Nest Doorbell No Power – (Quick Fix Guide)

A Nest doorbell no power issue is frustrating. Luckily, we know how to fix it!

The problem often indicates that your doorbell is not receiving sufficient power to operate correctly. 

To get power back on your Nest doorbell, you want to replace the batteries and check the wiring. Using an alternate power source, like a solar panel or a different power adapter, will resolve this issue.

Awesome, now let’s fix them!

8 Methods to Fix Nest Doorbell No Power Right Away

Below are eight solutions to fix your Nest doorbell problem. Follow them carefully. 

#1: Ensure Your Doorbell is Connected to a Power Source

The first thing you should do is check if your Nest doorbell is connected to a power source. Depending on the model of your device, there are different ways to do this. 

Wired Nest Doorbell

A wired Nest doorbell should be connected to your home’s doorbell system and transformer.

To ensure your connection is working, follow these steps:

1. Check your chime box for compatibility labeling. 
2. Install the included chime connector if you don’t find the label.  
3. Check the wiring for any damage, corrosion, or loose connections. 

Battery-powered Nest Doorbell

A battery-powered Nest doorbell should have an internal rechargeable battery that lasts several months on a single charge.

To check if the battery is working, follow these steps:

1. Press the button on the front of your Nest doorbell. 
2. If the device rings or lights up, your battery has some charge left.
3. Open the Google Home app on your phone and tap on your doorbell.
4. If the battery icon is low or empty, your doorbell needs charging. 
5. Remove your doorbell from its base plate using a release tool, paperclip, or thumbtack.

Nest Doorbell with Alternative Power Source

Alternative power sources include solar panels and power adapters. 

1. Plug the power adapter into an outdoor outlet and securely connect it to your doorbell.
2. A green light on the adapter indicates it’s powering the doorbell. 

#2: Charge or Replace the Batteries on Your Doorbell

If your Nest doorbell is connected to a power source but still shows no power, charge or replace the batteries. Here’s how to do this:

Battery-powered Nest Doorbell

If you have a battery-powered Nest doorbell, you must regularly charge its internal battery.

To do this, follow these steps:

1. Remove your Nest doorbell from its base plate.
2. Plug your doorbell into a power outlet using a USB-C cable.
3. You should see a pulsating white light, which means your doorbell is charging. 
4. Wait until the light turns solid white, indicating the battery is fully charged. 
5. Reattach your doorbell to its base plate.
6. Press the button and see if it works. 

Tip: A wired Nest doorbell has no replaceable batteries but an internal backup battery designed to last the doorbell’s lifetime.

#3: Inspect the Wiring for Damage or Loose Connections

Check the wiring for any damage or loose connections if your Nest doorbell is connected to a power source with enough battery but still shows no power.

To do this, follow these steps:

1. Turn off the power to your doorbell at the breaker box for safety reasons. 
2. Remove your doorbell from its base plate.
3. Check the wires behind your doorbell for damage, corrosion, or loose connections.
4. Ensure they are securely attached to the terminals on your doorbell.
5. Check the wires inside your chime box and ensure they’re secure. 
6. Repair or replace any damaged or loose wires.  

Note: Verify that your existing wiring meets Nest doorbell compatibility requirements, including voltage and transformer compatibility. 

#4: Power Cycle Your Doorbell via the Breaker

If you encounter a Nest doorbell with no power after a power outage, power cycle it via the breaker.

It will reset your device and clear any glitches that prevent it from working properly. 

1. Turn off the power to your Nest doorbell at the breaker box for safety reasons.
2. Wait for about 10 seconds.
3. Turn the power back on.
4. Press the button and look at the light in front to see if your doorbell has power. 

If your doorbell still has no power, move on to the next solution.   

#5: Use an Alternate Power Source (Power Adapter or Solar Panels)

If none of the above troubleshooting methods work, you must use an alternative power source like a power adapter or solar panels.

These will help provide your doorbell with more reliable power. 

Wired Nest Doorbell

1. Buy a power adapter with a voltage rating of 18V AC and at least 0.5A current rating.
2. Plug the power adapter into an indoor power outlet.
3. Run the cable to your doorbell location. 
4. Cut off the wires connecting your doorbell to your system and transformer. 
5. Strip about half an inch of insulation from the ends of the wires.
6. Twist together the matching wires from the power adapter and the doorbell.
7. Secure the wires with wire nuts or electrical tape.

Battery-powered Nest Doorbell

1. Buy solar panels with a voltage rating of 5V DC and at least 1A current rating.
2. Install the solar panels in a sunny location near your doorbell.     
3. Run the cable from the solar panels to your doorbell location. 
4. Plug the cable into the USB-C port on the back of your doorbell. 
5. Look for a blue light on the solar panels, indicating they’re charging your doorbell.

Note: Once done, attach your doorbell to its base plate. Then, press the button on your doorbell and see if it works.

#6: Bypass the Chime

Bypassing the chime helps eliminate any interference or compatibility issues caused by it. Here are the steps to do this:

Wired Nest Doorbell

1. Switch off the power at the breaker box.
2. Open your chime box.
3. Disconnect the wires labeled front, rear, or trans.
4. Connect them to the corresponding terminals on your chime connector.
5. Secure the connector inside the chime box using double-sided tape or screws.
6. Close your chime box and restore power to your doorbell. 

If you have a battery-powered Nest doorbell, you don’t have to bypass the chime because it doesn’t have one. 

Note: To hear your battery-powered Nest doorbell ring inside your home, get a compatible Google Nest speaker or display and pair it with your doorbell. 

#7: Reset Your Doorbell

If your Nest doorbell has no power still, restore it to its factory settings to clear any software or firmware issues that prevent it from working properly.

To reset your doorbell, follow these steps:

Wired Nest Doorbell

1. Remove your doorbell from its base plate.
2. Locate the Reset button on the back of your doorbell.
3. Press and hold the reset button for about 10 seconds.
4. Release the button if you hear a chime or see a blue light flashing.
5. Wait for your doorbell to restart.
6. Reattach your doorbell to its base plate and set it up again using the Google Home app.

Battery-powered Nest Doorbell

1. Press and hold the Reset button for about 15 seconds.
2. Release the button if you hear a chime or see a blue light flashing.
3. Wait for your doorbell to restart.
4. Set up your doorbell again using the Google Home app on your phone. 

Tip: Save any important settings or data before resetting your Nest doorbell. 

#8: Replace Your Transformer

If nothing seems to work, it’s time to replace your transformer because it’s either faulty or incompatible with your doorbell.

Here’s what you must do:

1. Buy a compatible transformer with the following:

• Voltage rating of between 16V AC and 24V AC 
• Current rating of between 10VA and 40VA

2. Turn off the power to your doorbell at the breaker box.
3. Locate your transformer and disconnect it from its wires. 
4. Connect the new transformer to its wires.
5. Strip off the insulation from the wires or use wire nuts or electrical tape to secure them.
6. Mount the new transformer in a safe and accessible location. 
7. Turn on the power to your doorbell and check if it works. 

If you need clarification on wiring or transformer compatibility, consult a qualified electrician to handle the situation.

Remember, safety is paramount when working with electrical systems.

Quick Recap

The Nest doorbell no power issue is easily solved by addressing its main causes: wiring problems for wired models and low batteries for battery-powered ones.

To fix this, replace the batteries and inspect the wiring for damage or loose connections.