Nest Thermostat E Install

[ArchieJr]

I have a new Nest thermostat E. Since it came with no install instructions, I went to the help and support URL on the getting started guide that came with the unit: g.co/nest/install. There I found an installation video that said "Installation is simple. You'll log into the Google Home app and follow the on-screen instructions. Here's what you'll need:

• The Google Home app
• A Google Account
• A Wi-Fi network connected to the internet"

I have all of these. 

"Open the Google Home app, and click the Add button." Check

"Tap Setup device." Check

"Tap on setup new devices in your home." Check

"Then select your home." Check

"The app will now search for your device." No. Instead, the app says "Location access is needed to detect nearby WiFi signals and determine your location during the setup process..."

The app displays a next button. When clicked, it prompts me to allow location permission with a link to settings. Going to settings, I see under Permissions that Location is "Allowed all the time". Also, "discover and pair nearby Bluetooth devices" is enabled.

So, I return to the Google Home app to resume installation, but it continues to prompt me to allow Location access, and does not allow me to get past this screen.

How do I proceed?

[Markjosephp]

Hello ArchieJr,

I'm sorry to hear about the issues that you're having when trying to set up your Nest Thermostat, I'm sure it's confusing with the different models, but I'm happy to help.

If you have the Nest Thermostat E, you need to use the Nest App for the set up. Follow the steps on this page on how to add your thermostat. Also, to be sure, could you tell us exactly which model of the Nest Thermostat you have? Here's a guide to determining which you have.

Please keep us posted

Best regards,

Mark

[ArchieJr]

---

@Markjosephpwrote:

Hello ArchieJr,

I'm sorry to hear about the issues that you're having when trying to set up your Nest Thermostat, I'm sure it's confusing with the different models, but I'm happy to help.

If you have the Nest Thermostat E, you need to use the Nest App for the set up. Follow the steps on this page on how to add your thermostat. Also, to be sure, could you tell us exactly which model of the Nest Thermostat you have? Here's a guide to determining which you have.

Please keep us posted

Best regards,

Mark

---

"If you have the Nest Thermostat E, you need to use the Nest App for the set up."

I've installed the Nest app on my phone (Pixel 4a) and enabled location access.

"Follow the steps on this page on how to add your thermostat."

The thermostat is still in the box. The install instructions on this page said

"Installation is simple. You'll log into the Google Home app and follow the on-screen instructions. Here's what you'll need:

• The Google Home app
• A Google Account
• A Wi-Fi network connected to the internet"

The video does not mention the Nest app, and these instructions are what led to my initial question (see above).

According to the page that you linked, I have "Nest Thermostat".

How to proceed?

[Markjosephp]

Hi there,

Thanks for letting me know. It appears that you have the Nest Thermostat 2020 (mirror finished).

Going over the steps here might help:

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen.
2. Ensure that your location is turned on.
   • If you cannot find Location:
   • Tap Edit or Settings.
     1. Drag Location into your Quick Settings.
     2. Improve location accuracy by tapping Location.
        
        1. Ensure that Wi-Fi scanning is enabled.
3. On your phone's home screen, find the Nest icon.
4. Touch and hold the app icon.
5. Tap "App Info"
6. Tap Permissions > More (with the 3 dots on the top right) > All permissions.
7. Under "Location," you can find the type of location the app requested.

Please let me know if that helps, or if the issue still persists.

Best regards,

Mark

[ArchieJr]

Thanks for your reply.

Location is turned on.

Wi-Fi scanning is enabled.

In the Nest app, Location is enabled all the time.

The Nest app prompted me to scan the code on the device. When it captured the code, it said: Set up on Google Home. You will need the Google Home app to set up this device.

It then prompts me to Download Google app

The Google Home app is already installed, but it updated itself after clicking Download Google app. From within the Google Home app, I follow the instructions as outlined on the install page here. The same scenario occurs from my original question - I am prompted to Allow Location Permission. In settings, under Permissions, Location is set to: Allowed all the time.

So I don't know how to proceed from this point?

[Markjosephp]

Hello there,

Thanks for trying and great troubleshooting so far, @ArchieJr. You can also give these steps a try:

1. Use a different device and install the Google Home app.
2. Ensure all the permissions asked are enabled as well.
3. Sign in with your preferred email address.
4. Proceed by adding the thermostat.
5. If successfully added, go back to your phone and refresh the Google Home app.

Please let me know how it goes.

Best regards,

Mark

[ArchieJr]

The Google Home app allowed things to proceed after toggling the permission settings off and then on again - not sure why this would matter.

I proceeded to add a new device in the app, then selected thermostat, then Nest. I turned off power from the breaker and removed the old thermostat cover. There is a conventional wiring setup and it is not high voltage. I took a photo of the current wiring as indicated in the app. It then prompted to remove any jumpers. There was a jumper between R and RC (far right of the wiring block) which I removed.

It then askes: Which of these wires do you have? W/W1, Y/Y1, G/G1, R, Rh, Rc, C

I selected: W/W1, Y/Y1, G/G1, R, Rc, C (all but Rh) and clicked Next

The app said: Your system is not compatible.

The wiring on my system is exactly labeled: G, W, C, Y, R, RC

Is it compatible?

p.s. I was not able to get the jumper back on. I reinstalled the cover and turned on power from the breaker. It seems to be functioning. What exactly does the jumper do?

[Markjosephp]

Hello ArchieJr,

Thanks for giving it a shot — let's find out more about what happened.

Could you send us a picture of your previous and current thermostat wiring configuration? This is to check on how it should be labeled.

I'll look forward to your response.

Best,

Mark

[ArchieJr]

Current WiringPrevious Wiring

[ArchieJr]

Previous Wiring

[Markjosephp]

Hey there,

Thanks for sharing the pictures. Big help!

Let's give it another whirl. Try adding the Nest Thermostat again to the Google Home app, and please select only these wires: W/W1, Y/Y1, G/G1, and R.

Let me know if that works.

Best,

Mark

[ArchieJr]

This worked 😁

If I lose my phone or it stops functioning for any reason, how is the thermostat controlled?

[Markjosephp]

Hello ArchieJr,

Awesome! I'm glad that it worked.

If you lose access to your Nest Thermostat, you can control the thermostat itself or login to another device using the same email address associated with it. Here's your beginner's guide to the Nest Thermostat. Feel free to let me know if you have more questions in mind.

Thanks,

Mark

[ArchieJr]

Thanks Mark!

The wall around the unit needs touching up. Can the unit simply be unplugged from the base while the wall is worked on?

[Markjosephp]

Hi there,

You're most welcome, Archie! In order for you to control your heating and cooling system, the display must be connected to its base. Unplugging it from the base will disconnect it from the Wi-Fi network and drain its batteries.

Best,

Mark

[ArchieJr]

I just mean removing it temporarily for the purpose of patching the wall.

[Markjosephp]

Hi there,

I got it. I'm sorry for the confusion.

Yes, just simply detach it from its base and reattach it once you're done patching the wall.

Please let us know if you have more questions in mind.

Thanks,

Mark

[ArchieJr]

There is a problem:

No Power - Error: E298

I have no heat

[ArchieJr]

Update: I had removed the base and wires from the wall to patch the wall because there's no way to do so cleanly with it on the wall.

The drywall compound takes time to cure and then sand/paint. I need heat tonight so I temporarily put the unit back on the wall and swapped the G and R wires accidentally.

I swapped them back and now have power to the unit (no error code) and heat.

I'm not out of the woods as I'll need to remove everything tomorrow and finish the wall patch...

To confirm, the swapped wires was the issue, correct?

[Markjosephp]

Hi there,

I'm sorry for the trouble this may have caused you, and I appreciate you keeping me in the loop.

Incorrect wiring will cause a power failure, so the power wire should be connected to the R terminal only. Your thermostat detects a wire mechanically but not electrically, which was for the fan wire was connected to it. But I wanted to make sure everything is working, how's your thermostat? Is it turning on the heat already?

Thanks,

Mark

[ArchieJr]

Yes, it is currently functioning. Thanks for your quick reply.

It's the finicky wall patching. It may have been best to initially patch and paint the wall after removing the old (larger) thermostat, but it was uncertain the Nest would work and be compatible.

It will be necessary to remove the Nest entirely again to finish the wall patch.

To clarify, it was the two red wires going to G and R on the Nest that were swapped prior to the error code occurring. Does it matter which of the two red wires go into G and R, or was the error [possibly caused by one of the wires not being fully inserted?

[Markjosephp]

Hey there,

Thanks for keeping me in the loop, @ArchieJr. To be sure, please put a sticker label on each wire before you uninstall your thermostat, so it will be easier for you to have it installed. But in the event that you miswire it, your thermostat will tell you and show a wiring code.

Let me know if you have more questions.

Best regards,

Mark

[ArchieJr]

I think we're all good. The wall is patched and painted and the Nest is installed and functioning.

Thanks very much for hanging in for this Mark. It would not have gotten done otherwise!

[Markjosephp]

Hello there,

Perfect!I appreciate all your time and efforts doing all these steps with me, @ArchieJr. Give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done!

So I'll lock this thread in 24 hours. If you have any other concerns or questions, don't hesitate to give us a shout and create a new post.

Best regards,

Mark