Smart doorbells such as the Nest Doorbell are the latest trend when discussing must-have home appliances and devices, allowing you to monitor who is at your front door and talk to visitors remotely.
But like any other electric device, they may run into issues that leave you confused.
For example, you may wonder why your Nest Doorbell gets too hot.
A Nest Doorbell may get hot due to the following reasons:
- Normal heat due to regular functions.
- Exposure to extreme heat.
- Exposure to direct sunlight.
- Lack of air circulation.
Keep reading to know why your Nest Doorbell keeps overheating and how to troubleshoot the problem.
1.Normal Heat Due To Regular Functions
If your Nest Doorbell gets as hot as your laptop charger, you most likely have nothing to worry about because some amount of heat is expected.
Like most electronics or smart devices, Nest Doorbells contain chips and electronic components that can generate some heat when they’re on.
As a result, using the device’s functions such as alert notifications and streaming video and audio can cause the doorbell to create some heat.
This type of heat on the device is standard and tends to make your device warm to the touch, especially after continuous use.
However, it doesn’t necessarily mean your Nest doorbell is overheating as the heat quickly disperses once the device is no longer in use.
You may be surprised by the number of chips and sensors that are included in a device as small as a Nest Doorbell.
Watch how the experts at CNet take a Nest Hello Doorbell apart to see what’s inside.
Once you watch this video, you can understand that some amount of heat is expected and perfectly normal.
2. Exposure To Extreme Heat
Sweltering temperatures can cause your Nest Doorbell to get hot while in use.
Interestingly, if your Nest Doorbell reaches over 104°F (40°C), it will cause the camera and doorbell to reduce battery usage.
Not only will the device start lowering the capacity of its features, but if the overheating persists, an internal mechanism will cause the doorbell to turn off all features.
Extreme heat can also cause the video quality to decrease.
3. Exposure to Direct Sunlight
Exposing or installing the Nest Doorbell directly under sunlight can cause the device to get hot to the touch.
It may also cause the camera and doorbell to reduce battery usage and possibly shut the device off until the temperature reverts to normal.
Additionally, if sunlight hits your Nest Doorbell, it can reduce image or video quality and possibly set off your doorbell.
Direct sunlight can also damage and crack the doorbell’s button due to continuous heating during the day and exposure to cooler nights.
4. Lack of Air Circulation
If the Nest Doorbell doesn’t get enough air circulation or ventilation to dissipate the heat caused by normal usage, the device will gradually become hotter.
Increasing temperatures or humidity reduce air circulation causing your Nest Doorbell to get hot. Moreover, your device could be covered by restrictive materials that prevent adequate airflow.
How To Fix Your Nest Doorbell When It Gets Hot
Although the Nest Doorbell is designed to disperse heat quickly, it’s vital to place your device in the right conditions.
It’s essential to understand which model you have to assist with troubleshooting, installation, or any other issue that can arise.
Here are some tips and tricks to help manage and troubleshoot a Nest Doorbell from getting too hot:
Turn Off the Nest Doorbell
Sometimes the easiest method is to give your Nest doorbell some time to rest.
If you feel your Nest Doorbell is too hot, unplug both the Nest Doorbell and camera.
Both devices must remain off for a few minutes. Once it’s cool to touch, power it back on.
Avoid Installing the Nest Doorbell Under Direct Sunlight
When installing your Nest Doorbell, make sure not to install the doorbell or camera directly under the sunlight.
You should put it under a shaded or covered area to keep it at a cool temperature.
Once you move the device to a shaded area, you will notice a reduction in the heating issue.
If you don’t have a shady spot, try mounting a slight overhang over the doorbell to block out the sun’s direct rays.
You can also invest in a sun shield, which reduces the glare and backlighting that comes from the sun’s rays. It’s best to get cases that sit around your doorbell for more effortless airflow.
Check out the HomeAll Doorbell Cover (available on Amazon). It’s durable, high-quality, and elegant while being super easy to install.
Consider the Designated Temperatures
Your Nest Doorbell and camera is designed to withstand certain temperatures.
Make sure you’re using your device in the environment it was intended for to keep it from overheating.
According to Nest, the battery-operated Doorbell and wired Doorbell can withstand temperatures of –4° to 104°F (–20°to 40°C).
Install or Move the Nest Doorbell in Well-Ventilated Area
Make sure your Nest doorbell is in a well-ventilated space so air can flow correctly around the device.
That means not to put your doorbell covered in any type of case, container, or material that will trap or restrict air circulation.
If your Nest Doorbell doesn’t have enough air circulation to disperse the heat, especially on a humid day, the doorbell will become warm or even hot to the touch.
Have a Professional Look at the Doorbell
Sometimes, heating issues are caused by faulty installation, such as transformer glitches.
If you’ve tried the previous methods and the issue persists, it is time to call a professional.
They have the tools and expertise to test the device (e.g., the transformer voltage and the terminal) and identify the root cause.
Although extremely rare, faulty doorbell installations can become a fire hazard.
So, if your Nest doorbell is abnormally hot, have an experienced electrician look at it.