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Forum Discussion
TRoundy
Aug 15, 2022Tutor
Nighthawk AX12 wifi draining batteries
I have been having issues with my Nighthawk AX12 router draining the battery of my Nest thermostat. Google Nest tech support is worthless. It seems that something about this router is causing bat...
michaelkenward
Aug 15, 2022Guru - Experienced User
TRoundy wrote:
I have been having issues with my Nighthawk AX12 router draining the battery of my Nest thermostat.
It is hard to see how a router can drain the battery on your Internet of Things (IoT) stuff. All the router does is to provide a wifi connection between IoT widget and the Internet.
If the wifi is weak, the widget may drain its own battery as it tries to communicate with the router. But that's not the router problem.
If you experience that, you may need to do something to improve the wifi signal to the gadget.
Google Nest tech support is worthless.
How about Google search?
draining battery nest thermostat - Google Search
Seems to be a bit of an issue.
By the way, AX12 doesn't tell us what router you have. AX12 is not a reliable guide to model number. Many devices come with that tag, but it is essentially a label that Netgear, and other brands, attach to hardware to describe wifi speeds.
Look at the label on the device for the model number, probably RAX something.
- TRoundyAug 17, 2022Tutor
Google tech support said that the issue is with the router (RAX120). The Nest works fine and the battery stays charged as long as it isn't connected to wifi. The wifi signal strength is good to excellent.
I need to know what router settings will work with the Nest.
- FURRYe38Aug 17, 2022Guru - Experienced User
How is the wifi on the router configured for now on Basic and Advanced?
What is the distance from the router to the NEST controller?
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?Try AX mode disabled on the both radios.
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?Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings
- TRoundyAug 19, 2022Tutor
Answers:
1. Advanced I believe. I tried turning off the Smart Connect and the AX and I also tried using an earlier firmware.
2. Nest is about 15 feet from the router.
3. Current firmware is 1.2.3.28
4. I have no modem. I have fiber internet. No close neighbor wifi...............I live in rural area.
- michaelkenwardAug 17, 2022Guru - Experienced User
TRoundy wrote:
Google tech support said that the issue is with the router (RAX120).
Google search disagrees with Google tech.
draining battery nest thermostat - Google Search
Did you follow any of the many links?
Anything there that you disagree with?
By definition, Google tech will blame anyone and everyone else. Netgear tech will respond accordngly. "Pass the buck" is part of the job description for tech support.
The skill is in ignoring that stuff and doing a bit of research.
A few pointers there.
- TRoundyAug 19, 2022Tutor
Yes, I followed all the Nest pointers other than adding a c wire. The Nest battery holds a charge as long as it isn't connected to wifi.
I've had a Nest for years (with same connection) for years and never had an issue until 2021. I bought a new Nest thinking that was the issue but it wasn't. New one did the same thing. I tried to get the point across to google that the issue is between some Netgear routers (I am not the only one having issues) and the Nest but they choose to ignore me.