Setting up a Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) fails in a few predictable places, and Google's setup troubleshooting article follows them in order. The app must be on the same Wi-Fi network as the doorbell will use, the phone's Bluetooth and location must be on, and the doorbell must be powered and showing its pairing light. If the app cannot find the doorbell, restart it with a single press of the reset button, or factory reset it with the pin if it was set up before.
A wired doorbell that used to work and now will not connect often needs its Wi-Fi password re-entered after a router change, and owners of the 2nd gen describe it failing to reconnect following a power cut until power to the doorbell and the router were both cycled. Place the phone close to the doorbell during setup.
Differential
Likely causes of “Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) will not complete setup or pairing”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The phone is on a different network
What separates it The app does not find the doorbell
How to confirm Join the phone to the same 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz network the doorbell will use
- 2
Bluetooth or location off on the phone
What separates it The app stalls at searching
How to confirm Turn on Bluetooth and location and allow Google Home to use them
- 3
A doorbell with an old setup
What separates it The app says it is already set up
How to confirm Factory reset the doorbell and remove it from the old account
- 4
A router change
What separates it A doorbell that worked stopped connecting
How to confirm Re-run setup so it learns the new Wi-Fi name and password
- 5
A power outage
What separates it The doorbell did not reconnect after a power cut
How to confirm Cycle the router and the doorbell's power
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The Wi-Fi band and name the phone and doorbell use
- What the doorbell's light shows
- Whether it was set up before or is new
- Whether a power outage or router change preceded the problem
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedPrepare the phone
ReversibleWi-Fi on the right network, Bluetooth and location on.
Open Google Home
ReversibleAdd device, Nest, and scan the QR code or follow the prompts.
Restart the doorbell if it is not found
ReversiblePress the reset button once.
Factory reset if it was set up before
ReversibleHold a pin in the reset hole for twelve seconds.
Stand close during setup
ReversibleKeep the phone near the doorbell.
Cycle power after an outage
ReversibleRouter and doorbell power.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Setup basics
- Phone on the same Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and location on, and the doorbell powered.
- After outages
- Owners report the 2nd gen not reconnecting after a power cut until both router and doorbell power were cycled.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If setup fails on a router that works for other devices, contact Google Nest support
- !If the doorbell shows no light, check the transformer and power
- !If it connects and then drops, see the offline page
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Why can't the app find my Nest Doorbell?+
Check the phone's Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and location, and restart or reset the doorbell.
Does the doorbell need 5 GHz Wi-Fi?+
It joins 2.4 or 5 GHz networks; use the one with a strong signal at the door.
Why did it stop connecting after my router changed?+
It needs the new Wi-Fi details; run setup again.
Do I need to reset it for a new owner?+
Yes, factory reset and remove it from the old account.