Google home mini won t connect to wifi

Small gadgets can definitely steal our attention.

Sleek, handy, and adorable – the Google Home Mini has all the features of a regular-sized Google Home.

And both versions deliver in making our home lives much more pleasant.

These babies operate flawlessly. As long as you have Wi-Fi around.

But one day, your Google Home and Wi-Fi refuse to play in a team.

Read on to find out:

• Why your Google Home won’t connect to Wi-Fi.
• Where you should put your Google Home and Wi-Fi router.
• 5 troubleshooting fixes to connect your Google Home to Wi-Fi.
• How many devices can affect your Google Home’s Wi-Fi connection.
• And much, much more…

Contents

• Why won’t my Google Home (mini) connect to WiFi?
• Google Home (mini) not connecting to WiFi: 5 causes & fixes
  • #1: The Wi-Fi password was changed
  • #2: The router is too far away
  • #3: Too many devices are connected to the Wi-Fi
  • #4: The Wi-Fi settings were changed
  • #5: The app has pending updates
  • Bonus: Bugs are slowing it down

Why won’t my Google Home (mini) connect to WiFi?

Your Google Home Mini won’t connect to Wi-Fi due to a Wi-Fi password change. Or the Wi-Fi settings are misconfigured. Your router may be too far from your device. Also, too many devices are using the same Wi-Fi. The software may have bugs or a pending update.

Google Home (mini) not connecting to WiFi: 5 causes & fixes

#1: The Wi-Fi password was changed

You changed the password. Then totally forgot about it.

And now, you’re perplexed why your Google Home doesn’t connect to the Wi-Fi.

Google Home doesn’t recognize your Wi-Fi. Because it’s still using the old password.

Reconnecting your Wi-Fi to your Google Home

Don’t beat yourself up about it. Reintroducing the network is easy.

This involves disconnecting the devices. Then, pairing them again.

Have your Google Home app ready. Available on Android and iOS.

To reconnect your Wi-Fi to Google Home:

1. Open your Google Home app.
2. You’ll see all your devices. Choose the device you want to modify.
3. Tap the gear icon, which is the Settings.
4. Select Wi-Fi.
5. Choose Forget Network.
6. Tap Add.
7. Choose Set Up Device.
8. Select New Devices.
9. Select your Home, then Next.
10. Follow the set-up instructions. It will appear on your screen.

After reconnecting, your Google Home should now be Wi-Fi ready!

#2: The router is too far away

It looks like your router & Google Home are practicing social distancing.

But your connectivity issues have got nothing to do with any virus.

Here’s the thing:

The router has to communicate with Google Home. The farther away they are, the harder it is for them to exchange signals.

If your Google Home is sitting on your living room table. While your router is hidden in the attic, the basement. Or somewhere far away. It’s gonna be hard.

Lessen the distance between the Google Home and router

Wi-Fi can travel up to 150 ft (45.72 m) indoors and 300 ft (91.44 m) outdoors.

If your Google Home won’t connect to the Wi-Fi, put it nearer to your router.

Did it work when you moved it closer?

Your router may either be:

• Experiencing interference.
• Not producing signals as far as it should.

There are also other home items that produce signals. These things may throw off the Wi-Fi. Making it hard for your Google Home to connect.

Also, other items can create obstacles. That the Wi-Fi can’t pass through.

The space between your Google Home and router shouldn’t have:

• Electrical appliances.
• Tall and large furniture.
• Concrete walls and floors.

Dense materials like concrete can block the signal. This also includes wooden bookshelves, tall lamps, and other large decor.

Kitchen devices like refrigerators and microwaves emit invisible waves to work. Keep them away from your router so their signals don’t compete.

Putting these away, the connection should work.

Get a Wi-Fi extender or repeater

Everyone’s house is designed differently. And yours may benefit from using a Wi-Fi extender. This expands your Wi-Fi’s coverage. So it reaches more rooms in the house.

#3: Too many devices are connected to the Wi-Fi

Wireless routers can support up to 250 devices. While wired ones can only handle 1 to 4 users at a time.

The household is busy – everyone’s eyes on their tablets and phones.

Your Google Home may be struggling to connect. Due to many devices using the same router. This can happen if you own more than one gadget. Or many people living in one house.

Some online activities consume more bandwidth than others. Doing them simultaneously can clash with your Google Home’s connection.

You may be downloading a Netflix episode. Watching YouTube. Chatting with people. Updating apps on your iPad. These can slow down the Wi-Fi.

Disconnect some devices from your network

Pause all downloads and processes on your other gadgets. See if this helps your Google Home connect.

Still doesn’t work? The next option is to turn off Wi-Fi on those gadgets. This should reduce any barriers for your Google Home to connect.

There’s nothing wrong with your Google Home. Nor your apps. It’s just your router may have reached its limit.

Upgrade your internet plan

You may say, “I can’t survive not having Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify on 24/7!”

This is where you need to look for another Wi-Fi plan. With a bigger bandwidth.

You may haven’t noticed it. But Google Home can’t connect if you maxed out your plan.

Talk to your local internet service provider. And select a plan that fits your daily usage. They may even create a custom one for you. Based on your spending and consumption.

#4: The Wi-Fi settings were changed

“Oh, what does this pretty red button do?”

The settings tab can get pretty overwhelming.

You may have modified a few features. Some you didn’t mean to. Some you don’t know what they do. And one or two that you’ve forgotten.

Wi-Fi routers have settings to help them work with your devices. They must be configured in the best way to cooperate with Google Home.

Also, having a VPN for your router allows you to hide or block IP addresses.

It’s possible that your Google Home may be blacklisted.

Reconfigure your Wi-Fi router’s settings

Check your Wi-Fi’s settings on its portal. Instructions vary for each internet service provider.

Make sure it allows for your Google Home to connect. Find your Google Home’s network information in the Google Home App. It’s under Settings.

If you’re using a VPN, see if your Google Home’s IP address has been blocked. Unblock it if it is.

Temporarily turning off the VPN when changing the settings doesn’t work.

Also, switch the channels on your router. Channels 1, 6, and 11 are said to produce stronger network speeds. This decreases the interference. Because these channels don’t overlap.

Watch this visual instruction to learn more:

Make use of dual-band Wi-Fi

Some devices and routers are capable of dual-band Wi-Fi. This means that you can connect to two Wi-Fi networks at the same time. Specifically 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz.

Try to see if your router can produce the two dual bands. Read its manual and display both its 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands.

The benefit of having this is that it makes Wi-Fi connections faster.

Setting this up may fix your Google Home’s connection issues.

#5: The app has pending updates

Google constantly makes all its apps and devices better. They add improvements for maximum efficiency and convenience for their users.

Your Google Home gets these important tweaks too.

Outdated software can cause Google Home to lag. In this case, it also won’t connect.

With the Google Home app, seeing your device information is easy.

See if the software is up to date

To check if your Google Home needs updates:

1. Open the Google Home app.
2. On the top right, tap the Devices icon.
3. Select your Google Home device.
4. On the top right, tap the three dots. Then, select Settings.
5. Look for “Cast firmware version.”
6. Check if you have the current version listed here.

Google Home is designed to update by itself. Updates usually take 10 minutes. You’ll also see on your app when the process starts.

Spinning lights on top of your device means the update is ongoing.

Some updates may arrive later for other regions.

Bonus: Bugs are slowing it down

Wi-Fi routers, phones, tablets, computers, even your Google Home.

All of these run on software. It can’t be avoided – there are days when the software crashes. Or gets caught in bugs.

These software issues affect your Google Home’s regular functions. Like delayed responses for Google Assistant. Choppy audio on the speaker. No communication with Google Home. And its ability to connect to the internet.

Don’t worry! This is actually the simplest problem to fix.

The Google Home and the router just need a little refresh.

There are two ways to get these devices running again:

• Resetting.
• Restarting.

Warning: Restarting a device won’t delete any settings or data. However, resetting does. Before doing the latter, be sure to jot down any existing information.

Restart the Wi-Fi router

Other routers may have different instructions. But they generally follow the same steps.

To restart your Wi-Fi router:

1. Look for your router’s On/Off button or switch.
2. Press the On/Off button or switch.
3. Wait for the router to turn off completely.
4. Unplug the router.
5. Wait for 30 seconds to a minute.
6. Plug the router again.
7. Turn on the router.
8. See that your Google Home has already connected.

Restart the Google Home

You can restart your Google Home in two ways:

• Manually.
• Through the Google Home app.

To restart the Google Home manually:

1. Unplug the device.
2. Leave it unplugged for 1 minute.
3. Plug the device back in.
4. See that your Google Home has already connected.

To restart the Google Home through the app:

1. Open the Google Home app.
2. Select the device, which is the Google Home.
3. Tap Settings.
4. At the top right, you’ll see More. Tap it, and choose Reboot.
5. Wait for your Google Home to restart completely.
6. See that your Google Home has already connected.

Reset your Wi-Fi router

When you reset your Wi-Fi router, it will go back to its factory default settings.

The settings that would change include:

• Existing firewall settings.
• ISP username and password.
• Wi-Fi username and password.
• Router username and password.
• Any changes you’ve made since setting up your router.

Warning: Do this step only when other troubleshooting steps have been ineffective.

To reset your Wi-Fi router:

1. Look for the reset button at the back of the router. It usually looks like a tiny hole.
2. Keep the router on. Using a pin or a paperclip’s end, press the reset button.
3. Hold it for 10 seconds.
4. Wait for the lights to change. Each router can have different indicators. It may start solid then blinking or vice versa.
5. Let go of the reset button.
6. Reconfigure your router back to your preferred settings. You may also need to reconnect it to your Google Home.
7. See that Google Home is connected.

Reset your Google Home

Your preferred settings will also be deleted in this process. Make sure to remember them.

Warning: Do this step only when other troubleshooting steps have been ineffective.

The resetting process is different for Google Home and the Mini version. Unlike restarting, this can’t be done with the app.

To reset your Google Home:

1. Go to the back of your device.
2. Look for the microphone mute button.
3. Press the microphone mute button. Hold it for 15 seconds.
4. The device will tell you when the reset process starts.

To reset your Google Home Mini:

1. Flip the device on its bottom.
2. Look for the factory reset button. It’s a small button below the power cord.
3. Press and hold the factory reset button.
4. The resetting starts after 5 seconds. Hold it for 10 seconds more.
5. Let go when you hear a confirmation sound.