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Two Google Next (Battery) Cameras don't work - returning

ATLJeff
Community Member

I've recently purchased and installed two (2) Google Nest Camera (Battery) units, on either side of my house. They both connected originally. One sent live feed for nearly three weeks uninterrupted, the other sent live feed for maybe two days. Now they both drop in & out, showing recorded video history but no live feed (in other words, the cameras work; they record information, but no real-time viewing).

I just spent 90 minutes on the phone with Google Tech Support, and learned I'd need to spend at least as much longer before Google would entertain sending me new units. These new cameras are (supposed to be) connecting to a new Google Nest Mesh WiFi network in my home, where fully seventeen (17) other devices connect and work seamlessly. Something's amiss with this product, and I see more and more information to that effect here on the Support Community boards (where there is lots of venting, but little intervention from Google Support, it appears).

I'm so frustrated. The only true solution now is to hang my 58-year-old carcass back outside the upstairs windows, unscrew the magnetic mounts, put the cameras back in the boxes, return them to Best Buy and buy something else.

6 REPLIES 6

MplsCustomer
Bronze
Bronze

@ATLJeff 

We have had a Google Nest Camera (Battery) since Sept. 2021. We have it plugged in with the optional power cable and it is "Live" all the time and recording 24/7 with our Nest Aware Plus subscription. If we unplug the camera, it goes into "Idle" mode and only goes live if we select the option to go live in the Google Home app.  It also wakes up to record events if it detects them, but we don't run it in battery mode.

Some customers in this forum have reported issues with the Google Nest Camera (Battery) when it is in battery mode, including issues with battery life.

I have had my Google nest camera less then 30 days. It went offline at 82%. I was trying to troubleshoot it. I decided to put it on charge so it could be at 100%. IT WAS AT 1%, according to Google Home. I thought it would at least last 6 months. I stay in a condo. I am extremely unhappy. 

ATLJeff
Community Member

It seems one either has multiple issues with this camera, or doesn’t. It may be something about the particular setup, as vanilla as it is, of my home. Perhaps actually too close to a WiFi point? (??)

Regardless, there comes a time when enough is enough. Spending hours on the phone trying simply to get a product to work as advertised is to be expected sometimes, but rarely. These things are boxed up and ready to go back. @MplsCustomer I’m glad, and a little encouraged, to read that your camera is working well.

@ATLJeff 

I'm sorry you couldn't get your cameras to work.  Based on what I've seen in posts in this forum, it seems that some of the new Google Nest Cameras (Battery) and/or their charging cords are defective. In addition, the new cameras don't seem to function well when running on battery. I guess we're lucky to have one that's not defective, and we have it plugged in with a power cable. Now if they would only add back the functionality that's missing because they don't work with the Google Nest app--as they've promised.

bozotron
Community Member

We had a working nest camera (battery) on an older router, added the new google mesh router, on the Google pixel 6 phone- The home app will not allow the setup of existing camera. All NEW Google hardware. I had to call tech support to re-add the two nest thermostats.  Don't want to return the router because it solved a low signal issue and I spent hours getting the Nest Thermostats working again in the Home app. WTF Google? Nest ? Can I return this camera (er paperweight)? Please test connectivity on your product line, very disappointed and want to return everything. 

aatienza
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey folks,

 

Thanks for visiting the Community. 

 

Since this thread hasn't had activity in a while, we're going to close it to keep content fresh. Feel free to submit another post, and provide as many details as possible so that others can lend a hand.

 

Thanks,

Archie