Google makes some of the best and most reliable smart speakers and displays thanks to their Google Assistant. However, as well-thought-of these devices are, they still run into issues from time to time.
In this article, we’re talking about a few fixes you can try out if you can’t communicate with your Google Home Mini.
Also read: How to change WiFi on Google Home?
Restart everything
Restating devices can fix a bunch of seemingly random issues. If you can’t communicate with your smart speaker, try restarting the speaker, your networking equipment (routers/modems) and your phone as well.
Check the requirements
Check the device you’re using to set up the Home Mini. If you’re on Android, make sure it’s running Android 5.0 or above. Android tablets need to be Android 6.0 Marshmallow or higher. For Apple devices, you need iOS 11 or higher.Â
Check your accessories
There are not many accessories that come with the Home Mini, so make sure you’re using the original ones. Avoid connecting the speaker to low power USB inputs such as a TV or your computer. Direct USB sockets can be troublesome at times too.Â
Also read: How to find the MAC address of Google Home Mini?
Check the WiFi
You need to have a good and stable WiFi connection when setting up the Home Mini. Check to see if you’ve got good signal strength in the area where you’re trying to set up the speaker. If not, try either moving closer to the router or setting up a booster/range extender.
Forget the WiFi network
Try deleting the WiFi network your speaker is currently connected to and adding it again.
- Head over to the Google Home app and tap on your smart speaker.
- You’ll see a settings gear icon in the top right. Tap on it to go to settings.
- In the Device Settings menu, you’ll see the Wi-Fi option. Tap on Forget.
- The Google Home app will ask if you’re sure. Tap on Forget Network to proceed.
Now try adding your WiFi network again,
Update the Google Home app
Another thing you should check is the Google Home app. Head over to the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store to check if you’ve got any updates. If you have, download and install them and try again.
Reinstall the Google Home app
If updating didn’t do the trick, try reinstalling the app altogether. Reinstalling apps can eliminate corrupt files or data that might hinder the app’s functionality and not let it communicate with the speaker.Â
Also read: How to change Google Home Mini’s voice?
Try enabling Bluetooth
The next thing you can do is try and enable Bluetooth. First, restart your Google Home Mini, then head over to your phone settings and enable Bluetooth. Now try opening the Google Home app and connecting to the speaker; your issue should be resolved now.Â
Enable Airplane mode
Several Redditors have reported that enabling Airplane mode and then enabling WiFi can resolve the error. All you have to do is enable airplane mode, wait for all the communication radios in your device to switch off and enable WiFi. Try connecting to the speaker using the Google Home app.Â
Also read: How to hard reset Google Home Mini?
Check your Google account
If your speaker is already configured, try checking the Google account you used to set the speaker up for issues. If you’ve logged into the Google Home app with a different account than what you used to set up the speaker, then you won’t see it appear in the app in the first place.Â
Follow these steps to check your Google account.
- Open the Google Home app and tap on your profile in the top right.
- Make sure the email displayed is the same you used to configure the device.
Check connection restrictions
If you’ve put a device connection restriction on your router, now’s the time to check it out. If you’ve got way too many devices connected to your router, try disconnecting some and try again.
Reset the Google Home Mini
As a last resort, you can try resetting your Google Home Mini. To do so, make sure that the device is plugged in and then press the reset button under the device for 15 seconds. You’ll hear the assistant say that it’s resetting the device.
Also read: How to use Google Home Mini without WiFi?
