Google Nest Cameras Not Connecting or Recording

Understanding the Issue

The Google Nest Cam with Floodlight is a hardwired outdoor camera with integrated flood lighting. When the camera stops connecting to Wi-Fi or fails to record events, the issue may stem from power supply problems, network connectivity, Nest Aware subscription status, or configuration settings.

Common Causes

• Wi-Fi signal is too weak at the outdoor mounting location
• The circuit breaker or wall switch controlling the camera's power has tripped or been turned off
• The Nest Aware subscription has expired, disabling event video history
• Activity Zones are misconfigured, causing events to be missed
• Wiring connections at the junction box are loose or corroded
• The camera firmware needs an update
• A recent Wi-Fi password or router change disconnected the camera

Step 1: Check Power Supply

1. Verify the circuit breaker for the outdoor junction box has not tripped. Reset it if necessary.
2. If the camera was installed on a switch-controlled circuit, ensure the wall switch is in the on position. Some homeowners accidentally turn off the camera by using the light switch.
3. Check for the camera's status LED. If no LED is visible, the camera is not receiving power.
4. If the camera was recently installed, turn off the breaker and verify the wire connections at the junction box. Black to black (hot), white to white (neutral), and green to green or bare copper (ground). Tighten all wire nuts securely.

Step 2: Check Wi-Fi Connection

1. Open the Google Home app and select the Nest Cam with Floodlight.
2. If the camera shows as Offline, it has lost its network connection.
3. Test Wi-Fi signal at the camera's mounting location by standing near it with your phone. If your phone's signal is weak, the camera will also struggle.
4. Improve outdoor Wi-Fi coverage by adding a mesh Wi-Fi node near the closest exterior wall, or by positioning a range extender strategically.
5. The camera supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. The 2.4 GHz band typically provides better range for outdoor devices.
6. If the Wi-Fi password or router was recently changed, you will need to reset the camera and set it up again with the new credentials.

Step 3: Restart the Camera

1. Turn off the circuit breaker for the camera's circuit for 30 seconds, then turn it back on.
2. Wait three to five minutes for the camera to fully boot and reconnect to Wi-Fi.
3. Check the Google Home app for a live camera feed.
4. If the camera does not reconnect, try the restart from the Google Home app: select the camera, go to Settings, and choose Restart.

Step 4: Verify Recording and Nest Aware Status

1. In the Google Home app, check whether the camera's event timeline shows recent recordings.
2. Without a Nest Aware subscription, the camera only retains 3 hours of event-based video. Events older than 3 hours will not be available.
3. Verify your subscription status by going to Google Home app > Settings > Nest Aware.
4. If your subscription has lapsed, renew it to restore 30-day (Nest Aware) or 60-day (Nest Aware Plus) video history.

Step 5: Check Activity Zones and Alert Settings

1. In the Google Home app, go to the camera's Settings > Activity Zones.
2. Verify that the zones cover the areas you want to monitor. If zones are too small or misplaced, the camera may not trigger recordings for events outside those zones.
3. Check Notification settings and ensure alerts are enabled for the event types you care about (people, vehicles, animals, packages).
4. If you are receiving too many false alerts from the floodlights triggering on wind-blown objects, adjust the motion sensitivity or narrow the Activity Zones.

Step 6: Update Firmware

1. In the Google Home app, go to the camera's Settings > Device Information and check the firmware version.
2. The camera updates automatically when connected to power and Wi-Fi. Ensure it remains online for several hours to allow pending updates to install.

Step 7: Factory Reset

1. If the camera remains problematic, perform a factory reset by pressing and holding the reset button on the back of the camera for about 12 seconds until the LED flashes.
2. Remove the camera from the Google Home app.
3. Set it up again as a new device, reconfiguring Wi-Fi, Activity Zones, floodlight settings, and alert preferences.

Additional Tips

• The floodlight brightness can be adjusted in the Google Home app. If the lights are too bright or too dim, go to the camera settings and adjust the floodlight intensity.
• Motion-activated floodlights may not trigger during daytime due to the built-in ambient light sensor. This is normal behavior.
• If you have multiple Nest cameras, all of them share a single Nest Aware subscription. You do not need separate subscriptions for each camera.