How to Factory Reset Google Nest (and When to Do It)
Any technology, including your Google Home devices like hubs, speakers, and displays, will eventually run into a problem or two. Problems are often easily resolved by simply searching online, talking to support, or doing a soft reboot. However, if the problem persists, it may be time to consider a factory reset.
What is a factory reset?
A factory reset, also known as a hard reset, returns the device to the state it was on the day it was taken out of the box. All your settings, connections and device memory will be deleted. It is important to remember that a factory reset will completely erase all your settings and you will be able to set them up again as if they were new, and this action cannot be undone. When considering this action for a Google device, remember that as long as your Google Home app is installed on your phone, connections between devices and Google Home will remain unchanged, and your Google Home and Google Assistant settings will remain unchanged. However, any settings specific to the device you reset will not be changed.
If you’re giving your device to someone new, resetting it will remove all of your personal information and also make it easier for the new owner to set up the device. Additionally, if you’re having problems that a soft reset couldn’t solve, such as your Google Home speaker volume not calibrating correctly, a factory reset is often the best solution.
How to reset Google Home devices
Devices typically reset in one of two ways: either by muting the microphone and then holding the illuminated area for fifteen seconds until a beep sounds, or by holding both volume buttons simultaneously until the device reboots. Here are more details for each device.
Google Nest Mini
First, turn off your microphone. This is a small switch on the side of the device. If you did everything correctly, the lights on the front of the Mini will turn orange. Where these lights are, press and hold for fifteen seconds. You wait for a sound confirmation to confirm that the device has rebooted. Once you hear the noise, the device will turn off and on again, and you can either give it as a gift or install it again in your home as if it were new.
Google Nest Hub
On the back of the hub there are small volume buttons. Press the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons simultaneously for ten seconds until you hear a sound indicating the hub is rebooting.
Google Nest Audio
As with the Mini, first mute the microphone using the small switch on the back of the device. Once the lights turn orange, press and hold the center section of the audio system up for fifteen seconds (until the audio system beeps to confirm the reset).
Google Nest Hub Max
Because of the video footage Max stores, you’ll have to take a few extra steps to reset it. First, be sure to back up or save any footage that is important to you. Remember that after a reboot it will not exist unless you do so. Then uninstall Max from your devices in the Google Home app. Find the device, go to gear setting and click to remove the device. Now locate the volume buttons on the back of the device and hold them both for ten seconds until the hub begins to reboot.