Google Nest Mini doesn't keep connected to 5GHz network

[marcoshalano]

Hi,

Anyone else has this problem: My Nest Mini disconnects from 5GHz and then connects to 2.4GHz.

I also have a Home Mini and it doesn't happen with it.

I saw the firmware version for the Nest Mini is older than the one for Home Mini:

- Nest Mini: 468348

- Home Mini: 468362

I have Preview Program enabled in both.

Thanks,

[SmartHomeH-TAGS]

All devices do that if 5GHz isn't up to scratch.

I'd hate to think that an alarm doesn't sound or notification isn't received because it can't connect to 2.4GHz.

It's the same with 5G phones as they'll transfer to 4G if there's no 5G signal.

[marcoshalano]

Both networks are available in my house. Google Home Mini doesn't downgrade from 5GHz to 2.4GHz.

[SmartHomeH-TAGS]

In your original post you said "My Nest Mini disconnects from 5GHz and then connects to 2.4GHz". Which indicates it does "downgrade" to 2.4GHz

But you did also say that one stays on the 5GHz band, so that would suggest to me that that speaker is closest to your router. If you had a mesh Wi-Fi you might achieve a constant 5GHz on both.

By the way, I don't see it as a downgrade. If it was a TV and you wanted to watch 4K video then it would be, but these basic speakers don't need much bandwidth.

[marcoshalano]

Google Home Mini stays at 5GHz. The Google Nest Mini downgrades to 2.4GHz. One is Home Mini, first generation. The other one is Nest Mini, second generation. I believe both should have the same behavior and connect to 5GHz when available.

Some more details: I have both devices at same distance, basically. Both are in my desk in my bedroom. Nest Mini always stays here and I put Home Mini to test.

As you probably assumed, my network has the same name and password for 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz, even no device uses 6GHz for now.

[SmartHomeH-TAGS]

I think as long as they're still working efficiently enough it doesn't matter which band it's using.

[marcoshalano]

Maybe, but it's at least strange to use 2.4GHz when you can get 5GHz, which even it has shorter range, is way faster.

Google Home Mini has a slightly new firmware version, so maybe it should be updated soon, but I would like to know if more people noticed that.

[SmartHomeH-TAGS]

Maybe try turning off the speaker receiving the 5GHz band to see if the other Mini will (in time) change to 5GHz

[marcoshalano]

Sorry, could you give more details about that? You can refer to my devices as "Home Mini" and "Nest Mini", or "1st gen" and "2nd gen". It's a little confusing since they are from different generations and both have "Mini" in their names.

[SmartHomeH-TAGS]

I don't know if the 1st gen and 2nd gen Mini specifications are that different. The hook on the bottom of the 2nd was a handy addition.

Unlike the 1st and 2nd gen Google Nest Hubs where the 2nd gen included a Thread Border Router for Matter.

[marcoshalano]

The idea are the same, but for 2nd generation there were improvements, like no button of reset, which makes hardware cleaner, and the power plug not being a micro-USB. Internally I don't know if there is anything different, but it seems a firmware problem, not a hardware one. And both devices have different firmware versions right now.