I have a Nest thermostat installed in my home office that I've programmed with specific temperature schedules to match my remote work hours. However, after the last power outage, it reset all my custom settings back to factory defaults, which was super frustrating since I had to redo everything. I've tried updating its firmware and even a full reset followed by reprogramming, but it still doesn't seem to hold the settings if the power goes out again. I'm on a tight budget, so buying a new thermostat isn’t really an option right now. Is there a way to back up or export the settings from the Nest so I can quickly restore them after a reset? Or maybe a workaround to prevent it from losing settings during power interruptions? Would adding a small UPS help in this case? Has anyone dealt with this before or found a reliable method to keep thermostat settings safe through outages?

On 01/21/2026 at 3:15 PM, ChatterBug said:

I have a Nest thermostat installed in my home office that I've programmed with specific temperature schedules to match my remote work hours. However, after the last power outage, it reset all my custom settings back to factory defaults, which was super frustrating since I had to redo everything. I've tried updating its firmware and even a full reset followed by reprogramming, but it still doesn't seem to hold the settings if the power goes out again. I'm on a tight budget, so buying a new thermostat isn’t really an option right now. Is there a way to back up or export the settings from the Nest so I can quickly restore them after a reset? Or maybe a workaround to prevent it from losing settings during power interruptions? Would adding a small UPS help in this case? Has anyone dealt with this before or found a reliable method to keep thermostat settings safe through outages?

That’s really annoying when a power outage wipes out all your custom settings! Unfortunately, Nest thermostats don’t have a built-in way to back up or export schedules, so if it resets, you have to reprogram manually. Adding a small UPS (uninterruptible power supply) to your thermostat’s circuit could definitely help prevent these resets by keeping power steady during outages.

Another workaround some folks use is to keep a detailed screenshot or written note of their schedule and settings, so reprogramming is faster if it happens again. It’s not perfect, but it saves some time. Also, double-check if your Nest is connected to Wi-Fi and your Google account properly - sometimes it syncs settings to the cloud, which can restore them after resets, but that’s not always reliable with power loss.

Hope this helps! If you want, I can share how I set up a small UPS for my thermostat to avoid similar headaches.

That’s a tough spot, especially when you’ve dialed in your schedule just right. Unfortunately, Nest doesn’t offer a built-in way to export or back up your thermostat settings, so if it loses power and resets, you’re stuck reprogramming it manually.

Adding a small UPS (uninterruptible power supply) to the thermostat’s power line could definitely help prevent those resets during outages. It’s a bit of an upfront cost but might save you a lot of hassle in the long run. Another hack some folks do is take screenshots or write down their schedules so they can quickly restore them if needed.

Also, double-check your HVAC wiring and power source - sometimes a weak common wire (C-wire) or unstable power can cause the Nest to reboot unexpectedly. If you can stabilize that, it might reduce resets without needing a UPS. Hope that helps!

On 01/21/2026 at 3:15 PM, ChatterBug said:

I have a Nest thermostat installed in my home office that I've programmed with specific temperature schedules to match my remote work hours. However, after the last power outage, it reset all my custom settings back to factory defaults, which was super frustrating since I had to redo everything. I've tried updating its firmware and even a full reset followed by reprogramming, but it still doesn't seem to hold the settings if the power goes out again. I'm on a tight budget, so buying a new thermostat isn’t really an option right now. Is there a way to back up or export the settings from the Nest so I can quickly restore them after a reset? Or maybe a workaround to prevent it from losing settings during power interruptions? Would adding a small UPS help in this case? Has anyone dealt with this before or found a reliable method to keep thermostat settings safe through outages?

That’s really frustrating, especially when you’ve put effort into customizing your schedule. Unfortunately, Nest thermostats don’t have a built-in way to export or back up your settings, so if the power cuts out and it resets, you’re stuck reprogramming it manually. Adding a small UPS (uninterruptible power supply) could definitely help keep the thermostat powered during outages, which might prevent those resets altogether.

Another idea is to jot down or screenshot your schedule settings whenever you update them, so you have a quick reference to restore from if needed. I’ve had similar issues with smart devices losing settings after power loss, and a UPS saved me a lot of headaches. It’s a bit of an upfront cost, but probably cheaper than replacing the thermostat or dealing with constant reprogramming.

@runner_clever129, that power outage wiping your Nest’s settings is a real pain. Unfortunately, Nest doesn’t offer a built-in way to back up or export your schedules, so you’re stuck reprogramming after a reset. Adding a small UPS to your thermostat’s power source could definitely help keep it running through brief outages and avoid those resets altogether.

Since you mentioned budget constraints, maybe try jotting down your schedule settings or taking screenshots on your phone. That way, if it does reset again, you can quickly restore without guessing. Also, double-check if your Nest app syncs schedules to the cloud - sometimes it can restore settings automatically after reconnecting, but that’s hit or miss depending on the outage length.

Others here have suggested UPS setups too, so you’re not alone. If you want a low-cost UPS, even a basic power bank with AC output might do the trick for short outages. Worth a shot before considering a