google nest wifi pro issues with devices that need 2.4ghz

[mocapmat]

Long time fan of Google nest products BTW - BUT:  moving to new home.  hooked up new Google Wifi Nest Pro (3 pack).  House is empty, phone connects to wifi without issue.  Created guest network, phone can connect to that without issue.  Other phones/iPads can connect as well.  

First challenge:  House has LiftMaster 2.0 in garage.  Have endlessly tried to connect that to myQ app without success.  Searched forums and appears that LiftMaster NEEDS/ONLY connect on 2.4ghz.  As far as I can tell this is the issue.  I can't force Google Nest Wifi Pro to only use 2.4ghz.  Have tried multiple solutions found online without success (use phone hotspot instead of wifi (with same name/password combo) as an example.  

Moved on.  House has an installed 2nd generation Nest Thermostat.  I factory reset it and when it searches for networks it endlessly searches.  Phone right next to thermostat as full wifi bars.  Look it up and it appears the Google Nest Thermastat (1st and 2nd generation) only work on 2.4ghz!!  

So is there some known issue with Google Nest Wifi Pro and 2.4ghz only devices?!  So far I am 0 for 2 and one of the products is Google Nest!!

FYI - I have reset modem (Spectrum), I have reset Google Nest Wifi Pro, I have rest Google Nest thermostat, I have factory reset Liftmaster 2.0.  All of them, multiple times.

I really don't know what to try next?

[David_K]

Google Wifi and Nest Wifi don't have a feature to enable separate network names for the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Some smart home devices are only capable of using the 2.4 GHz band and will not be available for setup if the phone or tablet you're using for setup connects to the 5 GHz band. Here are some potential solutions:

1. You may be able to tell your Android phone, if you have one, to only connect on the 2.4 GHz band temporarily in your phone's Wifi settings, then you may be able to setup the device. Refer to the manufacturer's support information to see if your phone has this feature.
   
   
2. The waves of the 2.4 GHz band can travel a greater distance than those of the 5 GHz band. Put your phone or tablet into airplane mode first (that step is usually key), then move farther away from your router and points. Turn airplane mode off, and your phone or tablet may connect to the 2.4 GHz band, allowing you to continue the setup of your smart device.
   
   
3. Use the Wifi hotspot feature on your phone or tablet. Refer to the manufacturer's support information to see if your device has this feature. This typically works because the Wifi hotspot uses the 2.4 GHz band, not the 5 GHz band. Note you will need 2 devices to set this up.
   
• Turn off your Wifi routers and points.
• Turn on the Wifi hotspot feature on a phone or tablet. Make sure to name the Wifi network the same as your normal network name, and use the same password you use on your normal Wifi network. If you're not sure how to do this, refer to the manufacturer's support website.
• Connect a second phone or tablet to that Wifi hotspot.
• You can then use that second phone or tablet to setup your device and connect it to the Wifi hotspot on the first phone or tablet.
• Once setup, turn off the Wifi hotspot, turn your routers and points back on and your smart device should connect to your Wifi network.
  
  
4. Temporarily invest in a cheap router (or borrow one from a friend or family member) that does have a feature to enable separate network names for the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Turn off your existing router and points and make the network name and password of the temporary router the same as your existing router, then proceed to setup your smart device with the temporary router. Once finished, power off the temporary router and turn your existing router and points back on.
   

Hopefully one of these solutions helps for your Liftmaster 2.0. As for your Nest Thermostat, does it find your Wifi network during setup? Google has a great article on how to troubleshoot connection issues. Did you manage to try these steps?

Troubleshoot connecting a Nest thermostat to the Nest app or Wi-Fi network (Other TD error codes) - ...

[LovelyM]

Hello everyone,

I'm grateful for the information you shared, @David_K.

@mocapmat, thanks for posting here. Have you tried the troubleshooting steps that davidking suggested? Let me know if that helps get your devices connected or not, so we can try something else.

Best,
Lovely

[LovelyM]

Hi mocapmat,

I know it has been a while, but I wanted to ensure that everything is covered on your end. Please inform me if you still need a helping hand.

Cheers,
Lovely

[mocapmat]

Thanks for checking back in LovelyM!

I have still not fully moved in to the new location and have not had many opportunities to troubleshoot much more.  That being said, I need to split my two issues apart:

Nest Thermostat not seeing wifi networks.  This really seems to be a hardware issue.  It will not ever list any wifi networks even though other devices see plenty.  This YouTube video sums it up:  nest not seeing wifi networks

The garage door opener not seeing wifi does appear to be the fact that it can't use 5ghz networks.  Going through dividing suggestions:

1). I do not have an android phone to try.  I will keep trying to find someone who has one and is also willing to help me.

2) I did try.  put my phone in airplane mode, walked far away, turned airplane more off, phone connected with weak signal.  walk back to garage and tried connection steps but it still fails when lift master garage opener is looking for networks.  I have no idea if my phone is ever on 2.4ghz or switching back to 5ghz before lift master is searching for networks.

3) I did try the wifi hotspot with me phone and using an iPad as the connection device on the hotspot.  I did get further in the process (at one point it tried to register my lift master and then failed) but alas nothing was able to complete the setup process.

4) I have not purchased a cheap router.

[LovelyM]

Hey there mocapmat,

I appreciate the update. I'll keep this thread open until you are able to perform the steps that were suggested. Please use your mobile hotspot to set up your LiftMaster garage door again. Before that, factory reset your garage door and ensure that your hotspot name and password are the same as your Wi-Fi network. In that way, once you get the garage door connected and disable the hotspot, it will reconnect to your Wi-Fi.

For your Nest Thermostat concern, it'll be best if you create another post here in the Nest Thermostat Community so our friends there can help.

Thanks,
Lovely

[LovelyM]

Hi mocapmat,

I'm checking in to see if you still need help. Please tell me if you have other questions or concerns. I want to make sure you're all good now.

Cheers,
Lovely

[LovelyM]

Hello mocapmat,

It's been a few days since your last reply — I'm going to lock the thread within 24 hours. If your issue persists, please feel free to create a new post.

Kind regards,
Lovely