Google Wifi cannot find device during setup when Google Home cannot see the router, point, or temporary setup network. The fix usually starts with the app and phone settings, then moves to the Wifi device, account, and reset options. Start at the top and stop as soon as Google Home finds the device.
Restart Google Home and try setup again
This fixes a stuck Google Home discovery screen before you change the Wifi device.
Close the Google Home app completely.
On Android, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold, scroll to Google Home, then swipe up on the app preview.
On iPhone or iPad, open the app switcher, swipe to Google Home, then swipe up on the app preview.
Reopen Google Home and start setup again.
Give iPhone the permissions Google Home needs
The most common iPhone cause is blocked Bluetooth or Local Network access for Google Home.
Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and turn Bluetooth on.
Open Settings, tap Privacy & Security, then Local Network, and turn on Local Network for Google Home.
Return to Google Home and add the Wifi device again.
Use the correct Google Home setup path
Run the current setup flow from Google Home.
- 1.Open Google Home and set up a home if the app asks.
- 2.For a primary Google Wifi point, connect Ethernet from the modem to the point’s WAN port, plug in the point, and wait 90 seconds for the light to slowly pulse blue.
- 3.Tap Add, then Device.
- 4.Scan the QR code on the Wifi device.
- 5.If the QR code will not scan, tap Use setup code and enter the setup code, or tap Add a different way, enter your device in the search bar, and select it.
- 6.For an additional point, wait for Connected, then finish the in-app setup steps.
Make the Wifi point ready for discovery
Unplug the router or point from power, then plug it back into a working wall outlet.
Wait for the setup-ready light. Google Wifi and Nest Wifi Pro slowly pulse blue; Nest Wifi slowly pulses white.
If the device uses Ethernet, make sure the cable is connected to both the modem and the router or point, and make sure the modem is powered on. Google Nest Wifi points do not have Ethernet ports.
Join the setup network yourself
If Google Home still cannot find the device automatically, connect to the temporary setup Wi-Fi network printed on the Wifi device.
Open your phone or tablet’s Wi-Fi settings and choose the network name that matches the sticker on the bottom of the Wifi device. Use the setup code on that sticker as the Wi-Fi password, then return to Google Home to continue setup.
If this method fails, open Settings, turn Wi-Fi off and back on, then reopen Google Home and retry setup.
Turn off VPN and Private Relay during setup
Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
Go to General, then VPN & Device Management.
Tap the active VPN and turn it off until it says Not Connected.
Go back to Settings, tap your name, tap iCloud, then tap Private Relay.
Turn off Private Relay, then tap Turn off Private Relay if prompted.
After setup finishes, turn your VPN or Private Relay back on if you use them.
Update or reinstall Google Home
The most common app-side cause is an outdated or damaged Google Home install.
On Android, open Google Play Store, tap the profile icon, tap Manage apps & device, tap See details under Updates available, then tap Update next to Google Home.
On iPhone or iPad, open the App Store, tap the My Account button or your photo, tap App Updates, then tap Update next to Google Home or tap Update All.
If updating does not help, uninstall Google Home, reinstall it from the official app store, sign back in, and repeat setup.
Reset the Wifi device after easier fixes fail
If the device was already set up before, reset it from Google Home when you can still see it there. Open Google Home, go to Home, then All devices, touch and hold the Wifi device tile, open Settings, choose Factory reset network, and tap Factory reset.
For a single point that appears in Google Home, go to Home, then All devices, touch and hold the point tile, open Settings, choose Factory reset Wifi point, and tap Factory reset.
If the app reset is unavailable, use the hardware reset for your model. Nest Wifi Pro uses the reset button for 12 seconds until the light turns solid yellow; Nest Wifi router uses the reset button for 10 seconds until the light turns solid yellow; Nest Wifi point starts resetting after about 5 seconds and confirms with a sound after you keep holding; Google Wifi uses the reset button for 10 seconds until the light turns solid blue.
If this method fails, install or update Google Home on another supported phone or tablet, sign in with the same Google Account and home, then run setup again from Google Home, Add, and Device.
Fix old Google Wifi app and account problems
The Google Wifi app is no longer available to download, cannot make Wi-Fi network changes, and is not the setup path. Wifi devices are set up in Google Home; the old app is only useful for factory resetting devices that are still managed there.
For an older Google Wifi network, open Google Home, tap Add device or service, choose Import Google Wifi network, tap Next, choose a home, tap Next, confirm your Wi-Fi network, tap Next, then follow the in-app instructions.
If the import option or devices do not appear, switch to the owner Google Account. In Google Home, tap your account, tap your current account name, then choose the owner account or tap Add another account.
For shared homes, the person troubleshooting needs the right home access. In Google Home, tap your profile picture, tap Switch home if you need a different home, then tap Add, then Home Member, enter the person’s name or email, tap Next, choose Admin or choose Member with Settings turned on, tap Next, then tap Invite; Google Workspace accounts cannot be invited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Google Home keep saying it cannot find my Google Wifi device?
The usual causes are missing phone permissions, an app that needs restarting or updating, VPN or Private Relay routing, the Wifi point not pulsing in setup mode, or the phone joining the wrong saved Wi-Fi network.
Can I still set up Google Wifi with the old Google Wifi app?
No. Google Wifi setup and Wi-Fi network changes now happen in the Google Home app. The old Google Wifi app is no longer available to download and is only useful for factory resetting devices it already manages.
Can Nest Wifi Pro be added to a Google Wifi mesh?
No. Nest Wifi Pro cannot be combined with Google Wifi or Nest Wifi Wi-Fi 5 devices. Set up Nest Wifi Pro as its own network in Google Home.
What should I try before factory resetting Google Wifi?
Restart Google Home, enable Bluetooth and Local Network access on iPhone, power-cycle the Wifi device, connect manually to the setup network on the sticker, turn off VPN or Private Relay during setup, and update or reinstall Google Home first.