Question :
I have a some Google Nest Security-cams with battery installed. They work great, but as they run on internal batteries, they need to be recharged once in a while. Most of the time recharging works great, and immediately after connecting the charging cable the distinctive pling is sounding and de cam’s LED lights up. But other times nothing happens (or at least nothing seems to happen) and even in the GoogleHome.app there is no indication that the Google Nest Cam is charging (which should be expected).

What is wrong ?

Answer :

There is a small chance your Goole Nest Cam (Battery) might be broken, but if the GoogleHome.app says “battery empty” that usually isn’t the case, and you can assume that the problem is one of these four reasons or a combination of them :

1. The Google Nest Cam (Battery) is too cold
   This happens when the Google Nest Cam (Battery) is installed outdoors and the temperature outside is so low that the Cam is feeling really cold when you hold it in your hands.
   The remedy is to unmount the Cam, take it inside and let it get to room temperature before you try to charge it.
   (in short : just wait…)
   
2. The Google Nest Cam (Battery)‘s connector is too dirty
   This happens because there is always dirt in the air and the connector is magnetic so it will always collect some dust over time, especially outdoors.
   The remedy is to unmount the Cam, take it inside and clean out the connector hole with some soft cloth that has been moistened with an extremely tiny drop of water, before you try to connect the charging cable to charge it.
   (in short : clean the connectors)
   
3. The Google Nest Cam (Battery)‘s battery is completely empty
   This happens when you forgot to recharge the Google Nest Cam (Battery) just after the battery ran flat, because even when the battery is ’empty’ the Cam will keep trying to operate and the longer you wait to recharge, the emptier the battery gets. If the GoogleHome.app indicates the battery is empty, it will still be able to provide enough power to switch the Cam back on when you connect the charging cable, but if the battery has been empty for some time, there will be so little power left that the Cam will stay in hibernation ‘sleeper mode’ for some hours before being able to switch on.
   The remedy is to unmount the Cam, take it inside, connect the charging cable and wait… this way, it might even take more than 48 hours to fully charge a completely empty battery ; if the GoogleHome.app indicates “slow charging” or an estimated charging time above 48 hours, make sure you are using the original Google Nest Cam charger & cable, let it go and check after 4 hours or more, if the estimated charging time hasn’t come down by then, reconnect the charging cable
   (in short: just wait & reconnect if charging is extremely slow)
   
4. The Google Nest Cam (Battery)‘s connector cable is slightly off
   This happens because the cable comes from in from the front of the Cam and the best way to keep an unmounted Cam stable is to have the front facing downward, but in doing that (or something alike) you may slightly twist the connector so little that the electric connectors disconnect even though the magnetic connector stays in place, and you will not easily notice.
   The remedy is to double check that the charging cable is exactly in the right position when you connect it and that you double check the connection stays okay when you move the Cam after connection the charing cable ; if you are not sure that the connection is okay, reconnect the cable until you are sure.
   (in short : make sure the charging connector is put in correctly)
   
   That’s it !
   enjoy 😉