Unable to start device pairing

[tmat1122]

Nest Learning Thermostat is installed and working (manually). When I try to add the thermostat to Google Home (tried both Andriod and Apple), I get the error:

"Unable to start device pairing. Configuration not available."

I went through all of the troubleshooting, resetting, ensuring same network, current version of app, etc, etc, but no progress.  

Also, if I dont scan the QR code, but put in the code, the next screen asks for the last 4 of the SN, but there's never an option to put that in. 

Hope someone has some advice - thanks in advance

[Ledoc]

Same error here 

[tmat1122]

Adding to the above. I read that using the Nest App vs Google Home should work. Not sure how that works, as I thought Google Home was the single view for all Nest products. I will try and update here with results

[urlinkedup]

I have also submitted a ticket of the same kind.  Nothing seems to work m

[tmat1122]

See my comment below

[tmat1122]

Good news...hope this works for everyone here. I finally tried to use the Nest App rather than Google Home app. It worked absolutely trouble free and took less than 5min. After setting it up, I went back into Google Home and the new thermostat was recognized there as well.

Hope this works for everyone else.

[TheMarshallClan]

Thank you, ironically the Google Home app tells you that you need to use the Nest App when you attempt to set up the Nest Smoke/CO detector, would have been nice if the app did the same for the Thermostat instead of people wasting time trying to get the Home App to work.

[Metaverse01]

I got the same error and went through the same process to use Nest App to set it up. The Nest App can control the thermostat all well now.  Going back to the Google Home app, it shows the device and always shows offline. (although the thermostat is obviously online and connected with the Nest App.) There is no way to make it online. The issue I have is that it won't show up in my Nest Hub Display with it takes it as offline in Google Home.  Don't know what to do !!

[Vahid66]

Thank you for sharing. Using the Nest app worked for adding the thermostats. Google Home App is disappointing.i expected more from Google.

[urlinkedup]

My device is set up on the thermostat already.  It says connected to internet and Nest account but does not show up in the APP or Googler Home.  Thermostat does not have a way to disconnect Nest app or Wifi at the thermostat forcing a complete reset to factory.  Why when it is already connected???

[Kerouacdreaming]

Same problem here. I'm connected in the Nest app, but Home isn't recognizing it.

[Afqouqye]

To make matters worse, the thermostat happily connect's bto an alternative google account I own (that isn't upgraded to a Google Home account). All arrows point towards the nest thermostat NOT being compatible with Google Home (despite what the literature says), and if you have an upgraded (from nest app to Google Home) account then this upgraded account will also not be able to log into Google nest app. Pretty appealing coding from Google.

[Afqouqye]

Upon several hours investigation with Google support, it turns out the issue is a server issue on the side of Google. Tech support unable to fix, the issue was classed as unsolvable and I was advised to live with it. 

[Alexandra_J]

Same issue here. Nest works fine, when I try to add Google home it does not have 'nest' as a 'works with Google' option, so I add a new device. 

Similarly to a comment above, the qr code isn't recognised, the code isn't recognised and I cannot input the last 4 digits requested at the next page.

Frustrating.

[Frank-O]

I've been experiencing this problem for quite a while, including the ability to add the last 4 of the SN, just like you.  I have two Nest thermostats for my heating zones and one Nest thermostat for my A/C.  Each of these at one time appeared in the Home App and functioned as designed.  I was also able to tell my Google Next Hub to adjust the temperature in whatever room, whenever.  One day, each of the heating thermostats stopped working in the Home App, but the A/C continued to work as always. 

The Heating thermostats were built in one Home in the Nest App, and the A/C thermostat was added to a different Home in the Nest App, even though these are all in the same physical house.  Today I thought to myself, what if I create a new Home in my Nest account, and call it 'Heat' add each of the thermostats to it there, will I be able to see those in the Google Home App and control them through Voice commands?  The answer is 'yes.'

I tested this with my bedroom thermostat first, in this order:

1. Go to the Google Home App and select 'Remove device.'
2. Locate the device in the Nest App and select 'Remove thermostat.'
3. Add a 'New' home in the Nest App.
4. Select '+ Add product' and follow the on-screen instructions.
   NOTE: I selected 'continue without scanning' > Nest thermostat > Nest learning thermostat > already installed and entered the key.
5. Go to the Google Home App and the device will be there.

I was a bit skeptical of this at first, but after deleting my second thermostat and adding it to the new home, following these same steps, and seeing it working, including having the ability to once again say 'Hey Google, adjust the temperature in the Great Room to 70' and it does, I'm thrilled.  It's great to have this functionality back. and I hope you have success as well.

P.S. Don't forget to delete the old 'home' from the Nest App.

[shwivel]

Same problem. All 3 of my Nest devices were removed from my account simultaneously (not by any action of my own, I was driving at the time it supposedly occurred) and now, when I attempt to add them back, get the error you describe. And yes, bizarrely, if you input the setup code rather than use the QR code (with the camera) you get a prompt to supply the last 4 characters of the serial number, however there simply is no way to do so.

[entertheziggy]

Had the same issue, couldn't use the QR code, the pin, and I actually tried two different units, to test if this unit was defective.  Happened on both units .

Tried the nest app and it works. 

[DTavres]

Seriously Google? No response? "Works with Google" doesn't seem to work.

Does anyone know if the Wyze Thermostat ACTUALLY works with Google Home?

[wwwrico]

I had the same problem with the Google Learning Thermostat version 3.  The Nest solution worked for me.  I installed the Nest app and added the home, room, and then thermometer with no problem.  When I opened the Google Home app, the thermometer was there.  I wished I had looked here earlier.

[tonypatti]

Come on Google! A new NEST Thermostat & 2 Sensors right out of the box along with a new Nest Hub connecting to my Google Nest Wi-Fi and STILL have the same issues that were reported here a YEAR ago?? 
The Google Home app can NOT install the Nest Learning Thermostat. Had to install the Nest App on my Galaxy and installed fine. Will NOT install in Google Home. Major #FAIL Google. 

[Arob]

What a total piece of crap this device is.  NONE of the suggestions work. I'm uninstallimg the Nest app, the Home app and going to buy regular old school thermostat as this is not worth the time and effort 

[tmat1122]

Just a suggestion for those that may be having issues. Don't take this the wrong way, as I'm just trying to help and provide suggestions. 

I have multiple networks in my house and it's imperative to make sure you're connecting your Nest device to the same network as the device that you're using to connect and set up. Also, if you're using a VPN, you'll want to make sure you're disconnected as well. 

Again, you may know all this already, but just trying to help.  

[Mhoeller]

Absolutely have the same identical issue. What is the fix?

[wwwrico]

My problem was solved by trying the suggestion above.  First I installed the Nest app then (from above): I finally tried to use the Nest App rather than Google Home app. It worked absolutely trouble free and took less than 5min. After setting it up, I went back into Google Home and the new thermostat was recognized there as well.

[nsouth]

I had this issue. I also resolved it by setting up the Thermostat in the Nest app and then it showed up in the Home app. Took some time for it to show up though. Still, this process is buggy and needs to be fixed. The "Unable to start device pairing. Configuration not available." message is unhelpful and the experience of prompting for the last for the serial and literally not being able to enter it... is just astoundingly bad.

[m4tt]

Same issues for me. Nest Thermostat has been working without issue of years. A few days ago it lost the connection and now it can't get the weather or connect to the Nest or Google home apps. Tried full reset as described and I'm having all the same problems.

[Markjosephp]

Hi folks,

I wanted to stop by and see how I could help.

@wwwrico and @nsouth, thanks for sharing on how you were able to resolve your issues linking your Nest thermostats from Nest App with the Google Home App.

@Mhoeller and @m4tt, I'm sorry to hear about the issues that you're also having when trying to set up your Nest thermostat, I'm sure it's confusing with the different versions and on how to add them, but I'm happy to help. Do you mind me asking what type of Nest thermostat you're trying to add? Here's your reference link.

Looking forward for your response.

Thanks,

Mark

[m4tt]

Hi Mark,

I saw on Reddit other users were having the same problem, after years of no issues. They tracked it down to a DNS issue.

I was able to fix by first factory resetting the device. I then had to change my router's DNS from my ISP (Cox) to Google's DNS. Then I had to re-setup the device.

Someone should let the dev team know that some ISPs DNS are not resolving to Nest's servers.

[Mhoeller]

I was able to fix my problem by subscribing to nest aware. My thermostat is now paired to my app and I received my first energy leaf.

[Markjosephp]

Hi there,

@m4tt, thanks for the deep dive of searching and for letting us know how you were able to fix it. It's most likely an unknown variable in the network environment (such as Wi-Fi network congestion, router firmware issues, or security settings) that hinders the Google Nest devices from communicating with the server. Rest assured that we'll take note of it — we'll ensure that we'll learn from your experience as we continually improve our products and services.

@Mhoeller, I appreciate the updates. I'm glad that you were able to successfully pair your Nest thermostat on both apps.

Hats off to both of you! Let us know if you have additional questions, otherwise we'll be locking the thread in 24 hours.

Best regards,

Mark