Nest Doorbell Ringing On Its Own? – (Quick Fix Guide)

Is your Nest Doorbell ringing on its own? That’s “phantom ringing,” and we must investigate!

Nest Doorbells have conquered a lot of acclaim from users because they revolutionized how you receive guests.

But it is very weird to hear a ringing when no one is around. What is happening?

If the Nest Doorbell rings on its own, you must check the wiring, transformer, battery, and night vision. Alternatively, look into overheating signals, proceed to update the firmware, or even reset the device to its factory settings.

Below are all the methods you can employ to eliminate the annoying phantom ringing!

Nest Doorbell Ringing On Its Own – Learn 8 Fixing Methods

Solution #1: Fix The Wiring

Why does my Nest Doorbell ring on its own? When employing the hardwired method to maintain continuous power for your Nest Doorbell, such issues could stem from the wiring connecting the device to your home.

Rectifying this situation may require effort, but it will ensure the device operates uninterruptedly.

Here’s what to do:

1. Turn off the circuit breaker supplying power to your Nest Doorbell.
2. Remove the cover or faceplate to access the wiring.
3. Disconnect the wiring.
4. Grab a multimeter.
5. Conduct a continuity or voltage test (consult the Doorbell’s user guide for the required VAC).
6. If the test fails, replace the wiring.

When replacing the wiring, you’ll need to disassemble the Nest Doorbell. Use this opportunity to inspect its interior for dirt or rust and clean it thoroughly.

Solution #2: Check The Transformer

Another important component of a hardwired Nest Doorbell is the transformer.

Thus, let’s focus on checking it and find out whether it is damaged, defective, or simply too old.

Depending on your Doorbell’s specific model, it typically requires a voltage ranging from 16 to 24 VAC.

Here’s what you must do:

• Test your Nest Doorbell using its charger/transformer on a different power outlet to rule out any issues with the usual outlet.
• Disassemble the Doorbell to locate the conductors connected to the transformer inside.
• Ensure that these conductors are securely and properly installed within the Doorbell (make adjustments if they appear loose).
• If there’s no response, try using a different transformer with the same power specifications.

Replacing the transformer is straightforward, as you can simply purchase a new one. 

Tip: If your device is still under warranty, remember that you can contact Google for a replacement instead of incurring additional expenses.

Solution #3: Turn Night Vision Off

One simple setting can be the culprit behind the phantom ringing on your Nest Doorbell: the night vision.

Of course, night vision is very important, but you might want to turn it off during the day.

Once you do that, check how the Nest Doorbell behaves in response.

1. Open the Nest app on your mobile device.
2. Tap on the Nest Doorbell camera you want to adjust.
3. In the live view of the camera, tap the settings gear icon (usually located in the upper right corner).
4. Scroll down to the “Night Vision” option.
5. Toggle the Night Vision option off.
6. Confirm the change if prompted.

Alert: Please note that turning off night vision may impact the camera's ability to capture clear images in low-light conditions, so consider your specific needs before disabling this feature.

Solution #4: Verify The Battery

For other Nest Doorbell models equipped with a battery, various battery-related issues may arise, such as displacement, aging, damage, or complete depletion.

Fortunately, accessing the battery on your Nest Doorbell is straightforward.

Then, you can determine if the battery is simply out of place or if you need to buy a new one.

Here’s what you must do:

1. Remove the Nest Doorbell from the wall.
2. Disassemble the device.
3. Locate the battery and ensure it’s properly in place; reattach it if it’s displaced.
4. Tighten the battery connection.

How To Replace The Battery

If the Nest Doorbell still doesn’t function correctly, follow these steps:

1. Disassemble the device again.
2. Carefully remove the battery to avoid damaging the internal components.
3. Insert a new battery.
4. Reassemble the Nest Doorbell.
5. Test the device’s functionality.

When purchasing a new battery for your Nest Doorbell, be sure it matches the specified requirements: Lithium-Ion battery, 6 Ah, 3.65V.

Solution #5: Learn If There Is Overheating

Nest Doorbells are engineered to function optimally within a specific temperature range.

A higher temperature is not good for the device because it impacts battery and transformer performance.

Below are many tips and tricks to evaluate and address overheating concerns:

Assessing Overheating

Doing the following will help you understand if your device is overheating:

• Touch the exterior of the Nest Doorbell; it should feel warm but not uncomfortably hot.
• Examine the live video feed from the Doorbell for signs of overheating, including distorted or discolored video or sudden video feed interruptions.

Preventing/Managing Overheating

And these are ways you can use to deal with overheating:

• Avoid placing the Doorbell in direct sunlight or extremely hot or humid conditions, as these conditions can contribute to overheating.
• Ensure no obstructions or debris are blocking the vents or camera lens of the Nest Doorbell, as this can impede heat dissipation.

Following these guidelines can help prevent or address potential overheating issues with your Nest Doorbell.

Solution #6: Clean The Device

Cleaning your Nest Doorbell at least monthly is a good manner of ensuring it works without failures or glitches.

The phantom ringing could be due to dirt or debris allocated among its important electronic components.

Thus, cleaning it will require a lot of care.

Here is how:

1. Detach the Doorbell from its mounting.
2. Disconnect its transformer.
3. Disassemble it to look at its inside.
4. Use isopropyl alcohol with a towel paper and an antistatic brush to clean all dirt away.
5. Reassemble the device.
6. See how it behaves now.

The safest way to clean electronic devices is by using isopropyl alcohol and an antistatic brush.

While some people use any brushes available, the antistatic brush ensures you don’t damage tiny components.

Solution #7: Update Your Nest Doorbell

While the Nest Doorbell doesn’t support manual updates, verifying that it receives timely updates is essential.

Ensure your device is configured to automatically update whenever new firmware is released.

That ensures your device remains up-to-date with the latest features and security improvements.

1. Open the Nest app on your phone.
2. Check the list of devices.
3. Select the Nest Doorbell.
4. Tap on the device’s settings (the gear icon).
5. Look for info on the software version and updates.
6. The automatic update should be toggled on.
7. Moreover, check the current version installed on your Nest Doorbell.

Visit the Google website to confirm the latest available version of the Nest Doorbell.

If the installed version on your device doesn’t match the latest one on the website, contact customer service for further assistance. That ensures that your device remains current and receives necessary updates.

Solution #8: Reset The Doorbell

Finally, we can assume the device is causing phantom ringing because of a deep firmware failure.

When such a thing happens and updating the device is impossible, you must reset it. Fortunately, you can reset it with a few steps and quickly confirm its effectiveness. 

Remove From The App

This method will only work if your Doorbell is still responsive to the app. If it is, do the following:

1. Open the Nest app.
2. Locate the devices.
3. Tap on your Nest Doorbell.
4. Click on Settings (gear icon).
5. Tap on “Remove Device” and on “Confirm.”

Use The Physical Button

Suppose your Doorbell is experiencing issues and isn’t responding within the app. In that case, you can perform a physical reset using the button.

This action restores it to factory default settings, allowing you to start the configuration process anew.

1. Check the Doorbell’s bottom.
2. There is a hole between the power cord and the camera’s neck.
3. Insert a paperclip there.
4. Press it and hold down.
5. Wait 10 seconds until the status light blinks four times, and you listen to a countdown chime.
6. After that, the status light will become solid yellow.
7. You should also hear a confirmation.

Following the physical reset, proceed to the app to reconfigure your Doorbell. Additionally, confirm whether it can charge and if the issue persists.

If problems persist despite these steps, it’s advisable to contact the manufacturer for further assistance.

Quick Recap

A Nest Doorbell ringing on its own indicates a persistent issue with the electrical components or simply on the software.

Although the issue annoys anyone, it is simple to fix as long as you have the patience to check each possible cause individually.

Don’t forget to check the rest of the blog if you need further help with Nest Doorbell!