Why Does My Nest Camera Keep Going Offline? Find a Fix
When your Nest camera shows as "Offline" in the app, it means it's completely unreachable. You can't view the live stream, and it's not recording any activity, creating a serious gap in your home security. Unlike a camera that intermittently disconnects, a persistently offline camera usually points to a more fundamental problem with power or your network.
Let's walk through the steps to diagnose the issue and bring your camera back online.
## Step 1: Check the Power Supply
Before you suspect any complex network issues, always start with the most basic requirement: electricity.
- Check the Status Light: Look at the small LED status light on the front of your Nest camera. If this light is completely off, it means the camera is receiving no power.
- Verify the Power Source:
- Ensure the power cable is securely plugged into both the camera and the wall outlet.
- Try plugging another device (like a lamp) into the same outlet to confirm the outlet is working.
- Check your home's fuse box or circuit breaker to see if a breaker has been tripped.
- Inspect the camera's power cable for any signs of damage or fraying.
If you find a power issue, resolving it should bring the camera back online automatically after a few minutes.
## Step 2: Check Your Home's Internet Connection
If the camera's status light is on (e.g., blinking green or blue), it has power but can't connect to the internet. The next step is to see if your entire home network is down.
- Test Other Devices: Using your smartphone (with Wi-Fi turned on) or a computer, try to browse a website. If nothing loads, then your home internet service is down.
- Reboot Your Network Hardware:
- Unplug both your modem and your Wi-Fi router from their power sources.
- Wait at least 60 seconds. This is important for them to fully reset.
- Plug the modem in first. Wait for its status lights to become solid (usually 3-5 minutes).
- Plug the Wi-Fi router in. Wait for its lights to indicate it's broadcasting.
This process, known as a power cycle, resolves the vast majority of home internet problems. Once your network is back up, your Nest camera should reconnect on its own.
## Step 3: Troubleshoot the Camera's Specific Connection
If the camera has power and your home internet is working for other devices, then the problem is isolated to the camera itself.
- Reboot the Camera: Unplug the Nest camera from its power source. Wait for 60 seconds, then plug it back in. This simple restart can often clear up internal glitches and force it to re-establish a connection.
- Check for Wi-Fi Interference: Has anything changed near the camera? A new piece of electronic equipment, a large metal object, or even a new cordless phone base station can interfere with the Wi-Fi signal.
- Check Router Settings: Have you recently changed your Wi-Fi password or network name (SSID)? If so, your camera will be trying to connect using the old, incorrect credentials and will remain offline. You will need to update the Wi-Fi settings for the camera in the Google Home or Nest app.
## The Last Resort: A Factory Reset
If your camera is still offline after trying all of the above, you may need to perform a factory reset.
Important: A factory reset will completely erase the camera's settings and its entire video history. You will have to set it up again in the app from scratch.
Locate the reset button on your camera (you may need a paperclip or tool). Press and hold it until the camera gives an audible confirmation or its lights flash in a specific pattern (consult Google's support page for your exact model). After the reset, follow the in-app instructions to add the camera back to your home.