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Nest Thermostat and Nest Video doorbell problem with Orbi RBR350 & satellite RBS350
I've lived with this problem for about a year since I installed a Nest Video doorbell and Nest Learning Thermostat. Each of these disconnects from my mesh Orbi network occasionally. I'm trying to figure out if it could be the placement of the satellite (I have two satellites, but I'm questioning if it could be at the end of the house).
At the same end of the house, one computer and two TVs use streaming services (both use a FireTV stick - not 4K) to get TV shows & movies - using YouTubeTV for the streaming service. In addition, I have a Next hub in the same room as one of the TVs (it on occasion will show that it lost Internet service, usually very (~2:00 or 3:00AM) early in the morning, but since it is so early, t doesn't affect me that much and usually reconnects in 3-5 minutes.
Regarding the Nest Video Door Bell (not the new style), I see notifications from it often (maybe once or twice a week) that it is offline. It is DC powered and attached to a brick veneer exterior, it has an approximately 1/2 -3/4 inch hole through the brick so I could feed the DC power to the Video Door Bell.
The Nest Thermostat may have more than just internet connectivity, approximately once or twice a month it loses enough power and I have to remove it and charge it but that isn't the focus here. The focus for this IOT device is that it doesn't see the internet all the time. It's in the hallway and the satellite has one drywall wall between it and the thermostat, approximately 4-5 feet away from the satellite. But the problem with the internet, or lack of connection, maybe related to the power issue.
What suggestions are out there? I've moved the satellite without much effect on the connectivity.
6 Replies
This sounds a lot like problems with the device, rather than something wrong with the home WiFi network (in this case Netgear Orbi).
You have probably researched advice on the internet, such as https://www.smarthomepoint.com/nest-doorbell-offline/
For the thermostat, it might be time to invest $25 in a C-wire product. Try a Google or Amazon search for "power supply for nest thermostat".
Thanks for that link, I will check it out. Regarding your comment "For the thermostat, it might be time to invest $25 in a C-wire product. Try a Google or Amazon search for "power supply for nest thermostat"." It is C-wire, that is what is strange. When I turn off the switch on the AC/Heater unit I get that there is no power to the thermostat.
mlzemina wrote:
When I turn off the switch on the AC/Heater unit I get that there is no power to the thermostat.
Turn off the switch? I do not recall there being an on/off switch controlling my HVAC unit. I have an electrical socket that the unit plugs into.
What would be the reasoning behind removing power from the HVAC unit?
What Orbi model do you have?
What Firmware version is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?What NEST thermostat model do you have? 3rd Gen?
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and 📡 satellite(s)? 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR and RBS📡 to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.
https://kb.netgear.com/31029/Where-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite 📡What is the distances between the NEST devices and the RBR and RBS?
What channels are you using? Auto? Try Auto and 48 on 5Ghz. Or try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and 40 to 48 channel on 5Ghz.
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?Problems with NEST surrounds the issue of placement and distances from the RBR or RBS and having too many wifi signals in the home. Causes the NEST to ping pong around trying to find out which signal is best to lock on to. Even happens on GN. Turning down the power on the system helps greatly along with setting manual channels instead of Auto I found. Close distances with the NEST to a RBR or RBS is not recommended. I found that 20 feet or farther between the NEST and RBR or RBS also stops the NEST from ping ponging around. I ran both my 8 and 7 series with this configuration and the NEST maintained and didn't have a low battery.
I also found that one occasion, even after I connected my C wired to my one NEST, it still lost or got disconnected from the wifi though no low battery was seen. Too much signal or being too close NEST seems to have problems with.
mlzemina wrote:
The Nest Thermostat may have more than just internet connectivity, approximately once or twice a month it loses enough power and I have to remove it and charge it
For your Nest thermostat battery problem try connecting it to your Orbi's guest network instead of your main wireless network. It makes no sense, but connecting to the guest network solves a long-standing low battery issue with many Orbi Nest thermostat owners: https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-WiFi-6-AX-and-WiFi-6E-AXE/Nest-Thermostat-Batteries-LOW-on-a-new-ORBI-AX-setup/td-p/1918956/page/11
