Google's Nest line includes some of the best smart speakers with user-friendly controls and seamless integration with other devices. With Google Assistant, controlling your smart home and connecting with your Android phone is a breeze. The Nest or Google Home speakers and displays may occasionally require a reset to their original settings. A factory restart can be helpful for fixing glitches, erasing personal information, or switching Wi-Fi networks. This guide walks you through the steps to factory reset Google Nest smart speakers and displays.

You can't use your voice or the Google Home app to reset your Nest speaker.

Restart the Google Nest speaker

If your Google Nest speaker doesn't respond or connect to Wi-Fi, reboot it. Resetting your Nest speaker should be the last trick to fix the problem. Unplug the Nest speaker from the power plug, wait a few minutes, and plug it back in. If the trick doesn't work, reset it to its factory settings.

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How to factory reset Google Nest Audio and Google Nest Mini

Google Nest Audio and Google Nest Mini speakers have a slightly more complex approach to being reset than just pressing a button. Still, the process remains relatively easy and only takes a minute.

  1. Turn off the speaker microphone to prevent the process from being completed inadvertently. The microphone mute button on the Nest Audio is on the back of the speaker.
    Closeup showing the mute switch on the Google Nest Audio speaker
  2. The mic-off switch for the Nest Mini is on the side.
    Closeup showing the mute switch and power port on the Google Nest Mini speaker
  3. The speaker's LED lights turn orange, confirming the mic is off.
  4. Press and hold the center or top of the speaker for 15 seconds.
  5. Your speaker confirms it's about to reset.
  6. Release the button after 15 to 20 seconds and wait until the speaker reboots.

How to factory reset Google Home, Google Home Mini, and Google Home Max

If you have a Google Home speaker, the factory reset process involves pressing and holding a button and can't be done using the Google Home app. This applies to the original Google Home and first-generation Google Home Mini smart speakers. If you're unsure which one you have, look for a small factory reset button below the Google Home Mini. If there is one, that's the one you want to press. If there isn't one, you probably have a 2nd-gen Google Nest Mini.

  1. Press and hold the physical button on your speaker for 15 seconds. This is the microphone mute button on the Google Home, located on the back of the speaker.
    The back of a first-generation Google Home speaker showing the microphone off button
  2. The factory reset button for the Google Home Mini is underneath the device.
    The bottom of a Google Home Mini speaker showing its power cord and reset button
  3. The button for the Google Home Max is on the back, in the lower-right corner, next to the power cord.
    The back of a Google Home Max speaker showing its reset and microphone off buttons
  4. Your speaker lets you know it's starting the factory reset process.
  5. Release the button after 15 to 20 seconds and wait until the speaker reboots.

How to factory reset Google Nest Hub

Nest smart displays can also be reset using a similar process to the one described above. The process is the same regardless of your Nest Hub's generation.

  1. Press and hold both volume buttons for 15 seconds. They're located on the back of the device.
  2. Your smart display confirms the factory reset process is about to begin.
  3. Release the buttons after 15 to 20 seconds and wait until the smart display reboots.

How to factory reset Google Nest Hub Max

Before resetting Google Nest Hub Max, save any essential video feed from your smart speaker's video history. Google also recommends removing the Nest Hub Max from the Google Home app before proceeding with a factory reset.

  1. Open the Google Home app on your phone and select the device tile.
  2. Tap the Settings gear at the top.
  3. Remove the device from the following menu.
  4. Flip your Nest Hub Max. Press and hold both volume buttons for around 10 seconds. Your Nest Hub Max alerts you when it's resetting.

What happens when you reset your Google Nest speaker

When you reset your Google Nest speaker, it wipes all the data and reverts to the settings it was shipped with. You must set up the Nest speaker in the Google Home app again. It's one of the proven tricks to fix minor annoyances with your Nest smart speaker.

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Sell or trade your Google Home

You can factory reset your Google smart home devices using the steps above. After the reset, set up your smart device as if it were brand new. If you're looking for a platform to sell your Google device, learn how to sell on Facebook Marketplace.