Unable to create or modify activity zone

[Ligu]

As of today I am unable to create or modify activity zones - I removed and reinstalled camera and google home app - it did not solve the issue

[EmersonB]

Hello TBCuthbert,

We appreciate your update. To know more about this issue, I’d like to confirm, is your iOS version updated? Have you tried deleting and adding an activity zone? Try reinstalling your Google Home app.

Looking forward to your response.

Regards,

Emerson

[SteelCor]

I’ve also been having this issue for the last several days, and it’s still not resolved.  I thought it was a specific camera which I recently added a solar panel to, but today I realized it’s an issue on my other camera.  When I click “seen events” the camera pane is black and states “couldn’t turn on.”  There is an “open camera” button which simply brings me to the live view of the camera with the activity feed.  Of course, that screen loads fine. I’ve also noticed an increasing number of app crashes when clicking Google Home iOS notifications or viewing past events in the app.

When I have to remove the camera to charge it, I need to be able to adjust the camera position to fit the zones or edit the zones…. I can’t do this lately.  Google please recognize and fix this!

[Vladxp]

Same exact issue here. Added a brand new Nest Floodlight Cam. During the initial setup, updated it. Viewing it live no issues. Attempting to define an activity zone results in a spinning "busy" circle cursor followed by "Couldn't tun on" message.

[huskers12]

Has there been any progress on this? I am having the same issue and have been for a few days.

[Ligu]

There was a massage from EdmondB (community specialist) yesterday saying the team is aware of the issues and investigating

[MplsCustomer]

Yesterday we were able to access Activity Zones, Seen Events, and Notifications.  Today, once again we are again getting the black screen with the "Cannot turn on" message even though the camera is on and is "Live".  Once again, submitted Feedback from our iPad and iPhone.

[huskers12]

Between the activity issue and the notification issue I am having, really getting frustrated with the Google Home app (Nest app was light years better). For every notification I receive (iPhone & 2x iPads), I see a notification saying "Person seen Driveway" and then within seconds, a 2nd notification for the same event but with the previewed image of the event. However, the 2 notifications aren't truly 2 separate ones, they render into one notification when looking at the notification center on the iPhone. You will only see this if you actively watching your phone during an event. I noticed this when I had my Airpods in and it announced both notifications. Anyone else seeing this?

[SungT]

Its 9:16AM EST, Nov 2 - I'm still having this issue. I've read elsewhere there's a way to edit the zones on the web version on the Home app, but I can't find it anywhere.  

[MplsCustomer]

@SungT 

There is no web access for editing camera settings for cameras installed in the Google Home app.

[SungT]

ok, thanks

[Vladxp]

Finally able to define and save the activity zones. (November 2nd, 2023. 8:00 CST)

[Ligu]

Overhere it works too ! Rgds from Belgium

[MplsCustomer]

@Liguand @Vladxp 

It's not working for us today.  Sent Feedback again.

[SungT]

Still doesn't work here in Pennsylvania (11/2 @3:36p EST)

[SungT]

It’s working! Nov 2, 8:36pm est. I’m using iOS 17.0.3

[Gluppy]

I installed 4 new battery cameras about a week ago. I cannot add zones. I have tickets open with Google. 

[Gluppy]

Ok, I opened a ticket with support about a week ago and after my last post with support yesterday, they offered to replace a camera. I decided to try to create a zone and now it is working. So, I went ahead and updated all my zones while it is still working. This has to be a server issue on their side and they must have updated or refreshed my part of their virtual server. We will see how long it lasts. I have 9 cameras. I configured the last 5 today with zones.

[bpea]

I'm having the same issue. Factory reset, removed from the app and re-added. Been chatting with support and they really want to blame everyone but themselves on this one. They claimed it was the app version. Updated the app. Nope still didn't work. They blamed the iOS version. I went from 16->17. Nope still didn't work. They blamed the doorbell hardware itself. They sent me a NEW replacement one fedex next day. Set up the new one and guess what.
It 
Didn't
Work

Google get your s*hit together. 

[Gluppy]

Same here. They have been making me do the same. No help. 

[SteelCor]

I’ve updated to iOS 17.1. I’m still having this issue. My notifications are messed up, so it would be really nice to have a way to fix my activity zones….

[yonderkthx]

This still does not work for me.

[Vladxp]

I spoke to soon. As of 11/6/23 8:00 CST the problem is back. Unable to view/edit activity zones using iOS 17.1.

[JoemB]

I’m having the same issue. It’s been a problem for a couple weeks now. Hope Google gets this resolved soon. 

[MplsCustomer]

As of right now (11:15 am US CST), we once again cannot access Notifications, Activity Zones, or Seen Events, getting instead that black screen with the mysterious "Cannot turn on" message. Cannot turn on what? Our plugged-in battery camera is on and is livestreaming, recording, and sending notifications.

Last night and earlier this morning we COULD access Notifications, Activity Zones, and Seen Events.

Is something on Google Nest's servers performing erratically?

[cbcb]

I am having the same issue on all 5 of my Cameras. Very disappointed. For the premium price we pay for these cameras these things should be just flawless. Maybe Google should start remembering subscriptions till this promised functionality is working again. 

[Aok]

I'm having the same issues on all four of new newly installed floodlight cams. 

Any update, Google?

[MplsCustomer]

Yesterday we COULD access Activity Zones.  Today we CANNOT.

[AtomArne]

Same issue here!

[fireballn]

This has been a problem for weeks now. Any update?

[renatejr]

I too had this problem. I charged the camera, remounted it. Then, I wanted to edit the zone because we could never place the camera in the same exact position every time. Two days went by and I could not modify or edit, even deleting the zone.. It’s still would not let me create a new one either. Try this. I use my iphone when making these changes when trying to look or operate camera. Put your phone off wi-fi. Shut it off on the device you’re using to control your cameras. Use data instead for a minute.   It’s so happened that my Wi-Fi could not catch up. I got spinning wheel of death as I tried to make changes. These cameras work off of Wi-Fi, and so is the device you’re using to control it. Once my phone was not on Wi-Fi I was able to edit the zone and save it, and the like. I hope this  bit of information helps others. It seems so simple. Too many devices (including the cameras) working off of wi-fi. After I set up the camera again I went and put my device (phone) back on Wi-Fi. 

[JoemB]

Thanks, it worked turning the wifi off on my cell phone. After doing so I was able to reset the zones using my phone’s cellular connection.  Much appreciated. 

[Ligu]

For me (in Belgium) it works today being able to modify activity zones.  But the pain persists to review past events without having a crash of my ipad.  Don’t know if the 2 issues are related 

[MplsCustomer]

After receiving the Nov. 7 Version 3.9.104 update of the Google Home app on Monday, Nov. 13, we've been able to access Notifications, Seen Events, and Activity Zones for the last 3 days on both of our iPads and iPhones without getting the "Couldn't turn on" error--in Minnesota, USA.

[bpea]

I can also confirm that updating to 3.9.104 the issue is resolved. Would have been great if at at least one customer service rep or community rep just acknowledge the issue would be fixed in an upcoming update instead of silence and replacing physical hardware for no reason. 

[EdmondB]

Hello everyone, 

Thanks for keeping us in the loop, and sorry for the late reply. We started a software update last week for the Google Home app on both iOS and Android. Please let us know if you still encounter the same issue when creating or editing Activity Zones even after getting the latest version of the Google Home App (3.9). 

I look forward to your responses. 

Best,
Edmond

[Ligu]

For me it works fine since a couple of days when editing and creating activity zones (google home version 3.9.104) - please urgently also resolve the issue with the multiple crashes of the app when reviewing past events - best regards

[EdmondB]

Hey Ligu, 

We know how important this is for you — our team is already aware of this and we're now working diligently on a fix. We'll check back in once we have an update.

Best, 
Edmond

[Ligu]

Thx Edmond for this message, but please hurry up to solve the issue reg. the multiple crashes when reviewing past events. It is a real pain to do, and I came to this point that I simply only use the small recording in the history section to review and of course missing important info

[EdmondB]

Hi there, 

I know how it feels when something isn’t working as it should. We're working on a fix. Stay tuned to this thread for updates.

Regards,
Edmond

[KrishanuAR]

I’m having the same issue this morning. I was getting notifications for events outside of my zone, so I removed zones and attempted to re make them, but now I’m getting the infamous “could not turn on” error, even though live view is working fine.

UPDATE:

As another user suggested, I turned off iOS WiFi, and accessed the camera via cell data (so from outside of the network that the device is on), and I was able to set up zones again correctly.