Nest Thermostat Lights Blinking Red? (How To Fix)

Would you want your Nest Thermostat to malfunction during a cold winter night or a hot summer day? A Nest red blinking light can be alarming for any homeowner.

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Would you want your Nest Thermostat to malfunction during a cold winter night or a hot summer day? A Nest red blinking light can be alarming for any homeowner.

You invest in a solid thermostat so that you can come home to a cozy and comfortable environment. It can be extremely frustrating if your thermostat refuses to work and keeps blinking red lights.

If you own a Nest Thermostate and you see a red blinking light on it, there are steps you can take to remediate the issue, including using a USB cable to speed up its charging, resetting your Nest Thermostat, and updating its software to the latest version.

Here, I have listed some of the most common reasons why the Nest Thermostat blinks red, as well as the steps you need to take to resolve the issue and get it back to making the environment cozy for you.

I am a proud owner of the Nest Thermostat and have much experience with the product. Still, I went through a lot of research on the discussed problem for the purpose of writing this piece and extracted information from only highly credible sources for my research.

Table of Contents

Why Is My Nest Thermostat Blinking Red?

There could be a few reasons why your Nest thermostat is blinking red. Here are a few possibilities:

  1. You may need to charge your thermostat. If the battery is low, the screen will flash red. Simply remove the thermostat from the base and insert the charging cable. The red light will turn off when charging is complete.
  2. The Nest Thermostat may be too hot or too cold for its surroundings. If the temperature is above 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) or below freezing, the screen will flash red.
  3. There may be a problem with your WiFi connection. If the Nest Thermostat can't connect to the internet, the screen will turn red and display a WiFi icon.
  4. There may be a problem with the Nest app or account. If there’s an issue with your Nest account or the Nest app is not up to date, the screen will flash red.
  5. The thermostat may be in Emergency Heat mode. If your thermostat is in Emergency Heat mode, the screen will turn red and display an E symbol. This happens when your heating system can’t keep up with the set temperature and is using emergency heat to supplement the regular heat.

If you see a red light on your Nest Thermostat, don’t worry – it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s something wrong. In most cases, it just means that the thermostat needs to be charged or that the temperature is too high or low. However, if the red light is accompanied by an error message, it could indicate a more serious problem. If you’re unsure what to do, contact Nest Support for help.

What Do Blinking Lights On The Google Nest Thermostat Mean?

There are four lights on the Google Nest Thermostat:

  1. The Power Light: This light is white and should be lit up when the power is on. If it's not lit, check your power source.
  2. The WiFi Light: This light is blue and should be lit up when the thermostat is connected to your WiFi network. If it's not lit, check your WiFi connection.
  3. The Status Light: This light is green and will blink when the thermostat is in use. It will also turn on when you adjust the temperature or settings on the thermostat.
  4. The Battery Light: This light is orange and will blink when the battery is low. It would be best if you charged the battery as soon as possible.
  5. If you see any other lights on the thermostat blinking, it may be an error code. Check the Nest app for more information on what the error code means and how to fix it.

What Does The Red Blinking Light On The Nest Thermostat Indicate?

The red blinking light on the Nest Thermostat can indicate a few different things. It could be a sign that the system is low on battery, or it might be an indication that there's a problem with the WiFi connection. In either case, it's best to check the Nest app to see what the specific issue is and address it accordingly.

What to do When The Nest Thermostat Is Blinking Red

If the red light on your Nest Thermostat is blinking, it could mean that there is a problem with the connection to your home's WiFi network. To fix this, try restarting your Nest Thermostat and then reconnecting it to your WiFi network. If that doesn't work, you may need to reset your Nest Thermostat. Here's how:

  1. First, make sure your thermostat is turned off. Then, remove the cover by gently pulling on it. You should see a small hole near the base of the unit.
  2. Using a paperclip or other sharp object, insert it into the hole and press down firmly for about 10 seconds. You should hear a clicking sound as the reset process begins.
  3. Once the reset is complete, your Nest Thermostat will restart, and you'll be able to set it up again from scratch. That's all there is to it!
  4. A red blinking light might also indicate that the battery of the thermostat is low. For this, you can use a USB cable to speed up its charging. Here's how to do it:
  • Plug one end of the USB cable into your computer or another power source.
  • Plug the other end of the USB cable into the charging port on the back of your Nest Thermostat.
  • Wait a few minutes for the Nest Thermostat to charge.

And that's it! By using a USB cable, you can charge your Nest Thermostat much faster than you could with the standard AC adapter. So if you're ever in a situation where you need to get your Nest Thermostat up and running quickly, make sure to use a USB cable.

Sometimes, the red light blinks if the software of the thermostat needs updating.

If you're unsure whether your Nest Thermostat requires a software update, there's an easy way to check. Just follow these steps:

  • On your thermostat, open the Settings menu.
  • Select Info, then scroll down to the bottom of the screen and look for System Firmware Version.
  • Compare this number to the latest software version listed on the Nest Support site. If they match, your thermostat is up-to-date, and you don't need to continue with these instructions.
  • If the numbers don't match, select Update Software and follow the on-screen instructions.

How to Take Care of Nest Thermostat

  1. Keep it clean - Regularly dust and clean your Nest Thermostat to keep it looking new. Use a dry cloth for dusting and use a damp cloth for cleaning. Be careful not to get the power port or speaker wet.
  2. Handle with care - Avoid dropping or knocking your Nest Thermostat as this could damage the internal components.
  3. Keep it cool - Store your Nest Thermostat in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent overheating.
  4. Check for updates - Make sure you regularly check for updates to ensure your Nest Thermostat is running the latest software version. New versions are released periodically and can offer new features and bug fixes.
  5. Get professional help - If you're having trouble with your Nest Thermostat, contact a professional for assistance. They can help troubleshoot any issues you may be having.

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