How To Install Nest Doorbell Without Existing Doorbell

RobotPoweredHome is reader-supported. When you buy through links on my blog, I may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nest Hello is one of the sharpest, quickest, and feature-packed video doorbells that are available on the market today.

With HDR video recording and a really wide field of view, it is one of the strongest players in the video doorbell market.

The most difficult part of using the Nest Hello is the installation which requires you to drill holes, install a Nest chime connector in your chime box, etc.

Normally, if you do not have a chime or if you are trying to install Nest hello without an existing doorbell, this means even more work with the installation of a transformer and wiring the whole system.

Nest Hello can be installed without a chime or an existing doorbell by using an indoor power adapter with the appropriate voltage requirement that connects to a wall outlet.

This avoids the hassle of hardwiring your Nest Hello. Using an indoor power adapter that does not have the right voltage can damage your Nest Hello.

I've also gone into why you need a Nest Chime connector, as well as provided wiring diagrams.

Can Nest Hello Work Without a Chime?

Nest Hello will work without a chime. Nest Hello can be installed without a chime by using an indoor power adapter, also known as a plug-in transformer.

You can use a plug-in chime or set up your visitor notifications to be announced by Google Assistant using the Google Home app.

Installing Nest Hello Without Chime or Existing Doorbell Using an Indoor Power Adapter

The first thing that you have to do is purchase an indoor power adapter. This adapter with a built-in transformer regulates the voltage for your doorbell camera.

Depending on where you are located, the Nest Hello needs to be powered by wires that can deliver between 16-24 V AC and a minimum power of 10 VA in North America and between 12-24 V AC and a minimum power of 8 VA in Europe.

I contacted the manufacturer who makes the indoor power adapter for Nest Hello who said that they provide full instructions and support for any kind of installation assistance.

They also offer lifetime replacement guarantee and free amazing support to guide you through the entire process of installation.

We tested a bunch of indoor power adapters but it turns out that some of the adapters that are available online are really not compatible with Nest Hello.

Finally, we were able to get our hands on the right adapter that was designed specifically for Nest Hello.

It is the Ohmkat indoor power adapter. The installation is pretty much plug-and-play.

Our Pick!

In my case, there was no power outlet close to the front door so the 12 feet wire that the adapter came with was not enough.

Some of you may have the same problem. Thankfully, there is nothing to worry about as you can easily get an extension cord for the indoor power adapter to connect your Nest Hello to a power outlet.

If you do not want to go through the tiring process of installing a chime, you can simply use a plug-in chime to go with your Nest Hello.

Do you need the Nest Hello Chime Connector?

The Nest Chime Connector that is provided with the Nest hello is not required if you use an indoor power adapter.

The Nest Chime Connector is a device that enables the Nest Hello to have its own circuit separate from the chime's circuit.

This allows the doorbell to draw constant power without any interference from the chime.

This allows the camera in the Nest Hello to record continuously.

How to Mount the Nest Hello Doorbell?

How to Install Nest Doorbell Without A Chime

Before you start installing the Nest Hello doorbell, it is important to set it up using the Nest app.

The app is extremely useful for installation as it gives you very clear instructions for every step.

Regardless, you can follow the instructions below for the steps to quickly mount the Nest hello.

You can now start with the installation of the Nest doorbell in a location of your choice.

We recommend that you install Nest Hello in an area that is right beside your door at a height that lets you clearly see the faces of the people who visit your house.

Normally, this is 40-50 inches or more than 4 feet from the ground.

If you think the angle is not right, make use of the wedges provided in the box to set it up at a suitable angle.

Once that is done, mark three holes for drilling by using the wall plate as a reference.

Before you start drilling, turn off the power to anything close to where you are drilling, such as porch lights.

Using a 9 mm or 11/32 inch drill bit, drill a hole through the middle hole in the wall plate.

When you do it, ensure that you are drilling into the bottom part of the middle hole. The bigger drill bit is because the wires have to go through the entire wall.

You could accordingly change the drill bit size according to the size of the wall in your house.

Once that is done, using a 2 mm or 3/32 inch drill bit, drill two holes for screws in the positions marked for the top and bottom holes in the wall plate.

Run the wires through the hole and secure the wall plate using the screws and wall anchors (only if they are necessary).

Without connecting the power adapter, connect the two wires to the back of the Nest Hello and secure it with screws.

Ensure that the wires are pointing up and not down. Tuck the rest of the wire into the hole and slide the Nest Hello in place on the wall plate. Use the cable clips provided to organize the wires.

Plug in the adapter and turn the switch on. The Nest Hello should turn on now, indicated by the ring on the device turning blue.

If it does not turn on for some reason, check if there is any loose connection. If it persists, try unplugging and plugging the adapter back in.

Nest Doorbell Wiring Diagram

Here is a wiring diagram for you to better understand how to install the Nest Hello without using a chime or existing doorbell.

Simply connect the terminals on the back of the Nest Hello to the wire ends on the indoor power adapter.

It does not matter which terminal connects to which wire on the indoor power adapter.

Keep in mind that the Nest Chime Connector that comes with the Nest hello is not required for this setup.

Similarly, there is no need to hardwire the doorbell or use a separate transformer to install the Nest Hello using an indoor power adapter.

Setting up the Nest App for Nest Hello

Once the Nest Hello has turned on, follow the instructions on the app to select the location of your doorbell, connect to Wi-Fi. Finally, try ringing the doorbell to see if you are getting instant notifications.

Make sure that you disable the internal chime in the Hello settings on the Nest app.

As you will be using a smart device for visitor notifications, the internal chime setting is not required.

Turn on audio recording and choose the language in which you want the doorbell to speak to your visitors.

It might be worthwhile to think about whether you want to continue with your Nest Hello without a subscription.

Use a Plug-in Chime for Your Nest Hello

The easiest way to get your doorbell to chime without messing with the wiring is to purchase a plug-in chime.

Just connect one end of the transmitter that comes with the plug-in chime to your Nest Hello and connect the other end with the indoor power adapter.

You can now plug the chime into any power outlet in your house. Plug it in somewhere it can easily be heard throughout the house.

Nest Chime Connector Replacement: Is it Possible?

What do you do if have a Nest Hello but don't have the Nest Chime Connector Base?

Maybe you moved recently and left it behind, or maybe you got the Nest Hello secondhand for a good deal and so it didn't come with one.

You decide to check the Google Store but you can't find the Nest Chime Connector Base and you want to continue using your Nest Hello.

While Google doesn't sell the Google Nest Hello chime connector base on the Google Store, it is still possible to get a Nest Chime Connector Base by getting it secondhand off eBay or contacting Google Support.

Often, a Google Employee will get back to you, and send an email to the ID associated with your Nest Account.

From there, once they've verified your identity, they'll send over a Nest Chime Connector.

Set Up Your Nest Hello to Chime Using Google Assistant

Since you are not going to be using a separate chime for your Nest Hello, you can use Google Assistant to sound the chime and announce it whenever someone visits your house.

Follow the steps below to do this.

Open the Google Home app. If you have a Google Home Hub or Nest Hub, set it up with the Google Home app by following the instructions on-screen.
After setting up the app, tap Add on the top left part of the screen, select 'Set up device', and choose 'Have something already set up?'.
Choose Nest from the list and follow the instructions.
In the Nest app, turn on visitor announcements.
Press the doorbell and you will now be able to hear a chime and an announcement by Google Assistant.

Nest Hello Indoor Chime Not Working

If your Nest Hello Indoor Chime isn't ringing, the culprit could be as simple as the Nest Chime connector not getting enough power to as complex as wiring problems.

Breaker/Power Outlet

A fuse may have blown or Breaker Switch could've tripped, disconnecting the Indoor Chime from the electrical grid.

App Settings

The Chime may be turned off in the app, or the wrong settings may be applied for your chime.

Wiring Issues

There may be disconnected wiring in the Chime circuit, or the Nest Hello circuit itself.

Incompatible Transformer

Your transformer may not meet the requirements to power the Nest Hello (16-24 V AC, and at least 10 VA in North America or 12-24 V AC, and at least 8 VA in Europe)

Extreme Weather Conditions

Under extreme conditions of heat or cold, the Nest Hello automatically turns itself off to protect its wiring from overheating. This can have caused it to stop working.

How to Fix it?

App Settings

TapSettings Nest settings icon on the app home screen and select Nest Hello.

IfQuiet time is on, turn it off and check the chime duration by tapping it in the Nest Hello Settings.

If you've got a mechanical chime that has moving parts, turn itOff, and if you have an electronic chime, try setting it to a longer duration so you can hear it better.

Wiring Issues

Check the wiring on the Nest Hello and the Nest Chime Connector to ensure there are no loose connections.

Check if any of the metallic parts like the baseplate are choking the wires, leading to a poor connection, and ensure there are no short circuits.

Incompatible Transformer

Depending on how drastic the difference in your transformer capabilities are from the requirements, you might have to replace your transformer.

Contact a local professional to do this if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself.

Extreme Weather Conditions

When the Nest Hello's Core temperature returns to normal levels, it should reactivate itself.

This way, there's no need to do anything and while the chime may not work, so long as the Nest Hello has power and is connected to your Wi-Fi, you should still get notifications on your phone via the Nest app.

Nest Hello Pro Installer: A Necessity?

Nest Pros are independent contractors who aren't necessarily Google employees.

If you're not comfortable with the whole DIY aspect, or you simply don't have the time, hiring a Nest Pro is a great idea.

However, it is necessary to do your due diligence and check up on the Nest Pro, confirm their rates and services and timings for the installation services so that you get the deal you're happy with that fits your needs.

Conclusion

The Nest Hello is normally hardwired using a transformer and a chime.

However, there is no need for you to skip this device merely because you do not have an existing doorbell or chime.

The Nest Hello can easily be set up in a few minutes using an indoor power adapter.

Pair it with your Google or Alexa device and it will function exactly like a normal video doorbell.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Nest Hello Chime Through Alexa?

No, the Nest Hello doorbell cannot chime through or send visitor notifications through an Alexa device.

However, you can pair it with Amazon Echo Show to view the live feed of your Nest Hello doorbell.

To do this, simply enable the Google Nest skill on your Amazon Echo Show.

Turn on access to your home's information and allow Alexa access to your doorbell camera's live stream.

Proceed to log in using the Gmail account that you used to set up your Nest Hello doorbell.

Tap 'allow' when the prompt to trust Alexa appears on the screen. You have successfully paired your Alexa device to your Nest Hello doorbell.

Does Nest Hello Come With a Chime?

No, the Nest Hello doorbell does not come with a chime. Instead, Google provides a Nest chime connector in the box to connect to the existing chime in your house.

How Hard is it to Install Nest Hello Doorbell?

Installing the Nest Hello doorbell is not hard at all. All the necessary tools are provided in the box with detailed instructions to install the doorbell in a matter of minutes.

What Voltage Does Nest Hello Require?

The Nest Hello requires a voltage of 16-24V and at least 10 VA of power in North America and a voltage of 12-24V and at least 8 VA in Europe.

Does Nest Hello Need to be Hardwired?

No, the Nest Hello need not be hardwired. Instead, you can use an indoor power adapter to power the Nest Hello doorbell.

You can also use Google Assistant for sounding a chime and visitor notifications for the Nest Hello doorbell.

What is Nest Hello quiet time?

Quiet Time is a setting on the Nest Hello that allows you to specify a period of time during which if anyone rings the doorbell, it will not chime.

This is particularly useful if your baby is asleep or if you have pets that are disturbed by the doorbell chime.

To turn on quiet time, open the nest app, tap on the live stream, pull up to reveal the events, and tap on quiet time on the bottom right part of the screen.