The Nest Hello (Gen 1) has an internal Li-Ion battery that keeps the camera powered during the split-second when the doorbell button shorts the circuit to ring your mechanical chime. When this battery degrades after 3+ years, pressing the button causes the camera to lose power and reboot instead of recording the visitor.
Quick answer
• Root cause: Internal battery degradation in Nest Hello (Gen 1) units • Temporary fix: Turn off "Indoor Chime" in app settings to prevent power interruption • Permanent fix: Replace with Nest Doorbell (Wired, 2nd Gen) which uses capacitors instead of a battery • Applies to: Nest Hello NC5100US (Gen 1) only
Symptoms
• Camera streams perfectly 24/7 under normal conditions • Camera goes offline immediately when someone presses the doorbell button • No doorbell notification received, or notification arrives but video cuts out • Camera comes back online 1-2 minutes later after rebooting • Issue may worsen in cold weather (below 32°F/0°C)
Quick checks
Check your model: Confirm you have a Nest Hello (NC5100US). The newer Nest Doorbell (Wired, 2nd Gen) doesn't have this issue.
Test the pattern: Have someone press the button while you watch the live stream. If it cuts out immediately upon button press, the internal battery is likely dead.
Check temperature: Cold weather increases battery internal resistance, making the problem worse in winter months.
Step-by-step fix
Method 1: Disable mechanical chime (software workaround)
- Open the Nest app on your phone
- Select your doorbell from the device list
- Navigate to Settings → Device Options
- Turn Indoor Chime to OFF
- Test the doorbell - it should now stay online when pressed but won't ring your mechanical wall chime
Method 2: Adjust chime duration
- In the same Device Options menu, find Chime Duration
- Set to OFF unless you have an electronic chime system
- Save changes - this prevents extended power interruptions from software updates
If it still isn't working
Transformer upgrade won't help: Installing a stronger 24V transformer doesn't fix internal battery issues. The doorbell must still short the circuit to ring mechanical chimes, cutting its own power regardless of transformer strength.
Cold weather considerations: If the issue only occurs in winter, the battery may have enough capacity for warmer months. Use the software workaround during cold seasons.
Hardware replacement: The only permanent solution while keeping mechanical chime functionality is replacing with a Nest Doorbell (Wired, 2nd Gen), which uses capacitors instead of a non-replaceable battery.
Looking to Upgrade Your Nest Setup?
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FAQ
Can I replace the internal battery myself? No, the Li-Ion battery is not user-replaceable and requires disassembly that will damage the weatherproofing.
Will a stronger transformer fix this issue? No. Even with a 24V transformer, the doorbell still must short the circuit to ring mechanical chimes, cutting its own power supply.
Why does it work fine except when pressed? During normal operation, the camera draws power continuously from your transformer. Only when the button is pressed does it short the circuit to ring the chime, requiring the internal battery to bridge that power gap.
Does the newer Nest Doorbell have this problem? No, the Nest Doorbell (Wired, 2nd Gen) uses a different capacitor-based design that doesn't rely on an internal battery.