Recurring gaps in video recording in nest cam

[WalkTheDogs]

I've seen this a lot: long blocks of unrecorded video from my outdoor Nest cam.  Tonight it was from 10:13pm until 11:28pm.  During that period, a ball of dried weeds about the size of a bowling ball appeared on my back deck. It looks like an animal started building a nest. I'm not as bothered by that than I am that not only was none of this recorded but that something like this should have triggered an event by the motion detector and didn't.

I've been through the troubleshooting tips. None of them apply. During the same period as this Nest camera blackout i was awake and watching TV over wifi so my electrical and LAN were fine. There is likewise no manual schedule in my Nest app.

I've also spoken on the phone with a Nest customer service rep about the random failure of the motion detector on this camera and he was also no help. In fact, he sounded like he was half asleep.

[MplsCustomer]

@WalkTheDogs 

Do you have a "Nest Aware" or a "Nest Aware Plus" subscription? Which exact camera is your "outdoor Nest Cam"? Your post has "Google Home app" selected (which implies the 2nd gen battery camera) but you refer to the Nest app (which implies the 1st gen Google Nest Outdoor Camera).

[WalkTheDogs]

I do have a Nest Aware subscription. The camera is a Nest Cam Outdoors (wired, not battery).

I actually tried it with a second generation battery-driven Nest Cam and it had the same issue. But when I used an indoor first-generation in the same localtion it ran perfectly, as least until the first heavy rain killed it dead.

My presumption is that these blackouts are being caused by the motion sensing logic failing to sense motion so the camera stops recording.

[MplsCustomer]

@WalkTheDogs 

All of our Google Nest cameras are worse at detecting events at night. Our one 2nd gen battery camera records everything because we have a "Nest Aware Plus" subscription, but if we unplug it--so that it's running on battery power--it does not do well at waking up to detect people events, even in the daytime.

[zoeuvre]

Hi WalkTheDogs, 

Yikes! I apologize for the inconvenience you're experiencing with your Nest Camera Outdoor and the lack of recorded video during specific periods. It's frustrating when troubleshooting steps don't yield the desired results and when customer service encounters don't provide helpful assistance. Here are a few additional suggestions to address the issue:

1. Ensure that your Nest Camera Outdoor is positioned properly and that there are no obstructions that could affect its motion detection capabilities. Make sure there are no objects blocking the camera's field of view or causing false motion triggers.
2. Double-check the camera settings in the Nest app to ensure that motion detection is enabled and properly configured. Confirm that the motion sensitivity is appropriately set to capture the desired range of motion events.
3. Ensure that your Nest Camera Outdoor has the latest firmware installed. Firmware updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements that could address issues with motion detection and video recording.
4. Try performing a camera reset, then remove and reconnect the camera in the Nest app. This can help refresh the camera's connection and settings.
5. If you have a Nest Aware subscription, confirm that it is active and properly linked to your camera. Sometimes issues with recording and motion detection can be related to subscription settings or account synchronization.
6. If the issue persists, you may want to explore alternative camera placement options or consider adding additional cameras to cover blind spots. This can help ensure better coverage and reduce the likelihood of missed events.

I understand your frustration, and I hope that these suggestions help you resolve the issue with your Nest Camera Outdoor. 

Thanks for your help, . 

Let us know if that helps.

Best,

Zoe