Google Next Cameras not Sleeping

[bnads1]

I have several Nest cameras. A couple of them are on battery. It used to be that when there was no movement detected, the camera would "go to sleep" and I would have to wake it up to see the live image. The battery would last for months in this way.

Currently, the cameras, (battery or hardwired) all stay on all the time, and the batteries get run down in just a couple of weeks. I have looked through every possible setting I can think of, and have not found where to make this change. Thank you in advance for the help.

[MplsCustomer]

@bnads1 

Are you sure your battery cameras are actually "Live" all the time? I'm asking because a month or two ago, Google Nest made a change to the Google Home app so that, when you open a battery-powered camera in the Google Home app, it automatically switches it from "Idle" mode to a "Live" view. Previously, battery-powered cameras showed in "Idle" mode and you had to manually switch to "Live" view.

I can't speak to why your batteries are running down. We have one battery camera, plugged in since installing it in Sept. 2021, and it's "Live" all the time and the battery has never run down.

There have been several posts in this forum indicating that, if you add a power cable to a camera that was previously running on battery power, you need to remove it and do a factory reset in order for the camera to recognize that it is now plugged in.

[EmersonB]

Hello everyone,

@bnads1, thanks for reaching out here in the Community. How's it going with your Nest Camera? Were you able to read the information and perform the steps that MplsCustomer has shared? You may also try updating your Google Home app. In case you have an update, you know where to find us.

I appreciate the help, MplsCustomer.

Regards,

Emerson

[bnads1]

@MplsCustomer 

Thank you for the info you provided. I didn't realize that was what was occurring, though it makes sense. Doesn't explain why my batteries are dying so much faster, but it sounds like that is a different reason than initially suspected.

[MplsCustomer]

@bnads1 

Are the cameras that are plugged in using the 5-meter or 10-meter optional power cable, with the cable feeding towards the FRONT of the camera?

[EmersonB]

Hello everyone,

@bnads1, thanks for your update. Battery life will depend on factors including activity, temperature and selected camera settings. You can extend the battery life of your camera by adjusting video quality, length of video clips, time between recorded events and using Activity Zones to monitor specific areas. When the automatic Battery Saver is enabled, your Nest Camera will automatically adjust its features to help conserve battery.

Here's how to turn on the Battery Saver:

1. Open the Google Home app .
2. Tap Favourites or Devices .
3. Tap and hold your device's tile More Settings .
4. Tap Battery the switch next to Automatic Battery Saver.

To learn more, you may visit our public article about “Save battery for Nest cameras and doorbells”.

Best,

Emerson