Smart Home Devices Dropping from Google Nest WiFi Network

Easy 15-30 minutes

If your smart home devices keep disconnecting from your Google Nest WiFi or Google WiFi network, this guide covers the most common causes and fixes from the community.

This Is a Widespread Issue

Many users report smart home devices frequently disconnecting from Google Nest WiFi networks. Community members have expressed significant frustration:

  • "WiFi drops for some devices, randomly and not at the same time for all devices."
  • "I now have to restart it at least once a day, despite the system working fine for the last three years."
  • "The ONLY thing that is successful is factory reset. That's why this issue is so frustrating."

Quick Fixes to Try First

  1. Restart your Nest WiFi – In the Google Home app, go to WiFi → Settings → Restart network
  2. Power cycle – Unplug all Nest WiFi devices for 2 minutes, then plug back in
  3. Restart problem devices – Power cycle the smart home devices that keep disconnecting

Check for Double NAT

If your ISP modem is also acting as a router, you may have "double NAT" which causes connectivity issues for smart home devices.

How to fix:

  1. Put your ISP modem/router into bridge mode
  2. This lets Nest WiFi handle all routing
  3. Check your ISP modem's manual or call your ISP for instructions

One user reported: "I solved my disconnection issues by activating bridge mode instead of NAT mode."

Disable IPv6

Some smart home devices have issues with IPv6. Disabling it can improve stability.

  1. Open the Google Home app
  2. Go to WiFi → Settings → Advanced networking
  3. Toggle IPv6 off
  4. Wait for the network to restart

Change DNS Settings

Using Google's DNS servers can improve reliability:

  1. In Google Home app, go to WiFi → Settings → Advanced networking
  2. Set Primary DNS to 8.8.8.8
  3. Set Secondary DNS to 8.8.4.4

2.4GHz vs 5GHz Issues

Many smart home devices only work on 2.4GHz WiFi. Google Nest WiFi automatically steers devices between bands, which can cause issues.

Unfortunately, Google Nest WiFi doesn't let you:

  • Create separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks
  • Manually assign devices to a specific band
  • Disable band steering

Workarounds:

  • Place IoT devices closer to the main router (they'll more likely stay on 2.4GHz)
  • Ensure good mesh coverage so devices don't struggle with weak signals
  • Consider a different router if you have many 2.4GHz-only devices

Device Priority and Limits

Google Nest WiFi can handle many devices, but very large smart home setups may push limits.

  • Each Nest WiFi point can handle ~100 devices
  • But performance degrades with high device counts
  • If you have 50+ smart home devices, consider a more robust router

Mesh Point Placement

Poor mesh point placement causes devices to drop as they struggle to maintain connection.

Best practices:

  • Place points no more than 2 rooms apart
  • Avoid placing points behind furniture or in closets
  • Keep points away from other electronics (microwaves, baby monitors)
  • Ensure each point shows "Great" or "Good" connection in the app

Specific Device Issues

Nest Mini and Nest Hub disconnections:

Ironically, Google's own devices sometimes have issues with Nest WiFi:

  • "This is a well known bug in the minis. Only the 2 minis are disconnecting randomly even though they are next to the WiFi AP."
  • "My Nest Hub was working fine until a week ago. Now it disconnects after about 35 minutes despite being located about 8 feet from the router."

Try factory resetting the Nest Mini/Hub if it keeps disconnecting.

Smart plugs and switches:

These often have weak WiFi radios. Ensure they have strong signal from a nearby mesh point.

Cameras:

WiFi cameras are bandwidth-intensive. Multiple cameras can overwhelm a mesh point.

Check for Firmware Updates

Google pushes automatic firmware updates that sometimes cause (or fix) issues.

  1. In Google Home app, go to WiFi → Settings
  2. Check the firmware version
  3. Updates are automatic, but you can try restarting the network to prompt an update check

Factory Reset (Last Resort)

If nothing else works, a factory reset may resolve persistent issues:

  1. In Google Home app, go to WiFi → Settings → Factory reset
  2. Or physically reset: hold the reset button on the bottom of the device for 10 seconds
  3. You'll need to set up your network from scratch
  4. All devices will need to reconnect

One user noted: "The ONLY thing that is successful is factory reset."

When to Consider a Different Router

Some frustrated users have switched to other systems:

"I would recommend doing what I did which is purchasing a different system. So far the Eero has been working great."

Consider alternatives if you:

  • Have many 2.4GHz-only devices and need separate SSIDs
  • Need more advanced networking features
  • Continue to have issues after trying all troubleshooting steps

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