By John Mazzuca | About | More Posts |
John Mazzuca is a custom home builder with over 25 years experience in the construction industry. John has designed, managed, and built hundreds of homes & construction projects.
Why Google Nest Doorbell Won’t Connect To WiFi
Google Nest Doorbell is one of the best video doorbells on the market. It has a sleek modern design, is easy to install and available either wired or battery powered. This makes it a great option for both homes and apartments. Nest has all the standard features you’d expect from a video doorbell, like real-time live video, two-way talk and notifications sent to your smart-phone. Because Nest is a video doorbell/smart device, it needs internet and WiFi to function properly. All the controls and interactions with the device are done through a smartphone or similar smart device. Without WiFi, a Nest loses all of its core features and functionality. There are quite a few reasons why Google Nest Doorbell won’t connect to WiFi and most are very easy to fix.
The most common reason why a Google Nest Doorbell won’t connect to WiFi is being out of range. If you can’t find your WiFi network in the app during setup, it might be too far from your router. Try moving the router closer to the Nest or using a WiFi extender to boost the signal. If you place doorbell too close to the router during setup, it can also cause connection problems so keep it a few feet away.
If there are large objects in between the router and doorbell blocking the signal, move them out of the way or move the router.
Wireless interference, the network name being hidden, an incorrect password and bandwidth issues are other common reasons why a Nest may not connect to WiFi.
In this article we’ll discuss how to resolve the issue and successfully connect your Nest Doorbell to WiFi.
Why Google Nest Doorbell Won’t Connect To WiFi
Google’s Nest doorbell is a fantastic video doorbell and a great addition to your home security system. With it, you can see and talk with people at your door while you’re home or away. Some of its best features include live video, two way talk and notifications sent to your smartphone. All the interactions with Nest are done via the Nest app using an internet signal and WiFi. So it’s very important to maintain a strong WiFi signal and an internet connection at all times. If the Nest fails to connect to WiFi, you’ll lose all functionality and your ability to communicate with the doorbell.
There are a few reasons why a Nest may not connect to WiFi. Here’s a list of the most common to least common causes and how to fix them:
- Bad or weak signal: This is usually due to the doorbell being too far from the router or the signal being blocked. To fix it, move the router closer to the doorbell or use a WiFi extender. If the signal is being blocked, move any large furniture between the router and doorbell out of the way.
- Password mismatch: Using an incorrect password will prevent the Nest from connecting to your WiFi network.
- WiFi Band: Try using 2.4ghz on an iPhone/iPad or 5ghz on an Android device.
- Software: Make sure both devices have the latest updates installed.
- SSID: Try changing the name of your network SSID (Service Set Identifier).
- Restart: Try resetting your router and/or modem by unplugging them for a few minutes and removing the batteries if they have them. Plug the modem in first followed by the router.
If none of these solutions work, contact Google support. You may have a bad device.
Wrong Password
You must enter the correct password in order to connect a Nest Doorbell to your WiFi. This is the password you use to sign into your Google Nest account. If you enter the wrong password, you won’t be able to connect the Nest to your WiFi network.
Make sure you write down the passwords for both the Nest and your WiFi network and set up a verification email so they can send you a reset code if you forget.
Bad Or Weak WiFi Signal
The most common reason why a Nest Doorbell won’t connect to WiFi is a poor signal. This is happens when the doorbell is too far away from the router. But there could also be something blocking the signal. To fix it, move the router closer to the doorbell or install a WiFi extender.
If there’s something large in between the router and doorbell, move it out of the way.
You can measure signal strength with your smartphone. First, connect your phone to the WiFi network. Then place your phone next to the doorbell and look at your signal bars. If you have one or no bars, the signal may be too weak for the doorbell to properly connect.
Low Bandwidth
Your Nest Doorbell may not be able to connect with WiFi if the bandwidth is too low. Bandwidth is the data transfer capacity of a network in bits per second (Bps). This is a different measurement than the network speed. If there’s not enough bandwidth available to meet the doorbells needs, it won’t be able to connect.
This can happen if you have lots of wireless devices all connected to the same frequency at once. Other devices may be causing interference and preventing the doorbell from connecting properly.
Incorrect WiFi Bands
A home router typically operates on 2 bands, 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz. These are also referred to as channels. The Nest Doorbell won’t stay connected to your WiFi network unless it’s broadcasting a 2.4Ghz signal. To fix the problem, check your router to see what channel it’s on. If it’s set to 5Ghz, switch to 2.4Ghz instead.
Network Name Not Listed
If you’re trying to connect your Nest Doorbell to WiFi but don’t see the network name, scroll down to the bottom of the list. WiFi networks are generally listed in descending order starting with the strongest signal down to the weakest. If you live in an apartment building or someplace where there’s a lot of signals, yours may just be towards the bottom.
Parental Controls
In some cases, your router’s parental controls may prevent the doorbell from connecting. To fix the problem, go into your router setting and set up a permission allowing the doorbell to connect.
How To Fix Nest Doorbell Camera Not Connecting To WiFi
If your having trouble connecting your Nest Doorbell to WiFi, there are a few troubleshooting things you can try to fix the issue. The most common cause of connectivity problems is a poor or weak WiFi signal. To fix it, move the router closer to the doorbell or install a WiFi extender. Check to see if there are any large objects between the router and doorbell. If there are, they could be blocking the signal. Move them out of the way or move the router.
Restarting hardware can sometimes fix a connectivity issue. Unplug the doorbell, router and modem and remove the battery if they have one. Wait for a few minutes and plug them in again. Plug in the modem first, then the router followed by the doorbell.
The issue could be with your router, here are a few things you can try:
- Check the channel setting. Try using 2.4ghz on an iPhone/iPad or 5ghz on an Android device.
- Make sure the password you’re using is correct.
- Go into the router settings and make sure you don’t have a firewall set up that could be blocking the doorbell.
- Check your bandwidth. If you have too many devices using the same frequency it could cause issues for the doorbell.
Make sure all your devices have software that’s up to date. Out of date software can sometimes cause a connection issue.
If you don’t see the WiFi name when connecting, scroll all the way down the list. If you live in an apartment with lots of signals nearby, the network name may be at the bottom of the list. This is very common if you have a weak signal.
Check The Password
In order for your Nest Doorbell to connect with WiFi, the password in Google Home must match the WiFi password. Go into the Google Home app > Menu > Devices > Your Device Name > and selecting “Settings.” From here you can set or change a password.
Your Google Home will not be able to connect to the internet if your password is incorrect. This is a common issue if you change the WiFi password but don’t update your other devices.
When you change the WiFi password, you must also update all the devices connected to the WiFi. If the passwords don’t match, your device will not be able to connect.
Use The Correct WiFi Band/Channel (2.4GHz)
Household routers typically have 2 WiFi Band or Channel settings, 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz. A Nest Doorbell works on band 2.4Ghz. You can change between bands in your routers settings.
To switch bands on your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > WiFi and tap the (i) button next to your network name. Then tap “Change Band” and select 2.4GHz from the list.
Reduce Bandwidth Consumption
Bandwidth is the amount of data you can transfer measured in bits per second (Bps). This is different from the network speed of your router. If you have a lot of devices all using the same frequency, you may not have enough bandwidth for the doorbell.
To diagnose the problem, shut down your other devices and see if the doorbell connects to WiFi. If it does, you’re using too much bandwidth for the amount of devices you have. Contact your internet service provider and upgrade your plan to provide the amount of data you need.
Reset Your Google Nest Doorbell Camera
Resetting your hardware can help with connectivity issues. To do it, press and hold the button on the back of the camera for about 10 seconds until it beeps. The LED light will turn blue when it’s reset. You can also unplug it or remove the battery and let it sit for a few minutes.
In addition to resetting the doorbell you should also reset your router and modem. Unplug and remove the battery for both the router and modem. Let them rest for about 3 minutes before plugging them back in or re-installing the battery.
Restore power to the modem first, then the router followed by the doorbell.
Permissions
If your router has parental controls set up it may be blocking the doorbell from connecting to WiFi. To fix the problem, go into your router settings and give permission for the doorbell to connect.
How Do I Reset My Nest Doorbell WiFi?
Resetting your Google Nest Doorbell is easy to do and may help it connect to WiFi.
Here’s how to do it:
- Unplug the doorbell from the power outlet if it’s a wired doorbell. If it’s a battery operated Nest, remove the battery.
- Press and hold the orange reset button on the back of the doorbell for about 10 seconds.
- Release the button and either plug the doorbell back in or re-install the battery.
- Wait for the doorbell to boot up and reconnect to your WiFi.
In addition to resetting your doorbell you can also try resetting the router and modem. Unplug and remove the battery for both the router and modem. Let them rest for about 3 minutes before plugging them back in or re-installing the battery.
Summary: Why Google Nest Doorbell Won’t Connect To WiFi
Google Nest Doorbell is one of the best video doorbells on the market. It has a sleek modern design, is easy to install and available either wired or battery powered. This makes it a great option for both homes and apartments. Nest has all the standard features you’d expect from a video doorbell, like real-time live video, two-way talk and notifications sent to your smart-phone. Because Nest is a video doorbell/smart device, it needs internet and WiFi to function properly. All the controls and interactions with the device are done through a smartphone or similar smart device. Without WiFi, a Nest loses all of its core features and functionality. There are quite a few reasons why Google Nest Doorbell won’t connect to WiFi and most are very easy to fix.
The most common reason why a Google Nest Doorbell won’t connect to WiFi is being out of range. If you can’t find your WiFi network in the app during setup, it might be too far from your router. Try moving the router closer to the Nest or using a WiFi extender to boost the signal. If you place doorbell too close to the router during setup, it can also cause connection problems so keep it a few feet away.
If there are large objects in between the router and doorbell blocking the signal, move them out of the way or move the router.
Wireless interference, the network name being hidden, an incorrect password and bandwidth issues are other common reasons why a Nest may not connect to WiFi.
If you have any questions or comments about why your Nest doorbell won’t connect to WiFi, email any time.
John Mazzuca | About | More Posts |
Custom Home Builder
John Mazzuca is a custom home designer and builder at Gambrick with over 25 years experience in the construction industry. John has designed, built and/or remodeled hundreds of homes, small buildings, and commercial projects. He writes about business, real estate, home building, and household electronics. His work has been featured in Fox Business, Better Homes & Garden, House Beautiful, and more.