Google's battery guide for Nest cameras and doorbells gives charging facts for the Nest Doorbell (battery): a full charge typically takes about five hours with a compatible 7.5W AC adapter sold separately, the battery charges completely the first time, and when tethered to power it charges only to 80 percent to extend life, so charge it above 80 percent with the USB cord before installation. The battery will not charge below 32°F (0°C) and charges slowly near freezing, which Google's cold weather article explains.
The checks in more detail
Its low battery guide covers reducing battery use: lower the video quality, reduce how often it wakes, trim the alerts and zones that trigger it, and improve the wifi signal, since a weak signal makes the camera work harder. Wired models need steady power: the wired Nest Doorbell has a blinking yellow light article for power faults, and Google's power step in the wifi article says to check the power source. The camera or doorbell can get hot or cold, and Google has an article for a camera that gets hot;
extremes can cause drops or shutdowns. If a battery model shows low battery, charge it fully, check the charger's rating and the cable and consider a wired connection or a solar accessory. Restart a device that acts strangely after charging. Keep a note of the date and battery percentage after each charge, since a faster drop points at busy alert settings. Cold weather cuts battery life, so a camera that fails in winter and recovers in spring may be fine.
Keep a spare charged battery pack or charger near the door if your model allows it. A battery that drops faster than before after a few years may be wearing out, and checking the age of the device tells you whether replacement is the honest answer. Because a tethered battery stops at 80 percent, a battery doorbell that is wired for trickle charging will never read 100, so an 80 percent reading on a wired battery model is normal and not a fault.
Differential
Likely causes of “Nest cameras and doorbells has power or battery problems”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A weak charger
What separates it The battery charges slowly or not at all because the charger is too weak
How to confirm Use the 7.5 W AC adapter that Google lists for the doorbell, in a working wall outlet
- 2
Cold weather
What separates it The battery will not charge because it is close to freezing where you are charging it
How to confirm Charge the battery indoors, at normal room temperature, and fit it back once it is full
- 3
Heavy alerts
What separates it The battery drains fast because heavy alert activity keeps waking the doorbell
How to confirm Trim the alerts and the Activity Zones, so that the doorbell wakes less often
- 4
A weak wifi signal
What separates it The battery use is high because a weak wifi signal makes the doorbell work harder
How to confirm Improve the wifi signal at the doorbell, and the battery will last longer between charges
- 5
Insufficient wired power
What separates it A wired model shows a blinking yellow light because it is not getting enough power
How to confirm Check the power source and the wiring, and make sure the doorbell receives the power it needs
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The battery percentage shown in the Google Home app
- Which charger you have been using for the battery
- The temperature where the doorbell is installed
- The color of the status light on the doorbell
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCharge with the 7.5W adapter
ReversibleCharge the battery with the 7.5 W adapter, which takes about five hours for a full charge.
Charge indoors in cold
ReversibleCharge indoors in cold weather, since the battery will not charge when it is near freezing.
Charge above 80 percent
ReversibleCharge the battery above eighty percent before you install it, so it has a good start.
Trim alerts and zones
ReversibleTrim the alerts and the zones to save battery, since every event wakes the doorbell.
Improve wifi
ReversibleImprove the wifi at the doorbell, so that it does not use extra power to hold a connection.
Check wired power
ReversibleCheck the wired power for wired models, since a blinking yellow light points to a power issue.
Contact Google
ReversibleContact Google if the battery will not charge, and tell them the charger and the light color.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Battery
- Charges to 80 percent when tethered.
- Wired
- Needs stable low-voltage power.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the Nest Cam (wired, 2nd gen).
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If it will not charge indoors on the right adapter, contact Google Nest support
- !If the wired power keeps blinking yellow, have the wiring and the power source checked
- !If it overheats, stop using it and contact Google for advice
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Battery and charging.
Wifi, bandwidth, restart, power and reset steps.
Restart versus factory reset.
Cold weather charging.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
How long does charging take?+
A full charge takes about five hours with the compatible 7.5 W AC adapter.
Will it charge in the cold?+
It will not charge below freezing, which is 32 degrees Fahrenheit, so charge indoors.
Which charger?+
Google lists a 7.5 W AC adapter, which is sold separately from the doorbell.
How do I extend battery life?+
Fewer alerts and a better wifi signal both help the battery to last longer.
What is a blinking yellow light?+
A blinking yellow light on a wired model points to a power problem with the wiring.
Can it get hot?+
Yes, it can get hot in direct sun, which can shorten battery life or stop charging.