Quick answer on how to reset Google Nest Mini: on a Nest Mini (2nd gen), slide the microphone switch to off (the lights turn orange), then press and hold the center of the top, where the lights are, for about 15 seconds until you hear a sound. On a Home Mini (1st gen), hold the round reset button on the bottom, below the power cable, for about 15 seconds. Try a simple restart first: a factory reset erases all settings.
How we put this guide together: written by Paban Bhuyan for TopSmartGear, based on Google’s official Nest help pages. This is a research-based guide, not a hands-on test. Sources include Google’s official factory reset guide. Read how we review.
First, which model do you have?
Turn the speaker over. The Nest Mini (2nd gen) has a wall-mount screw notch on the back and a round barrel power plug. The Google Home Mini (1st gen) has no notch, uses a micro-USB cable, and has a small reset circle on the base.
Step 1: Try a restart (keeps your settings)
- Unplug the power cable from the speaker.
- Wait about 15 seconds.
- Plug it back in and wait for the lights to settle (about a minute).
You can also restart it from the Google Home app: open the device, go to its settings, and choose Reboot. This fixes most “not responding” or “offline” problems.
Step 2: Factory reset a Nest Mini (2nd gen)
- Slide the microphone switch on the side to off. The lights turn orange. Keep it off for the whole reset.
- Press and hold the center of the top, where the lights are.
- After about 5 seconds the reset starts. Keep holding for about 10 more seconds, until a sound confirms it’s resetting.
- Let go, then slide the microphone switch back on once it restarts.
Step 3: Factory reset a Home Mini (1st gen)
- Turn the speaker over and find the small circle etched into the base, below the power cable.
- Press and hold it. After about 5 seconds the reset begins.
- Keep holding for about 10 more seconds until you hear a confirmation sound.
Step 4: Set it up again
- Open the Google Home app on your phone and make sure Bluetooth and location are on.
- If the old speaker still appears in the app, remove it first.
- Tap +, then Add device, and follow the prompts to connect it to your Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) and choose a room.
If the reset doesn’t work
- Nest Mini: make sure the mic switch stays off the whole time; if it flips back on, the reset won’t trigger.
- Press the exact center of the top, not the edges (the edges change volume).
- Use the original power adapter; a weak adapter can cause restarts.
- If nothing responds at all, contact Google Nest support.
Frequently asked questions
Can I factory reset a Nest Mini from the app?
No. The app can reboot it, but a full factory reset has to be done on the speaker itself.
Should I reset before selling or giving it away?
Yes. Factory reset it and remove it from your Google Home app so the next owner can set it up.
Thinking about a newer speaker instead? See our Nest Mini review and our best smart speakers under $100.
