Owners of Google’s original Nest Doorbell (the first-generation “Nest Hello”) are reporting that their Live View video feeds are failing within the Google Home app. The fault has been degrading or disabling the live video preview feature for many users, while other functions like notifications still appear to work.
The issue has been emerging over the past few days, with dozens of reports posted in Google’s official forums and Reddit. Threads confirm the problem specifically affects the wired first-generation model of the Nest Doorbell, sometimes referred to as “Nest Hello.” The issue does not seem nearly as widespread for first-generation Nest cameras, though a few users report problems there as well. All signs point to a backend issue on Google’s side.
Update Likely Triggered the Glitch
At the end of October, Google deployed a software update to older Nest hardware; the timing aligns with when users say Live View broke on their devices. While the update is suspected to be the culprit, Google hasn’t confirmed any connection. Some users suggest the company’s shift to WebRTC (a protocol for real-time communication via browsers or apps) may have introduced the bug.
What Still Works, What’s Broken
Despite the Live View issue, several users report that push notifications still reach Nest Hub displays correctly. That suggests at least part of the camera’s cloud infrastructure remains functioning. The functionality loss appears largely limited to streaming the live video view in the Home app. Workarounds based on WebRTC theories have been attempted, but none have proved reliably effective.
As of now, Google has not officially acknowledged the problem, nor offered a timeline for repairing it. Users report that reaching support yields generic replies, but no specific guidance or firm commitment to fixing the issue.
Why it matters: Live View is a core feature of smart doorbells; the inability to see the video feed undermines the security and convenience promises of these devices. Owners depend on real-time visuals for monitoring deliveries, visitors, and security threats. Until Google issues a patch or rollback, affected customers will have limited tools—with notifications alone—not a full visual feed.
