Nest Doorbell Freezes When Rung? (Get It Working Again!)

We understand the inconvenience after your Nest doorbell freezes when rung, especially if you want to check the live feed and who’s out there.

The truth is, this problem could be caused by many things:

That’s not all. There is much more that we’ll take a look at, so continue with the steps below!

Nest Doorbell Freezes When Rung – 7 Ultimate Ways to Fix!

Note: The guide is applicable to both wired and battery-operated Nest doorbell models.

1. Reset the Doorbell’s Power Supply (Wired & Battery)

First, before attempting anything more complex, our advice is to conduct a clean reset of the doorbell power supply, as there could be a temporary issue.

Performing a power cycle on a doorbell can resolve the freezing problem, and you won’t have to get to more advanced steps.

The power reset procedure is different for hardwired and battery-operated Nest doorbells!

1.1 Power Cycle a Wired Nest Doorbell:

• Navigate to the circuit breaker and locate the doorbell switch.
• Turn the switch to “Off” for 20–30 seconds, then back to “On.”
• Verify that the doorbell appears online within the Home app.
• Ring the doorbell to determine if it responds without freezing.
• Check if the status of the doorbell changes in the Google app.

1.2 Power Cycle a Battery Nest Doorbell:

• Use the release tool to unmount the Nest doorbell bracket.
• Connect the doorbell with the provided USB-C to charge.
• Wait for at least 1–2 hours until the device is fully charged.
• Reinstall the doorbell and verify it is secured on the plate.
• Now, check the status of the doorbell within the mobile app.

After the power cycle is complete, verify the doorbell installation is in appropriate condition and check if the circuit breaker is set to “On”. 

2. Disable the Indoor Chime Function (Wired)

The existing chime of your system might be interfering with the doorbell due to the excessive power drain and cause it to freeze, right when it is rung.

We recommend temporarily disabling the indoor chime function and ringing the doorbell to test.

Note: A disabled indoor chime function could also be why the Nest doorbell is not ringing inside!

2.1 How to Disable Using the Home App:

• Open the Google Home app on your device.
• Hold the tile next to your Nest wired doorbell.
• Head to “Settings” → “Doorbell” in the menu.
• Set the “Ring indoor chime” function to “Off”.
• Save the changes and test your Nest doorbell.

2.2 How to Disable Using the Nest App:

• Launch the Nest application and sign in.
• Tap your Nest Doorbell on the home tab.
• Go to “Settings” → “Indoor chime On/Off”.
• Set the switch next to the option to “Off”.
• Determine if the doorbell is still freezing.

Note: You can use the Google Home Hub or another smart speaker to chime your doorbell.

3. Reinsert the Nest Doorbell Battery (Wired & Battery)

The internal battery of both wired and battery-operated Nest doorbell models is responsible for a backup power supply in case of an outage.

However, a battery failure could interrupt the power supply to the doorbell and prevent it from recording or ringing.

So, all you need to remove the Nest doorbell battery is a Phillips screwdriver, tweezers, and a plastic opening pick.

Proceed with caution to avoid damaging any of the internal components.

Follow these steps to access the battery of the Nest doorbell:

1. Power off the Nest Doorbell and unmount it from the wall.
2. Use the plastic pick to separate the faceplate and casing.
3. Pry off the faceplate, cutting through foam mesh if needed.
4. Peel back cover stickers and locate the four casing screws.
5. Remove the casing screws using the Philips screwdriver.
6. Use the pick to separate the black circuitry from the casing.
7. Move the ribbon cable away and disconnect the battery unit.
8. Wait for about 3–4 minutes and connect the internal battery.
9. Finally, check the doorbell status in the app and test the unit.

Note: If reinserting the battery did not resolve the problem, check the exact model and order a brand-new replacement online or from a nearby convenience store. 

4. Reset the Doorbell Settings (Wired & Battery)

There is a possibility that your Nest doorbell video freezes when rung because of an underlying problem with the software or wireless connection.

So, the next step is to perform a factory reset on your Nest doorbell, which erases all content and data permanently to eliminate the problem.

4.1 How to Factory Reset a Battery Nest Doorbell:

• Remove the doorbell from the holder with the release tool.
• Locate the Reset pinhole below the USB port on the back.
• Press the Reset button in the pinhole for about ~5 seconds.
• Wait until the light indicator turns steady and solid white.
• After that, re-add your Nest to the app and test for freezing.

4.2 How to Factory Reset a Wired Nest Doorbell:

• Unplug the terminals and remove the wired Nest Doorbell.
• Detach it from the wall holder and check the back panel.
• Find the reset hole right above the QR code on the back.
• Use a pin or paperclip to press the pinhole Reset button.
• Now, register the Nest doorbell in the application and test.

Note: Both doorbell types signal the start of a factory reset in the same manner.

5. Migrate the Doorbell to Another app (Wired & Battery)

Sometimes, using a recent Nest doorbell model with the old Nest app might result in an onset of functionality problems, such as notification issues and, apparently, live feed problems.

Similarly, battery models work better with the Nest application instead of Google Home, so it’s up to you.

We advise proceeding with the appropriate instructions, based on the doorbell model you have and the current application you are using.

Google Home App Migration (Battery Models):

Nest App Migration (Old and Wired Models):

Alert: All current settings on the Nest Doorbell will be deleted after migration!

6. Update the Doorbell Wi-Fi Settings (Battery)

Perhaps, the live feed of the doorbell freezes due to an unstable connection to the Wi-Fi network.

So, ZontSound recommends updating the Wi-Fi details of your battery Nest doorbell by re-adding it from the application and reconnecting it to your existing home Wi-Fi.

6.1 How to Update Wi-Fi Using the Google Home App:

• Open the Google Home app on your registered mobile device.
• Press on “Favorites” or “Devices” to locate your Nest Doorbell.
• Select the doorbell and tap “Remove device” to disconnect it.
• Factory reset the doorbell following the steps in solution #4.
• Tap on “Devices”, then “Add Google Nest or partner device”.
• Follow the prompts and scan the QR code on the Nest doorbell.
• Now, re-select the Wi-Fi network of your Nest doorbell to set up.

6.2 How to Update Wi-Fi Using the Nest App:

• Launch the Nest app on your smartphone and sign in to your account.
• Navigate to “Settings” then “Home info” to locate your Nest Doorbell.
• Select the doorbell and tap “Remove device”, confirming the removal.
• Reset the doorbell to defaults following the instructions in solution #4.
• Re-add the doorbell in the Nest app by tapping “Add” on the home tab.
• Scan the QR code on the doorbell or manually enter the setup code.
• Connect to the new Wi-Fi network by following the visual instructions.

Note: Ring the doorbell and check if there are any status changes within the application!

7. Temporarily Disconnect the Indoor Chime (Wired)

Another reason why would Nest doorbell freezes when rung could be due to a malfunctioning indoor chime.

We advise disconnecting the chime wires, including the “TRANS”, “FRONT”, and “REAR” wires from the chime panel, without cutting off the Nest doorbell, should solve the issue.

Follow these steps to temporarily disconnect the existing chime:

1. Disable the power supply to the doorbell at the breaker.
2. Locate the indoor chime, often near the doorbell panel.
3. Now, identify the “TRANS”, “FRONT”, and “REAR” wires.
4. Disconnect these wires from the chime terminals carefully.

Note: If the doorbell works properly without the indoor chime involved, contact Google Help or seek professional assistance from a qualified technician.