Google’s Nest Wi-FI surveillance camera line is among the cream of the crop cameras in its market. However, even they’re not perfect and you will have to troubleshoot common issues with them like with any other consumer-grade Wi-Fi cam out there.
Google Nest or Nest is a line of smart home products owned by multinational conglomerate Google. This brand includes smart cameras, smart locks, and smart doorbells as part of its extensive security system offerings.
Google Nest also offers smart displays, smart speakers, streaming devices, routers, smoke detectors, and thermostats. With that in mind, how should you go about Nest camera troubleshooting? Keep on reading to find out!
Nest camera offline: How do I fix Google Nest offline?
If your Nest camera remains offline, you should try out the following troubleshooting tips to get it back online.
- Check the power on the cam. The wiring might be loose or your battery might require recharging.
- Check its app version as well so you’re assured it has downloaded the latest version.
- Check if your camera feels cold or warm. Whenever your cam gets too hot or cold, it will automatically disconnect from your Wi-Fi.
- Restart or reboot your cam using the tips below.
- Turn off any other devices linked to your Wi-Fi to see if that allows your Google Nest Cam to go back online.
- Move your router or cam closer together. The Nest cam might simply be out of coverage area.
- Restart your modem or router to get the Wi-Fi back.
- Disable any network extenders and connect directly.
- Factory reset the Nest cam.
Nest camera won’t connect to wifi: How do I reconnect my nest camera to Wi-Fi?
Tap “Settings” on the Nest app’s home screen. Go to “Home Info” and select it to access “Home Wi-Fi Help”. If you can’t find this option, you’ll have to remove your camera from the app then add it back with new Wi-Fi info.
Doing so will delete your videos, so save them before removing the cam from the app. From there, select the camera you wish to update then tap start and update Wi-Fi settings until the device goes back online.
Reconnecting your cam to your Wi-Fi will also involve checking your router, disabling network extenders, checking the app version, checking the temperature of the cam, checking the power of the cam, or moving the device nearer the router.
Nest camera not working: How to fix!
If your Google Nest Cam isn’t working, it could be because of several issues to see if your cam has been disconnected despite being setup or requires further setup.
- If your app sends you emails or notifications saying it’s disconnected or offline then it could be a Wi-Fi issue.
- If your camera won’t even power on it could be a battery or wiring issue. The power flow might be the root of the problem.
- If your camera’s status light is blinking yellow or off then it might also mean connection issues or your cam is turned off.
- It might also be a slow connection, the camera being out of coverage area, or Wi-Fi interference.
- If your camera video history showcases gaps that say your camera was powered off or offline, you should fix it unless you have Event Recording or EBR turned on, where such events are normal.
Nest camera not turning on: How to fix!
If your Nest cam is unresponsive, there are several reasons for this. First off, it could not be turned on. Make sure the indicator light is blinking and/or visible. Otherwise, the camera might be turned off. Using your Nest app, make sure your Nest Cam is properly charged with the provided USB cord.
You can check the status of your Nest cam under the Nest app’s settings. Make sure everything is plugged in, the battery is charged or properly inserted, and the electrical outlet you’re using is working properly. The power cord should also be checked because it might also be faulty.
The Nest cam should be constantly plugged or should have a properly charged battery in order for surveillance of your home to continue.
Nest Cam Overheating: How to fix!
Your cameras can only take the following temperature ranges.
- Nest Cam IQ Outdoor: -40°F to 113°F (–40°C to 45°C)
- Nest Cam Outdoor, Nest Cam battery: -4°F to 104°F (-20°C to 40°C)
- Nest Cam IQ Indoor, Nest Cam Indoor, Dropcam: 32°F to 104°F (0°C to 40°C)
While you camera has been precision-engineered to handle heat changes during normal operation, they can malfunction and overheat. In order to keep your camera cool, do the following.
- Put the camera in a space that’s ventilated or air-cool.
- Hidden cameras should still have freely flowing air around it.
- Don’t cover your cam with materials such as leather skins, molded silicon covers, or cloth.
- Don’t put your cam inside a container or encasement because it causes overheating to happen.
- If you’re using an outdoor cam, put some shade or a small roof over it to keep it cool and safe from the sun’s blistering hot UV rays.
Nest outdoor camera no power: How to fix!
If you’re cam is plugged into a power outlet, make sure your home has power, the outlet has power, and the power cable isn’t faulty. You might even be in the middle of a power outage for all you know.
- If the camera is battery-powered, check whether the battery still has power or juice on it. reharge the battery if required.
- Make sure you’ve switched on the breaker. If your home’s electricity is switched on but there’s no power, there might be a blackout or power outage.
- Plug your camera in another electrical socket to see if that turns it on. If your camera remains functional in the new socket, the previous socket might be busted, dusty, or shorted out.
- If your home power is working fine but your camera still isn’t working, there might be an issue with the power cable itself.
- If the power cable works fine with other cameras then the worst-case scenario would be that your cam itself has been bricked. If it’s in warranty, get a replacement post-haste.
Nest camera no light: Here’s The Truth!
Your Nest cam has two different lights to help you figure out its status or health—the small status light that blinks different colors and the large light ring around the lens that assist in making your video footage as clear as possible even in low-light.
If your status light is off but the camera is streaming fine then the status light might simply be turned off. Turn it on using the Nest app under “Camera Settings”, “Lights and Sound”, and “Status Light” options.
If the status light is off and the camera is also not functioning, the cam might be turned off. Turn it on. If it won’t turn on, refer to the previous section in regards to troubleshooting a camera with no power.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the most frequently asked questions regarding the Nest camera.
How do I reboot a Nest camera?
Go to the back of the Nest camera. There should be a reset button there. For batter-powered Nest cameras, the button is typically placed right on the back portion of the camera head. Just press the button for 5 seconds and release.
For the wired Indoor Nest Cam, press the reset pin between the support arm and cord with a thumbtack or unfolded paper clip.
For Nest Cam IQ or Dropcam, disconnect the power, wait 10 seconds, and reconnect the power.
How to factory reset Nest Camera?
To do a factory reset for your Nest Camera, the thing they have in common is removal from the Nest app and using their reset buttons typically reserved for restarts. To remove the cam from the app, just go to “Settings”, select “Remove Device”, and select “Confirm”.
You might need to use a paper clip or press the button 12 seconds until you see the status light become solid yellow. Doing a factory reset restores the cam to factory settings, deletes your vidoe history, and erases your customized settings.
How to connect Nest Camera to Wi-Fi?
Turn on your phone’s Bluetooth and go to the same room as your cam. Afterwards, launch your Nest app then update your Wi-Fi info for the camera through Bluetooth. Specifically, tap the “Settings” icon on the home screen.
Pick “Home Info” then “Home Wi-Fi Help”. Select the camera you wish to update its Wi-Fi. Afterwards, select “Start” and “Update Settings”. Follow the onscreen prompts such as scanning the QR code at the back of your camera when told to do so.
Remove your cam from the app then add it back if you can’t find the “Home Wi-Fi Help” option. This will get you new Wi-Fi info and that option hopefully.
Why is my Nest camera not working?
What do I do if my Nest camera won’t turn on? Start by checking that the smart home camera has power by checking the cord and outlet. If there isn’t a problem with the power, try unplugging the unit for 10 seconds before plugging it back in. Wait for the camera to restart.
How do I get my Nest camera back online?
Restart your camera or doorbell to refresh its connection. After restarting, wait a few minutes and then go to your offline camera’s video stream. If the live video stream appears, your camera has reconnected.
Why is Nest camera not connecting to Wi-Fi?
Check your camera’s distance to the router or access point
Try to move your camera closer to your Wi-Fi router or access point, then try connecting your camera to the app again. If your camera is already mounted, and you can’t move it easily, try to move your Wi-Fi router or access point closer to your camera instead.
Why does my Google Nest camera keep going offline?
In most cases, offline Nest Cam problems are due to poor WiFi connection or camera placement. It can also be due to a software update or router settings conflict. Regardless of the connection issue, the user needs to have physical access to the camera to fix it, avoiding possible security compromises.
Why is my Google home camera not working?
– Restart your WiFi router. – Ensure the privacy switch on the back of the device is not switched on. – Ensure the onscreen camera mute button (in the Settings tray of your Hub Max) on the device is not enabled. – Force close and re-open the Google Home App.
What does a blue light mean on a nest camera?
Light ring blue means that your camera is ready and waiting for you in the nest app Try to force close the app and set up the camera. Let us know if it goes well.
Why is my camera offline?
Security cameras go offline for three main reasons: power outages, loss of internet, or failure of the camera’s components (broken parts or wires).
Why is my nest app not connecting?
Turn on Airplane mode and then turn on Wi-Fi. Visit google.com to check if your connection is working. If you can’t connect, try to use a different device to double check. If you can’t connect with either device, contact your internet service provider (ISP) to check the service status in your area.
How do I connect my nest to Wi-Fi?
Google Nest Thermostat – Connect to WiFi
- Press the ring on the Google Nest to bring up the menu.
- Select Settings.
- Turn the ring and select Network.
- Select your wireless network (it may take a moment for your network to appear).
- Enter your home Wi-Fi password.
- Select Done.
Why is my Google Nest Hub not working?
Start with the basics: Reboot and check for updates. If everything looks all right, head to the Home app and look at the Nest Hub settings to make sure the Home Monitoring option is turned on. If all else fails, remove the Hub from your Home app and do a full factory reset on it.
How do I reconnect my nest camera after a power outage?
Last year after a power outage a couple of our Google Nest Outdoor Cameras did not come back online when the power came back on. I was able to resolve it by unplugging each camera for a minute and then plugging it back in.
How do you reset Nest Hub?
How to Reboot a Google Nest Hub
- On the Google Home app home screen, tap your Nest Hub.
- Tap the Settings gear.
- Tap More (the three vertical dots) in the upper-right corner, then choose Reboot from the pop-up menu.
What do nest camera lights mean?
Your Nest camera is turned on, connected to a Wi-Fi network, and is streaming video. Solid blue. Starting up or restarting. This happens when you first plug your camera into a power outlet, when your camera restarts itself after a power outage or firmware update, or is waiting to be added to an account. Solid red.
What does green light mean on Nest camera?
The status light in your nest camera is an indicator of whether your camera is working well. A solid green light shows that the camera is connected and recording video, while a blinking green light indicates that someone is streaming your live video.
What does a blinking green light on Nest mean?
A blinking green light near the top of your Nest thermostat’s display means that it’s updating the software, starting up, or restarting. Typically, this will only last a minute or two. Once your thermostat has finished starting up, it’ll turn on so you can use it.
Why does my Wi-Fi camera keep disconnecting?
There are two main reasons that a camera may lose WiFi connection. It may be installed too far from your WiFi router, or it may not have sufficient bandwidth on your WiFi. Please contact our customer support for help in diagnosing this issue and confirming the cause.
How do I reset my Wi-Fi camera?
You need to reset the cameras by pressing the reset button on the bottom of the cameras for 10 seconds (led red flashing means reset is complete). After resetting the cameras, you need to plug the ethernet cable inside the camera’s connectors and connect it to the new router. Delete the cameras in the “Added device.”
Why won’t my IP camera connect?
Hold your phone in the location of your camera and check the number of dashed Wi-Fi coverage on your phone. If the connection is poor, if possible, reduce the distance between the camera and your Wi-Fi router. Consider a wired installation or consult your internet provider for solutions.
How do I reset my Nest app?
To reset your Nest thermostat follow these steps:
- Press the thermostat face to open the Quick View menu.
- Choose the Settings icon.
- Turn the ring to Reset and press to select.
- Turn the ring to All Settings and press to select.
- You’ll have to confirm you want to proceed.
How do I connect my Nest to my phone?
How to connect to Nest Thermostat
Does Nest have to be connected to Wi-Fi?
Nest will function without a Wi-Fi connection. However, it cannot be used as a “Smart” thermostat and only as a regular thermostat. You can still control the HVAC systems using the thermostat interface. It might still be able to implement the schedule and settings that have been set.
Conclusion
Naturally, Nest offers an innovative line of smart cameras and video doorbells because they have the backing of a technology giant like Google. This ensures the best quality videos in HD as well as the most comprehensive protection via Wi-Fi-based smart surveillance.
However, like any other piece of technology, it still requires troubleshooting due to unavoidable glitches and bugs that might occur. This guide hopefully covers everything you need to know about Nest cam troubleshooting.
References
- “Google Nest“, Wikipedia, Retrieved March 6, 2022
- “Troubleshoot Nest camera and doorbell setup messages“, Google.com Support, Retrieved March 6, 2022
- “Troubleshooting when Nest Cam disconnects or is offline in the Nest app“, Amazon.com (PDF), Retrieved March 6, 2022
- “Troubleshoot offline Nest camera or doorbell“, Google.com Support, Retrieved March 6, 2022
