Google's software update article says a Nest thermostat updates automatically when it is connected to wifi and to a Google account. Its article on a thermostat unable to update software explains that if the thermostat is not connected to a Google account it cannot download updates, which can happen if someone disconnected it in settings, so check Settings, Account and reconnect it. Check the thermostat's software version under Settings, then Technical Info or About, and compare it with Google's software update history, which lists versions and changes.
The checks in more detail
If it seems out of date, make sure it is online, has power and has a good battery, since a low battery can block updates. Restart it and give it time, since updates roll out in stages and install in quiet periods. A thermostat that freezes during an update can be restarted, and Google's article on being stuck during startup covers a device that does not finish booting. If the thermostat will not update after being reconnected, contact Google Nest support with the model and version.
Do not disconnect power during an update. Keep the Home app up to date. Older models eventually stop receiving updates, so check Google's support pages for yours. Note the version before and after each attempt so you can see whether an update really installed. An update that fails once often succeeds after a restart and a night's wait. Give updates a quiet night rather than judging them during the day's peak use.
If updates seem slow to arrive, check that only one account is linked and that the thermostat has not been disconnected by someone in the household, which is the most common quiet cause. If you are away from home for weeks, the thermostat can quietly stop updating when it drops offline, so check its status when you return and reconnect it before assuming updates are on schedule. Google keeps a software update history for its thermostats, which is useful if a behavior changed and you want to know whether a recent version could have caused it before you touch any settings.
Differential
Likely causes of “Nest thermostats firmware update is stuck or failed”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Disconnected from the account
What separates it The thermostat cannot download updates because it is disconnected from your Google account
How to confirm Reconnect the Google account in the settings, so that the thermostat can receive updates
- 2
A low battery
What separates it Updates are blocked because the battery in the thermostat is low
How to confirm Change or charge the battery, and then let the thermostat try the update again
- 3
Offline
What separates it No update arrives because the thermostat is offline and cannot reach Google's servers
How to confirm Reconnect the thermostat to wifi, since it can only update while it is online
- 4
A staged rollout
What separates it There is no update yet because Google releases new software in stages
How to confirm Wait a few days, since the update will reach your thermostat in its turn
- 5
A freeze during update
What separates it The thermostat is stuck at startup because it froze during an update
How to confirm Restart it, and read the startup article if it does not finish starting
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The software version shown in the technical information
- Whether it is linked to an account
- The battery level that the thermostat reports
- The exact model of the thermostat
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck the account link
ReversibleCheck the account link in Settings and Account, since updates need the thermostat linked to Google.
Check wifi and battery
ReversibleCheck that wifi and the battery are fine, meaning the thermostat is online and charged.
Read the software version
ReversibleRead the software version in the technical information, so you know what you are running now.
Compare with update history
ReversibleCompare your version with Google's update history, to see whether a newer version exists for it.
Restart the thermostat
ReversibleRestart the thermostat if it looks stuck, which keeps all of your settings and starts it again.
Wait for rollout
ReversibleWait for the rollout, which can take days, since Google sends updates out in stages.
Contact Google
ReversibleContact Google if it never updates, and tell them the model and the software version shown.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Account
- A thermostat needs a linked Google account to update.
- Rollout
- Updates arrive in stages.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the Nest Thermostat.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If updates never arrive after reconnecting, contact Google Nest support
- !If stuck at startup, use the startup article
- !If the model is out of support, plan to replace it
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Update problems.
Update history.
Startup problems.
Offline steps by model.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Do thermostats update automatically?+
Yes, thermostats update automatically when they are online and linked to a Google account.
Why can't it update?+
It cannot update if it is not linked to a Google account, or if it is offline.
Does Google publish history?+
Yes, Google publishes an update history, which lists the versions and what changed in each one.
What if it freezes?+
If it freezes during an update, restart it, and follow the startup article if it stays stuck.