Outdoor (Wireless) Nest Cameras not detecting motion

[Delte7]

My outdoor (wireless) cams are not detecting motion unless you are right up in front of them (less than 10 feet). I have 2 different cameras that are both behaving this way. I have tried removing, resetting, and then adding them back to google home.  I have adjusted and turned on all the settings (people, vehicle, motion). I have tired it with 1 zone, 2 zones and no zones. 

I can stand 25 feet away  from cameras and it wont detect me. as I walk closer to camera it wont detect motion till I'm right up on it. 

I'm not sure if I should return and get replacements (defective) or return and go with a different mfgr (working ass designed). 

Please advise,

Delte7

[MplsCustomer · Accepted solution]

@Delte7 

We've had a Google Nest Camera (Battery), plugged in with the optional power cable for a year. But if we turn off the circuit that powers the camera--so that the camera is running on battery power and therefore in "Idle" mode--it is very poor at detecting motion or people. I can walk in front of the camera and it does not detect me. But when the power is on to the camera and the camera is therefore in "Live" mode, it picks up events the way our older Google Nest wired cameras do. Other posts in this forum also seem to indicate that when the camera is on battery power and in "Idle" mode, it takes awhile to wake up and detect and record events.

[janthadeus]

Hey folks,

Checking in — we haven't received your form. Were you able to fill it out? Still need our help?

Thanks for your help here, MplsCustomer and Emerson.

Regards,

JT 

[EmersonB]

Hello Delte7,
 

We apologize for the trouble this has caused you. A few questions: When did it start happening? Were there any changes to the Wi-Fi network? Has the camera been moved recently? You might have to move your camera, change your camera’s angle, or change something in the scene so that you don’t miss important activity. Check out this link to learn more about Troubleshoot Nest camera alerts.

Keep me posted.
 

Regards, 

Emerson

[Delte7]

I have changed camera angle and tested it several ways (see my original notes). The issue is that these cameras are battery powered...and therefore are "idle" when no activity is present, so they only pick up activity when its within about 10 feet. If I'm not mistaken they claim to pick up motion at 25 ft...thats just not the case though for the battery powered nest cams. 

Delte7

[EmersonB]

Hi Delte7,

Thanks for the response. I understand the trouble that you have right now. We'll go ahead and sort this out. To confirm, Have you tried to use a different mobile device and check if you can receive notifications? Is the Airplane or Do Not Disturb mode turned off or on?

Give these steps a try:

• Turn off and on the push notifications from the Google Home App.
• Uninstall and reinstall the Google Home App.
• If you're using an iOS device, make sure that the notifications of the Google Home App are enabled.
• Try using a different mobile device.

Looking forward for your response.

Thanks,
Emerson

[Delte7]

The issue isn't with notification to my pixel 6 or my google max hub. I'm getting notifications when motion is detected. The issue is the wireless nest cam doesn't detect motion unless its within about 10 feet. I have 3 different nest cams (at different places around my home) and a google wireless doorbell....they all behave the same. I believe this is due to the reason a user already posted...it run on battery and is idle and it doesn't detect motion at distances longer than about 15 - 20 feet. 

[EmersonB]

Hi  Delte7,

Thanks for trying — we'd be happy to take a look into this for you. Please fill out this form with all the needed information. Let me know once you’re done.

Regards,
Emerson

[Brad]

Hi there,

Just checking in on this thread to remind you all that if you haven't filled out the support form, please do so. We'll leave this topic open for another 24 hours in case there are any follow-up questions or comments.

Best regards,
Brad

[EmersonB]

Hi Delte7,

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

Best,

Emerson