(Solved) Google Nest wifi router problem connecting to cloud – How to fix

Are you having trouble trying to connect your Google Nest wifi router? You are not alone. Most users of this router report that they sometimes cannot connect the router to the cloud.

Different things can cause this problem. One of the reasons why you may find it hard to connect this router to the cloud is having two layers of NAT. Apart from that, firewall settings or unstable internet connection from the modem can also cause the problem. Fortunately, you can fix this problem. Find out how.

How to make the Google Nest wifi router connect to the cloud

Avoid double NAT

If you have Google nest wifi router and other Google wifi devices in your home, you have more than a single layer of NAT. This is what is referred to as double NAT. This can also occur when your network consists of the router and a modem. It makes it hard for devices to communicate with one another. Double NAT can prevent your router from connecting to the cloud and causes other problems such as slow speed, firewall blocking ports, and redirecting DNS.

Doing a bridge mode can help you avoid double NAT.  You should consider setting one Google wifi point to bridge mode. This will enable routing functions as well as DHCP so that double NAT is not a problem anymore. You can set up bridge mode through the Google wifi app. On this app, proceed to settings and find the section labeled network and general. Click on advanced networking, then network mode. Tap on the section that reads bridge mode then click on save.

Turn off the firewall settings

A firewall is a cyber-security tool that can filter traffic on your network. It blocks any malicious traffic requests while at the same time allowing legit traffic to go through. Though the firewall is quite crucial, sometimes it may prevent Google Nest wifi router from connecting to the cloud. You should, therefore, consider turning off such security settings and check if you can now connect the router to the cloud. You can turn off such security settings on the router or your modem.

Perform a power cycle of your network

Sometimes, an unstable internet connection from your modem can prevent the Google nest wifi router from connecting to the cloud. You can solve this by performing a power cycle of your network. Start by disconnecting the Ethernet cable and power cable from your router. Also, disconnect the power cable that connects to the modem. Give your devices at least 5 minutes to stay disconnected. Once you begin reconnecting your devices, only connect the power cable to your mode, and give it enough time to fully reboot.

Confirm that all the lights on the modem are lit before proceeding to the next step. Once the modem is online, you can now connect the Ethernet cable to the Google wifi router through the WAN port. Ensure that you also connect your power cable back to this router securely. Give the Google nest wifi router enough time to power back fully.

Set SSID on the router

You can use your phone to set up SSID for the Google Nest wifi router. On your phone, proceed to wifi network settings. This action will display a list of different wifi networks. Look for the right setup network name then enter the password. Once you have connected, you can now proceed to the Google Home app and set up your router. As you do this, you should ensure that you turn on Bluetooth and location services on your phone.

Try a direct connection

You can check if the internet connection is stable by connecting your computer to the modem directly. Bypassing the router and using an Ethernet cable to make the direct connection can help you find out if an unstable internet connection is a problem.

Perform an IP pass-through

You can also make the Google nest wifi router start connecting to the cloud by doing an IP pass-through. This is used as an alternative to enabling the bridged mode. You can only put a single device on your network on pass-through mode. When you place a certain device on this device, it will remove the firewall protection in it. Configuring the device in pass-through mode means that it is assigned a WAP IP and not a LAN IP.

Enable the DMZ feature

If you would like to use wifi to do things such as video conferencing or internet gaming, you should consider enabling this feature. Doing this can also help your router connect to the cloud without any problems. Configuring this feature on the Google Nest wifi router is a straightforward process that should only take a couple of minutes.

Conclusion

Google nest wifi router can give you extended wifi coverage throughout your home. If the router cannot connect to the cloud, you should find out the cause. Sometimes double NAT, unstable internet connection to the modem, or firewall settings can prevent the router from connecting to the cloud. You can fix it by enabling the bridge mode, power cycling your entire network, turning off the security settings, doing an IP pass-through, or enabling the DMZ feature. If none of the solutions work, consider getting assistance from an expert.

FAQs

Can double NAT have an impact on the wifi performance?

No. Having two layers of NAT may not interfere with wifi performance. It, however, hinders different devices in your network from communicating with one another.

Can the ISP help me solve this problem?

Yes. The internet service provider can help you solve such issues.