Google Nest Doorbell Not Turning On? (Here’s The Fix!)

Nest doorbell not turning on and wondering why? Don’t panic–the problem is probably not lethal, and your doorbell may just be working fine.

When it’s not turning on, the issue is often related to the power supply (e.g, wiring, transformer, chime adapter, internal battery).

So, this quick guide will walk you through everything you can do at home, even if you’re not well familiar with doorbell installations and voltage requirements.

Let’s get straight into it…

Quick Ways To Fix When Your Nest Doorbell Not Turning On?

Note: Have you tried flipping the switch on the circuit breaker on and off, or simply restarting your Nest doorbell to check whether this will work?

1. Power Cycle/Fully Charge the Doorbell (Wired & Battery)

Perhaps, the Google Nest doorbell refuses to power on due to a temporary issue with the power supply if you have the wired version, or a drained battery of your wireless model.

Well, you can easily conduct the so-called “power reset” regardless of the Nest doorbell version you have.

This is one of the most effective solutions!

1.1: How to Power Cycle a Wired Nest Doorbell

First, you must locate the circuit breaker in your installation and find the doorbell power switch! 

Push the switch to “Off” for approximately ~20–30 seconds, then move it back to “On” to restore the power.

Now, verify that the doorbell responds in the application and the indicator illuminates. 

1.2: How to Power Cycle a Battery Nest Doorbell

First, use the release tool to unmount the doorbell and connect it to the supplied USB Type-C cable for charging.

Wait for at least ~2–3 hours or until the indicator illuminates, and reinstall the doorbell to test the functionality.

Verify your Nest doorbell is securely mounted on the wall plate.

⚠️Warning: Always disconnect the power when working with a wired Nest doorbell power supply!

2. Reconnect the Doorbell Terminal Wires (Wired)

The wired Nest doorbell connects with your existing doorbell installation via the “TRANS” and “FRONT” or “REAR” wires that belong to the circuit breaker and chime.

Hence, a faulty or loose connection could prevent the doorbell from powering on and show no signs of responsiveness.

Here’s how to inspect the wired Nest doorbell installation setup:

While the wires are disconnected, check for any physical damage, corrosion, or fraying of the plastic cable cover.

There could be an underlying issue with your installation that only a qualified technician can address; hence, take a close look.

Note: If you feel like the issue requires a technician, don’t hesitate to do a phone consultation!

3. Inspect the Doorbell Charging Equipment (Battery)

Another reason why your battery-powered Nest doorbell will not turn on is due to an underlying issue with the charging.

So, the next step is to examine the charging setup and equipment to identify potential problems that prevent the doorbell from starting up. 

3.1: AC Equipment

Remove the Nest Doorbell from the mount, connect the USB Type-C cable to your adapter, and check if the doorbell indicator illuminates.

If there are no signs of life, install a replacement USB Type-C cable and test with a replacement 12V power adapter to identify the power-related fault.

3.2: Charging Port

First, locate the USB-C port on the doorbell and use a Q-tip along with some rubbing alcohol to collect any dust or debris on the charging pins.

A clean port ensures a reliable connection with the charger and allows your doorbell to charge effectively and potentially resolve power issues.

3.3: Power Outlet

If the issue is still there, relocate the doorbell along with the charging equipment (USB-C cable and adapter) to an alternative outlet, preferably in another room.

Also, checking if the charging indicator lights up after connecting the Nest doorbell to another outlet is strongly recommended.

4. Check the Chime Adapter Installation (Wired)

Well-wired Nest doorbells use a specialized chime adapter to regulate the transformer voltage, connecting through positive (+) and negative (–) wires to the “FRONT” and “TRANS” terminals. 

While this installation is typically handled by professionals, attempting this yourself can lead to errors like mismatched wires or short circuits, which may worsen power issues.

So, if you have never worked with electrical wiring, we advise against conducting this inspection yourself.

4.1: Inspect the Adapter Wiring

Check that the chime adapter positive (+) wire is connected to the “TRANS” terminal and the negative (–) to the “FRONT” or “REAR” terminal.

So, it is quite important not to mismatch the connections, as this could lead to a short circuit and potentially damage the doorbell system. 

4.2: Check Transformer Wires

Next, verify the “TRANS” and “FRONT”/“REAR” terminals are connected to the transformer and doorbell, with the doorbell “C” positive wire connected to the “+” on the transformer. 

Tip: ZontSound advises using a multimeter to verify that the transformer provides sufficient voltage!

4.3: Test  Adapter Functionality

A malfunctioning or an incompatible chime adapter might deliver incorrect voltage, leading to power insufficiencies in the doorbell system.

Contact Google Help for a replacement adapter or purchase a new, compatible one from retailers like Amazon to ensure the proper functionality.

5. Replace the Nest Doorbell Internal Battery (Battery)

Yet another reason why the Nest doorbell won’t turn on could be due to a depleted battery, especially if neither of the indicators illuminates.

The procedure requires a standard Phillips screwdriver, tweezers, and plastic opening picks to avoid potential battery hardware damage.

⚠️Alert: The Nest doorbell battery is not intended to be replaced by the user. This could void the warranty of your product or result in irreversible hardware damage, so proceed with caution.

Note: There are labels with the exact power requirements on the battery, so make sure the replacement is compatible.

6. Test & Replace the Nest Transformer (Wired)

When the Nest doorbell is not turning on, an underpowered or outdated transformer, which fails to deliver the required voltage to the doorbell, might be the reason why your unit does not power on.

A wired Nest doorbell typically needs 16–24V AC, as 8V minimum is often unreliable. 

The next step is to test and replace the transformer present in your system with a compatible unit that can ensure stable power delivery to the doorbell.

Step #1: Test the Transformer Voltage

Step #2: Replace the Transformer

Note: If you are not confident in replacing the transformer by yourself, it is recommended to get in touch with a qualified technician.