Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (2024)

Restarting and factory resetting your Google Nest camera or doorbell will have different results.

Restart: This keeps all your settings, and it should reconnect to the same Wi-Fi network. This is helpful if it ever becomes frozen, has trouble connecting to the internet, or isn't working normally.

Factory reset: This erases all your personalized settings, deletes the entire video history, and restores the factory default settings. It won't automatically reconnect to WI-Fi, and you'll need to set it up again.

Restart

Nest Cam Indoor (wired)

  1. Disconnect your camera from power by unplugging the power adapter from the electrical outlet.
  2. Wait 10 seconds.
  3. Plug the power adapter back into an outlet. Your camera will restart.

Nest Cam (battery) or Nest Cam with Floodlight

  1. Plug the camera into a power source.
  2. Locate the reset button on the back of the camera.

    Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (1)

    Tip: The reset button on the Nest Cam (battery) is located on the back of the camera head.

  3. Press and hold for 5 seconds.
  4. Your camera will restart, and the status light will be steady, solid white.

Nest Cam (indoor and outdoor) or Nest Cam IQ (indoor and outdoor)

  1. Disconnect your camera from power by unplugging the power adapter from the electrical outlet.
  2. Wait 10 seconds.
  3. Plug the power adapter back into an outlet. Your camera will restart.

Nest Doorbell (battery)

  1. Locate the reset pin hole on the back of the doorbell.

    Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (2)

    Tip: The reset pin on the Nest Doorbell (battery) is located below the USB port on the back of the doorbell.

  2. Press and hold for 5 seconds.
  3. Your doorbell will restart, and the status light will be steady, solid white.

Nest Doorbell 2nd gen (wired)

  1. Locate the reset pin hole on the back of the doorbell.

    Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (3)

    Tip: The reset pin on the Nest Doorbell 2nd gen (wired) is located above the QR codeon the back of the doorbell.

  2. Press and hold for 5 seconds.
  3. Your doorbell will restart, and the status light will be steady, solid white.

Nest Doorbell (wired)

If your doorbell is connected to your home's doorbell wires:

  1. Insert the release tool into the hole at the bottom of your doorbell to remove it from its base. You can also use a paper clip or thumbtack.

Tip: Don't unscrew the wires attached to the back of your doorbell.

  1. Use the release tool to hold down the button on the back of your doorbell for about 10 seconds. Your doorbell will restart.

Tip: The hole for this button is located near the top.

If your doorbell is connected to the power adapter:

  1. Disconnect your doorbell from power by unplugging the power adaptor from the electrical socket.
  2. Wait 10 seconds.
  3. Plug the power adaptor back into a socket. Your doorbell will restart.

Factory reset

Before you factory reset

Important: Because a factory reset permanently erases the items listed below, we don't recommend doing it until you've tried restarting your camera and other troubleshooting options.

Here's what'll happen after you factory reset your camera or doorbell:

  • Your camera's personalized settings will revert to default settings.
  • Your camera's entire video history and snapshots will be deleted. Once your video history and snapshots are deleted, they're gone forever. They cannot be recovered. We do not keep backups.

Note: If you want to save any video footage before you perform the factory reset, create video clips or timelapses and download the files to your phone or computer.

  • Your camera will forget the Wi-Fi network name and password, and will be “Offline” in the app.

For cameras with 1st gen Nest Aware subscriptions

If your camera has a 1st gen Nest Aware subscription and you plan to get rid of your camera or add it to a new account, cancel your subscription before you factory reset. Canceling the subscription will remove subscription-only features like Activity Zones and delete the entire video history.

If you plan to continue using your camera or doorbell with the same account, you do not need to cancel the subscription before you factory reset.

Nest Cam (wired)

Remove your camera from the app

Note: Your camera needs to be connected to Wi-Fi for it to be removed from the app and factory reset.

  1. Open the Home app or the Nest app.
  2. Tap the camera that you want to reset.
    • Tip: To help restore your settings after resetting your camera, write down or take a screenshot of your camera settings.
  3. Tap Settings Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (4)Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (5) Remove device Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (6) Confirm.
  4. If you’re giving your camera to someone else, you’re done. If you want to reconnect your camera to the app, simply go through camera setup in the app again.

Use the reset button

  1. Locate the reset hole on the bottom of the camera head. It’s between the power cord and the camera neck.
  2. Insert a paperclip, thumbtack or similar into the hole. Press and hold down.
    • At 10 seconds, the status light will blink yellow four times, and you’ll hear a countdown tone.
    • At 12 seconds, the status light will be solid yellow. When the camera begins resetting, you’ll hear a confirmation tone.
  3. Release the button. Your camera will restore to its factory settings.
  4. After the factory reset, your camera will appear as “Offline” in the app until you remove it.

Nest Cam (battery)or Nest Cam with Floodlight

There are two ways to factory reset your Nest Cam (battery) or Nest Cam Floodlight:

Remove the camera from the app

  1. Open the Home app or the Nest app.
  2. Tap the camera that you want to reset.
    • Tip:To help restore your settings after resetting your camera, write down or take a screenshot of your camera settings.
  3. Tap Settings Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (7)Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (8) Remove device Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (9) Confirm.
  4. If you're giving your camera to someone else, you're done. If you want to reconnect your camera to the app, simply go through camera setup in the app again.

Use the reset button

  1. Plug the camera into a power source.
  2. Locate the reset button on the back of the camera.

    Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (10)

    Tip: The reset button on the Nest Cam (battery) is located on the back of the camera head.

  3. Press and hold the button:
    • At 10 seconds, the status light will blink yellow four times, and you'll hear a countdown tone.
    • At 12 seconds, the status light will be steady, solid yellow while the camera starts the factory reset, and you'll hear a confirmation tone.
  4. Release the button. Your camera will restore to its factory settings.
  5. After the factory reset, your camera will appear as “Offline” in the app until you remove it.
  6. To remove it from the app, open the app, tap on the device, then tap SettingsRestart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (11)Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (12)Remove device Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (13) Confirm.

Nest Cam (indoor and outdoor)

There is no factory reset button on Nest Cam Indoor and Nest Cam Outdoor. To reset one of these cameras, simply remove it from your account.

  1. Open the Nest app.
  2. Tap the camera that you want to reset.
    • Tip:To help restore your settings after resetting your camera, write down or take a screenshot of your camera settings.
  3. Tap Settings Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (14)Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (15) Remove device Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (16) Confirm.
  4. If you're giving your camera to someone else, you're done. If you want to reconnect your camera to the app, simply go through camera setup in the app again.

Nest Cam IQ (indoor and outdoor)

Before you begin, you'll need to be near your camera so you can press the reset button.You can't perform a factory reset in the Nest app. You'll need a small unfolded paperclip or thumbtack. You might also need to grab a step stool if it's installed somewhere hard to reach.

Find the reset button on your camera

Nest Cam IQ Outdoor Nest Cam IQ Indoor
Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (17) Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (18)
Your camera's factory reset button is on the front side of the camera, below the Nest logo. Your camera's factory reset button is on the bottom side of the camera stand.
  1. Make sure your camera is plugged in and powered on before continuing.
    • Tip: To help restore your settings after resetting your camera, write down or take a screenshot of your camera settings.
  2. Press and holdyour camera's reset button with thepaperclip or thumbtack. When the light ring startsspinning blue, release the button. Your camera's lights will turn off while it's resetting.
    • Note: If you want to cancel the factory reset, release the button while the light is spinning yellow.
  3. The factory reset is complete when your camera chimes and the light ring startsslowly pulsing blue.
  4. After the factory reset, your camera will appear "Offline" in the app until until you remove it.
  5. To remove it from the app, open the app, then tapSettingsRestart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (19)Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (20)Remove device Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (21) Confirm.
  6. If you're giving your camera to someone else, you're done. If you want to reconnect your camera to the app, simply go through camera setup in the app again.

Nest Doorbell(battery)

  1. Locate the reset pin hole on the back of the doorbell.

    Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (22)

    Tip: The reset pin on the Nest Doorbell (battery) is located below the USB port on the back of the doorbell.

  2. Insertand hold the pin (you canuse an unfolded paperclip or a thumbtack):
    • At 10 seconds, the status light will blink yellow four times, and you'll hear a countdown tone.
    • At 12 seconds, the status light will be steady, solid yellow while the doorbell starts the factory reset, and you'll hear a confirmation tone.
  3. Release the button. Your doorbell will restore to its factory settings.
  4. After the factory reset, your doorbell will appear as “Offline” in the app until you remove it.
  5. To remove it from the app, open the app, then tap Settings Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (23)Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (24) Remove device Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (25) Confirm.

Nest Doorbell 2nd gen (wired)

  1. Locate the reset pin hole on the back of the doorbell.

    Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (26)

    Tip: The reset pin on the Nest Doorbell 2nd gen (wired) is located above the QR codeon the back of the doorbell.

  2. Insertand hold the pin (you canuse an unfolded paperclip or a thumbtack):
    • At 10 seconds, the status light will blink yellow four times, and you'll hear a countdown tone.
    • At 12 seconds, the status light will be steady, solid yellow while the doorbell starts the factory reset, and you'll hear a confirmation tone.
  3. Release the button. Your doorbell will restore to its factory settings.
  4. After the factory reset, your doorbell will appear as “Offline” in the app until you remove it.
  5. To remove it from the app, open the app, then tap Settings Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (27)Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (28) Remove device Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (29) Confirm.

Nest Doorbell (wired)

Before you begin, you'll need to be near your wired Nest doorbellso you can press the reset buttons. You can't perform a factory reset in the Nest app.

  1. To remove your doorbell from its base, insert the release tool into the hole at the bottom of your doorbell. You can also use an unfolded paperclip or a thumbtack.
    • Tip: Don't unscrew the wires attached to the back of your camera.
  2. Hold down two buttons on your doorbell for about 10 seconds:
    • Hold down the reset pin on the back (insert the release tool or paperclip into the hole near the top).
    • At the same time, hold down the big doorbell button on the front.
  3. Your doorbell will chime and its light ring will start spinning blue, then flash yellow, and then all the lights will turn off. Release the two buttons.
  4. The factory reset is complete when your camera chimes and the light ring starts slowly pulsing blue.
  5. After the factory reset, your doorbell will appear as "Offline" in the app until you remove it.
  6. To remove it from the app: open the app, then tap SettingsRestart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (30)Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (31)Remove deviceRestart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (32)Confirm.
  7. If you're giving your camera to someone else, you're done. If you want to reconnect your camera to the app, simply go through camera setup in the app again.

Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (33)

Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (34)

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Restart or factory reset Nest camera or doorbell (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between reset and restart Nest? ›

Select "Restart" if you want to reboot your Nest thermostat without erasing any settings or data. Factory Reset: Choose this option if you need to completely erase all data and settings from your Nest thermostat.

How to factory reset Nest doorbell camera? ›

Use the reset button
  1. Locate the reset hole on the bottom of the camera head. It's between the power cord and the camera neck.
  2. Insert a paperclip, thumbtack or similar into the hole. Press and hold down. ...
  3. Release the button. ...
  4. After the factory reset, your camera will appear as “Offline” in the app until you remove it.

How do I remove the previous owner from the Nest camera? ›

To give a device to another person, follow the instructions below: Remove device from the Nest app. Perform a factory reset on your device using the links below. This will delete all of your personal information from the product and let the new resident add it to their account in the Nest app.

What does factory reset do to Nest? ›

Factory reset removes all your personal settings and restores the thermostat to factory default settings. After you reset your thermostat, you'll need to set it up and add it to your home in the app again, just like you did when you first installed it.

What is the difference between resetting and restarting? ›

A computer reset is different from a reboot or restart. Whereas a computer reboot and restart power down the operating system and restart it, a computer reset is when you take the machine back to its original state with the reinstallation of the operating system.

How to reconnect Nest doorbell to wifi? ›

Use the Google Home app
  1. Open the Google Home app .
  2. Tap Favorites or Devices .
  3. Tap and hold your device's tile More. Settings .
  4. Tap Remove Device. ...
  5. Wait for the device to finish the factory reset.
  6. Tap Devices Add Google Nest or partner device .
  7. Continue to set up your camera or doorbell with the new Wi-Fi information.

What do you do when your camera is connected to another account? ›

If you are able to contact the previous owner and ask them to remove the camera from their account, you should be able to resolve this matter rather quickly. The previous owner would need to visit the settings page of the camera in question, scroll to the bottom, and press the button for “Remove Camera”.

How do I remove someone from my nest doorbell? ›

Remove access
  1. Open the Nest app.
  2. Tap Settings. on the home screen.
  3. Select Family & Guests .
  4. Choose the person you'd like to remove.
  5. Tap Remove access.
  6. Confirm that you'd like to remove this person from your Nest home.

How long does it take for Nest to restart? ›

During this process, the display will restart, which usually only takes 1-2 minutes. If it takes a much longer time, check to make sure the display is correctly connected to the thermostat base. In rare cases, you may need to manually restart the Nest by holding down the display for 10 seconds, then releasing it.

How do I reset my Nest secure to factory settings? ›

Press and hold the 2 button on Guard's keypad. Do not release the button while Guard goes through a software version and check. When Guard says, “Release to erase all settings,” let go of the button. Guard will speak again and say, “Erasing all settings and returning to factory defaults in five seconds.

What is the difference between resetting and restarting router? ›

It's extremely important to understand these terms as the function of these terms have different meanings. In simple terms, to restart or reboot your modem means to turn off your modem and turn it back on again. To reset your modem means to wipe out your current modem settings back to the original factory settings.

How do I restart Google Nest? ›

Reboot Google Nest or Home speaker or display
  1. Make sure your mobile device or tablet is linked to the same account as your speaker or display.
  2. Open the Google Home app .
  3. Tap and hold your device's tile.
  4. At the top right, tap Settings More. Reboot.

How long does a Nest take to restart? ›

During this process, the display will restart, which usually only takes 1-2 minutes. If it takes a much longer time, check to make sure the display is correctly connected to the thermostat base. In rare cases, you may need to manually restart the Nest by holding down the display for 10 seconds, then releasing it.

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