Picture of the Google Home Mini speaker, gray model, top view, with all lights OFF.

How to Factory Reset Google Home Mini

Here we answer the question: How to Factory Reset Google Home Mini?  You might factory reset this smart speaker to get it ready for sale to another person.  Or, you want to link it to a new Google account. Or you wish to connect it to a new WiFi network. But whatever the reason, this post will teach you how to factory reset it.

How to Factory Reset Google Home Mini: May Be Unnecessary

Note that if you want to fix erratic speaker behavior, you may not have to run a complete factory reset. So, before resetting, try powering off the speaker for fifteen seconds.  Do this by unplugging its AC cable. Then, wait fifteen seconds.  Finally, power it up again. This usually restores proper operation.

But if simple power cycling does not fix the problem, then read on.  Or if you wish not to fix a problem but to give the unit away, then again, read on.

Warning !

Keep in mind that once you factory reset, you cannot work the Mini from the Google account where you did before.  Therefore to control the speaker again, run through the setup routine.  In that procedure, relink the speaker to that account once more, via the Google Home app.  Or, link it to another Google account.  Either way, the choice is yours.

How to Factory Reset Google Home Mini: The Routine

1. Connect the Speaker to AC Power

After boot completes, go on to step 2.

2. Press and Hold the Factory Reset Button

Find this button in the orange area on the underside of the Mini, near the power cord USB plug.

Picture of the Google Home Mini speaker, bottom view, showing the reset button highlighted.
The Google Home Mini speaker, bottom view, showing the Factory Reset button highlighted.

 

Picture of holding in the reset button on the smart speaker.
Holding factory reset button in with thumb on the speaker.

One light on the top then lights up yellow, as shown next.  Then, the Google Home Mini warns you that you’re about to factory reset the device.  The it tells you that if you wish to abort the reset, then release the button now.  But keep holding the button in to perform the reset to factory default state.

How to Factory Reset Google Home Mini: Reset in Progress

The first yellow light then comes on. Next, one more turns on every few seconds until the entire row of four lights up. Factory reset begins shortly thereafter, as long as you keep the reset button firmly depressed.

Do not power off the unit during the factory reset.  Why?  Because doing so could render it unusable (bricked).

3. Release the Factory Reset Button

Let go of the button when the unit emits a short chime chord sound and the yellow lights go dark.

4. The Factory Reset Starts

Reset begins once the lights go out and the unit stays dark for several seconds, as shown next.

Picture of the speaker. All lights are dark during factory reset.
All lights are dark during factory reset.

After a pause, the white lights come back on.  They show a scanning marquee pattern for three or five seconds, as shown next.

Picture of factory default reset in progress. It showing scanning bright white lights on the speaker.
Showing factory reset in progress on the speaker. It shows scanning bright white lights.

How to Factory Reset Google Home Mini: Rebooting Afterwards 

5. The speaker Then Reboots

After some seconds, the speaker again goes dark as the factory reset completes. Then, the reboot starts, as shown next.

Picture of the Google Home Mini speaker, lights dark after reset, prior to reboot.
Google Home Mini speaker, lights dark after reset, prior to reboot.

After several to ten seconds, the lights come back on, colored dim gray.  They show a sort of scanning pattern, as shown next. This means that a reboot after the reset is in progress.

Picture of the Google Home Mini smart speaker with factory default reset In progress. It shows scanning white lights on top.
Google Home Mini smart speaker with factory default reset In progress. It shows scanning white lights on top.

Several seconds into the reboot, the lights turn multi-colored as shown next.

Picture of the Google Home Mini speaker, displaying multi colored lights during reboot.
Google Home Mini speaker, displaying multi colored lights during reboot.

6. Reboot Finishes

Then, you hear the startup complete music and then the speaker speaks, “Welcome to Google Home. To get started, download the Google Home app on a phone or tablet.”

7. The Google Home Mini Then Enters Setup Mode

This means that the unit is now ready to accept setup commands from the Google Home App. The speaker shows this by displaying the four white blips across its top.  These lights show a dimming and then brightening pattern.  See this in the next picture.

Picture of the Google Home Mini speaker, in setup mode, displaying the dimming white lights across the top.
Google Home Mini speaker, in setup mode, displaying the dimming white lights across the top.

8. Factory Reset Now Done

You may now give your Google Home Mini to another.  You need not fear that they’ll access your settings or other personal info. Or, set it up again on your existing account, perhaps with a different Wi-Fi network or device name.

The light row then turns white with the four dots glowing.  Then, the unit stays in setup mode until you run the setup procedure. Please note that the speaker will not function until fully set up and linked to a Google account.

Other Google Home Mini Posts

    1. How to Change Volume on Google Home Mini
    2. About Rebooting the Google Home Mini Smart Speaker
    3. How to Unlink Spotify from Google Home Mini
    4. How to Set Up Spotify on Google Home Mini
    5. Google Home Mini Spotify Commands List

References for Factory Reset Google Home Mini

    1. Google Home Official Help and Support Page
    2. Google Home on Wikipedia
    3. Where to Buy a Google Home Mini