Exact model-family answer directory
Nest Doorbell troubleshooting
Nest Doorbell (GA03696): wired, no battery; reset hole; after outages; setup, and a fix for each symptom below.
- Wired, no batteryThe Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) takes power from the doorbell wiring and a transformer; it has no battery.
- Reset holeThe reset pin hole is above the two terminal screws on the back; ten seconds gives four yellow blinks and twelve seconds a steady yellow light.
Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) does not respond to voice control
Open record Google Nest · firmwareNest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) firmware update is stuck or failed
Open record Google Nest · batteryNest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) has power or battery problems
Open record Google Nest · offlineNest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) is offline or unavailable
Open record Google Nest · motion detectionNest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) misses motion or records too many events
Open record Google Nest · notificationsNest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) notifications are late, missing or excessive
Open record Google Nest · routineNest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) routine, schedule or automation is not running
Open record Google Nest · shared accessNest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) shared users or family members cannot control it
Open record Google Nest · video blurryNest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) video is blurry, dark, frozen or delayed
Open record Google Nest · setupNest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) will not complete setup or pairing
Open record Google Nest · MatterNest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) will not connect through Matter, HomeKit or another platform
Open record Google Nest · factory resetNest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) will not reset or needs to be reset safely
Open record Google Nest · Wi-FiNest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) will not stay connected to Wi-Fi
Open recordConfirm the model first
Which units this covers, and how to tell yours is one of them
- Model numbers and patterns
- GA03696
Published specification
What is true of this model and changes how you fix it
- Power — WIRED (needs doorbell wiring)The 2nd-gen WIRED Nest Doorbell connects to existing doorbell wiring (it has no battery in the wired version), giving 24/7 wired operation. So charging symptoms do not apply; a dead unit is a wiring/transformer issue (it needs a compatible transformer/chime).
- On-device AIIt identifies people, packages, animals and vehicles on-device (some alert types need a Nest Aware subscription for full features and event history). Managed in the Google Home app.
- Recording needs Nest AwareLive view and basic alerts are free, but recorded event/video HISTORY requires a Nest Aware subscription — 'my events aren't saved' is usually no subscription, not a fault. 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi.
- After outagesOwners report it failing to reconnect after a power cut until the doorbell and the router are both restarted.
- SetupThe phone must be on the same Wi-Fi with Bluetooth and location on.
Where these figures were read. store.google.com/us/product/nest_doorbell_specs?hl=en-US (Google's own tech specs, covers wired and battery Nest Doorbell) (on-device AI, needs doorbell wiring)
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 and Nest Help — Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell.
Exact questions
Questions that only have an answer for the Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen)
My wired Nest Doorbell isn't saving video history.+
Recorded video and event history on Nest cameras and doorbells require a Nest Aware subscription — without it you get live view and recent notifications, but not saved recordings to scroll back through. So 'my clips aren't there' is usually the missing subscription, not a fault. Subscribe to Nest Aware in the Google Home app for event or 24/7 recording. Being the wired model, it also records continuously only with the wired power and the appropriate Nest Aware plan.
Does the wired 2nd gen have a battery?+
No.
How do I restart it?+
Press the reset button once.