- Networks
- Security cameras
NC013
Google Nest camera NC013: cannot link with other Nest devices
Risk level
Low
Usually safe to check without specialist tools.
Urgency
Medium
Quick answer
Help code NC013 (or NC014, NC018, NC024, NC030) means your Google Nest camera could not connect to your other Nest product during setup; place them within 30 ft (or 3 ft) on the same Wi-Fi network.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Do not factory-reset or remove working Nest products from your home account before testing setup with the new camera placed within 3 feet (1 meter) of the assisting device.
- Never open the camera housing or touch fixed household mains wiring while temporarily moving the camera closer for onboarding; power it with its official plug-in cable near the assisting device and mount it afterward.
Safe checks you can perform
- Restart the Nest camera or doorbell and restart your phone or tablet
- Connect your phone to the exact same Wi-Fi network used by your existing Nest product
- Move the camera within 30 ft (10 m), or within 3 ft (1 m) if needed, of the other Nest product
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Official Google Nest support evaluation if NC013 persists with the devices within 3 feet
- Do not attempt this professional task: ISP or network administrator review if router client isolation blocks Nest-to-Nest traffic
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Official Google Nest support evaluation if NC013 persists with the devices within 3 feet
What they doWhen both products are within 3 feet (1 meter) on the same Wi-Fi network after restarting the camera and phone and setup still fails, open a case with Google Support.
They must show youthe result of the 3-foot proximity setup test and the exact help code shown (NC013, NC014, NC018, NC024, or NC030).
In writingthe Google support case number, serial numbers of both Nest devices, and warranty determination.
ISP or network administrator review if router client isolation blocks Nest-to-Nest traffic
What they doYour internet provider or network administrator checks that AP/client isolation and subnet separation are disabled on the home Wi-Fi.
They must show youboth Nest devices communicating on the same local subnet with client isolation turned off.
In writingthe router isolation settings verified and the ISP or administrator ticket number.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Restart the Nest camera or doorbell and restart your phone or tablet
- Who:
- you, before reopening the setup flow in the Google Home or Nest app.
- How:
- disconnect the camera from power briefly (or follow the restart step for your model) and reboot your phone or tablet completely to clear any stalled wireless session.
- Result that matters:
- starting a clean onboarding attempt on both the camera and your mobile device.
- If both units restart cleanly:
- verify your phone's Wi-Fi network in the next step.
- If the camera does not power on:
- check the wall outlet and official power cable first.
- Evidence to keep:
- the exact help code noted from the app screen (NC013, NC014, NC018, NC024, or NC030).
Evidence: Troubleshoot Nest camera and doorbell setup messages
Connect your phone to the exact same Wi-Fi network used by your existing Nest product
- Who:
- you, checking your phone's Wi-Fi settings and the assisting Nest device's network.
- How:
- confirm which wireless SSID your existing Nest product in the home is using, and join your phone to that exact same Wi-Fi network rather than a guest network or mobile data.
- Result that matters:
- ensuring your phone, the new camera, and the assisting Nest device share the same local network.
- If your phone is on the same SSID:
- move the Nest products closer together in the next step.
- If your existing Nest product shows offline in the app:
- bring that existing device back online first.
- Evidence to keep:
- a screenshot showing your phone connected to the same home SSID as the existing Nest device.
Evidence: Troubleshoot Nest camera and doorbell setup messages
Move the camera within 30 ft (10 m), or within 3 ft (1 m) if needed, of the other Nest product
- Who:
- you, temporarily powering the camera near the assisting Nest device during setup.
- How:
- place the new camera within 30 feet (10 meters) of the assisting Nest product for setup; if NC013 appears again, move them within 3 feet (1 meter) until the camera is added to the app, then install it in its final location.
- Result that matters:
- allowing the two Nest devices to complete their direct setup handshake.
- If setup succeeds and the camera is added to the app:
- move it to its permanent mounting spot.
- If NC013 persists even within 3 feet (1 meter):
- check router client isolation or contact Google Support.
- Evidence to keep:
- a photo of the temporary 3-foot test setup and a screenshot of the app result.
Evidence: Troubleshoot Nest camera and doorbell setup messages
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Networks
- Brand
- Google Nest
- Product type
- Security cameras
Known code variants
- La cámara no ha podido conectarse a otros productos Nest
- NC014
- NC018
- NC024
- NC030
- Your camera couldn't connect to your other Nest product(s)
What it means
In Google's official guide for troubleshooting Nest camera and doorbell setup messages, help codes NC013, NC014, NC018, NC024, and NC030 accompany the alert Your camera couldn't connect to your other Nest product(s). During onboarding, the app tries to link your new camera directly with an existing Nest product in your home so it can securely share network and account credentials. Behavior can vary across camera generations, and seeing this code alone never proves that either your new camera or your existing Nest device has a hardware defect.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Loweditorial warning
Do not factory-reset or remove working Nest products from your home account before testing setup with the new camera placed within 3 feet (1 meter) of the assisting device.
Evidence: Troubleshoot Nest camera and doorbell setup messages
- Mediumeditorial warning
Never open the camera housing or touch fixed household mains wiring while temporarily moving the camera closer for onboarding; power it with its official plug-in cable near the assisting device and mount it afterward.
Evidence: Troubleshoot Nest camera and doorbell setup messages
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Too much distance or physical obstacles between the new camera and the existing Nest productCommon
When the two Nest devices are more than 30 feet (10 meters) apart or separated by thick walls during setup, the direct device-to-device link fails.
Evidence: Troubleshoot Nest camera and doorbell setup messages
- Phone or tablet connected to a different Wi-Fi network than the existing Nest productPossible
If your phone is on a guest SSID, a separate router subnet, or cellular data, the app cannot coordinate the credential handoff with the assisting Nest device.
Evidence: Troubleshoot Nest camera and doorbell setup messages
- Temporary pairing stall on the camera or on the mobile device running the appLess common
A hung wireless session on the camera or phone prevents discovery of the nearby Nest product until both devices are restarted.
Evidence: Troubleshoot Nest camera and doorbell setup messages
Virtual technician
Does NC013 still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
Troubleshoot Nest camera and doorbell setup messages
Google · 2026 · official_doc
- 2
Solucionar problemas con los mensajes de configuración de la cámara y el timbre Nest
Google · 2026 · official_doc
Was this entry useful?