Thermostat shows E6 and Wi‑Fi or app connectivity is disabled; local HVAC control may still function.

Safety first: Network troubleshooting does not require power removal, but avoid opening the thermostat while energized if you are not experienced.

• Check home Wi‑Fi: Confirm your router is powered and other devices can connect to the internet. Ensure the 2.4GHz band is enabled, as many smart thermostats do not support 5GHz only.
• Restart router and thermostat: Power cycle your router. Then remove the thermostat from its sub‑base for 30 seconds and reattach it, or cycle HVAC power at the breaker.
• Forget and re‑add network: In the thermostat's Wi‑Fi settings, choose to forget the current network, then re‑scan and connect, entering the correct password. Use WPA2‑PSK/AES security if possible.
• Improve signal strength: If the thermostat is far from the router or behind metal/brick, move the router closer or add a Wi‑Fi extender. E6 can appear when signal is marginal.
• Update firmware: If the thermostat supports over‑the‑air updates, check for and install any available Payne firmware updates via the app.
• Hardware failure: If E6 persists on multiple known‑good networks and after reset, the Wi‑Fi module on the thermostat is likely defective. Replace the Payne smart thermostat if remote connectivity is required.