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Changed Wi-Fi. Can’t reconfigure and don’t have code or QR

Scottylowe
Community Member

I have changed Wi-Fi networks so was told I had to remove the camera from google home and rest the camera by holding down the rest button for 10 seconds. I did this and then tried to re-add the camera to google home 

-I don’t have the 6 digit code( I don’t have a sticker as I just have thrown it away)

-I don’t have a QR code as I recycled the boxes

- I have managed to go up a ladder and remove the base to get the serial number. But contrary to other advice I can’t type in the serial number in the app. 
-please tell me that my camera isn’t bricked because I changed my Wi-Fi and didn’t keep a sticker from when I installed it. ?? 
heeeeeeellllp

21 REPLIES 21

MplsCustomer
Bronze
Bronze

@Scottylowe 

The 6-character alphanumeric Setup Code is printed either on the back of the camera (on the older Google Nest Outdoor Cameras, which also have the QR code printed on the camera) or on the bottom of the camera (on the newer Google Nest Battery Cameras, which have the QR code printed on a removable sticker on the face of the camera).

We've made a habit of writing down all of our 6-character Setup Codes in case we need them to reinstall.

it’s is a 2018 outdoor camera which is electric powered. There is no QR code nor sticker nor printed code on the camera. 🤦🏼‍♂️

@Scottylowe 

Our oldest Google Nest Outdoor Camera (it's wired) is from 2019. As I recall, the 6-character Setup Code on all three of our Outdoor Cameras is printed on the curved back of the camera, either above or below the QR code. The text is pretty small and I had trouble reading it while standing on a ladder, and trying to scan the QR code on the curved back while trying to reinstall was next to impossible, which is why I started writing down the Setup Codes.

I've seen posts from some customers who've reported their QR code and/or Setup Code had worn off the camera in the weather. I hope that you can find yours and it's not worn off.

Scottylowe
Community Member

Can you post pictures in here. There is nothing on the curved back. It just says

”goggle Nest Cam Model G3AL9

An address in California and some electric / amp figures”

I opened up the main part where it connects to the wall and their is no code there either. 
Just a serial number, an address and some electrical information. 

@Scottylowe 

I would rather not dismount one of our cameras and have to realign it. Below is an old photo of one of ours; I was mistaken; it's on the bottom of the camera. I've blanked out part of the serial number and the 6-character Setup Code.

IMG_5654.JPG

The Google Nest Outdoor Camera is attached to the base unit just with a magnet. The Google Nest Cam IQ Outdoor is permanently attached to the arm, and the QR code and Setup Code are on the base of the mounting bracket, the part that is mounted against the surface of your wall or soffit.

Screenshot 2023-08-12 at 10.54.18 AM.png

EdmondB
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hello Scottylowe,

I'd like to jump in here and check if you've seen MplsCustomer's response. Let us know if you need more help by replying to this thread.

I appreciate the help, @MplsCustomer.

Best,
Edmond

Thanks for the help but it has lot helped. There is no 6 digit code on the camera (front or back) nor the floodlight (which I have taken apart up the ladder) I could post the photos but it doesn’t seem possible on this forum from a phone)

I have the serial number (from the back of the floodlight) but on the app when I try to re-add the camera I don’t get the option to enter it. 
is there anyone who works for google on these forums who can help? 

@Scottylowe 

Ah, you have the floodlight camera! You didn't mention that in your earlier posts.

On the floodlight camera, the 6-character Setup Code is on the bottom of the camera, as shown in the screen capture from the floodlight camera installation instructions (https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/11003780). The screen capture exaggerates the size of the Setup Code. You'll probably have to remove the power cable in order to see the Setup Code. (We have the battery camera, which is the same camera.)

Screenshot 2023-08-15 at 7.56.13 AM.png

EdmondB
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hi there, 

I just wanted to jump in real fast to see if you saw MplsCustomer’s latest reply and to see if you still needed some help on this or if you were able to get it sorted out. If you are still needing some help, just let us know and we'll be happy to continue helping.

Regards,
Edmond

EdmondB
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hello Scottylowe,

I just wanted to follow up and see if the steps above work. Let me know if you have any additional questions from here.

Best,
Edmond,

I have seen the reply and responded. Can anyone from google confirm? There is no code anywhere in my floodlight camera. 
I would post photos but this website won’t let me upload photos from an iPhone. Unless I am being stupid. ? Thanks 

@Scottylowe 

On your iPhone, if you are logged onto this forum (by clicking on the little blue profile icon), when you click reply there’s a photo icon that lets you select a photo. 
This is from my iPhone. 

IMG_5663.png

IMG_2942.jpeg

thanks for all the help so far.
This  is the camera section. I can’t see any QR code or 6 digit code here. 
also here is the back of the main section 

IMG_2930.jpeg

I can’t see any code here either. Except for the serial number which I’ve blocked out. 

@Scottylowe 

Unscrew your USB cable mount.  It's under that.

Thanks for the help. I will take a look when I can home. Thanks. 

EdmondB
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey there, 

Awesome — thanks for getting back to us. Please let us know if you’re able to find the set up code under USB cable mount. 

Regards,
Edmond

Ok. So I removed the cover with an Allen key and got the 6 digit code(thanks for the help with that)

however the camera won’t connect. I’ve tried a factory reset, powered off and all sorts of Wi-Fi boosting.

Here is what I have done.  On Google home 
I do the 'add device', and then I

-Choose my house correct home

it says looking for devices and then gives me a list. 
I choose 

-floodlight camera

and it then enter the code

I choose nest cam with floodlight 

I go through the legal screens and accept

it then says 'preparing your device'

this takes a few minutes

then it switches to “connecting to joining device

and then it comes back with the error 

“something went wrong”

I have tried this several times on my phone from 5G connection, 2 different Wi-Fi's

I have rebooted my phone, I have factory rest the camera etc etc.

Any ideas what else I can do ..  thanks

@Scottylowe 

You could try contacting Support, using the link and instructions in this post:

https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Cameras-and-Doorbells/Using-Google-Nest-s-quot-Contact-Us-quo...

I've seen posts in this forum about the "connecting to joining device" error for almost two years now. As best as I can tell, when you have existing Google Nest devices, Google Nest does not let you select your Wi-Fi network name and enter your password, but instead tries to retrieve these Wi-Fi credentials from another Google Nest device already on your network. However, for some reason this process sometimes fails and the process cannot contact an existing Google Nest device, and you get the "connecting to joining device" error.

Some customers have tried turning off all of their existing Google Nest devices during the install, in the hopes that they are then allowed to simply select their Wi-Fi network name and enter their password.

I'm puzzled by your reference to 2 different Wi-Fis. All of your Google Nest devices in the same Google Nest "home/structure" need to be on the same Wi-Fi network.

Jenelyn_O
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hi everyone,

 

@Scottylowe, thanks for keeping us in the loop. Please check your phone or tablet. Make sure it’s on the same Wi-Fi network as the selected network for the Nest device. Bluetooth should be enabled, but it should not be connected to any Bluetooth devices. Cellular data should be turned off. On iOS devices with iOS 14 or later, ensure that local network access is enabled for the Nest or Google Home app.

 

You can follow this guide: 

 

  1. On the iOS device's home screen, tap Settings.
  2. Tap Privacy  Local Network.
  3. On the list of apps, turn on Local Network Access for the Nest or Google Home app.

 

If the status light of your Nest Camera is solid green, factory reset your camera. Note: The camera must be plugged in during the factory reset, even if it normally runs on battery power.
 

  1. Restart the access point, the assisting Nest device, and the new Nest device and try again.
  2. Re-scan the QR code or manually enter the entry key.
  3. Create a new home structure in the app, then add the Nest device to that home.

 

Let us know how it goes.

 

I appreciate the help, @MplsCustomer and Edmond.

 

Kind regards,

Jenelyn

thank you for all your help @MplsCustomer 

I managed to get it to work.  I had to remove the following from my home

  • 3 Nest thermostats
  • 2 Nest Protects
  • 1 Nest Outdoor Camera

I then did a factory reset on the Nest Floodlight Camera and it connected. 🙂

I then had to read all the other devices.

I have wasted about an entire day troubleshooting this, most of which was up a ladder.

How Googles software is so buggy/flaky is absolutely shocking.  really really poor.

So if you change your Wifi you may have to do all of this work.

thanks again for your help, 🙂

 

Lance_L
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hello everyone,

 

@Scottylowe, I’m glad to hear that the issue has been resolved. I'm sorry that you had to go through this, and I understand how you feel. You can share feedback about Google Nest. Rest assured that we'll take your experience, learn from it, and deliver a better experience in the future.

 

Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions.

 

I appreciate your help, MplsCustomer, Edmond, and Jenelyn.

 

Best,

Lance