Feedback from 2018 pointed out a bunch of issues with Google Home speakers. The biggest problem seemed to be the constant breaking up of connectivity between the speakers and devices linked through Bluetooth.
If you’re still experiencing this problem, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. This article will provide some tips on how you can resolve this issue.
Google Home Bluetooth Disconnecting
Since 2018 users have complained about their speakers abruptly disconnecting from their Bluetooth device shortly after pairing and refusing to reconnect.
Unfortunately, Google hasn’t yet offered an official fix to address this issue. Latest update on a fix as of the time of writing is below (April 2022).
Effective Solutions
1. Check App Permissions
If you don’t grant the specific permissions that the Google Home app requires, it can cause frequent Bluetooth disconnections.
For example, if the app isn’t permitted to run in the background while the phone is locked, the speaker will keep on disconnecting.
Here is how you can grant these permissions for the Google Home app.
For iPhone users:
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down until you see the Google Home app and tap on it.
- The next screen will show all the permission available for the app.
- Make sure you turn all of them on, especially Background App Refresh.
For Android users:
- Long press the Google Home app on the menu screen.
- On the menu that pops up, select App Information.
- Click on Other Permissions.
- Make sure you enable the Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Background Running permissions.
2. Update Your Device
Updating your device(s) can be the solution to solving this bug. Who knows – Google might push a fix that solves this issue and results in smooth playback.
Google Home speakers update themselves automatically. Once they’re plugged in and connected to the internet, they download and install their latest firmware.
If you’re having trouble updating your speaker, just disconnect it from the power source, wait one minute and plug it back in. This should solve the issue.
Updating your mobile phone’s firmware can also fix this issue. Here’s how you can install updates on your device.
On an iPhone:
- Click on the Settings app.
- Go to General > Software.
- Check if any software updates are available and install them.
On an Android device:
- Open the Settings app.
- Depending on your phone’s brand, tap on System / About Phone.
- Click on Check for Updates.
- If there are any updates available, install them.
3. Reboot Your Phone
A quick reboot of your streaming device – in this case, your smartphone can help solve your Bluetooth connection issues.
There are several ways you can reboot your phone. The universal reboot method is to hold down your power button for about 10 seconds.
This will kill all processes and restart your phone.
4. Reboot Your Speaker
Performing a power cycle on your Google Home device is one of the first fixes you should try. There are two ways you can do this – you can use the app or reboot it manually.
To manually reboot your Google Home speaker:
- Remove the speaker’s plug from the power outlet.
- Leave it unplugged for about a minute.
- Plug the speaker back in and turn it on.
To reboot the device using the app, follow these steps:
- Open the Google Home app.
- On the main screen, choose the device you want to reboot.
- Click on the Settings icon .
- Tap on the icon with three dots at the top right corner.
- Select the Reboot option.
To manually reboot your Google Home speaker:
- Remove the speaker’s plug from the power outlet.
- Leave it unplugged for about a minute.
- Plug the speaker back in and turn it on.
5. Perform a Factory Reset on Your Speaker
Resetting your Google Home speaker back to its factory settings is the last resort if no other fix is working. Be careful though – resetting your device will erase all your data.
You’ll also have to set it up again after resetting it. Here’s how you can reset various Google Home speakers.
Google Home
- Look for the mic’s mute button on the back of the speaker.
- Hold it down for about 15 seconds.
- A voice prompt will let you know the speaker is resetting.
Google Nest Mini (2nd Gen)
- Switch off the Nest Mini’s mic with the switch on the side.
- Once the mic is off, the lights on top will turn orange.
- Press down on where the lights are at the centre.
- The device will start the reset process after 5 seconds.
- Continue holding until a sound confirms the speaker is resetting.
Google Home Mini (1st Gen)
- Locate the physical factory reset button on the base just below the power cord.
- Press and hold the button.
- Continue holding it until a sound confirms the device is resetting.
Google Home Max
- Locate the factory reset button near the power cord at the back of the speaker.
- Press and hold it for about 12 seconds until your device lets you know it is beginning to reset.
Google Nest Audio
- Turn off the mic via the switch on the back. After doing this, the lights will turn orange.
- Press and hold the centre of the device near the top.
- Continue holding the centre for about 15 seconds until a sound prompt confirms the device is resetting.
6. Remove Any Wi-Fi Disruptions
Wi-Fi interference can also be a key culprit behind your Google Home constantly dropping connections. The Bluetooth LE technology and Wi-Fi both operate on the same 2.4 GHz frequency, so there’s a strong chance of interference.
To avoid this, make sure your phone and Google Home speaker are far away from the router. You can even try testing the connection by placing the router in a separate room to see if it works well.
7. Use Casting
Casting is a method you can use to stream your audio on the speaker via Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth. If you’re still experiencing dropped Bluetooth connections, this might be the best option.
Before Casting, you have to check whether your media app supports casting. Common apps that support casting include Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Google Music, and more.
- Make sure your smartphone and your Google Home speaker are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- It will also work if your Google Home speaker is signed in to the same google account as your phone.
- Open the streaming app you’re using.
- Look for the Cast icon
and tap it. - It will show a list of available devices. Select your Google Home speaker from the list.
- The speaker will connect to your app, and you’ll be able to play your music over the Wi-Fi connection.
and tap it.8. Enable Airplane Mode
Some users have reported that putting your phone on Airplane mode can solve this issue. Basically, you switch on Airplane mode, then turn on Bluetooth right after.
What this does is restrict all other wireless traffic apart from the Bluetooth signal on your phone.
However, using this method comes with a significant disadvantage. You can miss important calls and notifications while on Airplane mode.
The Verdict
Using a Bluetooth speaker that constantly disconnects can be very frustrating. Sadly, there aren't many customers can do about it until Google releases a permanent fix.
In the meantime, you can try some of the tips we’ve provided above to fix your speaker. Good luck!