iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
For a Google Nest or Home speaker or display, connect to Wi-Fi through the Google Home app. If its network name or password changed, forget the saved network in the app and set the device up again. Cameras and doorbells use a different Wi-Fi-change process, so identify your device type before following steps.
Connect a Nest or Home speaker or display to Wi-Fi
Speakers and displays remember one Wi-Fi network at a time. Use the Google Home app to set up a device that is not connected or to join a different network. Google’s speaker and display Wi-Fi instructions cover this app-led process.
- Power on the speaker or display and open the Google Home app.
- Choose the option to add a device, then follow the app’s on-screen setup steps to connect it to your Wi-Fi network.
- Keep the phone near the speaker or display during setup. Google’s setup troubleshooting recommends a distance of 5–20 feet, with closer placement preferred.
- If the network does not appear, check that the device is within 15–20 feet of the router and has a strong signal where you intend to use it.
Google’s troubleshooting page lists Android 9.0 or later and iOS 16.0 or later, and recommends the latest Google Home app. Requirements can vary with the device and app, so follow the current instructions shown for your model.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Change the saved Wi-Fi network on a speaker or display
If you changed the router, network name, or password, remove the old saved network in the Google Home app, then run setup again on the new network.
#1 Best Overall
- Each nest Wi Fi router provides up to 2200 square feet of fast, reliable Wi Fi coverage for your home. [1]
- Open the speaker or display’s device tile in Google Home.
- Tap Settings, then Device information.
- Choose Wi-Fi and tap Forget This network.
- Return to the app’s home screen and set up the speaker or display again, selecting the new Wi-Fi network and entering its password.
If the app cannot communicate with the device or the forget-and-set-up-again process fails, Google’s Wi-Fi troubleshooting guidance points to a factory reset as a fallback. A reset clears device data, so do not start there if the ordinary network-change steps still work.
Why won’t the device connect?
Work through the checks in this order. The result of each check helps distinguish a home internet problem from a device setup or signal issue.
Rank #2
- The product is refurbished, is fully functional and in excellent condition. Backed by the 90-day Amazon Renewed Guarantee.
No devices can get online
Check whether the home internet connection is working on other devices. Restart the router; if that does not restore service for the household, contact your internet service provider.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteOther devices work, but the Nest speaker or display does not
- Confirm the Wi-Fi password, including capitalization and any characters that are easy to mistype.
- Restart the router and the speaker or display, then retry setup near the router.
- If the router broadcasts both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, try each band. Google recommends testing both on dual-band routers.
- Keep the phone close to the device during setup and ensure the signal is strong at the device’s eventual location.
The network is missing from the setup list
Move the device closer to the router and check the signal. If you are trying to use a 5 GHz network, the phone used for setup must support 5 GHz. Public Wi-Fi, business or shared networks, school or university networks, mobile hotspots, and pocket Wi-Fi may not support speaker or display setup; compatibility is not guaranteed to fail in every case.
Rank #3
- Nest Wifi Pro is up to 2x faster than Wi-Fi 6, so you get super fast speeds and a reliable connection for your entire home[1]
- Three Wi-Fi routers provide up to 6600 square feet of fast, reliable Wi-Fi[2]; and you can customize your setup to create a mesh Wi-Fi system for the coverage you need
- Nest Wifi Pro uses the latest, most advanced Wi-Fi 6E technology[3], so it isn’t compatible with previous generations of Google Wifi or Nest Wifi
- Nest Wifi Pro automatically adjusts your Wi-Fi network’s performance and activity; it prioritizes video calls and helps websites load quickly
- It has built-in technology to make sure your connection is strong and consistent, even at the edge of your Wi-Fi network’s coverage[2]
The app cannot find the device
Make sure the speaker or display is powered on and in setup mode, and install the latest Google Home app. Restart the device and reopen the app. If it remains undiscoverable, try another compatible phone or tablet; Google’s device-discovery troubleshooting also describes connecting the phone to the device’s temporary setup network. Factory reset is a later option because it clears device data.
A hotspot connects, but home Wi-Fi does not
Google says a hotspot may help diagnose whether the home network is the obstacle, but hotspots are not officially supported and may depend on carrier, signal, interference, and plan. If the device connects to a hotspot but not the home network, Google advises contacting the network provider.
Rank #4
- This product includes 2 router units..Battery Cell Composition: Lithium Ion
- Nest Wifi is a scalable and flexible Wi-Fi system. These Nest Wifi devices work together to blanket your whole home in fast, reliable Wi-Fi and eliminate buffering in every room – with coverage up to 4400 square feet.[1]
- 1 Wi-Fi router plugs into your internet provider’s modem to create your Wi-Fi network. The other extends the wireless network and keeps your connection fast to devices in every room. For more coverage, add Nest Wifi routers or points to your system.
- Nest Wifi routers are strong enough to handle up to 200 connected devices, and fast enough to stream multiple 4K videos at a time.[2] Compatible with Google Wifi; Ethernet ports included on each router. 15W power adapter.
- Intelligently works behind the scenes to make sure your Wi-Fi remains fast.[3] Walk from room to room on a video call with an uninterrupted signal. Nest Wifi automatically updates itself to get new features and help your network stay safe and sound.
Change Wi-Fi on a Nest camera or doorbell
Do not use the speaker and display steps for cameras or doorbells. Use the app with which the camera or doorbell was set up. If you replace the router but reuse the old network name (SSID) and password, many Nest cameras and doorbells will reconnect without changing their saved Wi-Fi details.
Recommended Free Tools
If reusing the old credentials does not work, Google says camera and doorbell Wi-Fi information cannot be updated in the Google Home app. In most cases, the owner must factory reset the device, remove it from the app, and add it again using the appropriate setup instructions. Save any important video clips before starting. See Google’s camera and doorbell Wi-Fi change instructions for the product-specific process.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Nest Wifi Pro is up to 2x faster than Wi-Fi 6, so you get super fast speeds and a reliable connection for your entire home[1]
- One Wi-Fi router provides up to 2200 square feet of fast, reliable WiFi[2]; and you can customize your setup to create a mesh Wi-Fi system for the coverage you need
- Nest Wifi Pro uses the latest, most advanced Wi-Fi 6E technology[3], so it isn’t compatible with previous generations of Google Wifi or Nest Wifi
- Nest Wifi Pro automatically adjusts your Wi-Fi network’s performance and activity; it prioritizes video calls and helps websites load quickly
- It has built-in technology to make sure your connection is strong and consistent, even at the edge of your Wi-Fi network’s coverage[2]
Which troubleshooting path should you use?
| What you see | What to try |
|---|---|
| Speaker or display is new or disconnected | Set it up in Google Home and select the Wi-Fi network. |
| Speaker or display’s Wi-Fi name or password changed | Forget the saved network in device settings, then set it up again. |
| All household devices are offline | Restart the router; contact the ISP if service does not return. |
| Other devices work, but the Nest does not | Check the password, proximity, router/device restart, and both bands if dual-band. |
| Google Home cannot find a speaker or display | Check power, setup mode, app version, and phone proximity; restart and try another setup device if available. |
| Camera or doorbell cannot join changed Wi-Fi | Try the same SSID and password as before; otherwise follow the camera/doorbell reset and re-add procedure after saving clips. |
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
