Nest Protect automatically runs a Self Test, where it checks its batteries and sensors every 200 seconds. Once a month, Nest Protect can also perform an automatic Sound Check to test its speaker and horn.
You can also run a full Safety Checkup anytime. This test lets you listen to your Nest Protect's speaker and horn and check for power and sensor failures. That way, you know your Nest Protects are working.
Since smoke alarms are critical safety devices, it's important to know they're working. But according to the National Fire Protection Association, 9 out of 10 people don't test them as often as they should. That's why Nest Protect has 2 automatic tests: Self Test and Sound Check.
Self Test runs every 200 seconds. It checks the following:
- Power
- Smoke sensor
- Carbon monoxide sensor
- Wi-Fi
To know more, go to Learn about Self Test.
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Sound Check runs once a month. It verifies the following:
Tip: Sound Check must be set to automatically run with the Nest app or Google Home app. To learn more about Sound Check, go to Automatic Sound Check test. |
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Check with the Nest app
The Nest app shows you the most recent information available about Nest Protect.
If everything is fine, your Nest Protects should be green in the Nest app.
If there is a problem, like low batteries, the Nest app shows you what's wrong and tells you what to do.
- Battery powered Protects check in once a day.
- Wired 120V Protects check in every 30 minutes.
To access your Nest Protect from the nest app or the web, go to How to control your Nest Protect with the Nest app.
Check with the Google Home app
The Home app shows you the most recent information available to your Nest Protect. If everything is fine, your Protect should show "Everything is OK" in the Home app.
If there is a problem, such as low batteries, the Home app shows you what's wrong and tells you what to do.
To check the status of your Protect, go to Learn about Safety checkup.
Look for Nightly Promise
When you turn out the lights for the night, Nest Protect glows green briefly to show you that its smoke and CO sensors are working and that it has enough power. That way it won't chirp in the middle of the night. We call this Nightly Promise.
- If all Nest Protects in your home are connected to the app, and one glows green, that means they're all fine.*
- If any of your Nest Protects have a problem, such as a low battery, Nightly Promise glows yellow. Nest Protect plays an audio to notify you what's wrong.
To know more, go to Learn about Nightly Promise.
*All Protects in the home must be connected to the same account in the Nest app or Home app.
Run a Safety Checkup
The National Fire Protection Association recommends you test your alarms at least once a month. Safety Checkup helps you easily run a thorough test of all your Nest Protects. The test lets you hear your Nest Protect's speaker and horn, so you know your Protects are working. When you run the test, you should listen for the alarm to sound on each device.
If you run a Safety Checkup, it can also help you and your family become more familiar with the lights and sounds of Protect, just in case of an actual alarm. Plus, you can run a Safety Checkup whenever you like, so you don't have to wait for a monthly Sound Check.
You can run a Safety Checkup with the Nest app or Home app for a 2nd generation Nest Protect, or press the Nest button on any Nest Protect. The test takes a few seconds to complete and is loud.
At the end of Safety Checkup, the Nest app or Home app should let you know that everything works or if there's a problem, like low batteries, a sensor failure, or if your alarm has expired.
To start a Safety Checkup, go to Learn about Safety Checkup.