The Nest Hello Video Doorbell is Google’s “do absolutely everything” video doorbell. With facial recognition technology, adequate third-party integrations, HD resolutions, and competitive pricing, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better video doorbell. But, sometimes, things happen, and it’s good to know that there is a way to reset your Nest Hello Video doorbell if something is irreparably wrong.

To reset the Nest Hello Video Doorbell:

  • Remove the doorbell from your list of devices on your Nest account.Use a paper clip to press the reset button in the hole at the bottom of the device.Simultaneously, press the doorbell button and hold until you get a spinning blue light.When the light goes off, release the buttons.

Of course, nothing is quite so simple. You’ll need to ensure that the device is removed from your Nest app, confirm the corresponding email you’ll receive from Google/Nest, and add the device again once it’s been factory reset. Unfortunately, you’ll lose all of your camera’s settings, and it’ll need to be reconnected to Wi-Fi as if you just purchased a new one.

Resetting a Nest Hello Video Doorbell

If you had a professional installation done with your Nest doorbell, you won’t have to get that technical to reset the device, but here’s a list of what you’ll need to do:

  • Remove the device from the Nest app.Factory reset it with a release tool or paper clip.Add the doorbell to your Nest app.Turn off the breaker switch.Remove the doorbell to scan the QR Code or get the PIN.Check your chime for wire layout.Go through your app instructions.Re-enter your Wi-Fi password.

Why Remove the Nest Doorbell from the App?

Removing Nest Hello from your app and account is a good way to simplify everything. You’re going to re-add the device after its factory reset, so you don’t want the complication of the previous iteration being in the way.

  • Log into your Nest app and on the Home Screen, you’ll see your devices.Select the Hello Doorbell and then tap Settings.Find Remove on the scroll-down menu, tap it, and confirm.You will receive a confirmation email—on the email you set up with the account—and you will confirm the device removal there.

Once you’ve removed the device, it’s safe to go ahead and do a factory reset on the doorbell.

Adding Hello Video Doorbell Again

There’s always a drawback to factory resetting something—other than losing your original settings. Unfortunately, you’ll have to physically remove the doorbell again. Please be sure to turn off the breaker switch for both the doorbell and chime before removing them or messing with the wires.

You’ll probably remember scanning the QR code or entering the 6-digit pin located on the back of the doorbell. Well, you have to do it again. Factory resetting the device is like pulling it fresh out of the box for the first time.

You can add the device again by going through the same steps.

  • Open your Nest app and select Add.The screen will access your camera and ask you to scan the QR code. Now you will have to slide your Hello Doorbell down and pull to release it from the mounting bracket. The QR code and pin are located on the back.

The Nest app will probably carry you through the entire setup routine for both the doorbell and the chime. If you can’t remember the number of wires and how they were laid out, remove the face-plate on the chime and reintroduce yourself. You’ll probably have a bit of deja-vu by now, but that’s ok.

Since you are essentially set up already, just scroll through the automated instructions on the Nest app, and once you click the doorbell back in place, the ring should light up blue. On the app, confirm that the ring is indeed very blue, and your device will be added.

All that’s left is to re-enter your Wi-Fi password, and the Hello Doorbell will now show Connected.

If, for some reason, the blue ring light never illuminated, you’ll have to contact a professional to have a look at it. You won’t be pulling or cutting any wires, so it shouldn’t be a problem.

Final Thoughts

Whenever you factory reset something, it’s for a good reason. You want to make sure that every issue is good-to-go and nothing additional has popped up.

The Nest Hello Video Doorbell has facial recognition tech, so be sure to add everyone that you previously added and take the extra time to test it with your face or that of your family members. The Hello Doorbell has a 160-degree field-of-view and HD resolution, so the video should be crisp and well-defined.

Once you’re done checking over your Hello Doorbell, you’re all set. Hopefully, a factory reset will get your doorbell back to working order, and you have no more complications.