Nest Doorbell Not Sending Notifications? (Fix In Minutes)

Is your Nest doorbell not sending notifications? We’ve got you covered!

A Nest doorbell will do pretty much everything a security camera does. The error often indicates WiFi connectivity issues and problems with your phone’s notification settings.  

To get your Nest Doorbell to send notifications to your phone again, check that the notification settings are enabled. Some settings like Do Not Disturb and Battery Optimization also affect notifications.

Awesome, let’s discuss the steps in detail!

Nest Doorbell Not Sending Notifications – How to Fix in 8 Steps

We listed 8 proven methods to fix your Nest doorbell notification problems.

Do them in order, from the easiest to the most complex, until you find one that works for you.   

#1: Check Your Doorbell’s Power and Connectivity

The first thing you should do is check your Nest doorbell’s power and connectivity.

If your doorbell is offline, it won’t send alerts. As a result, you won’t be informed about any activity at your doorstep.

Checking your Nest doorbell’s power

1. Check the status light on your Nest doorbell. 

• Solid blue if the doorbell is powered on
• Off, blinking yellow, or blinking red if there is a problem with the power

2. Check the power cable if your doorbell is wired. 

• Plugged in securely
• No loose connections

3. Check the battery level in the Nest app if your doorbell is battery-powered. 

Checking your Nest doorbell’s connection status

1. Open the Nest doorbell app.
2. Go to the Devices tab.
3. Select the doorbell you want to check. 
4. Look for the Device Status section.
5. Move the doorbell closer to your router if the WiFi signal strength is less than 3 bars.

Note: Ensure your WiFi network is secure and the password is correct. Also, you should limit the bandwidth usage of your other devices.

#2: Make Sure Notifications are Enabled for Your Doorbell

Another common reason for Google Nest doorbell not sending notifications is that notifications are disabled for your doorbell in the Google Home app or Nest app.

This happens accidentally or intentionally, so ensure notifications are enabled for your doorbell.

Here’s how to do this:

1. Open the Google Home app.
2. Tap the Menu icon in the upper left corner of the screen.
3. Tap Settings.
4. Tap on Notifications.
5. Go to Doorbells and Cameras.
6. Tap the name of your Nest doorbell.
7. Ensure that the switch next to Push Notifications is turned on. 
8. Choose to receive notifications for specific events, such as motion or doorbell rings.  

Tip: If you have an Android phone, you have the option to receive notifications even when your device is in Do Not Disturb mode. 

#3: Check Your Phone’s Notification Settings

If your Nest doorbell won’t send notifications still, check your phone’s notification settings.

A possible cause of the missed alerts from the Google Home app or Nest app is that they are blocked. 

To check your phone’s notification settings, follow these steps:

iPhone

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Notifications.
3. Select App Settings.
4. Go to the Most Recent option.
5. Locate the apps that just sent you notifications. 
6. Tap All Apps to see more apps
7. Select the Nest or Google Home app.
8. Toggle the app’s notifications On.

Android

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Apps & Notifications.
3. Select App Settings.
4. Go to Most Recent.
5. Go to the apps that recently notified you.
6. Tap All apps to see more apps.
7. Select the Nest or Google Home app.
8. Toggle the notification On.

Note: You have the option to turn off all notifications for your app or choose from specific categories. 

#4: Turn Off Do Not Disturb Mode on Your Phone

The Do Not Disturb Mode is useful when you are sleeping, working, or in a meeting.

It silences all calls and notifications so that you won’t be disturbed. However, it also prevents you from receiving alerts from your Nest doorbell. 

Here’s what you need to do:

iPhone

1. Swipe down from the top screen to open Control Center.
2. Tap the Crescent Moon icon to turn off Do Not Disturb.

Another way is through the Settings app:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Do Not Disturb.
3. Toggle off the switch next to Do Not Disturb.

Android

1. Swipe down from the top screen to open Quick Settings.
2. Tap the Do Not Disturb icon to turn it off. 

Another way is through the Settings app:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Sound or Notifications.
3. Tap Do Not Disturb.
4. Toggle off the switch next to Do Not Disturb. 

Note: Some Android phones offer Do Not Disturb mode scheduling options, allowing you to set specific times when it’s automatically enabled and disabled. 

#5: Switch Off Battery Saver or Low Power Mode

Battery Saver or Low Battery mode limits some functions and features when the battery is low.

It also affects your notifications from the Google Home app or Nest app. To switch it off, follow these steps:

iPhone

1. Swipe down from the top of your screen to open Control Center.
2. Tap the battery icon to turn off the Low Power Mode.

To turn it off in the Settings app:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Battery.
3. Toggle off the switch next to Low Power Mode. 

Android

1. Swipe down from the top of your screen to open Quick Settings.
2. Tap the battery icon to turn off the Battery Saver Mode.

To turn it off in the Settings app:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Battery.
3. Toggle off the switch next to Battery Saver.

Note: On iPhone, the Low Power Mode activates at 20%. On Android, Battery Saver Mode starts at 15% battery. 

#6: Disable Battery Optimization for the Nest App

Battery optimization is an excellent phone feature that helps save your device’s battery life.

However, it can prevent apps from running properly, especially those running in the background and sending notifications.

You need to turn off battery optimization specifically for the Nest or Google Home apps so they continue to send notifications.

Here’s how to do it:

iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app on your phone.
2. Go to Battery.
3. Scroll down to find the Nest or Google Home app.
4. Tap on the app.
5. Toggle the switch to Off next to Optimize Battery Usage.

Android:

1. Go to your phone’s Settings.
2. Select Battery.
3. Look for the Nest or Google Home app.
4. Toggle the Battery Optimization switch to Off.

Disabling battery optimization will allow your app to use more power. So, you must weigh the pros and cons carefully.

If your Nest Doorbell still does not send you notifications, proceed to more advanced steps below.

#7: Adjust Your Camera’s Sensitivity and Activity Zones

Why is my Nest Doorbell not notifying me? If you reach this point and you’re still experiencing problems, the culprit is likely in your camera’s sensitivity settings.

It determines how much motion or sound your camera detects before sending a notification to your phone.

You want to increase the sensitivity or change the activity zones so your cameras can readily detect activity.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Nest app on your device.
2. Tap on the camera you want to adjust.
3. Select Settings.
4. Go to Activity Zones.
5. Tap the + icon to create a new activity zone.
6. Drag and drop the corners to change the coverage of your area.
7. To adjust the sensitivity, drag the slider.
8. Tap Save.

Tip: The higher the sensitivity, the more likely the camera will send you notifications, which can get annoying.

#8: Update the Firmware of Your Nest Doorbell

Software problems can plague your Nest Doorbell and cause it to stop sending notifications to your phone.

If this continues, and you have tried almost everything, you want to update its firmware. It will help fix bugs and glitches, solving this problem.

To update your Nest Doorbell’s firmware, follow these steps:

1. Open the Nest app on your device.
2. Tap on the Nest Doorbell you want to edit.
3. Select Settings.
4. Go to the Device Information.
5. Under Technical Information, you’ll find the current version.
6. If there’s a new version available, you’ll see a notification.
7. Tap on Update Firmware.

You’ll need to wait a few minutes for your Nest Doorbell to update successfully, so don’t unplug your doorbell.

Note: Before you update your Nest Doorbell, double-check that it’s connected to your WiFi.

If you continue to experience issues with your Nest Doorbell, contact Nest Support for technical assistance.

Quick Recap

Your Nest Doorbell not sending notifications means there is something wrong with its settings.

You must turn on notifications and adjust your camera’s sensitivity and activity zones to improve its detection capabilities.