Nest Camera with Floodlights

[ronrutmr2]

It seems the same problems occur over and over since these hit the market. I guess I'm no exception.

Professional install (through Google) on non-switched power source.

Worked as it should about 10 days. Then the Floodlight tab became grayed out and unresponsive. Then it just disappeared. Home app is installed on three different phones - Pixel 7Pro, Pixel 6Pro, Samsung A52. Lights continued to work with settings I had done prior, but now I can't change anything. Since the factory resets, they are now at 100% brightness all the time.

Camera continuously goes to dead battery and then offline. Have to restart it to get it to charge.

I have done two factory resets and several restarts and the problems continue.

My question is should I apply for an exchange, or refund? Has swapping out been successful on those of you who went through this? 

Ron

[MplsCustomer]

@ronrutmr2 

That shouldn't happen. We've had the battery camera--which is the same camera but without the light fixture--for 22 months now, plugged in with the optional power cable, and it's been online the whole time.

This is probably not the cause, but is your power cable plugged snugly into the bottom of the camera with the cord feeding towards the FRONT of the camera? When the camera is online, does the battery setting show as "Plugged in" with an infinity symbol?

[ronrutmr2]

The multi-pin power/signal cord will only go in one way. And I cleaned the contacts the first time this happened. Made sure the set screw was in good, too.

It usually shows a battery % until about 20%, then goes to the infinity symbol. I went out a few minutes ago to reset again, and when I put the ladder up, the green light came on (didn't earlier in the day when I went out). Went immediately to the infinity symbol and says "plugged in". 

[MplsCustomer]

@ronrutmr2 

Curious. I'm not an expert, but I would think that, since it's the same camera as our battery camera, it should behave the same as long as it is always getting electrical power. Ours always shows "Plugged in" with an infinity symbol unless I unplug the power, in which case the battery percentage has always ranged between 77% and 100%. And the status light is always green.

I don't know if yours is faulty or not. You could try contacting Support, starting with the link below. When you get to the "Resources" page, just click "Next step" without selecting any of the Help topics, in order to get to the page with contact choices (phone or chat).

https://support.google.com/googlenest/gethelp

[ronrutmr2]

I read where there was a software update to the cameras in mid-June. Wonder if that is what broke the spotlight tile in the Home app?

[ronrutmr2]

The mysteries just keep getting better... I had the form filled out to do a warranty return yesterday (7/19), but waited to send until this morning. First I looked at Home and the floodlight tile was back! Also, the battery charge stayed up enough to operate the system as normal all night. So, I will hold off on any claim and monitor how it goes. If anything significant changes, I'll repost.

[MplsCustomer]

@ronrutmr2 

If it happens again, you could try reseating the USB plug in the bottom of the camera. I've seem a few posts from customers with battery cameras or floodlight cameras where it seems there are issues getting the USB plug to seat firmly or remain seated firmly.  We've been lucky with our battery camera.

[ronrutmr2]

Just curious, does your battery cam have a typical usb type port, or a multi-pin like mine?

[MplsCustomer]

@ronrutmr2 

The battery camera is the same camera that is used in the floodlight fixture and has the same multi-pin USB port.

[EdmondB]

Hi there,

I just wanted to follow up and see if you still need any help. Let me know if you have any additional questions from here.

Regards,
Edmond

[EdmondB]

Hello ronrutmr2,

I’m glad to hear that your Nest Cam Floodlight is up and running again. Keep an eye on your Nest Cam Floodlight if the issue reoccurs, and let us know if you have any additional questions or concerns.
 

Thanks for the help, @MplsCustomer.
 

Thanks,

Edmond

[ronrutmr2]

No change; everything is operating as it should.

If I had to guess at what the original problem was and how it corrected itself, I would say that the multi-pin connector is suspect. Time will tell!

Thanks to all.

[EdmondB]

Hey everyone,
 

As everything is working on your Nest Cam Floodlight, I'm going to mark this one as resolved. Please feel free to open up a new thread if you need assistance.
 

Thanks,

Edmond

[MplsCustomer]

The multi-pin USB connector on our battery camera's optional power cable seems rather flimsy.