Is Your Nest Camera Unreachable? (Get It Working Again!)

nest camera unreachable

The Nest camera unreachable only sounds frightening! In reality, this error is really easy to solve! The error is accompanied by the following message:

  • “Live video unavailable. The camera may be unreachable or saving battery.”

If you see this message in the “Live” tab of the Nest app, it could mean that the camera has lost its connection or indicate a Nest app problem.

However, by the end of this guide, it will be fixed.

Nest Camera Unreachable Error – Fixed in 7 Working Steps!

Note: Have you received a notification from Google, informing you that the camera has lost connection or can no longer remain connected?

1. Check if the Nest Camera is Charged

check if the nest camera is charged

Apart from the “Live video unavailable” statement in the error message, there’s also “saving battery” at the end, which could mean your camera has lost its power supply.

Since Nest cameras are entirely battery-powered, you can either plug them into an outlet for a constant supply or charge them once every 20–30 days. 

The Nest camera uses standard magnetic pins to charge, and on the other end, it has a USB 2.0/3.0 jack for an adapter or PC connection.

How to Charge A Nest Camera’s Rechargeable Battery?

In order to charge the Nest camera, you will have to unmount it from the stand and install the charging equipment before placing it.

For this purpose, prepare a compatible power adapter with the camera’s equipment, carefully detach it from the stand, and place it on top of the pins.

Note: You will know that the camera has started charging once the LED indicators illuminate!

2. View the Nest Camera’s Video History

view the nest camera’s video history

If the Nest camera is not reachable error is only related to the camera’s live feed, you should still be able to see some of the files that belong to the video history section.

Scrolling past the live feed of the camera on the Nest app’s homepage will reveal all previously recorded live events.

  • If the video history section is present, your Nest camera is still functional and connected to the Wi-Fi.

You can view the video history right under the “Live” tab only within the Nest application. 

How to Delete Nest Camera Video History?

If you’ve viewed all of the files and no longer need them, it’s strongly recommended to erase the video history by following these steps:

  1. Open the Nest app and tap on your Nest camera.
  2. Tap “Settings” and scroll to the bottom of the page.
  3. Tap “Delete video history” and tap Confirm again.

Note: After confirming the uninstallation, all of your camera’s snapshots will be cleared, which will possibly help the app to re-discover the camera. 

3. Unplug the Network Router/Gateway

unplug the network router/gateway

A simple power reset of the network router might be highly efficient in fixing the “unreachable” error within the Nest or Google Home app.

All you have to do is temporarily stop your network device’s power supply until all of the electricity has drained.

  • Unplug the network router/modem’s power adapter from both ends and wait for approximately 60 seconds to pass.

Once the router is reconnected, give it another 30–40 seconds until all network services are back online and test the Nest camera

4. Reconnect Camera with the Internet

The “unreachable” alert is a prime example of what your camera’s interface would look like while not connected to the internet.

That’s why we will guide you through the best instructions on how to change, modify, or assign Wi-Fi in your Nest camera’s configuration.

reconnect camera with the internet

Follow these steps to change the Nest camera’s Wi-Fi:

  1. Open the Nest or Google Home app on your phone.
  • Google Home: Go to “Devices” or “Favorites” below.
  • Nest app: Access the devices page of the Nest unit.
  1. Once in “Device Settings,” locate the “Wi-Fi” section.
  2. Next, tap on “Change” or “Forget” from the Wi-Fi tile.
  3. Follow the steps to change the Nest camera’s network.

Bonus Tip: Test on Mobile Hotspot:

To determine if the fault is with your network, we recommend activating the mobile hotspot feature of your mobile through the settings and connecting the Nest camera.

Following the instructions above, change the Nest camera’s Wi-Fi but select the SSID of your smartphone’s network instead and use the renewed password.

Then, remaining within a 15–25 feet range from the camera while testing the reception. 

5. Reduce the Network Bandwidth Usage

reduce the network bandwidth usage

Another solution that could help with the Nest camera’s app discovery issue is reducing the bandwidth utilization of the network. 

Overloading one or both of your Wi-Fi threads with demanding tasks such as downloading, uploading, or seeding could prevent Nest from connecting.

Here are some clever tips to reduce the network’s utilization:

  • Reduce the amount of connected devices to your network.
  • Stop all high-demand downloading or uploading processes.
  • Try moving all of your devices across the 2.4/5 GHz threads.
  • Investigate for unauthorized access and bandwidth hoggers.
  • Configure the QoS settings of your network on the web GUI.

Tip: You can get in touch with the ISP to discuss potential possibilities for reducing the bandwidth usage. 

6. Update the Nest or Google Home App

update the nest or google home app

One of the leading causes for the “Nest camera unreachable” error within the live tab is an outdated or pending firmware version of the Google Home or Nest app.

Yes, that’s correct. 

You can use both the Nest application and the traditional Google Home platform to set up your camera and gain access to all of its functions without exceptions.

6.1 How to Update the Google Home/Nest App On Android?

  1. Open the Google Play Store and tap on your profile icon.
  2. Go to “Manage installed apps” in the options drop-down.
  3. Find the Nest or Google Home app in the list of platforms.
  4. Tap the “Update” button next to the app to start the process.

6.2 How to Update the Google Home/Nest App On an iOS?

update google home/nest app ios
  1. Open the App Store and tap on your profile icon.
  2. Go to “See pending updates and release notes.”
  3. Locate the Nest or Google Home app in the tab.
  4. Press the Update icon to initiate the procedure.

Important: Verify the smartphone maintains a stable connection before starting the update! 

7. Reset Nest to Default System Settings

Well, restoring the Nest camera to factory defaults involves unmounting the unit from the stand and locating the small “RESET” button on the back.

reset nest to default system settings
  • All you need to do is press and hold the “RESET” button for roughly 10–15 seconds to reboot the camera and erase all of its settings.

Once the camera’s LED blinks, you will hear a countdown tone and at 12 seconds, the unit’s lamp will turn solid yellow.

Whenever the reset starts, you will hear a confirmation tone that lasts for several seconds. 

Note: If this doesn’t solve your issue, don’t hesitate to contact Nest customer service for help!