Wizard

[avillasboas1]

Thanks, CoolingWizard. I've created a reserved address for the thermostat upstairs (the location with the most issues). It seems it may perform somewhat more reliably, but there are times when there's a long delay between changing the temperature on the app and the thermostat itself registering the change. Sometimes it takes so long that I'm not sure whether it's a delay or a connection issue, and I simply get and manually change the thermostat's temperature. It's still not ideal, unfortunately. 

Any other tricks up your sleeve?

[pats696]

I have a question about a previous post for cooling wizard. 

You mentioned that connecting a Nest thermostat to a Trane equipment, it needs to be rewired. Is there anyone you can recommend to do that_

[avillasboas1]

I have a solution that has been working flawlessly for the last few hours! I connected the Nest Thermostat in the troublesome location to my WiFi's guest network, and the thermostat has been reliably responsive to the Nest app!

This was a solution made in passing in another forum on Netgear's website regarding similar issues between Orbis and Nest Thermostats, including connectivity problems and low-battery issues on Nest Thermostats. 

Thank you again, CoolingWizard. Perhaps you can add this guest network solution to your repertoire!

[CoolingWizard]

@avillasboas1 , thank you I for passing on that information. This identifies there is most likely a problem with the Orbi and not the Nest Thermostat.  The communications protocols to establish a WiFi connection are identical when connecting to the “GUEST” SSID and the main SSID. 

AC Cooling Wizard

[Jenelyn_O]

Hi there,

@avillasboas1, I'm glad that you already found the cause of the issue. Please feel free to create a new thread if you have any questions or concerns, as we'll be locking this thread after 24 hours. 

@pats696, please message us on the main thread, as we'll be willing to assist you from there. 

@CoolingWizard, thanks for your help.

Best,

Jenelyn