If your voice assistant doesn't respond to a question or command after you say "Hey Google" to your Google smart speaker or display, the following steps may fix the issue.
Initial checklist
To begin, verify that:- Your speaker or display is powered on and plugged into a wall outlet.
- The microphone isn't muted.
- For Google Home Speaker (2026): At the bottom of the device, next to the power cord, turn the microphone switch on or off. The light ring glows solid orange when the microphone is turned off, and your voice assistant says whether the microphone is muted.
- For Google Nest Audio: On the back of the device, next to the power cord, turn the microphone switch on or off. Your voice assistant says whether the microphone is muted.
- For Google Nest Mini (2nd gen) and Google Home Mini (1st gen): On the side of the device, turn the microphone switch on or off. Your voice assistant says whether the microphone is muted.
- For Google Home: On the back of the device, press the microphone mute button. Your voice assistant says whether the microphone is muted.
- For Google Nest displays: On the back of your display, use the switch to turn on the microphone. Your voice assistant says whether the microphone is muted.
- The LED dots on top of your speaker or display spin or blink when you say “Ok Google” or "Hey Google."
- For Google Home Speaker: The LED light ring glows solid white when you say “Ok Google” or “Hey Google.”
- If your voice assistant answers other questions, ask the unanswered question in a different way.
General troubleshooting
If you've done all of the steps above and your voice assistant still doesn't provide an answer, try these steps and ask your question again. If you still don't get an answer, move to the next step.
- Disconnect the power cable from the power source.
- Reconnect the power cable.
Say “Hey Google” to your speaker or display. To check if your device recognized the hotword:
- For Google smart speakers, check if the LED dots on the top of your device spin or blink.
- Important: This does not include Google Home Speaker.
- For Google Home Speaker, check if the LED light ring glows solid white.
- For Nest displays, check for 4 colored dots at the top corner of the screen.
- Ask your voice assistant the question again.
- Say "Hey Google, repeat the question" to make sure your voice assistant understood you correctly.
- If it's still not recognizing the question, speak slower or try another question.
If your speaker or display often has trouble activating when you say “Hey Google” or "Ok Google,” you can adjust how sensitive your voice assistant is to “Hey Google.”
Advanced troubleshooting
If your voice assistant still can't answer the question, submit a feedback report from the Google Home app.
Send feedback from the Google Home app
-
Make sure your phone or tablet is connected to the same Wi-Fi or Google Account as your speaker, display, Google streaming devices, or Pixel Tablet.
- Open the Google Home app
.
- Tap Home
All devices
, then touch and hold your device's tile.
- Tap Settings
- Turn on Send device usage and crash reports to Google.
- Open the Google Home app
- At the top right, tap your Profile picture or Initial.
- Tap Feedback
- In the field provided, enter the details of your feedback. Make sure not to include sensitive information.
- Tap Send
.
- Edit or remove your screenshot if needed.
- Tap Attach a screenshot if you've unintentionally removed it.
- Tap Continue.
- Select either Yes or No when prompted to receive email information or updates about your feedback.