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Nest camera and doorbell lights and sounds

Your Google Nest camera or doorbell lights let you know what’s happening or if there’s a problem. Each pattern and color combination, like solid green or pulsing blue, has its own meaning. Your camera or doorbell will also play audible tones for important things like when you reset or connect to Wi-Fi.

Nest camera and doorbell lights

What the lights mean

Google Nest Doorbell (battery)

Your doorbell has 2 different lights that indicate what state it's in:

  • A small status light above the camera
  • A large light ring around the doorbell button

Everyday use

Light

What it means

Status light is solid green

Everything is working normally

Your Nest doorbell is turned on, connected to Wi-Fi network, and is processing images in its view.

Your doorbell could be recording activity and saving it to the cloud, or it could be using local storage to record and save video if it's offline.

Status light pulses green

A live doorbell interaction is being used

Someone is watching your doorbell's video live stream, is using Talk and Listen or quick actions.

Status light is off

This can be caused by one of the following reasons:

  • Your doorbell is idle and not detecting activity, streaming video or recording video.
  • Your doorbell was turned off manually, with a schedule or when your home automatically switched to Home.
  • Your doorbell is offline and can't detect activity or record video.
  • Your doorbell's battery is dead or not receiving power.
  • Your doorbell failed to update its software.

Light ring pulses white

Doorbell sensed motion

The light ring will pulse white when your doorbell detects motion, like a visitor coming into view of the camera.

Light ring spins

Waiting for a response

The light ring on the doorbell will spin after a visitor presses the doorbell button and is waiting for a response.

Setup

Light What it means

Status light pulses white

Starting up

The status light will pulse white when it's starting up. Your doorbell will also play a tone when this happens.

Status light pulses blue

Ready to connect

The status light will pulse blue when the doorbell is ready to connect.

 

 

 

 

Trying to connect

The status light will pulse slightly faster when it's trying to connect to the app and Wi-Fi network.

Status light blinks white

Successfully connected

Your doorbell has successfully connected. Your doorbell will also play a confirmation tone when this happens.

Status light pulses white

Software update

Your doorbell is downloading a software update.

Status light blinks yellow 10 times

Failed to connect

Your doorbell wasn't able to connect successfully. Your doorbell will also play a warning tone when this happens.

Charging

Light What it means

Status light pulses white

Charging

The status light will pulse white when your doorbell is charging with the USB cable.

Status light is solid white

Fully charged

When your doorbell is connected to the USB charging cable, the status light will appear solid white when your doorbell is completely charged.

Status light slowly blinks yellow

Battery issue

There's an issue with the battery, and your doorbell might not be able to operate.

Restart

Light What it means

Status light turns off and then solid white

Restarting

When you press and release the restart or reset button, your doorbell's status light will turn off, and then turn solid white after a few moments. Your doorbell will automatically restart.

Status light pulses blue

Ready to connect

If your doorbell restarts and is not already connected to the app and Wi-Fi network, the status light will pulse blue when it's ready to connect.

Factory reset

Light What it means

Status light turns off and then solid white

Restarting

When you press and hold the restart or reset button at first, your doorbell will restart as normal. The status light will turn off, and then turn solid white after a few seconds.

You'll need to keep holding the restart or reset button to factory reset.

Status light blinks yellow 4 times

Countdown to factory reset

As you continue to hold the restart or reset button, your doorbell will count down to its factory reset and the status light will blink yellow. Your doorbell will also play a countdown tone.

Status light is solid yellow

Factory reset has started

The status light will appear solid yellow when the factory reset has begun. Your doorbell will also play a tone to confirm the factory reset.

Status light turns off and then solid green

Camera is recording

This happens if someone presses and holds the restart or reset button while your doorbell is recording video. Here's what to expect:

  1. The status light will turn off as your doorbell restarts.
  2. When the status light turns solid green again, your doorbell will continue recording video as it plays the countdown tone to factory reset.
  3. Another tone will play to confirm that the factory reset has begun.

Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen)

Your doorbell has 2 different lights that indicate what state it's in:

  • A small status light below the camera
  • A large light ring around the doorbell button

Everyday use

Light

What it means

Status light is solid green

Everything is working normally

Your Nest doorbell is turned on, connected to Wi-Fi network, and is processing images in its view.

Your doorbell could be recording activity and saving it to the cloud, or it could be using local storage to record and save video if it's offline.

Status light pulses green

A live doorbell interaction is being used

Someone is watching your doorbell's video live stream, is using Talk and Listen or quick actions.

Status light is off

This can be caused by one of the following reasons:

  • Your doorbell is idle and not detecting activity, streaming video or recording video.
  • Your doorbell was turned off manually, with a schedule or when your home automatically switched to Home.
  • Your doorbell is offline and can't detect activity or record video.
  • Your doorbell failed to update its software.

Light ring pulses white

Doorbell sensed motion

The light ring will pulse white when your doorbell detects motion, like a visitor coming into view of the camera.

Light ring spins

Waiting for a response

The light ring on the doorbell will spin after a visitor presses the doorbell button and is waiting for a response.

Setup

Light What it means

Status light pulses white

Starting up

The status light will pulse white when it's starting up. Your doorbell will also play a tone when this happens.

Status light slowly pulses blue

Ready to connect

The status light will pulse blue when the doorbell is ready to connect.

 

 

 


Status light pulses blue

Trying to connect

The status light will pulse slightly faster when it's trying to connect to the app and Wi-Fi network.

Status light blinks white

Successfully connected

Your doorbell has successfully connected. Your doorbell will also play a confirmation tone when this happens.

Status light pulses white

Software update

Your doorbell is downloading a software update.

Status light slowly blinks yellow

Insufficient power

Your doorbell isn't getting enough power. You may need to upgrade your transformer to one that is rated for 16-24 V AC, 10-40 VA to provide enough power to your doorbell.

Restart

Light What it means

Status light turns off and then solid white

Restarting

When you press and release the restart or reset button, your doorbell's status light will turn off, and then turn solid white after a few moments. Your doorbell will automatically restart.

Status light pulses blue

Ready to connect

If your doorbell restarts and is not already connected to the app and Wi-Fi network, the status light will pulse blue when it's ready to connect.

Factory reset

Light What it means

Status light turns off and then solid white

Restarting

When you press and hold the restart or reset button at first, your doorbell will restart as normal. The status light will turn off, and then turn solid white after a few seconds.

You'll need to keep holding the restart or reset button to factory reset.

 

Status light blinks yellow 4 times

Countdown to factory reset

As you continue to hold the restart or reset button, your doorbell will count down to its factory reset and the status light will blink yellow. Your doorbell will also play a countdown tone.

Status light is solid yellow

Factory reset has started

The status light will appear solid yellow when the factory reset has begun. Your doorbell will also play a tone to confirm the factory reset.

Status light turns off and then solid green

Camera is recording

This happens if someone presses and holds the restart or reset button while your doorbell is recording video. Here's what to expect:

  1. The status light will turn off as your doorbell restarts.
  2. When the status light turns solid green again, your doorbell will continue recording video as it plays the countdown tone to factory reset.
  3. Another tone will play to confirm that the factory reset has begun.

Google Nest Doorbell (wired)

Your doorbell has 2 different lights that indicate what state it's in:

  • A small status light above the camera
  • A large light ring around the doorbell button

Power and connectivity

Light What it means

Status light is solid green

Everything is working normally

Your Nest doorbell is turned on, connected to a Wi-Fi network, and can stream video.

Status light is off

Light ring is either dim or off

The camera sensor is off

Your doorbell's's status light is off if its camera sensor is off. This could mean that one of the following is true:

Nest cam yellow blinking light

Light ring blinks yellow

Insufficient power

Your doorbell is connected to power, but doesn't have enough electric current to operate normally. Check the voltage.

Blinking yellow light on Nest doorbell

Setup and connection to the app

Light What it means

blue pulse light

Light ring pulses blue

Ready to be connected to the Nest app

Your doorbell is ready and waiting for your input in the app.

blue rotating light

Light ring spins blue

Currently connecting to the Nest app

Nest is processing information and establishing a connection between the app and your doorbell.

green pulse light

Light ring pulses green once

Successfully connected to the Nest app

Your doorbell has successfully connected to the app and is now ready for use.


yellow pulse light

Light ring blinks yellow 5 times

Trouble connecting

As you set up your Nest doorbell for the first time, you might find this light if your video doorbell can't connect to the Nest service or complete setup.

Go to the app and check if there's an error message or something else you need to address.

Troubleshoot Nest doorbell issues

Lights during day-to-day use

Light What it means
white pulse light

Light ring pulses white

Person at your door

Your doorbell has detected a person at your door.

blue rotating light

Light ring spins blue

Doorbell button pressed and waiting for owner's response

Someone has pressed the doorbell button and it's waiting for someone to respond.

nest hello red light

Red lights above doorbell button

Night Vision is on

You may notice these lights are only on at night. It just means Night Vision is on. These infrared lights help your camera see so that you have a better view of what's happening.

You can always turn off Night Vision in your camera's settings.

Google Nest Cam (wired)

Everyday use

Light

What it means

Status light is solid green

Everything is working normally

Your camera is turned on, connected to Wi-Fi, and is processing images in its view.

Your camera could be recording activity and saving it to the cloud, or it could be using local storage to record and save video if it's offline.

Status light pulses green

A live camera interaction is being used

Someone is watching your camera's video live stream, is using Talk and Listen or quick actions.

Status light is off

This can be caused by one of the following reasons:

Status light slowly blinks yellow

The power adapter plugged into your camera has incorrect wattage.

Keep in mind that some third-party power adapters might not be compatible with your camera. Your camera needs a 7.5 W USB-A power cable to stay powered and work properly.

Setup

Light

What it means

Status light pulses white

Starting up

The status light will pulse white when your camera is starting up. Your camera will also play a start tone when this happens.

Status light pulses blue

Ready to connect

The status light will pulse blue when your camera is ready to connect.

 

 

 

 

Trying to connect

The status light will pulse slightly faster when your camera is trying to connect to the app and Wi-Fi network.

Status light blinks white

Successfully connected

Your camera has successfully connected. It will also play a confirmation tone when this happens.

Status light pulses white

Software update

Your camera is downloading a software update.

Status light quickly blinks yellow

Failed to connect

Your camera wasn't able to connect successfully. It will also play a warning tone when this happens.

Restart

Light

What it means

Status light turns off and then solid white

Restarting

When you press and release the restart or reset button, your camera's status light will turn off, and then turn solid white after a few moments. Your camera will automatically restart.

Status light pulses blue

Ready to connect

If your camera is not yet connected to the app and Wi-Fi network, the status light will pulse blue when the camera is ready to connect.

Factory reset

Light

What it means

Status light turns off and then solid white

Restarting

When you press and hold the restart or reset button at first, your camera will restart as normal. The status light will turn off, and then turn solid white after a few seconds.

You'll need to keep holding the restart or reset button to factory reset.

Status light quickly blinks yellow

Countdown to factory reset

As you continue to hold the restart or reset button, your camera will count down to its factory reset and the status light will blink yellow. Your camera will also play a countdown tone.

Status light is solid yellow

Factory reset has started

The status light will appear solid yellow when the factory reset has begun. Your camera will also play a tone to confirm the factory reset.

Status light turns off and then solid green

Camera is recording

This happens if someone presses and holds the restart or reset button while your camera is recording video. Here's what to expect:

  1. The status light will turn off as your camera restarts.
  2. When the status light turns solid green again, your camera will continue recording video as it plays the countdown tone to factory reset.
  3. Another tone will play to confirm that the factory reset has begun.

Nest Cam with floodlight

Everyday use

Light What it means

Status light is solid green

Everything is working normally

Your camera is turned on, connected to Wi-Fi, and is processing images in its view.

Your camera could be recording activity and saving it to the cloud, or it could be using local storage to record and save video if it's offline.

Status light pulses green

A live camera interaction is being used

Someone is watching your camera's video live stream, is using Talk and Listen or quick actions.

Status light is off

This can be caused by one of the following reasons:

Setup

Light What it means

Status light pulses white

Starting up

The status light will pulse white when your camera is starting up. Your camera will also play a start tone when this happens.

Status light pulses blue

Ready to connect

The status light will pulse blue when your camera is ready to connect.

 

 

 

Trying to connect

The status light will pulse slightly faster when your camera is trying to connect to the app and Wi-Fi network.

Status light blinks white

Successfully connected

Your camera has successfully connected. It will also play a confirmation tone when this happens.

Status light pulses white

Software update

Your camera is downloading a software update.

Status light quickly blinks yellow

Failed to connect

Your camera wasn't able to connect successfully. It will also play a warning tone when this happens.

Charging

Light What it means

Status light pulses white

Charging

The status light will pulse white when your camera is charging with the USB cable.

Status light is solid white

Fully charged

When your camera is connected to the USB charging cable, the status light will appear solid white when your camera is completely charged.

Status light is solid yellow

Battery issue

There's an issue with the battery, and your camera might not be able to operate.

Restart

Light What it means

Status light turns off and then solid white

Restarting

When you press and release the restart or reset button, your camera's status light will turn off, and then turn solid white after a few moments. Your camera will automatically restart.

Status light pulses blue

Ready to connect

If your camera is not yet connected to the app and Wi-Fi network, the status light will pulse blue when the camera is ready to connect.

Factory reset

Light What it means

Status light turns off and then solid white

Restarting

When you press and hold the restart or reset button at first, your camera will restart as normal. The status light will turn off, and then turn solid white after a few seconds.

You'll need to keep holding the restart or reset button to factory reset.

Status light quickly blinks yellow

Countdown to factory reset

As you continue to hold the restart or reset button, your camera will count down to its factory reset and the status light will blink yellow. Your camera will also play a countdown tone.

Status light is solid yellow

Factory reset has started

The status light will appear solid yellow when the factory reset has begun. Your camera will also play a tone to confirm the factory reset.

Status light turns off and then solid green

Camera is recording

This happens if someone presses and holds the restart or reset button while your camera is recording video. Here's what to expect:

  1. The status light will turn off as your camera restarts.
  2. When the status light turns solid green again, your camera will continue to record video as it plays the countdown tone to factory reset.
  3. Another tone will play to confirm that the factory reset has begun.

Google Nest Cam (battery)

Everyday use

Light What it means

Status light is solid green

Everything is working normally

Your camera is turned on, connected to Wi-Fi, and is processing images in its view.

Your camera could be recording activity and saving it to the cloud, or it could be using local storage to record and save video if it's offline.

Status light pulses green

A live camera interaction is being used

Someone is watching your camera's video live stream, is using Talk and Listen or quick actions.

Status light is off

This can be caused by one of the following reasons:

Setup

Light What it means

Status light pulses white

Starting up

The status light will pulse white when your camera is starting up. Your camera will also play a start tone when this happens.

Status light pulses blue

Ready to connect

The status light will pulse blue when your camera is ready to connect.

Trying to connect

The status light will pulse slightly faster when your camera is trying to connect to the app and Wi-Fi network.

Status light blinks white

Successfully connected

Your camera has successfully connected. It will also play a confirmation tone when this happens.

Status light pulses white

Software update

Your camera is downloading a software update.

Status light quickly blinks yellow

Failed to connect

Your camera wasn't able to connect successfully. It will also play a warning tone when this happens.

Charging

Light What it means

Status light pulses white

Charging

The status light will pulse white when your camera is charging with the USB cable.

Status light is solid white

Fully charged

When your camera is connected to the USB charging cable, the status light will appear solid white when your camera is completely charged.

Status light is solid yellow

Battery issue

There's an issue with the battery, and your camera might not be able to operate.

Restart

Light What it means

Status light turns off and then solid white

Restarting

When you press and release the restart or reset button, your camera's status light will turn off, and then turn solid white after a few moments. Your camera will automatically restart.

Status light pulses blue

Ready to connect

If your camera is not yet connected to the app and Wi-Fi network, the status light will pulse blue when the camera is ready to connect.

Factory reset

Light What it means

Status light turns off and then solid white

Restarting

When you press and hold the restart or reset button at first, your camera will restart as normal. The status light will turn off, and then turn solid white after a few seconds.

You'll need to keep holding the restart or reset button to factory reset.

Status light quickly blinks yellow

Countdown to factory reset

As you continue to hold the restart or reset button, your camera will count down to its factory reset and the status light will blink yellow. Your camera will also play a countdown tone.

Status light is solid yellow

Factory reset has started

The status light will appear solid yellow when the factory reset has begun. Your camera will also play a tone to confirm the factory reset.

Status light turns off and then solid green

Camera is recording

This happens if someone presses and holds the restart or reset button while your camera is recording video. Here's what to expect:

  1. The status light will turn off as your camera restarts.
  2. When the status light turns solid green again, your camera will continue to record video as it plays the countdown tone to factory reset.
  3. Another tone will play to confirm that the factory reset has begun.

Google Nest Cam IQ Indoor and Outdoor

Your camera has 2 different lights that can help you figure out what's going on:

  • A small status light
  • A large light ring around the lens

They light up in different patterns and colors to tell you what your camera is doing.

Light What it means

Status light is solid green

Everything is working normally

Your Nest camera is turned on, connected to Wi-Fi, and is streaming video.

The light ring won't light up.

Status light slowly pulses green

Watching live video

Someone is watching your camera's live video stream with the app, a device like the Nest Hub, or a 3rd party connection like Alexa Show.

The light ring won't light up.

Note: There's an exception. The camera's light won't pulse green if you use an Android phone's cellular data connection (not Wi-Fi) to stream video in the Nest app's Spaces view.
blue pulse light

Light ring pulses blue

Ready to be connected to the app

Your camera is ready and waiting for your input in the Nest app.

yellow pulse light

Light ring blinks yellow 5 times

Trouble connecting

When you set up your camera for the first time, this light will appear if the camera can't connect to the Nest service or can't complete setup. Go the the app and check if there's an error message or something else you need to address.

Troubleshoot Nest camera and doorbell error messages
red blink light

Light ring blinks red

Insufficient power

Your camera is plugged in but there's not enough power for it to work correctly. Try an outlet with more power. Don't plug your camera into an external battery pack.

No status light and no
light ring

There are 2 possible reasons your camera's lights are off:

The camera is turned off

When your camera isn't streaming video, its status light is off. The camera can be turned off manually, with a schedule, or when your home automatically switches to Home.

The camera isn't receiving power

The power cable is disconnected or the outlet it's plugged into isn't receiving power.

Google Nest Cam Indoor and Outdoor

Light What it means

Solid green

Everything is working normally

Your Nest camera is turned on, connected to a Wi-Fi network, and is streaming video.
solid blue status light

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 status light

Solid red

LED isn't working properly

If there's a solid red status light, it means the LED isn't working properly. Contact Nest Support for help.

Pulses green

Watching live video

Someone is watching your camera's live video stream with the Nest app, a device like the Nest Hub, or a 3rd party connection like Alexa Show.

The light ring won't light up.

Note: There's an exception. The camera's light won't blink green if you use an Android phone's cellular data connection (not Wi-Fi) to stream video in the app's Spaces view.

No light

There are 2 possible reasons your camera's lights are off:

The camera is turned off

When your camera isn't streaming video, its status light will be off. The camera can be turned off manually, with a schedule, or when your home automatically switches to Home.

It isn't receiving power

The power cable is disconnected or the outlet it's plugged into isn't receiving power.

Change light settings

Change the status light brightness

Use the app you use to control your camera or doorbell to change the brightness of its status light.

Note: This feature isn't available on Dropcams.

The Home app

  1. Open the Home app Google Home app.
  2. Tap and hold your device's tile.
  3. Tap Settings .
  4. Select Video.
  5. Under "Status light brightness," choose High, Auto, or Low.

The Nest app

  1. Open the Nest app Nest app.
  2. On the home screen, tap your camera.
  3. Tap Settings Nest settings icon.
  4. Select Status light. Then choose Low, High or Auto.

Nest camera and doorbell sounds

All Nest cameras and doorbells have sounds that help you know what's happening (for example, when it restarts). Most of these sounds cannot be changed in settings.

Depending on which Nest camera or doorbell you have, you can turn off the tone it plays when you use Talk and Listen, and turn it back on whenever you like.

In addition, depending on which Nest doorbell you have, you can change different indoor chime settings.

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