Google home no longer allows changing of light colour

[Jmm1]

Starting yesterday, google home app doesn’t show options for changing colour of smart bulbs. Asking nest hub or mini to change colour says bulb doesn’t support this. Neat display also offers no option. Anyone else?

[mred · Accepted solution]

My issue is resolved. Looks like Google Fixed it. If you are still having issues, go to:

GOOGLE HOME

HIT +

SELECT WORKS WITH GOOGLE

LONG PRESS YOUR LIGHT APP

RECONNECT

GIVE IT A FEW MINUTES

[VinceC]

I sent my first message to Smart Life tech support 3 days ago.  As of this evening, they still haven't isolated the issue.  Frankly, I think they gave it to a rookie to investigate.  Increasingly frustrated, I've resent all the information I have documenting the problem to their tech team and requested that the matter be escalated to someone with more experience who can help,  If/as/when they respond, I'll keep this thread updated.

[mred · Accepted solution]

Hi, a couple of us on the thread have seen a resolution to the problem. Apparently Google has fixed it. If you still have an issue, on your Google home screen spress +.

Then press works with google

Then long press your lighting app

Then press reconnect.

Give it a few minutes, then test.

Good Luck.

[VinceC]

A Massive "THUMBS UP!!!!!!!"  

Thank you!!!!

[Zaks1987]

Any luck here Vince?

[VinceC]

Yes. Mred’s suggestions worked for me and my partner. All our Smart Life bulbs are functioning properly now. Have been for the last few days. Thus the massive thumbs up comment previously posted. (Btw, Smart Life tech support were useless in the end. Even though the issue seems to have resulted from Google dropping the ball somewhere (at least that’s what o understood), the Smart Life team couldn’t identify any problem and provided no potential solution. )

[Infinity]

I have lots of Smart devices in my house, including many RGB dimmable lamps.
I have always used Google assistants (a smart speaker, a Nest and the Google Home Android app) to change the color and brightness of those lamps, without problems.
Starting from about three days (from 21 October) this isn't working anymore.
I can turn the lamps on and off or vary the brightness, but if I tell Google to set them to a certain color, Google replies "I'm sorry, the device doesn't support this feature yet."

Now, until three days ago everything was working perfectly.
Also, the lamps are coming from different brands, and the problem occurred on all of them at the same time.
Please, notice that the lamps work perfectly: I can change the respective colors using their proprietary applications on my phone.
It is Google that can no longer do it.
I also tried to unlink and reconnect the lamps accounts to Google - nothing to do. They turn on and off and vary brightness, but NOT the color.

So I'm here and asking: WHAT has changed in these three days?! WHY Google says it can no longer do something it did perfectly three days ago?
Please, let me know.
Thank you.

[anodynos]

Phew, we're not alone! I have the same problem, among hundreds of others in the last few days (~ October 23, 2022). 

See more here https://www.reddit.com/r/smartlife/comments/y9euy1/cant_change_just_colour_with_google/

https://www.reddit.com/r/googlehome/comments/y9ey5j/the_option_to_change_my_lights_color_is_gone/

https://www.reddit.com/r/googlehome/comments/lxljpq/issues_changing_light_colors/

Hopefully some google engineers will pick it up!  I hope soon cause I'm stuck with some bluish color in my room!

PLEASE HELP US!

[MplsCustomer]

There are multiple posts in this forum as well, but no acknowledgement as yet from Google Nest on what happened.

[anodynos]

People need to start tweeting the right product managers at Google...

[Juni]

Hi folks,

I hope you've got the answer you're looking for. If you're still in need of any assistance, feel free to let us know. 
 

Thanks,

Juni

[Juni]

Hi there,

Buzzing in to check if you have additional questions and concerns about your device. Let us know by updating this thread, and we're glad to assist you further.
 

Best,

Juni

[Zaks1987]

Mine still isn't working. I get 1/4 lights at random telling me that they don't support the functionality 

[Zaks1987]

Juni, my issue is the following. I have 4 lights in my bedroom of which I can control ALL individually. When I group them in my bedroom and say hey google turn bedroom lights off/on then one will always say "Actually xx light doesn't support this functionality". This indicates the problem is clearly on Google's end as it only occurs when the lights are instructed to perform something as a group. If I ask Google to turn xx light off/on on its own then it works. Was working fine for 3 years then stopped around the same time as everyone elses. 

[joshnthayer]

The answer i got back from Support was to disconnect the bulb app associated with Google home,  reconnect it, then tell google to "resync my devices".

I tried just the last part and that fixed it for me,  so didn't do the other part. 

Good luck. 

[Zaks1987]

Didn't work for me unfortunately 

[Princesss]

Hey there,

Due to inactivity, I'll go ahead and lock this thread in 24 hours. Feel free to start a new thread if you need assistance with your Google speakers and we'd be glad to assist you further.
 

Best,

Princess

[Zaks1987]

What inactivity? I've replied 7 times in the last 24 hours. Seems like you're trying to avoid offering assistance

[WeWake]

Same here mate !!!

[joshnthayer]

This resolved. 

To fix it just say "hey google, resync my devices".

[Ksteph]

My nest mini keeps saying that changing the color of the lights isn’t a functionality it can perform. Worked perfectly fine last night, never had a problem before until today. Tried everything. Resetting Wi-Fi, unlinking and relinking Feit Electric app, setting smart light bulbs. Nothing works.

[AAaaaAAAAaAAa]

I'm having the same problem. Mine are Feit smart lights I've had for over a year and I've never had problems until now

[Ksteph]

I have the exact same ones. Still no change. I tried setting up the lights again and nothing. 

[Princesss]

Hi everyone, 

Thanks for reaching out to our Community.

We're sorry to hear about this experience. Our team is currently investigating this matter and rest assured we'll chime in to this thread as soon as we have some news to share.

Best,

Princess

[ahoffman1204]

We have Smart Life bulbs and are having the same issue. What is going on Google?

[nlochman]

I have the same problem. I have Feit Bulbs. They worked fine for about a month. Now, "actually, these light don't have that functionality." I've tried all the same steps and...nothing.

[Mklb492]

Same issue with feit bulbs that have been working fine for almost 2 years,  wondering what's going on

[Dan_A]

Hi folks,

Awesome! Glad to hear that this has been sorted out and thanks for sharing your resolution in the Community. Let me know if you have other questions and concerns. We're here to help.

Best,

Dan

[mred]

Hi Dan, Does anyone know specifically what Google broke and fixed ?

[Dan_A]

Hi mred,

URL portal used to link partners in the Google Home app is managed by the partner themselves. Issues encountered when linking a partner (home control) should be directed to that home automation partner for support. Partners are expected to support the integration of their products with Google Nest and Home devices.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Dan

[Zaks1987]

Dan, my issue is the following. I have 4 lights in my bedroom of which I can control ALL individually. When I group them in my bedroom and say hey google turn bedroom lights off/on then one will always say "Actually xx light doesn't support this functionality". This indicates the problem is clearly on Google's end as it only occurs when the lights are instructed to perform something as a group. If I ask Google to turn xx light off/on on its own then it works. Was working fine for 3 years then stopped around the same time as everyone elses. 

[Zaks1987]

It hasn't been sorted Dan, the same issue is still occurring for some of us. 

[FightingForPhil]

I saw a solution here that kind of seems like a pain. I think there's an easier fix.

This seems like it would be too easy, but saying "hey google, sync my devices" worked for me. 

Then I just force closed the home app, opened it, and boom- colour option was back. Took about 15 seconds. 

[Zaks1987]

Have tried at least 7x. No luck