If your Google Home or Nest speaker or display isn’t responding, first check whether its microphone is muted. If it reacts to “Hey Google” but gets the request wrong, the microphone is working; focus on how it heard the question, sensitivity, Wi-Fi, or account settings instead. Follow the steps below in order, using instructions for your exact model.
1. Check power and the microphone mute control
Make sure the device is plugged in, then identify its model and find its microphone switch or mute button. The control’s location varies by model, so don’t assume another speaker’s instructions apply.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Nest Audio: switch on the back, next to the power cable.
- Nest Mini (2nd gen) and Home Mini (1st gen): switch on the side.
- Original Google Home: switch on the back.
- Nest displays: switch on the back.
- Google Home Speaker (2026): control at the bottom, next to the power cable; its light ring glows solid orange when the microphone is off.
For other indicators and model-specific details, use Google’s troubleshooting instructions for “Hey Google” and touch controls. When the microphone is muted, the assistant can’t listen or interact by voice. On listed models, you can also ask the assistant whether it is muted.
2. See whether the device recognizes “Hey Google”
Stand near the device and say “Hey Google” or “OK Google.” Watch or listen for its activation response. Google says most smart speakers show spinning or blinking LED dots, Nest displays show four colored dots, and Google Home Speaker (2026) shows a solid white ring when activated.
#1 Best Overall
- Google Audio Bluetooth Speaker Wireless Music Streaming - Chalk
- Music here. Music there. Music everywhere - Create a home audio system that fills your home with sound.* Nest Audio works together with your other Nest speakers and displays, Chromecast-enabled devices, or compatible speakers. And it's easy to set up.
- Rich, full sound. Room filling sound with 30 watt woofer, tweeter and tuning software. Cranks out powerful punchy music to fill your room
- Connect with family and friends - Nest Audio helps you stay in touch. Just say, “Hey Google” to broadcast messages on every Nest speaker and display in the house. Use your Nest speakers as an intercom and chat from room to room.
- Huge help around the house. You can say things like, "Hey Google, what's the weather this weekend?" Ask Google about the news or sports scores. - Includes LED Key Chain (Color May Vary)
If there’s no activation response, recheck the mute control and power. Placement and sensitivity can also affect whether the device detects the wake phrase. If it activates, continue to the next step: the problem may be the request itself rather than the microphone.
3. Check whether it understood the request
If the device activates but gives an unexpected answer, ask, “Hey Google, repeat the question.” This helps distinguish a missed wake phrase from a request it heard incorrectly. Try asking again more slowly or use different wording if it still misunderstands.
Rank #2
- Whole-Home Smart Audio – Get powerful, room-filling sound in 3 rooms at once or group all three speakers together for seamless multi-room playback. Perfect for homes, apartments, or offices.
- Stereo Pairing & Grouping – Pair two speakers for immersive stereo sound or assign each to different areas (e.g., kitchen, living room, bedroom) for dynamic audio throughout your space.
- Hands-Free Voice Assistant – With Google Assistant built in, control music, get answers, set timers, check the weather, and control smart home devices with simple voice commands.
- Wi-Fi & Bluetooth Connectivity – Stream your favorite music from services like Spotify, YouTube Music, and more via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Works with Android, iOS, and Chromecast-enabled apps.
- Smart Home Ready – Nest Audio integrates with thousands of compatible smart home devices – use your voice to dim lights, control thermostats, lock doors, and more.
4. Adjust “Hey Google” sensitivity
In a noisy room, increasing sensitivity may help the device detect the wake phrase. If it activates accidentally, lowering sensitivity may help reduce unwanted responses. Google provides separate paths depending on the voice assistant configured in the Home app:
Recommended Free Tools
- Open the Google Home app and go to Home settings.
- Choose Gemini for Home voice assistant or Google Assistant.
- Tap “Hey Google” sensitivity, select the affected device, and adjust its sensitivity.
The setting applies to everyone who uses that device; it does not determine which device responds when several are nearby. See Google’s sensitivity instructions for details.
Rank #3
- Your favorite music and content – Play music, audiobooks, and podcasts from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and others or via Bluetooth throughout your home.
- Alexa is happy to help – Ask Alexa for weather updates and to set hands-free timers, get answers to your questions and even hear jokes. Need a few extra minutes in the morning? Just tap your Echo Dot to snooze your alarm.
- Keep your home comfortable – Control compatible smart home devices with your voice and routines triggered by built-in motion or indoor temperature sensors. Create routines to automatically turn on lights when you walk into a room, or start a fan if the inside temperature goes above your comfort zone.
- Do more with device pairing – Fill your home with music using compatible Echo devices in different rooms, or create a home theatre system with Fire TV.
- Say goodbye to drop-offs and buffering - With eero Built-in, Echo Dot doubles as a mesh wifi extender, adding up to 1,000 sq. ft. of wifi coverage to your existing eero network.
5. Reboot the speaker or display
Unplug the device, leave it unplugged for one minute, then reconnect it. Google also documents an in-app Reboot option when your phone and speaker or display are linked to the same account. Follow Google’s reboot instructions for the app path.
A reboot is not a factory reset: Google’s help documentation states, “A reboot isn’t the same as a factory reset of your speaker or display.”
Rank #4
- IMMERSIVE 360° SOUND – Enjoy rich, room-filling audio with clear vocals, detailed highs, and deep bass designed to enhance music, podcasts, audiobooks, and more.
- DESIGNED FOR MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT – Enjoy your favorite music, podcasts, audiobooks, and more with room-filling sound and impressive audio clarity.
- STEREO PAIRING CAPABILITY – Pair two compatible speakers together for a wider soundstage and enhanced stereo performance throughout your space.
- MODERN DESIGN WITH MULTIPLE COLOR OPTIONS – Features a sleek, contemporary design available in Sage, Porcelain, Berry, and Hazel to complement a variety of home décor styles.
- DESIGNED FOR EVERYDAY ENTERTAINMENT – Ideal for enjoying music, podcasts, radio stations, and other audio content with premium sound quality and simple operation.
6. Check Wi-Fi, account, and voice restrictions
If the device activates but a command fails, check whether it is online and whether your phone and relevant smart-home devices are using the intended Wi-Fi and Google account. Google’s voice-control guidance also recommends using unique device names and being in the same room as the speaker or display.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
- Check Digital Wellbeing settings such as Downtime, Filters, or Do not disturb; these may restrict voice features.
- If the Wi-Fi name, password, or provider changed, the device may need to be set up on the network again. Follow Google’s Wi-Fi connection guidance.
For more on voice commands and these checks, see Google’s guide to controlling home devices by voice.
7. Get help if the checks don’t work
If the device still doesn’t recognize you, submit feedback through the Google Home app or use Google’s support and warranty resources. These checks can narrow down the problem, but they don’t by themselves establish that a microphone component has failed. Avoid assuming a replacement part, factory reset, or new device is the fix without model-specific guidance.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
