Can’t Connect with your Google Home Mini? Try These Fixes

The Google Home Mini can fail to move past the setup stage, often disconnecting halfway through network setup even though it is visible in the app. This error means the setup process cannot finish the Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi connection needed for the device to be added to the account.

The main cause is network interference or conflicting phone connection settings, especially when both mobile data and Wi‑Fi are on during setup; other causes include router band issues or weak or unstable signal strength.

1. Disable Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

You may not be able to detect your Google Home Mini from your phone if you’re using a VPN. VPNs can interfere with local device discovery by masking your phone’s IP address. If you have a VPN enabled, turn it off and try again.

1. Go to Settings > General > VPN.

   

2. Disable VPN and restart your device. 
3. Now check if you can detect the Home Mini. 

2. Disable the Mobile Phone’s Data

You won’t be able to connect to your Google Home Mini if your phone is using mobile data. To set up and control the Home Mini, your phone must be on the same Wi-Fi network as the device.

Some phones also switch to mobile data automatically if Wi-Fi is slow. In that case, turn off mobile data and try again.

1. Navigate to Settings > Cellular or Mobile Data.

   

2. Disable mobile data and enable Wi-Fi.

   

3. Connect the phone to the same Wi-Fi network as the Google Home Mini. Check if the Home app can communicate with the Mini.

3. Enable Wi-Fi After Putting Your Phone in the Airplane Mode

This problem can occur if the app isn’t using your phone’s connection modules properly. Turning on Airplane Mode and then enabling Wi-Fi forces the app to use only Wi-Fi (no mobile data or other connections).

1. Launch the Google Home app and start the process of adding the Google Home Mini.
2. When you reach the step where the Device Utility app asks you to disable Wi-Fi, disable Wi-Fi.
3. Open the phone’s Quick Settings panel and tap the Airplane icon to enable Airplane Mode.

   

4. Continue with the setup and, once the app starts searching for the Mini, enable Wi-Fi via Quick Settings, then proceed. Check if the issue is resolved.
5. If that fails, repeat the steps, and when you see the Would You Like to Set Up This Device message, enable Airplane Mode on the phone.
6. Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on the phone.

   

7. Tap Next in the Utility app and check if the connection is successful.

4. Force Stop the Google Home App 

If the Google Home app is stuck or its cache is corrupt, it may fail to find your Mini on the network. Force-closing the app and clearing its cache can help.

1. Power off your modem and router (if separate).
2. Wait a minute and power on both.
3. Exit the Google Home app > press Recent Apps > Close All.

   

4. Go to Settings > Application Manager > Google Home.
5. Force stop the app and open Storage & Cache.

   

6. Clear the cache, then go back.
7. Launch the Home app and check if it can communicate with your Home Mini.

5. Restart the Google Home Mini, Phone, and Router

A minor glitch between your Mini and the router can block communication. Restarting everything often clears it.

1. Restart your phone and see if that clears the issue. 
2. If not, power off your Google Home Mini and unplug its power cable.
3. Power off the router and unplug its power cable. If other devices (like a TV) are connected, power them off and unplug them as well.

   

4. Wait 5 minutes, then plug the Mini and router back in, keeping other devices disconnected.
5. Power on the router and once it’s fully up, power on the Google Home Mini.
6. Check if the Home app can communicate with the Mini. If it can, reconnect your other devices. If any device fails to connect, ensure your Wi-Fi’s device limit hasn’t been reached.

6. Remove Saved Wi-Fi from the Google Home App

If the Home app has a saved Wi-Fi for your Mini that no longer exists (after a network change), it will keep trying to use it and fail. Removing saved Wi-Fi details can help.

1. Open the Google Home app and go to Settings > Privacy > Remove Saved Wi-Fi and Home Address.

   

2. Tap Remove Saved Wi-Fi Networks and check if you can add the Google Home Mini successfully.

7. Grant the Required Permissions to the Google Home App

If the Google Home app doesn’t have the permissions it needs (like Location), it may not be able to find or set up your Mini. Grant the app all required permissions.

1. Exit the Google Home app and force close it. 
2. Go to Settings> Applications Manager > Google Home > Permissions.

   

3. Make sure all required permissions are granted. Then launch Google Home and see if it can communicate with the Mini.

8. Disable and Enable Location on Your Phone

Location services are important for the Google Home app and your Mini to work together. If your phone’s location services are acting up, toggling them off and back on can refresh things.

1. Exit and force close the Google Home app.
2. Swipe to open the phone’s Quick Settings panel.
3. Disable Location and restart your modem or router.

   

4. Restart your Google Home Mini and your phone.
5. After restart, enable Location and open the Google Home app. Check if it can find your Google Home Mini.

9. Enable Share to Nearby Devices (Android Only)

“Nearby Share” lets your Android phone discover and communicate with nearby devices over Bluetooth and local Wi-Fi. If it’s off, your phone may not detect the Google Home Mini during setup. Turning it on can help.

1. Go to Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences > Nearby Share.
2. Enable Use Nearby Share and check if your phone can communicate with the Google Home Mini.

   

10. Disable the Private Wi-Fi Address on the Phone (iPhone Only)

A private Wi‑Fi address on iPhone helps reduce tracking across networks, but it can sometimes cause compatibility issues with devices like the Google Home Mini.

1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi > tap the Info icon (i).
2. Disable Private Address and tap Rejoin.

   

3. Restart the devices (iPhone, Google Home Mini, and router) and check if your phone can communicate with the Google Home Mini.

   

11. Update the Phone’s OS to the Latest Build

An outdated phone OS can cause compatibility issues with the Google Home Mini. Update your phone to the latest version.

Before you begin, connect to Wi‑Fi, back up your phone, and make sure it’s charged. You can follow similar steps on iOS.

1. Go to Settings > About Device > Software Update.
2. If an update is available, download and install it.

   

    
3. Once updated, restart your phone and check if the Google Home Mini communicates with your phone. 
4. If that fails and you’re on an OS Beta profile, see if leaving the Beta program clears the issue.

12. Resume the Google Home Mini in the Wi-Fi Schedule

If your Google Home Mini was paused in your Wi‑Fi schedule, it won’t be able to communicate. Resume it to restore access.

You can do this in the Google Home app, but it sometimes has trouble with these settings. The Google Wi‑Fi app is more reliable for this change.

1. Launch the Google Wi‑Fi app.
2. Go to Settings (last tab) > Family Wi‑Fi > Devices.

   

3. Check if the Google Home Mini appears under paused devices.
4. If it does, resume or un-pause it and see if the Google Home app connects to the Mini.

13. Edit the Router’s Settings

Your router enables communication between your phone and the Google Home Mini. If certain settings aren’t compatible, the Mini may not show up or connect. Adjusting the settings below can help.

We’ve listed several settings; some will apply to you and others may not. Before each change, exit and force close the Google Home app. Access your router’s admin portal via its app or a web browser.

Disable Guest Wi-Fi in the Router’s Settings

1. Go to the Guest Network tab and uncheck Guest Network (2.4GHz).
2. Uncheck Guest Network (5GHz) and apply the changes.

   

3. Restart the Google Home Mini, router, and phone.
4. Launch the Google Home app and check if it communicates with the Mini.

Disable IPv6 in the Router’s Settings

To do this on a TP‑Link router:

1. Go to Settings > IP Support > IPv6 Setup.
2. Uncheck Enable IPv6 and save.

   

3. Restart your phone, Google Home Mini, and router. Then check if the Mini can communicate with the Home app.

Enable UPNP in the Router’s Settings

1. Go to Settings > Advanced > NAT Forwarding > UPnP.
2. Enable UPnP and apply the changes.

   

3. Restart the devices and check if the Google Home Mini is accessible on the local network.

Disable the Router’s AP Isolation Feature

1. Go to Advanced > Wireless > Advanced Settings.
2. Disable AP Isolation. On a dual‑band router, select the band first (2.4GHz or 5GHz).

   

3. Save the changes and restart the router, phone, and Google Home Mini. On dual‑band routers, disable AP Isolation for both bands. 
4. Open the Google Home app and check if it connects to the Mini.

Disable Protected Management Frame for the Router

1. Go to Settings > Wireless Settings.
2. Disable Protected Management Frame and save.

   

3. Restart the devices and verify if the Home app communicates with the Mini.

Disable the Router’s Beamforming Feature

To disable beamforming on a Netgear router:

1. Go to Settings > Advanced > Advanced Setup > Wireless Settings.
2. Disable Explicit Beamforming and Implicit Beamforming.

   

3. Save the changes and restart the router, Google Home Mini, and phone. Check if the Mini connects in the Home app.

13.1. Disable the Router’s Smart Connect Feature

1. Go to Advanced > Wireless > Wireless Settings.
2. Disable Smart Connect and apply the change.

   

3. Restart the Google Home Mini and your phone, then check if they communicate properly.

13.2. Disable the Internet Group Management Protocol on the Router

1. Go to Advanced > Routing.
2. Disable Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) and apply the changes. 

   

3. Restart the router, Home Mini, and your phone.
4. After restart, open the Google Home app and check if it communicates with the Mini.
5. If that fails, enable IGMP Snooping & Multicast DNS and restart the devices. Check again. 

13.3. Disable Fast Roaming in the Router’s Settings

1. Go to Wi‑Fi Settings > Advanced Settings.
2. Uncheck 802.11 Fast Roaming (if listed as such).

   

3. Save the changes and restart the router, phone, and Google Home Mini.
4. Check if you can add the Google Home Mini in the Home app.

Disable the Router’s Wi‑Fi 6 Protocol

To disable Wi‑Fi 6 on a Mist router:

1. Go to Settings > Network > WLANs.
2. Select your Wi‑Fi network and in Wi‑Fi Protocols, disable Wi‑Fi 6.

   

3. Save the changes and restart the router, Google Home Mini, and phone.
4. Open the Google Home app and check if it communicates properly with the Mini.

A quick note: some routers need to be set to legacy mode to disable Wi‑Fi 6.

Enable Zero Configuration in the Router’s Settings

To enable Zero Configuration on an Xfinity router:

1. Go to Advanced > Device Discovery.
2. Enable Zero Config and save. 

   

3. Restart the phone, Google Home Mini, and router, then check if your phone connects to the Mini.

Disable the WPA3 Authentication Method

To disable WPA3 on an Asus router:

1. Go to Settings > Advanced Settings > Wireless. 
2. Set Authentication Method to WPA/WPA2 Personal (or any option other than WPA3 or Enterprise) and save.

   

3. Restart your phone, Google Home Mini, and router, then check if your device can access the Mini.
4. If that fails, see if disabling Advanced Protection or 802.11 Protection in the router’s settings helps.

Update the Router’s Firmware to the Latest Version

1. Go to Settings > Advanced > Firmware Update.
2. Click Check and, if an update appears, install it.

   

3. Restart the router, phone, Google Home Mini, and other connected devices.
4. After restart, check if the Google Home Mini is working normally.
5. If not, try moving the router closer to the Google Home Mini and your phone.

Enable 2.4 GHz and Disable 5GHz Band on the Router

On a Virgin Media router:

1. Go to Settings > Advanced Settings > Wireless Signal.
2. Enable 2.4GHz and disable 5GHz.
3. Save the changes and connect your devices (Google Home Mini, phone, etc.) to the 2.4GHz band.

   

4. Open the Google Home app and check if the Mini is accessible.
5. If not, try setting the Wi‑Fi channel to 7. You can also use a Wi‑Fi analyzer app to find the best channel for your network.

If the issue is resolved on 2.4GHz but other devices need 5GHz, you can re‑enable 5GHz after splitting the SSIDs for each band.

Reset the Router to the Factory Defaults

1. Locate the reset button on your router (often a pinhole on the back or bottom).
2. Press and hold the reset button for 30 seconds (you may need a paperclip) until the router restarts.

   

3. Wait until the router is fully back on. Then connect your phone and Home Mini to Wi‑Fi. On dual‑band routers, you may disable 5GHz and use 2.4GHz only for setup.
4. Open the Google Home app and check if it can connect to your Google Home Mini.

14. Try Another Network or Your Phone’s Hotspot

Some networks (like university or corporate Wi‑Fi) or certain routers may not work well with the Google Home Mini. Connecting both your phone and the Mini to a different network—or to a phone hotspot—can help.

If you use a hotspot, you’ll need a second phone.

1. Exit and force close the Google Home app.
2. Disconnect your phone and Mini from the current network.
3. Connect the phone and Mini to another network (such as a phone’s hotspot).
   If you use a phone hotspot, naming the hotspot the same as your regular Wi‑Fi and using the same password can help your Mini connect without manual steps. Turn off your original Wi‑Fi during this test. 

   

4. Launch the Google Home app and check if it can communicate with the Home Mini.

15. Update the Firmware of the Google Home Mini to the Latest Build

If your Google Home Mini’s firmware is outdated, it may not work well with newer networking protocols on your router.

Update the Mini’s firmware. Both the Mini and your phone must be connected to a network (a phone hotspot is fine) to update.

1. Open the Google Home app and select your Google Home Mini from the devices list.
2. Scroll to the bottom and make sure the Mini’s firmware is up to date. There’s no manual update button—opening this page triggers a check. 

   

3. Wait for the updates to install on the Home Mini. Watch the lights on the device.
4. Once updated, restart the Mini and your phone. If you used a hotspot, disconnect from it.
5. Reconnect both the Google Home Mini and your phone to your regular Wi‑Fi.
6. Open the Google Home app and check if it communicates with the Mini.

16. Reinstall the Google Home App

If a recent app update broke something internally, reinstalling the Google Home app can fix it.

1. Go to Settings > Application Manager > Google Home.
2. Force Stop the app and open Storage.
3. Clear the Cache and Data.

   

4. Go back and Uninstall the app. 
5. Restart your phone and install the Google Home app again. 
6. Launch the app and grant the required permissions. 
7. Sign in with your Google account and check if the app can connect to the Google Home Mini.

17. Reset the Google Home Mini to the Factory Defaults

If nothing else works, reset the Home Mini to factory settings. This will restore everything to default and can fix hidden issues.

1. Remove the Google Home Mini from the Home app (if it was added) and force close the app.
2. Find the reset button on the Google Home Mini. It’s usually a round button on the bottom.

   

3. Press and hold the reset button for 15 seconds. The Mini will confirm you’re resetting it.
4. Release the button, then open the Google Home app.
5. Start the process of adding the Mini device. Hopefully, it will be added successfully.

If none of the above worked, contact Google Support. If your device is under warranty, request a return or replacement for your Google Home Mini.