Exact model-family answer directory
Nest Cam (wired, 2nd gen) troubleshooting
Nest Cam (wired, 2nd gen) (GA01998): video (from Google's spec sheets); power and networking; alerts; offline means Wi-Fi or power; what speed it wants; power and cable, and a fix for each symptom below.
- Video (from Google's spec sheets)1080p HDR from a 2-megapixel sensor with a 135-degree diagonal field of view, 6x digital zoom, and night vision to about 15 feet with two 850 nm infrared LEDs.
Nest Cam (wired, 2nd gen) is offline or unavailable
Open record Google Nest · motion detectionNest Cam (wired, 2nd gen) misses motion or records too many events
Open record Google Nest · notificationsNest Cam (wired, 2nd gen) notifications are late, missing or excessive
Open record Google Nest · routineNest Cam (wired, 2nd gen) routine, schedule or automation is not running
Open record Google Nest · wrong readingNest Cam (wired, 2nd gen) shows the wrong time, state or sensor reading
Open record Google Nest · video blurryNest Cam (wired, 2nd gen) video is blurry, dark, frozen or delayed
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Which units this covers, and how to tell yours is one of them
- Model numbers and patterns
- GA01998
Published specification
What is true of this model and changes how you fix it
- Power — plug-in WIRED (no battery on this model)The wired 2nd-gen Nest Cam plugs into mains power (USB-C adapter) — this version has no battery, so charging/runtime does not apply; a dead camera is a power/adapter/outlet issue. (Ring/Nest also make battery cams, but this is the wired one.)
- On-device AIDetects people, animals, vehicles and packages on-device; some features and event history need Nest Aware. Managed in the Google Home app.
- Recording needs Nest AwareLive view and alerts free; recorded history needs Nest Aware. It keeps a few hours of events locally during an internet outage and uploads later. 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi.
- Power and networkingA 10-foot power cable with a USB-A connector, 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE. The search results show no Ethernet port.
- AlertsPeople, pets and vehicles, two-way audio with noise cancellation and 3 hours of event video history.
- Offline means Wi-Fi or powerA camera that shows offline is usually on a weak or congested Wi-Fi link, or had a power interruption. Restart the router and modem, move the camera closer or away from interference and check that nothing else is using the connection.
- What speed it wantsGoogle's guidance asks for about 25 Mbps up and down for a Nest camera.
- Power and cableThe wired camera relies on its supplied adapter and cable. Google's troubleshooting steps are to try a different outlet that is not on a light switch, test the outlet with another device, replace the adapter if needed and check the cable for damage.
- Green light but offlineA solid green light means the camera believes it is connected. If the app still says offline, restart the camera, then if needed remove it from Google Home and set it up again.
Where these figures were read. store.google.com/us/product/nest_cam_indoor_wired_3rd_gen_specs?hl=en-US (real current gen is 3rd, not 2nd — Google's naming moved on) (on-device AI, needs power)
Manufacturer support for this product line. Google Nest Help — Google Nest camera and doorbell help. Official Google Nest camera and doorbell setup, video, notification and subscription help.
Also read for this model. Google Home Help — Technical specs for Google Nest cameras and doorbells; Gearbrain — Google Nest Cam Indoor Wired (2nd Gen) review; Google Nest Help — Fix issues with your Nest camera or doorbell Wi-Fi.
Exact questions
Questions that only have an answer for the Nest Cam (wired, 2nd gen)
My Nest Cam went offline — did I lose the footage?+
The wired Nest Cam has some on-device memory, so during a Wi-Fi or internet outage it keeps a few hours of event recordings locally and uploads them once it reconnects — so a brief outage usually does not lose events. For saved history beyond that, you need a Nest Aware subscription. If it is offline, check its power (it is plug-in, so confirm the adapter/outlet) and its 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi connection in the Google Home app. Reconnecting it restores live view and uploads the buffered clips.
Why does my Nest Cam keep going offline?+
Weak Wi-Fi, other devices taking bandwidth or a power interruption. Restart the router and modem first, then check signal strength at the camera.
Why does my Nest Cam show offline with a green light?+
The camera thinks it is online while the app cannot reach it. Restart the camera, and if that fails remove and re-add it in Google Home.
Could the cable be the problem?+
Yes. Try another outlet and check the cable for damage before suspecting the camera.