5 Common Nest Protect Problems Troubleshooting

It is a smart device launched by Google to help make your home more secure. The main purpose of this device is to inform users when it detects smoke inside their homes.

So, if you’re planning on upgrading the smart system in your house, the best purchase would be the Nest Protect system.

You’ll be receiving notifications on your phone in case of an emergency.

Moreover, the price for this sensor is quite reasonable, so get yourself a Nest Protect to make your residential environment safer.

There is no tag that you can put on the safety of your house and the family members.

It all comes down to how you’re planning on setting up the system. Spending a few extra bucks on a new unit that can potentially save you thousands of dollars in the long run, is not that bad of a deal.

All that you have to focus on is setting it up perfectly, and it will serve you for decades.

However, there are still some issues that users have been complaining about quite frequently. In this article, we will discuss common Nest Protects problems and how you can troubleshoot them.

Common Nest Protect Problems Troubleshooting

1. Connection Issues with Nest Protect

The most common issue that users have reported issues connecting the Nest Protect device with their home network.

It can be quite annoying as you’ll no longer be able to get alerts or configure the device using the mobile phone app. Here are some possible fixes that you can try to fix this problem.

Most often than not, users run into issues after they update their Wi-Fi credentials. In this case, your Nest Protect will disconnect from the home network.

To fix this, you’ll have to reconfigure the settings using the mobile app. Make sure to put in the credentials correctly and remove any special characters present in your Wi-Fi credentials.

If you’ve just recently bought the Nest Protect and are running into this error, then the first thing you will have to check is the Wi-Fi channel bandwidth.

Having a dual bandwidth router or 5.0GHz Wi-Fi channel will cause you to run into this error.

Using a different SSID for your 2.4GHz channel will also sort out this issue for you. This will ensure that the Nest Protect will only connect to the 2.4GHz channel and not run into further issues.

2. Not Pairing with Nest App

Another quite common issue with Nest protect is that users have difficulty pairing the device with the Nest mobile app. If you’re having similar issues, then you can follow these fixes to sort out the pairing issue.

The first thing you have to check is the app version. Sometimes the older version of this app can cause you to run into similar errors. 

Make sure to install the latest version on your phone and try pairing the app again with your Nest Protect device.

You’ll also have to double-check that the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth features are turned on in your mobile phone.

If that does not fix the issue, then you can go ahead and uninstall the mobile app altogether.

After that, give your mobile device a quick restart and install the app again. Finally, as a last resort, you should try resetting your Nest Protect to factory settings.

You can refer to the user manual or watch a YouTube tutorial if you’re not aware of how you should reset your smart device.

After that is done, boot up your device again and try pairing it with the mobile app. Your issue will most probably be fixed.

3. Nest Protect False Alarms

It can be quite annoying when you’re receiving notifications on your phone that there is smoke inside your home, or the app will show an error message that the sensors are not working properly.

Here are some methods you can follow to troubleshoot this problem.

As mentioned earlier, Nest Protect uses a lot of sensors to detect harmful gases in your residential space. But like most other smart devices, this sensor also malfunctions when it gets dirty. 

It is best to be on the lookout for excessive dust buildup on your sensors. Even though the app tells you when the sensor gets too dirty, it would be best if you clean them every week.

So, just clean your alarms and keep your detector away from steam to prevent false alarms.

If that does not fix the issue for you, then you should get in contact with the support team. Send them an email explaining all the relevant details regarding your issue.

You can also use the Nest mobile app to contact nest support. This will ensure that you receive help from a trained professional who will guide you through every step of the way.

4. Battery Issues

Another common issue that you will have to deal with from time to time relates to the battery side of things.

Luckily, this common issue is not that hard to fix and usually relates to the placement of the battery in the unit. So, be sure to adjust the battery properly in the system.

This is especially true for owners that are sure that the battery is fully charged, but the Nest unit still won’t stop flashing a yellow light.

So, if you’ve just charged the battery, simply check its placement in the unit and then try to limit further issues with the device. 

Similarly, you should also check the condition of the contact points. Sometimes, debris or gunk on the contact points can clog up the unit while still restricting power flow to the main device.

So, you will struggle with the same situation if the condition of the battery is a bit rough.

Ideally, all errors will be addressed at this point, and you will not have to worry about more complications when it comes to fixing the Nest Protect.

However, another possibility here is that your battery is simply drained out and past its effective lifespan.

Sadly, the only viable thing that you can do in that situation is to purchase a new battery. So, if you’ve been using Nest Protect for a few years now, it might be a good time to get a new battery.

Ideally, it will not set you back a huge amount, and you will be able to move past these errors.

5. The Unit Won’t Turn On

Lastly, you might also come across some owners claiming that the unit won’t turn on even when the power connections and the battery are in perfect shape.

Now, this is one of the more serious issues that can be incredibly hard to fix for some owners.

So, if you’re in the same boat and then the unit simply won’t respond to any input, just check up on the hardware side of things to isolate the error.

Nine times out of ten, you will find that the unit itself is damaged, and there are no surefire methods around these errors. 

The best thing that you can do here is to reach out to the dealer and have him provide you with a fresh piece.

The good thing here is that the warranty deal on these units is pretty decent, and you won’t have to go through any extensive errors.

It all comes down to how you’re planning on going about addressing the situation. This is especially true for owners that got a damaged unit out of the box.

Even with all of the extra padding and bubble wrap, it is still not that rare for devices to get damaged during delivery. 

The only reasonable thing that you can do here is to reach out and don’t try to get through the repair on your own.

Otherwise, you will just hold yourself back and won’t be able to get through any errors in the long run. So, be sure to keep track of all of these pointers. 

Wrapping Up

These were the common errors that you might have to deal with when setting up the Nest Protect system.

The majority of these errors are easy to fix and won’t put you through a ton of hassle as you’re trying to adjust the system. So, be sure to keep track of these pointers.

Most of the time, a quick power cycle and maintenance are all you need to adjust the unit.

It will barely take you a few moments to get through the basic troubleshooting cycle. From there, you can proceed to reset the system if the programming bugs are not addressed. 

As long as the sensors are clean and the hardware is not damaged, you will have an effortless experience with the unit. So, thoroughly check the unit itself for cracks or damaged sections to further isolate the errors.

It will not take you much time as you’re trying to optimize the performance of this unit. 

Lastly, if you seem to be stuck on a particular issue even after going through all of these pointers, then you need help from a professional.

He will guide you on how to adjust the performance of your unit accordingly without worrying about any long-term complications.