In general, you should charge the Google Nest Cam (battery) or Nest Doorbell (battery) with the included USB cable whenever the battery is low.
But if your Nest camera or doorbell gets a low battery more often than you expect, or isn't charging when connected to power, try these steps to troubleshoot.
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This article only applies to the following devices: |
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Nest Doorbell (battery) |
Nest Cam (battery) |
Expected battery life
Battery life will depend on factors including 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 - About 1 month battery life (about 25 - 30 recorded events per day)
- Typical - About 2.5 months battery life (about 13 - 16 recorded events per day)
- Quiet - About 6 months battery life (about 2 - 5 recorded events per day)
Nest Cam (battery)
- Busy - About 1.5 months battery life (about 20 - 25 recorded events per day)
- Typical - About 3 months battery life (about 9 - 12 recorded events per day)
- Quiet - About 7 months battery life (about 2 - 4 recorded events per day)
Battery charge time
Battery charge time depends on several factors, including ambient temperature and the state and condition of the battery.
Important: The battery won't charge at temperatures below 32°F (0°C), and will only charge slowly at temperatures close to freezing.
Learn about cold weather battery charging behavior in Nest cameras and doorbells.
Nest Doorbell (battery)
Typical: It takes approximately five hours to fully charge the battery using a compatible 7.5W AC adapter (sold separately).
Nest Cam (battery)
Typical: It takes approximately five hours to fully charge the battery using the provided 7.5W AC adapter and charge cable.
- If you charge your camera as needed, the camera’s view will show the battery charge percentage.
- If you keep your Nest Cam (battery) connected to a compatible USB cable for continuous power, you’ll see the ∞ symbol on the camera’s battery info in the app.
If your camera or doorbell is installed without wires
- Try our tips to save battery for your camera or doorbell.
- If you still have to 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 will run off the power from the outlet, so it won't need battery power as long as the outlet is working.
- Your doorbell always uses battery power. The power from the outlet gradually charges your doorbell's battery, so you won't have to manually charge it as often.
- Connect your doorbell to the doorbell system wires. This will use low voltage to gradually charge your doorbell's battery.
- Connect your camera to the solar panel. This will use low voltage to gradually charge your camera's battery.
- Connect your camera or doorbell to a power outlet with the included or optional power adapter.
If your camera or doorbell is plugged into a power outlet
- Plug in your camera or doorbell with either the included power adapter, a compatible Google power adapter (sold separately), or a Made for Google power adapter (sold separately). Other third-party power adapters might send too little or too much power to your device, which can cause battery issues.
Note: The power adapter included with the Nest Cam (battery) is not weatherproof and not intended for outdoor use.
- Check that the power cable (camera) or indoor power adapter (doorbell) is properly plugged into the power outlet and properly connected to the camera or doorbell. The charging cable should sit flush when connected to your camera. The pins on the camera stand or cable should also be in contact with the pads on the camera.
- Check that the power outlet is sending power. You can test this by plugging another device into the outlet.
- If the device doesn't charge or turn on, you might have to contact an electrician to fix the issue or use another power outlet.
- Check that the power cable (camera) or indoor power adapter (doorbell) is working properly. You can test this by plugging it into another, working power outlet.
- If your camera or doorbell doesn't turn on or charge, you might need to replace the cable or power adapter.
- If you need more help keeping your camera or doorbell charged, go to our Save battery for Nest cameras and doorbells article.
If your doorbell is wired to the doorbell system
Important: The doorbell's battery charges to 100% the first time you charge it. To help prolong the life of the battery, it will only charge to 80% if the doorbell is wired to the doorbell system. Before you install your doorbell, you can use the USB cable to charge the battery above 80%. However, after the doorbell is wired to the system, the battery will drop down to 80% and stay at that level or below.
- If you recently installed your doorbell, make sure that the power for your doorbell system is switched back on at the breaker box.
- Check that the wire ends are clean and wrapped securely around the screws on the back of your doorbell. You may need to tighten the wire screws a bit.
- Make sure the ends of the wires don't touch each other or the base plate. Trim the wire ends and bend them if needed.
- If you need more help keeping your camera or doorbell charged, go to our Save battery for Nest cameras and doorbells article.
"Battery issue" message
If you see a message that says “Device offline due to battery issues”, contact Google Support for more help.