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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Disable IPv6 in the Router’s Settings To do this on a TP‑Link router: Enable UPNP in the Router’s Settings Disable the Router’s AP Isolation Feature Disable Protected Management Frame for the Router Disable the Router’s Beamforming Feature To disable beamforming on a Netgear router:
13.1. Disable the Router’s Smart Connect Feature
13.2. Disable the Internet Group Management Protocol on the Router
13.3. Disable Fast Roaming in the Router’s Settings
Disable the Router’s Wi‑Fi 6 Protocol To disable Wi‑Fi 6 on a Mist router: 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: Disable the WPA3 Authentication Method To disable WPA3 on an Asus router: Update the Router’s Firmware to the Latest Version Enable 2.4 GHz and Disable 5GHz Band on the Router On a Virgin Media router: 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
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.
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.
16. Reinstall the Google Home App
If a recent app update broke something internally, reinstalling the Google Home app can fix it.
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. 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.
