Connect Your Google Home to Wi-Fi

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction: Google Home: Connect to Wi-Fi

This guide will walk you through connecting your Google Home to Wi-Fi.

2. Wi-Fi Network: Credentials

In order to connect to a wireless network, you must have the required credentials. These are:

  • Wireless Network Name (SSID)
  • Wireless Network Key (Password)

Finding Network Credentials

Most wireless routers/gateways have a label with the default credentials. If the credentials aren't there, look in the devices documentation.

Default Wi-Fi credentials highlighted on router/gateway sticker.

If your Internet Service Provider (ISP) installed the wireless router or gateway, they might have left you a setup sheet which may have the credentials.

3. Google Home: Connect Wi-Fi

  1. Open the Google Home app on your mobile device.
google home app icon
  1. Tap on the Devices icon on the top right corner of the screen. If you were already connected to Wi-Fi but want to connect to a different Wi-Fi, then continue from here, otherwise skip to the setup.
devices icon highlighted on google home app
  1. Look for the device card of the Google Home that you want to make changes to. In the top right corner of the device card, tap the three dots positioned vertically.
menu icon highlighted on the google home app
  1. Then select Settings.
menu open settings highlighted on google home app
  1. Under Wi-Fi you'll see the network your Google Home is currently connected to. Tap on Forget then on Forget Network. After that tap on the back arrow on the top left corner of the screen.
forget highlighted on device settings page
  1. On the Devices screen look for the Google Home device card then tap on Set Up.
Screen showing google home device
  1. The app will let you know the Google Home was found. Tap on Continue.
Google Home Found screen
  1. It will disconnect your mobile device from the Wi-Fi network it is connected to and connect it temporarily to the Google Home Wi-Fi hotspot.
Connecting to google home screen
  1. It will need to play a test sound to make sure you connected to the right device. Tap on Play Test Sound.
Google home sound test screen
  1. If you heard the sound confirm it by tapping on I Heard It to continue, otherwise tap on Try Again.
did you hear the sound page
  1. Next, you'll have to select the room you want to place the Google Home device in. Check or uncheck the box for sending device usage data to Google and tap on Continue.
choose a room setup page
  1. Then you'll have to select the Wi-Fi network you want it connected to. Should be the same with the Wi-Fi network your mobile device is connected to as well.
screen showing list of available wifi networks
  1. The app can retrieve the Wi-Fi password that is saved in your mobile device so you don't have to type it in again. Tap on OK to do that then on Continue.
connect to wifi conformation screen
  1. Once you're connected to the Wi-Fi tap on Continue.
google home connection screen
  1. Next, you'll have to setup the Google Assistant. Go ahead and Sign In with your Google account.
fetching update screen
  1. Set the location where Google Home is installed to get localized information then tap on Set Location.
set google home location
  1. Choose whether you want to get notifications about updates on Google Home and tap on Continue.
update complete notfication
  1. Link the music services that you want Google Home to play songs from and select your preferred one to be the default then tap on Continue.
screen showing different available audio services available
  1. Once the setup is completed you can also take the tutorial to learn how to use your Google Home. Tap on Continue to do so or Skip Tutorial if you're already familiar with how to use it.
setup complete

  1. Start the tutorial by tapping on Continue. Follow the instructions to learn the basics on using Google Home.
google home tutorial
  1. Once done with the tutorial just tap on Finish Tutorial. At this point you can enjoy your Google Home.
demonstration of google home tutorial

4. Check Other Devices

To help troubleshoot the problem we should check if other devices can connect to the wireless network.

5. Check Environment

If other wireless devices are connected to the network and functioning properly, chances are the router is OK. It's possible there is an environmental issue. Do you have a portable wireless device (Smart Phone, Tablet, Laptop, etc.) that you can put in the same area to test and see if that device's wireless connection still functions as intended in that location?

6. Power cycle

If you haven't already, please try power cycling the device you're working with. To do so, simply turn it off, wait 30 seconds and turn it back on again.

7. Google Home: Incompatible Routers

A small amount of router configurations may not be compatible with the Google Home.

  • If you're running DD-WRT on your router, you may need to set your Wi-Fi to mixed mode.
  • It is suggested to turn on UPNP. Not all routers have this feature. Please refer to your router's user manual to determine how to configure this setting.

8. What's next?

9. Networking: Range Check

The device needs to be within a reasonable range of the router in order to connect and have the best connection speeds.

  • In general, in most homes, you can be up to 30 feet from your router for a decent connection.
  • From 30' to 50' away, the speeds will be slower, and may drop occasionally, but it should be usable.
  • Greater than 50' away, and the signal will most likely be too weak to overcome interference. The speeds will be slow, and the connection may be sporadic.

The above numbers are approximates only. Optimal range may vary based on router make and model.

10. What's next?

11. Networking: Relocate Router Check

Your router may need to be relocated to a more centralized location in order to provide better coverage for all your devices.

Good Placement

A house, separated into rooms detailing how placing Wi-Fi in the center of a house will provide better coverage to reach all devices. Diagram.

Bad Placement

A house, separated into rooms detailing how placing Wi-Fi in the corner of the house can cause some devices to not have a Wi-Fi signal. Diagram.

12. Router Relocation

Since this appears to be a range issue that can be resolved by putting the router in closer proximity to the device's intended use area, we recommend moving the router to a more centralized location.

13. Range Extender

If wireless signal is not reaching your device, and relocating your router or the device itself to be in closer proximity is not possible or doesn't resolve the issue, a great way to boost wireless signal without replacing existing equipment is to acquire and install a range extender. Range extenders work with your existing wireless router as a type of wireless repeater used to expand the reach of wireless signal in your home.

14. What's next?