Nest Camera Keeps Turning Off? (Here’s The Easy Fix!)

Your home security is greatly compromised when your Nest camera keeps turning off at random without a proper reason.

Well, this could be caused by a variety of issues, including misconfigured Home/Away assist, system status, power problems, or Wi-Fi signal issues.

In this quick guide, we’ll walk you through everything possible that’s causing your Nest camera to turn off and help you resolve the problem in a matter of minutes!

Nest Camera Keeps Turning Off – Fixed in 8 Quick Solutions!

Note: Have you checked if the camera turns off by itself or responds to a user input?

1. Adjust the “Home/Away” Assist

If you have to turn the streaming on for your Nest camera frequently, it probably means that you have activated the “Home/Away” assist.

Hence, if the camera detects that you are at home, the streaming will be stopped until “Away” is selected.

Let’s learn more about how “Home/Away” works!

How Does Nest’s “Home/Away” Work?

The “Home/Away” Assist is your Nest camera’s way of checking whether you’re currently at home or not.

If you’re at home, then there would be no practical need for a live feed within the app, whilst when you’re away, the system will automatically “arm” and start monitoring again.

How to Adjust “Home/Away” On Nest?

If you prefer to keep the feature active for some if not all of your Nest products, you can set it to “Away” manually, so your camera can record at all times.

Alternatively, your Nest camera would keep checking your phone’s location to determine whether you’re at home or not. 

How to Disable “Home/Away” for Nest?

You can deactivate the “Home/Away” assist by opening the Nest mobile app and navigating to Settings → [Your Nest camera] → “Home/Away” Assist → “Disabled”. 

Note: The “Home/Away” Assist of each Nest product added to the application can be adjusted differently, based on your monitoring and security needs. 

2. Update Nest Camera Wi-Fi Info

An unstable connection could be another reason why your Nest camera keeps shutting off or appears as “Offline” within the app. 

Even if the camera has a consistent power supply, you won’t receive a live feed or notifications for as long as the connection with the Wi-Fi is disbanded. 

How to Change Wi-Fi Settings On Nest?

1. Open the Nest app and navigate to “Settings”.
2. Navigate to “Home Info” → “Home Wi-Fi help”.
3. Next, tap “Start” then select “Update Settings”.
4. Follow the instructions to set up Nest’s Wi-Fi.

Note: If you use the Google Home app, go to “Devices” → “More” → “Settings” → “Remove Device”, then “Add Device” to update the Wi-Fi credentials. 

How to Pair Nest to Wi-Fi? (First Time)

If you haven’t connected Nest to the Wi-Fi yet, here’s how:

• Nest app: Open the app, press on “Add Device”, specify the product you’re adding, assign it to an existing (or new) configuration, and type down the Wi-Fi data.
• Google Home: Open the app, tap on “Devices” → “Add” → “Google Nest or partner device” then follow the on-screen instructions.

How to Address Issues with Wi-Fi?

Nest might be periodically losing connection due to an underlying network fault.

We recommend power cycling the router, disconnecting unused devices, or freeing up some network bandwidth.

Alternatively, get in touch with your ISP to get all issues with the network or the Wi-Fi sorted out, if other of your devices are impacted. 

3. Power Cycle your Nest Camera

Perhaps, the Nest camera is turning off due to a problem with the power supply.

Based on your product’s model, proceed with the appropriate instructions.

How to Power Cycle All Nest Camera Models?
Google Nest Cam (battery)	Rotate the camera’s faceplate and pull it straight outwards to access the batteries. Remove all batteries for 10–15 seconds.
Google Nest Cam (wired)	Disconnect the power adapter of the camera from both ends and wait for at least 60 seconds.
Google Nest Cam IQ Indoor	The battery is not user-replaceable
Google Nest Cam IQ Outdoor	The battery is not user-replaceable
Google Nest Cam Indoor	Unplug the power adapter from the camera and from the outlet for approximately 60 seconds.
Google Nest Cam Outdoor	Find the battery compartment, pull the release latch, and take both batteries out.

• If you own a wired Nest camera, check whether the power cable is firmly plugged in on both ends and if it’s in good condition.
• If you have a battery-powered Nest camera, replace the batteries with brand new (double-A or triple-A) and test the functionality. 

Note: If you’re using a battery-operated unit, check for potential Nest camera charging issues!

4. Re-add Nest From the App

Perhaps, the Nest camera keeps powering off because of an issue with the device profile.

Re-adding the camera involves deleting the profile and then completing the initial setup all over again, without erasing the camera’s factory settings.

• Nest app: Go to “Menu” → “Settings” → [Your Nest camera] → “Remove” → “Confirm” → “Add Device”.
• Google Home: Go to “Devices” → [Your Nest camera] → “3-dot icon (menu)” → “Remove” → “Google Nest or partner device”.

Now, you must re-assign Nest with a Wi-Fi network and complete the basic setup instructions to create a new device profile. 

5. Troubleshoot Nest’s App

Your Nest camera can either use the Nest or Google Home app to connect.

Regardless of the app you use, issues with the functionality could emerge frequently due to an outdated app OS, too many excess files, or even problems with the installation.

Tip #1 Update the App

If you use an Android, open the Google Play Store and navigate to Profile → “View/Manage Installed Apps” → “Nest/Google Home app” → Update”.

If you’re on an iPhone instead, open the App Store and head to “Pending updates and release notes” → “Nest/Google Home app” → “Update”.

Tip #2 Clear the App’s Cache

You can clear the cache on Android by heading to Settings → “Storage” → “Nest/Google Home app” → “Clear Cache”.

Since iPhones do not support the clear cache function, the app must be offloaded.

So, open “Settings” → “Apps” → “Nest/Google Home” and tap “Offload” for 30–40 seconds.

Tip #3 Reinstall the App

Whether you’re using an iPhone or Android, press and hold the Nest/Google Home app’s icon and select “Remove/Uninstall” from the menu.

Then, respectively download the app from the Google Play Store or App Store. 

6. Reset Camera to OS Defaults

To factory reset your Nest, you must ensure the camera receives power from the batteries or the power source.

Then, locate the “RESET” button on the rear panel and hold it for roughly 15–20 seconds to reboot the camera and erase all OS settings.

All Nest camera products have a built-in “RESET” button, regardless if they’re IQ/non-IQ, Indoor/Outdoor, or battery-powered/outlet-powered. 

Warning: All data and information erased by the reset cannot be restored after completion!

7. Check & Eliminate Overheating

Another potential reason why your Nest Camera keeps turning off could be due to constant overheating because of the weather conditions or external factors.

Overheating is likely to occur under the following conditions:

• Hot summer season
• Sunlight exposure
• Nearby heat emitters

So, when your Nest camera overheats, the device will automatically turn off to preserve the HW components from lethal damage.

So, if you’re unable to power on the camera immediately after it powers off, then the device is likely overheating.

Quick Tip: Touch the panel to check whether it’s hot, so you can justify whether it’s overheating!

8. Migrate Nest to Google Home

Plenty of users have already migrated most of their devices from Nest to Google Home due to the wide variety of available features and more stable reception.

The Nest app, by itself, still works perfectly, but migrating the Nest camera might resolve underlying reception problems.

Note: Ensure you have the Home app installed, and you’re logged into the correct account. 

How to Start Nest Transfer Automatically?

To begin the transfer automatically, tap on the notification received by the Nest app stating “Transfer to Google Home” and follow the instructions.

You will be guided through a secured setup of creating a new profile for your camera in the Google Home app. 

How to Start Nest Transfer Manually?

Open the Nest app and navigate to “Settings” → “Transfer to Home app” → “Continue” → “Transfer” and wait for several seconds/minute until you’re redirected to the Home app.

Now, follow the steps to add Nest to a new or an existing room configuration.