Nest Doorbell Indoor Chime Not Working? – (06 Easy Fixes)

Nest doorbell indoor chime not working can be frustrating to deal with.

If your chime is not working or is too quiet, it can inconvenience you and visitors alike.

If your Chime is not functioning properly, it can be due to several causes, including issues with the installation or network. 

Wherever the Nest doorbell indoor chime is not working, check the wire connection and power to the chine. Next, see if the chime is toggled on from your Nest app and verify your WiFi connection for speed and connectivity. 

Let’s try to fix these Nest chime issues!

Why is my Nest Doorbell Indoor Chime Not Working?

Smart devices like doorbell chimes require many systems and devices alongside them to function correctly.

As such, any devices or software that interact with your Nest doorbell chime must be operational so that your Nest runs without issues. 

Here are the most common reasons why your Nest doorbell indoor chime won’t work:

• Dust or corrosion buildup for mechanical chimes.
• Damaged wires or incorrect electrical installation.
• Outdated Nest software.
• Incorrect configuration with Google Home.
• Insufficient power or incompatible transformer voltage.

These are some of the top causes of Nest doorbell chime issues, and while they do seem somewhat difficult to repair, don’t worry; we’ve got you covered.

You can perform most troubleshooting in minutes without many specialist tools…

Let’s dive into fixing your Nest Doorbell chime!

How to Fix the Nest Doorbell Indoor Chime Not Working?

Tip: Always wear protective gear and use tools certified with high-voltage protection when dealing with exposed wires.

1. Check the Power and Wire Connection

Indoor chimes come in two primary types – they can produce the chime sound mechanically or use a small built-in speaker to reproduce the sound.

Depending on your chime configuration, it might require a different type and amount of wires.

Some wireless chimes use removable batteries instead and don’t have any cables going to a transformer or wired push button.

To prevent issues with your chime not working, you can check its power in these general steps:

• Ensure your Nest Doorbell is receiving power if connected to a power outlet.
• Check if your batteries are not depleted. Weak batteries might produce a weak chime sound.
• If using a wired chime, 16 to 24 V AC is the minimum voltage requirement when your nest is connected to your doorbell smart system.
• Check the installation of your chime – some Nest Doorbell models come with a proprietary connector that regulates power. Ensure that it’s installed on your chime.
• Ensure the wires are correctly configured: visually check if the cables are firmly installed and if the ends of each are making proper contact with the conductive material if using an adapter.

Note: If your home doorbell power system uses a lower power voltage, consider having a professional upgrade by installing a power adapter.

2. Verify Chime Settings

Nest indoor chime not working can sometimes be because it is not enabled within your Nest app.

The fix is incredibly straightforward but can sometimes be overlooked. Note that the steps to do this might vary depending on your current Nest software version.

Here are the basic steps to verify your Nest doorbell chime settings:

1. Open the Nest Home app.
2. Go to “Settings” > “Doorbell” > “Indoor Chime.”
3. Select your Nest Doorbell.
4. Ensure the chime is toggled on.

Note: If your Nest chime is not appearing on the list, the issue could be related to your WiFi or router. In that case, move to the following steps below.

3. Check Wi-Fi Connection

Since most Nest doorbell chimes rely on a WiFi network to send signals, your chime might malfunction if there is network trouble.

To prevent WiFi-related issues, it’s best to troubleshoot the router and ensure it has sufficient strength and coverage.

Here are some steps to ensure a good WiFi connection to your Nest Doorbell indoor chime:

1. Open the Nest app and ensure your doorbell shows as being online.
2. If not, restart your router by unplugging its power cable, waiting for a minute, and plugging it back again.
3. Test to see if there is an issue with the network access. Software like VPNs could cause problems for your wireless chime to find the correct IP address. 
4. Ensure you enter the correct password when pairing your Nest doorbell to your network. WiFi passwords are always case-sensitive.
5. Remove your Nest doorbell from the WiFi network and manually connect it again.
6. Some chimes don’t support 5GHz frequencies. Ensure that your router is broadcasting on a dual-band mode. 

Note: If you use a wireless chime, ensure your WiFi has enough signal strength to reach it. If it's too far away, it might not be able to communicate with your doorbell setup.

4. Update the Nest App and Firmware

As smart systems rely on the latest updates to function correctly, if your Nest doorbell is outdated, it can cause issues with ringing the chime.

To prevent such issues, you must install any pending updates.

Here is how to ensure your Nest app is up-to-date:

1. Open the Google Play Store on the device where your Nest app is installed.
2. Tap on your Google profile and then tap Manage Apps and Device.
3. Find the Google Nest app from the list.
4. Tap the update button if you see a pending update next to the Nest Doorbell app.

Alternatively, you can open the Nest app and check for a firmware update for the doorbell.

Install any available firmware updates and see if your chime issues persist.

Note: Reset your Nest Doorbell afterward by pressing and holding the doorbell button until you see the lights go off. Next, release the button and wait for your doorbell to restart.

5. Check the Compatibility of Your Chime

Due to the variety of chimes, some might not be compatible with the Nest doorbell system.

Incompatible chimes can have issues as they don’t have the necessary software to integrate with your doorbell system.

If this is the case, the solution is to get one officially supported by Google Nest. 

Here are some instructions to check for compatibility issues: 

1. Look up and note your exact chime model and manufacturer.
2. Refer to the Google Nest compatibility checker online.
3. Confirm that your indoor chime is compatible with the Nest Doorbell.
4. If not compatible, consider replacing the chime.

Note: If you use a Google Home Hub with your doorbell setup, it needs to run the latest software version to pair correctly with your chime. 

6. Factory Reset the Nest Doorbell

Nest doorbell chimes are susceptible to software errors like any smart electronic device.

If your device has run into some bug, a great way to resolve it is to perform a factory reset if simply restarting it doesn’t work.

Here are the steps to reset your device to fix the Nest indoor chime not working:

1. Open the Nest Home app.
2. Select your Nest Doorbell.
3. Go to “Settings” > “Remove product.” and confirm the removal.
4. Physically reset the doorbell by pressing and holding the reset button (usually on the back or side) for 10-15 seconds.

After the reset is finished, you will need to manually re-add the doorbell to your Nest app. 

Note: If the weather is unusually hot outside, your chime might power down to preserve its internal components and not overheat.

Need more help?

If you performed all of our suggested troubleshooting steps above, but your Nest Doorbell indoor Chime still isn’t working, contacting Nest customer support is best.

Provide them with a summary of your steps so far, and they might offer more help on your chime issues.

Quick Recap 

To fix the Nest doorbell indoor chime not working, ensure there is no issue with the wiring and battery power.

Next, check to see if your chime is toggled on from the app and check your WiFi connection.

Lastly, ensure the Nest firmware is current and perform a factory reset as a last step.