Picture of the touchscreen of the Honeywell RTH8580WF Wifi Thermostat, showing SUCCESS messsage after having properly logged into the new wireless network.

Honeywell RTH8580WF WiFi Setup

Why would you need to perform Honeywell RTH8580WF WiFi setup for this common thermostat ?  Well, you may need to connect it to a different wireless network. Or, perhaps you have changed the name of your home wifi network.  Or, maybe you want to connect to a different WiFi access point in your home. For all these cases, you can do them by following the procedure below.

Honeywell RTH8580WF WiFi Setup: Overview

This WiFi thermostat, during first setup, actually becomes a wireless access point.  Furthermore, it has its own web site that you can connect to.  So use a mobile device or laptop to administer the unit via this site. Note however, that Ethernet devices do not work for this part of setup. Specifically, you must use a WiFi capable computer device.

Now we assume that the thermostat is up and running.  We also assume that it has connection to a particular WiFi network.  Then,  all you need is to change its current wireless network name and password. All other non network-related settings need no changes.

Picture of a common Honeywell WiFi Thermostat, Installed and operating.
A common Honeywell WiFi Thermostat, Installed and operating.

The picture above shows the thermostat, already connected to an in-range WiFi network.

Enter WiFi Setup Mode

Switch from normal to WiFi setup by changing operating parameter 900 from a 1 to a 0. This forces disconnection from the current WiFi network, and starts Wi-Fi Setup. Do this as follows:

Press the System Button

See the screen change to the following:

Picture of the screen display of the Honeywell WiFi thermostat, in System mode.
Screen Display of the Honeywell WiFi thermostat, in System mode.

Press and Hold the Blank Square Button to Continue with Honeywell RTH8580WF WiFi Setup

Find this button in the middle on the bottom of the screen, until the screen changes to the following. You may have to keep pressing for up to five seconds.

Picture of the Honeywell WiFi Thermostat on the Parameters Configuration screen.
Our Honeywell WiFi Thermostat on the Parameters Configuration screen.

Press the Center UP and DOWN Arrow Keys

Pressing these keys advances through the parameters list. Stop when you find code 900. The touchscreen should then appear as follows:

Picture of the parameter 900 (Wi-Fi Connection) selected.
Parameter Code 900 (WiFi Connection) selected.

Set Value of Parameter Number 900 to Zero

Using the value Up / Down arrow keys, change the value of parameter 900 from 1 to 0. This forces WiFi disconnect.

Picture of the touchscreen, showing WiFi connection status set to OFF (0).
WiFi connection status set to OFF (0).

Press the DONE Button to Continue with Honeywell RTH8580WF WiFi Setup

Find DONE in the lower left corner of the screen. This applies the new setting, and deactivates the current WiFi connection. You should then see a status message across the top of the screen indicating this. Wi-Fi Disconnected, as follows:

Picture of the WiFi Disconnected state on the Screen Display of the common Honeywell WiFi thermostat
Wi-Fi Disconnected state on the Screen Display of the common Honeywell WiFi thermostat

The above message displays for several seconds, and then, the thermostat goes into the WiFi Setup mode.

Picture of the Honeywell WiFi thermostat, in Wi-Fi Setup mode
The Honeywell WiFi thermostat, in Wi-Fi Setup mode

Honeywell RTH8580WF WiFi Setup Part 1 Complete !

You have now accomplished putting the thermostat into WiFi Setup Mode. So proceed to the next step.

Next, Find the Thermostat WiFi Network on your Mobile Device

In WiFi Setup Mode, the RTH8580WF creates its own little wifi network. In this step, you will connect your tablet or other wifi computer device to this network. Then the system guides you through selecting the desired new Wifi network. We used an iPad Air tablet to connect, by going to Settings->Wifi. The screen we saw on the tablet follows.

Screen shot from iPad Air, showing the Honeywell RTH8580WF Thermostat Created Wifi Network, circled in blue.
Honeywell RTH8580WF Thermostat Created Wifi Network, circled in blue.

Connect to the Thermostat WiFi Network

Next, use the procedures supported by your computer / tablet / phone to connect to this network. Here, the WiFi network has the name NewThermostat 277279. This is an open wireless network, so you need no password. But have no security fears though.  Why? Because this thermostat-generated network disappears once you finish Wi-Fi Setup.

Once you connect, your device should automatically display the following network selection page. This is the list of available wifi connections to your thermostat.

Picture of the Available Networks screen generated by the RTH8580WF WiFi thermostat.
Available Networks Screen generated by the RTH8580WF WiFi thermostat.

Select the Desired Network

On the above screen, pick the network you want.  Then tap the area above it or click it with the mouse. So in our case, we’re choosing the 937T681J4059H SSID to connect with. The system then prompts for the password of that network.

Picture of the thermostat prompting for network password.
Prompting for network password.

Enter the New Network’s Key / Password

Upon entry of the correct network password, the RTH8580WF turns off its own WiFi network. This was the  “NewThermostat 277279” network.

It then connects to the WiFi network you’ve set. After that, the network selection window on your tablet / computer should go away in a couple seconds.  Next, a “Connecting…” message appears as follows:

Picture of our honeywell WiFi thermostat displaying Connecting... Message as it attempts to log into the network we chose.
Our Honeywell WiFi thermostat displaying Connecting… Message as it attempts to log into the network we chose.

It can take up to thirty seconds for the new connection to form, so be patient.

At any rate, once it does, another message displays in the touchscreen status area. Furthermore, it alternates between “Connection successful,” and “Joined network” as follows:

Picture of the thermostat, successfully connecting to a new wireless network.  Displaying a SUCCESS message.
The thermostat, successfully connecting to a new wireless network.  Displaying a SUCCESS message.

 

Picture of The Joined Network status message. This indicates the name of the WiFi network just joined.
The Joined Network status message. This indicates the name of the WiFi network just joined.

Thermostat Then Exits WiFi Setup Mode

Next, wait one to three minutes.  Then, if no errors connecting to the internet happened, the RTH8580WF exits WiFi Setup mode. It then returns to normal operation mode. Furthermore, the text disappears from the blue-encircled space illustrated in the above picture. Then, the WiFi signal strength meter appears.

If you see this, then you’ve done everything right. So the thermostat is now communicating through the internet with the Honeywell smart thermostat management servers. Thus, you’ve successfully changed / updated the thermostat’s network settings.

Picture of the Honeywell RTH8580WF Wifi Thermostat, Returned to Normal Operation after successful configuration of a new wireless network, showing the circled wifi status icon in the status area.
Honeywell Wifi Thermostat, Returned to Normal Operation after successful configuration of a new wireless network.

Check the documentation that came with your thermostat.  Look for what to do next. You’ll now be able to access and control your thermostat remotely, via the web. See our Honeywell Programmable WiFi Thermostat Review for more details.

Other Posts About the Honeywell RTH8580WF

References for Honeywell RTH8580WF WiFi Setup

    1. RTH8580WF Honeywell WiFi Thermostat Product Page
    2. Where to buy the Honeywell RTH8580WF