Google Nest Doorbell light: what each colour and pattern means

A Google Nest Doorbell has two lights: a small status light by the camera and a large light ring around the button. On the battery model and the wired 2nd and 3rd gen, the status light does most of the talking (green in use, blue for setup, yellow for trouble or a reset). On the original Nest Doorbell (wired) the light ring does it instead, so yellow on the ring and yellow on the status light come from different models.

The status light is above the camera on the Nest Doorbell (battery) and the original Nest Doorbell (wired), and below the camera on the wired 2nd and 3rd gen. The light ring is always around the button.

1. Status light solid green

   Everything is working normally: the doorbell is on, connected to Wi-Fi and processing what it sees. It may be recording to the cloud, or recording to local storage if it is offline.

   Every Nest Doorbell. Google gives no step for this light.

2. Status light pulsing green

   Someone is using the doorbell live: watching its video stream, talking and listening through it, or using quick actions.

   Nest Doorbell (battery), Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen); light green on the wired 3rd gen. Google gives no step for this light.

3. Status light off

   Google lists several causes: the doorbell is idle (not detecting, streaming or recording); it was turned off by hand, by a schedule or when your home switched to Home; it is offline; it failed to update its software; or, on the battery model, the battery is dead or it is getting no power.

   Nest Doorbell (battery), Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen and 3rd gen). Google gives no step for this light.

4. Light ring pulsing white

   The doorbell sensed motion, such as a visitor coming into view. On the original Nest Doorbell (wired) Google words it as a person detected at your door.

   Every Nest Doorbell. Google gives no step for this light.

5. Light ring spinning

   A visitor pressed the button and the doorbell is waiting for someone to answer.

   Nest Doorbell (battery), Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen and 3rd gen); Google does not name the colour for these models. Google gives no step for this light.

6. Status light pulsing white

   One of three things: the doorbell is starting up (it also plays a tone), it is downloading a software update, or, on the battery model plugged into its USB cable, it is charging.

   Nest Doorbell (battery), Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen and 3rd gen). Google gives no step for this light.

7. Status light pulsing blue

   The doorbell is ready to connect to the app and Wi-Fi. When it pulses a little faster, it is trying to connect. It also pulses blue after a restart if it is not yet connected.

   Nest Doorbell (battery), Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen and 3rd gen). Google gives no step for this light.

8. Status light blinking white

   The doorbell connected successfully. It also plays a confirmation tone.

   Nest Doorbell (battery), Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen and 3rd gen). Google gives no step for this light.

9. Status light blinks yellow 10 times

   The doorbell failed to connect during setup. It also plays a warning tone.

   Nest Doorbell (battery). Google gives no step for this light.

10. Status light solid white

    On the battery model plugged into its USB charging cable, it is fully charged. On any of them, the light going off and then solid white means the doorbell is restarting after the restart or reset button was pressed.

    Nest Doorbell (battery) on its USB cable; every Nest Doorbell with a status light after a restart. 1 step from Google on its page.

11. Status light slowly blinking yellow

    On the battery model there is a problem with the battery, and the doorbell may not work. On the wired 2nd and 3rd gen, the doorbell is not getting enough power: it cannot stream video or send alerts, but Google says it should keep working as a regular doorbell.

    Nest Doorbell (battery): battery issue; Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen and 3rd gen): not enough power. 3 steps from Google on its page. About wiring or power: only Google’s own instruction is repeated.

12. Status light blinks yellow 4 times

    The countdown to a factory reset, while the restart or reset button is held down. A countdown tone plays at the same time.

    Nest Doorbell (battery), Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen and 3rd gen). Google gives no step for this light.

13. Status light solid yellow

    The factory reset has started. A tone confirms it.

    Nest Doorbell (battery), Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen and 3rd gen). Google gives no step for this light.

14. Light ring blinking yellow

    The doorbell is connected to power but does not get enough electric current to work normally. Google says it cannot stream video or send alerts, but should keep working as a regular doorbell.

    Nest Doorbell (wired), the original wired model. 2 steps from Google on its page. About wiring or power: only Google’s own instruction is repeated.

15. Status light off, light ring dim or off

    The camera is off. If the light ring is dim but not fully off, the doorbell was turned off by hand, by a schedule or when your home switched to Home. If the ring is completely off, the doorbell is getting no power.

    Nest Doorbell (wired), the original wired model. 1 step from Google on its page. About wiring or power: only Google’s own instruction is repeated.

16. Light ring pulsing blue

    The doorbell is ready and waiting for you in the app during setup.

    Nest Doorbell (wired), the original wired model. Google gives no step for this light.

17. Light ring spinning blue

    Two meanings. During setup: the doorbell is connecting to the app. In everyday use: someone pressed the button and it is waiting for a response.

    Nest Doorbell (wired), the original wired model. Google gives no step for this light.

18. Light ring pulses green once

    The doorbell connected to the app and is ready to use.

    Nest Doorbell (wired), the original wired model. Google gives no step for this light.

19. Light ring blinks yellow 5 times

    During first-time setup, the doorbell could not connect to the Nest service or finish setup.

    Nest Doorbell (wired), the original wired model. 1 step from Google on its page.

20. Red lights above the button at night

    Night Vision is on. These are infrared lights that help the camera see in the dark, so you may see them only at night. Nothing is wrong.

    Nest Doorbell (wired), the original wired model. 1 step from Google on its page.

Find a light by colour and movement on any maker’s doorbell →