Get a Free Nest Thermostat If Yours Is Faulty
If your Nest thermostat can’t (or couldn’t) connect to Wi-Fi, Google will send you a replacement for free.
For months, Nest users have reported seeing a “w5 error” when trying to connect their devices to a Wi-Fi network – a requirement for remote thermostat control. And since the real benefit of a smart thermostat is the ability to regulate (and fine tune) heating or air conditioning from your office, car, or bed, this mistake makes your device virtually useless.
According to a statement sent to Android Police , Google will replace your faulty Nest for free if the troubleshooting doesn’t fix the error. To request a replacement, you need to contact Google Support.
(A Google spokesperson said users will be prompted to contact a support representative during the troubleshooting process, but you can contact Nest support directly on their website or via Facebook Messenger .)
How to fix the w5 error
Before you can request a free Nest replacement, you’ll need to use Google’s troubleshooting guide . The w5 error appears in Nest itself, not in your application, so you need to go directly to the device.
To check if your device has been harmed, press the thermostat ring to open the quick view menu and choose Settings> Network . If you see an “Error – nest.com/w5” message, continue with the next troubleshooting steps.
Try restarting your device first. You will find this option under Settings> Reset> Restart . Then repeat the above process to check if the error persists.
If so, you may need to update your software. Go to Settings> Software . If an update is available, select Update . Once your thermostat is updated, check again for the error.
If the problem persists, contact Google Support and request a free replacement.