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Nest Detect disconnected or offline

If a Google Nest Detect is listed as offline on the Nest app, it has become disconnected from Google Nest Guard or Google Nest Connect. When a Nest Detect is offline it won’t be able to communicate activity in the room it’s in.

Before you begin

The Nest Detects in your home work a little differently than other Nest products do. Nest Detects don’t use Wi-Fi to communicate with the Nest Service. Instead, they talk directly to your Nest Guard. Your Nest Guard then uses Wi-Fi to send alerts and other information to the Nest app on your phone. So even if your home Wi-Fi goes down, your Nest Detects can still tell Nest Guard to sound the alarm (but you won’t get a notification on your phone unless you have a cellular backup).

Here are some things to keep in mind if your Nest Detect is offline:

  • If your Nest Detect can’t reach Nest Guard or Nest Connect, it will appear as “Offline” on the Nest app. 
  • As long as your Nest Detect is offline, it won’t be able to alert Nest Guard when a door or window is opened or closed, or when there’s motion in a room.
  • One Nest Detect being offline won’t affect the rest of the Nest Detects in your home. As long as the other Nest Detects are online and working normally, they’ll continue to sense activity and tell Nest Guard to sound the alarm if needed. 
  • If you’re using a Nest Connect to extend the range of your alarm system throughout your home, some of your Detects might talk to the Nest Connect instead. Your Nest Connect will then talk to your Nest Guard. So if both Nest Connect and Nest Detect appear as offline on the Nest app, you should troubleshoot Nest Connect first.

If your Nest Detect is offline, the steps below will help you troubleshoot.

If you’re having trouble with something else like adding your Detect to your account, refer to this link:

Troubleshoot other Wi-Fi and connection issues

Important: Beginning in late July 2022, Nest Hub Max will no longer be able to be used as a bridge or range extender for your Nest Detect. If your Nest Detect currently connects through a Nest Hub Max, it will go offline and become disconnected from Wi-Fi unless you use a Nest Connect or Nest Guard as your bridge instead.

Learn more about the change and how to keep your Nest Detect online

Troubleshoot Nest Detect offline

1. Make sure your Nest Guard is online 

Since Nest Detect needs Nest Guard to connect to the internet, check that your Nest Guard is online and in range of your Nest Detect.

If Nest Guard is offline, the Nest app will tell you. Refer to the following link to help get it back online:

Troubleshoot when Nest Guard is offline on the Nest app

Note: If Nest Guard is offline, then your Nest Detects will also appear as "Offline." Nest Guard can still sound the alarm if any of your Nest Detects senses activity, thanks to the Nest Weave network. But you won’t get an alert on your phone.

2. Check the status of the Nest service 

If the Nest service is down, all of your Nest products will be offline. You may also get the message: "The Nest service can’t be reached right now" on the Nest app.

Check the status of the Nest service

Wait for the Nest service to resume to check if your Nest Detect and other Nest products come back online.

3. Check your Nest app version 

Make sure you have the latest version of the Google Home app or Nest app to get the latest features and bug fixes.

Update Android apps 
Update iOS apps 

4. Update your Nest Guard software 

Since your Nest Detects connect to your Nest Guard, make sure your Nest Guard has the latest software. Press and hold the 2 button on your Nest Guard until you get a "Release to check for updates" message.

How to keep your Nest products up to date

5. Check your Nest Detect battery 

Push the button on your Nest Detect.

Your Nest Detect will light up to let you know its status. If everything is okay, your Nest Detect will glow blue or green.

If Nest Detect’s light is yellow, you can use the Nest app to check the battery level the last time your Nest Detect was connected.

How to check if Nest Detect's battery is low

If the battery level is low, replace the battery.

6. Restart your Nest Detect 

Restart your Nest Detect to refresh its connection.

Important: Don't reset your Nest Detect to factory defaults or you’ll have to remove it from your account and add it back again on the Nest app.

After you restart your Detect, check if your Detect is back online on the Nest app. Frequent disconnects are a sign of a poor connection between your Detect and your Guard or Connect.

7. Check the connection range 

An easy way to tell if you have a range issue is to set your system to Off Nest Guard off , unplug Nest Guard, and then temporarily plug it into an outlet closer to the Nest Detect that’s having the problem.

Wait a few minutes.

If your Nest Detect comes back online after you move Nest Guard closer, it means the spot you’ve chosen for your Nest Detect may have been too far away from Nest Guard’s original location.

Note: If you have a Nest Hub Max set up nearby, your Nest Detect may have used it to connect to Wi-Fi. Beginning in late July 2022, Nest Hub Max can no longer be used as a bridge for your Nest Detect to access Wi-Fi. You can use Nest Guard or Nest Connect instead. Learn more about this update.

There are a few ways to fix this issue. Choose the one that works best for you:

  • Move your Nest Guard back to its original spot, uninstall Nest Detect, and then install it somewhere closer to Guard.
  • Keep your Nest Guard in its new location. Just make sure that none of your other Nest Detects go offline after you move Nest Guard.
  • If you want to use your Nest Guard in its original location and keep your Nest Detect where it is, you can always purchase a Nest Connect to help extend the range of your system.

Note: Make sure your Nest Detect is installed correctly and attached to the backplate. If you’re not sure, try to remove it from the backplate and then reattach it.

8. Look for sources of interference 

Even if your Nest Detect is in range of your Nest Guard, something may be interfering with the connection.

Draw an imaginary straight line between your Nest Detect and Nest Guard. Any time the line between your Nest Detect and Nest Guard is blocked by something, it might cause interference.

Thick walls, furniture, appliances, and other electronics can reduce the range your Nest Detect can connect to your Nest Guard.

Try to install your Nest Detect closer to your Nest Guard.

You can also move your Nest Guard closer so it can connect to your Nest Detect, or purchase a Nest Connect to extend the range of your Nest Guard.

9. Reset your Nest Detect to factory defaults 

After you’ve ruled out interference, try to reset your Nest Detect to factory defaults. You’ll need to add your Nest Detect back to your account on the Nest app after.

Important: You should double check the previous troubleshooting steps before resetting your Nest Detect. When you reset your Nest Detect, it will remove all of your settings and history.

If none of the troubleshooting steps mentioned above works for you, you can purchase a Nest Connect to help extend the range of your alarm system throughout your home.

Learn more about Nest Connect

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