The Nest Hub Max screen can stay on, showing your photo slideshow or the clock, while music, casting, or the Google Home app still reports it offline. Treat that as a Wi-Fi or setup issue first, since Google lists router, app, password, distance, and setup checks before factory reset.
Start with Google's basic Wi-Fi sequence: reboot the router first, then reboot the Hub Max. Unplug the router for one minute, plug it back in, and wait until Wi-Fi works again. Then unplug the Hub Max for one minute and plug it back in. Close and reopen the Google Home app before checking whether it shows online.
Power Cycle in the Right Sequence
Google's troubleshooting order is router first, then speaker or display. Start with the router, wait until other devices can use Wi-Fi again, then unplug the Hub Max power cable for one minute and plug it back in. When it restarts, reopen the Google Home app and check the device tile.
You can also reboot it from the Google Home app. Open Google Home, tap Home > All devices, touch and hold the Hub Max tile, then tap Settings > More > Reboot. Unplugging the power cord for one minute is the other Google-supported reboot method.
Forget the Network and Reconnect
If the Wi-Fi name or password changed after a router update or modem swap, reconnect it from the Google Home app. Open Google Home, tap Home > All devices, touch and hold the Hub Max tile, then tap Settings > Device information > Wi-Fi > Forget this network. Return to the Home app home screen, tap Add > Device > Search for device, and follow the in-app setup steps.
If your Photo Frame albums also look wrong, check them separately. In the Google Home app, tap Home > All devices, touch and hold the Hub Max tile, then tap Settings > Photo Frame > Google Photos to select or deselect albums.
Try the Other Wi-Fi Band
The Nest Hub Max supports 802.11b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi on 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. Google does not recommend one band as the universal fix; its setup troubleshooting says to try both bands on a dual-band router. If your router has separate SSIDs, use the Google Home app's Device information > Wi-Fi path to forget the current network, then set it up again on the other band.
If you're troubleshooting an update problem, Google specifically says to use a 2.4 GHz network if available.
Check the Router's Client List
If disconnects follow a predictable schedule, do not assume the Hub Max is missing a DHCP renewal. First finish Google's standard Wi-Fi troubleshooting. If you still want to try a router-side reservation, treat it as optional router troubleshooting, not a guaranteed Google Nest fix.
If your router supports DHCP reservations and you decide to try one, get the MAC address from the Google Home app: tap Home > All devices, touch and hold the Hub Max tile, then tap More > Settings > Device information. Google says the MAC address appears under Technical information when the device is connected to Wi-Fi.
Check the Signal Strength at Its Location
The Nest Hub Max has a 10-inch display, so you might have it sitting on a kitchen counter that's far from the router. Google recommends placing a speaker or display within 15-20 ft (4-6 m) of the Wi-Fi router during Wi-Fi troubleshooting. Move the Hub Max closer as a test; if the disconnects stop, the original spot likely has weak coverage or interference.
If weak signal is the issue, add a mesh node or Wi-Fi extender near its permanent location instead of leaving the display in a poor-coverage spot. Google's current Store page still lists Nest Hub Max for purchase.
Change the Wi-Fi Channel on the Router
Channel congestion on 2.4 GHz is an under-diagnosed cause of Nest device disconnects, especially in apartment buildings where dozens of networks crowd the same frequency. Log into your router and switch the 2.4 GHz channel to 1, 6, or 11. Those three are the only non-overlapping channels, and moving to one that's less congested can stabilize the connection immediately.
Most routers expose this under Wireless > Advanced settings. If your router has automatic channel selection, disable it and set the channel manually. After changing it, reboot the Hub Max via the power cable pull and watch for drops over the next 24 hours.
Check the Firmware Version
Firmware updates for Google smart speakers and displays install automatically. To check the version on the Hub Max, swipe from the bottom of the display, tap Settings > About device, and look for the software and Cast firmware versions. You can also check in the Google Home app under Settings > Device information > Technical information.
If an update appears stuck or the device is still unstable after the basic Wi-Fi steps, Google says to reboot the speaker or display; if update problems continue, factory reset and set it up again, using a 2.4 GHz network if available. Gemini for Home is early access in supported countries, but Google does not list a Gemini migration as a Wi-Fi disconnect cause.
Factory Reset as a Last Resort
Before resetting a Nest Hub Max, save any important video history and remove the device from the Google Home app. Then press and hold both volume buttons on the back for about 10 seconds until the Hub Max says it is resetting. Google says a factory reset is irreversible, clears data from the device, disconnects it from all members in the home, and can't be done by voice or in the Google Home app. Set it up again in the Google Home app and test the connection before rebuilding device-specific settings.