Skip to main content

Nest recalls 440,000 Protect smoke alarms, issues software update that fixes glitch

Read our full Nest Protect review.

Update 5-21-2014: Nest has officially issued a recall of 440,000 Nest Protect Smoke + CO alarms in order to repair a software glitch that prevents the unit from properly sounding the alert. Although the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is designating it as a recall, there’s no need to physically send the unit back to Nest, as the company has a software update ready that fixes the problem; the CPSC does recommend customers stop using the product until it has been fixed. The devices, however, must be connected to the Internet in order to receive the automatic software update; users can simply head to the “Nest Sense” section of their account and ensure that the “Nest Wave” button is off and grayed out. If your Nest Protect isn’t connected, you should do so immediately for the automatic update. Users can also request a refund for the product. More recall information can be found here. (H/t San Jose Mercury News)

Recommended Videos

A smoke alarm is one of those devices that you really don’t want to fail when the time comes for it to actually do what it does.

With this in mind, Nest has issued a safety notice for users of its Internet-connected Protect smoke and carbon monoxide alarm after discovering a software glitch with its ‘Wave’ feature that could potentially delay the alarm’s activation in the event of a fire. For those not in the know, Wave is a much-praised feature of the alarm that lets you deactivate the system with a brief wave of the hand – perfect for those moments when a few wisps of harmless smoke float up from your stove top.

Penned by Nest CEO Tony Fadell, the safety warning says the Google-owned company has decided to disable the the Wave feature until it finds a fix for the flaw, though this could take “two or three months.” It also announced it’s halting sales of the device “to ensure no one buys an alarm that needs an immediate update.” It added that the notice is in no way a product recall.

Explaining the situation, the company boss said his lab engineers discovered “a unique combination of circumstances” that could “unintentionally activate” the Wave feature.

“We identified this problem ourselves and are not aware of any customers who have experienced this, but the fact that it could even potentially happen is extremely important to me and I want to address it immediately,” Fadell said.

Plan of action

The company says that in the next 24 hours it’ll automatically disable the Wave feature for users who have a Nest Protect device connected to a Nest account via Wi-Fi.

More importantly, it says that if your device is not connected to a Nest account, or you’ve taken it offline, you should “immediately” reconnect it so the company can remotely disable the feature.

Additionally, if you can’t connect to Wi-Fi, you should stop using the device altogether, the company said. It added that it’ll offer all users a complete refund (until September 30) if they decide to return the device.

Nest says that once Wave has been disabled, its alarm will operate in the normal way. Of course, this may mean it’ll start behaving more like your traditional smoke alarm, going off when you’re cooking eggs, so it may be wise to keep a broom nearby should you need to hit the Nest button in the event of a false alarm.

For full details on the situation, including how to confirm that Wave has been disabled, be sure to check out Nest’s dedicated page here.

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
Is there a Walmart Plus free trial? Get a month of free delivery
A Walmart sign on the outside of a store.

For regular Walmart shoppers, signing up for Walmart Plus is a no-brainer. It's basically Walmart's version of Amazon Prime, with subscribers unlocking free shipping on most orders, early access to discounts and new product drops (like Nintendo Switch 2 restocks), the best grocery delivery, and more. If you're always taking advantage of Walmart's bargains for the best smart home devices or the best tech products in general, but you're still not sure if you'll be able to maximize the benefits of Walmart Plus, we highly recommend claiming the free trial to the service, and we've got everything you need to know about it right here.

Is there a Walmart Plus free trial?
There is a Walmart Plus free trial available, and it’s one of the best free trials we’ve seen in terms of how many great features and conveniences you’re able to access. This is really a reflection of how great the Walmart Plus service is, as the Walmart Plus free trial is essentially a 30-day experience of what it would be like to be a paid Walmart Plus subscriber. A Walmart Plus membership can help you save over $1,300 per year, so taking advantage of the 30-day free trial is a great way to get in there and see what those savings will look like. And if grocery delivery is what you're really after, an alternative you might consider is the Instacart free trial -- they have more than one program to try!

Read more
Google’s Nest thermostat cull is a warning to all smart home users
Nest Thermostat

If you were an early adopter of the Nest Learning Thermostat, bad news: Google has announced the end of support for the first and second generation models as of October 25. That means that, for all intents and purposes, you can drop the "smart" descriptor. You'll no longer be able to control the devices from your phone or from Google Assistant, although they will continue to function as standard, wall-mounted thermostats.

Google's support post reads, "As we look at what it takes to support your energy needs going forward, it has become increasingly challenging to continue to update these products given the early hardware. So we made the difficult decision that starting October 25, 2025, Nest Learning Thermostat (1st gen, 2011), Nest Learning Thermostat (2nd gen, 2012), and Nest Learning Thermostat (2nd gen, Europe version, 2014) will no longer receive software updates."

Read more
EcoFlow launches new portable air conditioner and cooler just in time for summer
The EcoFlow Wave 3 in a cabin.

EcoFlow is responsible for some of our favorite eco-friendly energy solutions, including a battery-powered AC unit we used to turn a van into a portable office. Building on this unit’s success, EcoFlow has officially launched the Wave 3 -- a powerful new portable AC unit -- and the Glacier Classic -- an electric cooler. Both devices make big improvements over their predecessors, giving you a convenient way to keep yourself (and your beverages) cool during epic summer adventures.

The EcoFlow Wave 3 is based on the existing Wave 2, though it incorporates over two years of user feedback into its final design. The portable unit both cools and heats spaces, and according to EcoFlow, it can lower temperatures of small spaces by 15 degrees in just 15 minutes. It packs in 1800W of cooling power and 2000W of heating power, and its built-in battery means it’s ideal for off-grid locations.

Read more