Already installed Nest Cam Outdoor wired

[kev2504]

I just purchased a home with existing indoor cameras, outdoor wired cameras, thermostat, doorbell , and a nest connect. The previous owner removed all products from his account. I was able to install the indoor cam's, thermostat, doorbell, and connect to my account.

I tried connecting one of the outdoor cams to my account and it wouldn't connect. The install says to connect it inside the house first. I was hoping to not have to undo the wiring to bring them inside. Is it possible to connect these when they are installed outside? The code and last 4 are there and work. Just when it says connecting it takes a while before comes back with error, can't connect.

Any help would be great.

Thanks

[MplsCustomer]

@kev2504 

Is it possible that your closest WiFi access point to the camera is not as close to the camera as the previous owner's closest WiFI access point, and you're just not getting a strong enough WiFi signal where the camera is mounted? Are you able to move a WiFi access point closer, at least temporarily, to see if it connects?

[kev2504]

I don't think so. It is closer to the router than the inside cameras. Could it be that it was cold outside? it was around 10 degrees F outside. There is a wifi extender that I need to setup. I'll see if that matters.

[MplsCustomer]

I don't know how the Google Nest Outdoor Camera behaves while it is plugged in but not connected, and whether this would affect its ability to connect during a re-install.

[kev2504]

I was able to setup the indoor cameras, and was doing it the same way for the outdoor. The outdoor does say to install it indoors before mounting it. May have to try that with the easiest camera first. will have to fish the wires out from the way they are ran. was trying to setup without having to undo the wiring.

[MplsCustomer]

Yeah, Google's instructions assume it's a new camera. They don't provide much help for people connecting cameras that are already physically installed in their home.

Do you get any particular error when the camera doesn't connect? A lot of people are reporting being unable to install Nest devices when they already have Nest devices installed. This seems to be with the new battery doorbells and cameras on new installs, so it may not apply, but you could see this thread: https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Cameras-and-Doorbells/Nest-Cam-Battery-will-not-connect-to-ne...

I don't know if 10 degrees Fahrenheit would affect a disconnected camera's ability to connect. Were they plugged in and are they at all warm?  Our outdoor cameras have done fine in Minnesota winters. Maybe they shut down if they're plugged in but disconnected for a long time.  Perhaps you could try holding one in your hands for awhile to warm it up and trying a couple of times to install before resorting to fishing out their power cables.  (I'm grasping at solutions.)  And is your phone close to the camera during the install?

[kev2504]

The very first error I received was that they were already setup for a different user. I had the previous owner remove them from his account. After that I was able to add the 2 indoor cameras and the doorbell. I did a reset to the 3rd gen thermostat. All good with those. Then I went outside to the one camera I could reach to see the numbers and the qr code. I went through the add product, entered the code, and selected the last 4. Then it went to connecting and sat there for about 10 minutes, then came with the can't connect error. It does say to first set up indoors. I will have a ladder this weekend to try and remove the easiest one, and try it inside. if that works, then I know what to do. 

We are in north west Wisconsin, so temps are similar.

Thanks for the help

[kev2504]

Well I confirmed the installation of an already installed nest outdoor wired camera. I took the camera down and took it into the house with the wiring. The camera setup right away, and continued once I moved it to the final position. So going forward, I will need to fish the wires from the nest connector. That's the way it goes.

[Brad]

Hi there,

Just checking in to see if you still need assistance with this issue.

Please let me know if you need further assistance. 

Best Regards,

Brad.

[kev2504]

Brad,

No I don't need assistance. I was just adding information for anyone that may have the same situation to find a solution.

[Brad]

Hey Folks.

As the OP states they do no longer require assistance, at this time I'll go ahead and lock this thread. If you're still experiencing problems, feel free to start a new thread and we'll be happy to help.

Best Regards,

Brad.