The fastest way to switch networks
To change the WiFi network your Google Home is connected to, open the Google Home app on your phone, tap the device you want to change, go to Settings, select "Wi-Fi", and choose "Forget this network". Then reconnect by selecting your new network and entering the password. The whole process takes about two minutes.
You'll need the password for the new WiFi network before you start. If you don't have it, you can usually find it on the router itself — look for a sticker on the back or bottom with the network name and password printed on it.
Your Google Home will stay connected to the old network until you complete these steps. It won't automatically switch over, and it won't work on the new network until you've told it to forget the old one and reconnected.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Google Home app, select your device, go to Settings, then Wi-Fi, then tap "Forget this network" to disconnect from your current WiFi.
- After forgetting the network, your Google Home will show available networks — select your new one and enter the password.
- You need the password for the new network before you start; check your router's sticker if you don't have it.
- The device will not work on any network until you complete the reconnection process, so plan for a few minutes of downtime.
What happens if you can't see your network in the list
If your new WiFi network doesn't appear in the list of available networks on your Google Home, the device may be out of range. Move the Google Home closer to the router and try again. Most Google Home devices work best within 30 feet of the router, though walls and interference can reduce that distance.
If the network still doesn't show up, check that your router is actually broadcasting the network name. Some routers have a setting to hide the network name (called SSID broadcast). If yours is hidden, you'll need to manually enter the network name and password instead of selecting it from the list — the Google Home app has an option to do this, usually labeled "Add network manually" or similar.
Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait for it to fully boot up (usually one to two minutes) before trying to connect your Google Home again.
Reconnecting after a factory reset or new setup
If you've just reset your Google Home to factory settings or are setting it up for the first time, the connection process is slightly different. The device will enter setup mode and broadcast its own temporary network that you connect to from your phone first. Once you've done that, the Google Home app will walk you through selecting your home WiFi network and entering the password.
During initial setup, make sure you're in the same room as the Google Home device. The app will ask you to confirm that you can hear a sound playing from the device — this is how it verifies you're setting up the right one. If you have multiple Google Home devices, this step prevents you from accidentally connecting the wrong one to your network.
Why your Google Home might disconnect from WiFi
Google Home devices sometimes drop their WiFi connection even when nothing has changed. The most common cause is that your router has restarted or your internet service has briefly gone down. When service returns, your Google Home may not automatically reconnect — you might need to manually reconnect it using the steps above.
If disconnections happen regularly, check whether your router is set to a 5GHz network only. Some older Google Home models (like the original Google Home and Home Mini) only work on 2.4GHz networks. If your router broadcasts both frequencies, make sure the 2.4GHz band is turned on. You can check your router's settings by logging into its admin page — usually by typing your router's IP address into a web browser.
Interference from other devices can also cause drops. Microwaves, cordless phones, and baby monitors all use the 2.4GHz frequency and can interfere with WiFi. If your Google Home is near any of these, try moving it to a different location.
Connecting to a guest network or public WiFi
Google Home devices can connect to guest networks on your home router, but they work best on your main network. If you want to use a guest network, follow the same steps as changing to any other network — the process is identical. The device will work normally once connected.
You cannot connect a Google Home to a public WiFi network that requires you to open a web browser and log in (called a captive portal). Hotels, coffee shops, and airports all use this type of network. If you're traveling and want to use Google Home, you'll need to set up a personal hotspot from your phone instead.
What to do if you've forgotten your WiFi password
If you don't know the password for your new network, you can find it on your router. Look for a sticker on the back or bottom of the device — it usually shows the network name (SSID) and password. If the sticker has worn off or you can't find it, you can log into your router's settings page to see or change the password.
To access your router's settings, open a web browser on a computer or phone connected to that WiFi network and type the router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into the address bar. You'll be asked to log in — the default username is often "admin" and the default password is often "admin" or "password", though this varies by router brand. Once logged in, look for a WiFi or Wireless settings section where you can view or change the password.
If you can't remember the router's login password either, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding down the reset button (usually a small hole on the back) for 10 to 15 seconds. This will erase all your settings and return the router to its default state, so you'll need to set up your WiFi network again from scratch.
Troubleshooting when the app won't let you change networks
If the Google Home app is frozen, won't open the device settings, or won't let you select a new network, try closing and reopening the app. Force-close it completely — on Android, go to Settings > Apps, find Google Home, and tap "Force Stop". On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to close it fully, then open it again.
If that doesn't work, make sure you're logged into the Google Home app with the same Google account that set up the device. You can check this by tapping your profile picture in the top right corner of the app. If you're logged in with a different account, you won't have permission to change the device settings.
Restart your phone as well. A simple restart often fixes app glitches that prevent you from connecting to device settings. Once your phone has restarted, open the Google Home app again and try the WiFi change process from the beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing WiFi networks erase my routines or settings?
No. Your routines, automations, and device settings stay the same when you change networks. The Google Home device is tied to your Google account, not to the WiFi network. Once it reconnects to the new network, everything will work exactly as it did before.
Can I connect one Google Home to WiFi and another to a wired connection?
Google Home devices do not have an ethernet port, so they can only connect via WiFi. If you need a wired connection, you would need a different type of smart speaker or device that has ethernet capability.
How long does it take for Google Home to reconnect after I change networks?
Once you enter the password for the new network, the device usually connects within 30 seconds to one minute. If it takes longer than two minutes, the password may be incorrect or the device may be out of range. Try entering the password again or moving the device closer to the router.
What if I change my WiFi password but keep the same network name?
Your Google Home will lose connection because the password no longer matches. You'll need to follow the same steps to reconnect — go to Settings, select Wi-Fi, forget the network, and then reconnect using the new password.
Can I control my Google Home from a different WiFi network than the one it's connected to?
No. Your phone and your Google Home must be on the same WiFi network (or the same home network) for voice commands and app control to work. If you're away from home on a different network, you can still use the Google Home app to control the device, but only if you've set up remote access in the app settings.