trying to set up my new nest cam and the app just won't find the device, it keeps searching forever.

Diagnosis

The "infinite searching" loop during the Google Nest Cam Indoor Wired setup is typically a failure of the BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) handshake between the Google Home app and the camera's onboard radio. For the app to "find" the device, your smartphone must be able to detect the camera's temporary setup beacon. If the phone is locked into a high-frequency 5GHz Wi-Fi band or if the app lacks precise location permissions, the handshake fails, and the app continues to scan without ever receiving the "I am here" signal from the hardware. Another common culprit is a "stuck" state in the camera's firmware from the factory or a previous failed attempt. If the status light is not pulsing a specific blue or white pattern, the camera isn't actually in pairing mode, meaning the app is searching for a signal that isn't being broadcast. You can confirm this by checking the LED ring; if it is solid or off, the device is not broadcasting its setup SSID.

How to Fix It

To resolve the handshake failure and complete the pairing process, follow this precise sequence:

1. Hard Reset the Hardware: Locate the reset button on the back or bottom of the camera. Press and hold it for exactly 12 seconds. Release it and wait for the light to pulse, indicating the device has entered setup mode.
2. Prepare the Smartphone: Force-close the Google Home app. Go to your phone's Settings > Apps > Google Home > Permissions. Ensure that "Location" is set to "Allow all the time" (or "While using the app") and that "Precise Location" is toggled ON. Ensure Bluetooth is toggled OFF and then back ON.
3. Optimize the Network: If you have a dual-band router (2.4GHz and 5GHz), temporarily disable the 5GHz band in your router settings or create a separate 2.4GHz Guest Network. The Nest Cam Indoor Wired requires a stable 2.4GHz connection for the initial handshake.
4. Proximity Pairing: Place the camera on a flat surface within 12 inches of your smartphone. Do not place it inside its final mounting position or near large metal objects that could interfere with the Bluetooth signal.
5. Re-initiate Setup: Open the Google Home app, tap the "+" icon > Set up device > New device. When prompted, scan the QR code on the back of the camera or the bottom of the stand. If it asks to "Search for devices," keep the phone screen awake and held directly against the camera lens.

If That Didn't Work

• Toggle Airplane Mode: Turn on Airplane Mode on your phone, then manually re-enable only Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. This clears out cellular data interference (LTE/5G) that can sometimes override the local BLE discovery process.
• Test with a Mobile Hotspot: To determine if the issue is your router's firewall or DNS settings, set up a mobile hotspot on a second phone using the exact same SSID and password as your home network. Try pairing the camera to the hotspot; if it works, your router is blocking the Google discovery ports.
• Clear App Cache: On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Google Home > Storage > Clear Cache. On iOS, uninstall the Google Home app entirely and reinstall it to clear out corrupted temporary setup files.
• Check Power Supply: Ensure you are using the original white power adapter and cable provided in the box. Using a third-party USB wall plug or a computer USB port often provides insufficient amperage, causing the Wi-Fi chip to brown out during the high-power pairing phase.

Heads Up

• Avoid 5GHz Forcing: Never try to force the camera onto a 5GHz-only network; it will either fail to connect or drop the signal every 24 hours.
• QR Code Lighting: If the app fails to scan the QR code, wipe the code with a microfiber cloth and use a flashlight to eliminate glare, as a failed scan can lead the app to search for the wrong hardware ID.
• Firmware Updates: Immediately after the first successful pairing, keep the camera plugged in and leave the app open for 10 minutes. The camera will likely trigger a mandatory firmware update that fixes stability issues.
• Wall Interference: Avoid placing the camera directly against a brick or concrete wall during setup, as this creates a "signal shadow" that can kill the Bluetooth handshake.