Troubleshoot low battery issues for Nest cameras and doorbells

Charge the Google Nest Cam (battery) or Nest Doorbell (battery) with the included USB cable whenever the battery is low.

If your Nest camera or doorbell frequently has a low battery or doesn't charge when connected to power, follow these troubleshooting steps.

This article only applies to the following devices:
Nest Doorbell (battery)	Nest Cam (battery)

Understand expected battery life

Battery life depends on several factors. These factors include activity, temperature, and selected camera settings. You can extend the battery life of your camera by adjusting video quality, length of video clips, time between recorded events, and using activity zones to monitor specific areas.

Here are some typical scenarios.

Nest Doorbell (battery)

• Busy: Battery life lasts about 1 month, with 25-30 recorded events each day.
• Typical: Battery life lasts about 2.5 months, with 13-16 recorded events each day.
• Quiet: Battery life lasts about 6 months, with 2-5 recorded events each day.

Nest Cam (battery)

• Busy: Battery life lasts about 1.5 months, with 20-25 recorded events each day.
• Typical: Battery life lasts about 3 months, with 9-12 recorded events each day.
• Quiet: Battery life lasts about 7 months, with 2-4 recorded events each day.

Battery charge time

Battery charge time depends on several factors such as:

• Ambient temperature
• Battery's state
• Battery’s condition

Important: The battery won't charge at temperatures below 32°F (0°C), and will only charge slowly at temperatures close to freezing. Learn more about cold weather battery charging behavior in Nest cameras and doorbells.

Nest Doorbell (battery)

It typically takes 5 hours to fully charge the battery. Use a compatible 7.5W AC adapter, which is sold separately.

The doorbell's battery charges completely the first time you charge it. To extend battery life, it charges up to 80% when tethered. Before installation, use the USB cord to charge the battery above 80%.

Nest Cam (battery)

It typically takes 5 hours to fully charge the battery with the provided 7.5W AC adapter and charge cable.

The camera's battery charges to 100% the first time you charge it. To help prolong your camera's battery life, it will charge up to 80% if it’s connected to a continuous power source during use.

Before you install your camera, use the USB cable to charge the battery above 80%. However, after setup and connection to a power source, the battery will drop to 80% and stay at that level or below.

• Battery display: Shows the battery percentage when you charge your camera.
• Continuous power : Appears in the camera's battery information within the app when you connect your Nest Cam (battery) to a USB cable for continuous power.

If your camera or doorbell is installed wirelessly

1. Save battery: Try these tips to save your battery for your camera or doorbell.
2. Charge battery: If you still charge the battery more often than you'd like, connect your camera or doorbell to one of the following power sources:
   • Connect your camera or doorbell to a power outlet with the included or optional power adapter.
     • Your camera runs off outlet power. It doesn’t need battery power if the outlet works.
     • Your doorbell always uses battery power. Outlet power gradually charges its battery. You won’t need to manually charge it often.
   • Connect your doorbell to the doorbell system wires. This uses low-voltage to gradually charge your doorbell's battery.
   • Solar panel: Connect your camera to a Wasserstein solar panel. This uses low-voltage to gradually charge your camera's battery.

If your camera or doorbell is plugged into a power outlet

1. Adapter use: Use the included power adapter to plug in your camera or doorbell. A compatible Google or Made-for-Google power adapter (sold separately) also works. Other third-party power adapters might send too little or too much power, which can cause battery issues.
   • The Nest Cam (battery) power adapter is not weatherproof. It’s not intended for outdoor use.
2. Check connections: Ensure the camera's power cable or doorbell's indoor power adapter is securely plugged into both the outlet and the device. The charging cable should be flush with the camera, with pins on the stand or cable making proper contact with the camera pads.
3. Contact an electrician: If the device fails to charge or turn on, contact an electrician. You may require a new outlet or repairs.
4. Test power cable: Check the power cable or indoor-power adapter. Test by plugging it into another working power outlet.
   1. New cable or adapter: you may need a new cable or power adapter if your camera or doorbell does not turn on or charge.
5. More help: For more information, refer to Save battery for Nest cameras and doorbells.

If your doorbell is wired to the doorbell system

Important: The doorbell's battery charges completely the first time you charge it. To extend battery life, it charges only to 80% when tethered. Before installation, use the USB cord to charge the battery above 80%.

After wiring, the battery drops to 80% or below.

1. Check power: If you recently installed your doorbell, ensure you switch the power for your doorbell system back on at the breaker box.
2. Inspect wires: Check that the wire ends are clean and wrapped securely around the screws on your doorbell's back. You may need to tighten the wire screws a bit.
3. Prevent contact: Make sure the ends of the wires do not touch each other or the base plate. Trim the wire ends and bend them if needed.
4. More help: For more information, refer to Save battery for Nest cameras and doorbells.

Address "Battery issue" message

If you see a message that says “Device offline due to battery issues”, contact Google Support for more help.

Troubleshoot power notifications on your Nest Cam (battery)

Your camera might go into insufficient power mode at night due to infrared LEDs increasing the device’s power requirements. Your device will automatically resume continuous recording during the day when power is sufficient.

If you receive an insufficient power notification, you need to check the power source of your Nest Cam (battery).

Check your camera’s physical connection

Unplug the power adapter and remove any debris or corrosion on the power cable pins or the power pads on the camera. Reconnect the cable and ensure you insert it properly, as placing it upside down will cause no power to flow.

Use a compatible charging cable

• Indoors: Use the charging cable and the power adapter included with your camera.
• Outdoors: Use a weatherproof cable. This is available in 5 and 10 meters and is sold separately.

Understand how your camera charges and records

• Wired: Both continuous video recording and event-based recording are available. Your wire-powered camera stops charging at 80%.
• Battery-powered: Your camera enables event-based recording and disables continuous video recording.
• Trickle: This charges the battery, whenever you connect the camera to solar power or doorbell wiring or if there’s an insufficient power source.

Clean your camera

In general, you should clean your Nest camera as you would with any other complex electronic device.

If you notice debris or corrosion on the power pins or pads, unplug the adapter before you clean them. After reinstalling the camera, make sure the power cable connector is facing downwards to prevent additional debris.

Tips:

• Use a soft, lint-free cloth. Do not use paper towels, tissues, or rags to clean your camera. These materials can leave lint behind and can even scratch lens coatings.
• Do not clean your camera with rubbing alcohol, glass cleaners for windows and mirrors, or other household cleaners. These cleaning fluids might contain harsh chemicals and can leave behind residue.
• Do not submerge your camera in water or any other liquid.

Outdoor cameras

Over time, your camera may collect dust, pollen, water spots, and other types of debris from its outdoor environment.

Clean the lens

1. Hold your camera in place and gently wipe your camera’s lens with a soft, lint-free cloth. You can use compressed air to blow off dust and particles.
2. If there are water spots or other materials on the lens, you can moisten a soft cloth with water and gently wipe the lens. You can also use a drop of cleaning solution that’s made for cameras, eyeglasses, and other optics.

Clean the body, pogo pads, and pogo pins

Important: Only use compressed air to clean your camera’s USB or USB-C connections.

Although outdoor Nest cameras are built to withstand the elements, do not spray one with a high-pressure hose. Wipe it down with a soft cloth after cleaning to prevent water spots that can obstruct your camera’s view.

1. Unplug your camera from the power outlet.
2. Moisten a soft cloth with water and a little dish soap.
3. While holding your camera in place with one hand, gently wipe the surface with a cloth. Be careful not to get any soap on the lens.
4. Rinse the cloth and wipe down the surfaces again to remove any remaining soap.
5. Plug your camera back in.

Clean and remove water from the magnetic connector

1. Disconnect any accessories, such as a camera stand, that are connected to your camera.
2. Use a dry cloth or a cotton swab to absorb the water present in the magnetic connector area until dry.
3. Use the same method to clean the connector of any camera accessory before you reattach it.