Nest cameras and doorbells no longer stream to Chromecast.

[ToddL]

All Nest cameras and doorbells throughout my home suddenly stopped streaming video to TVs equipped with Chromecast. The video feeds are still available through the Nest and Home apps, but when trying to stream to Chromecast (as I have done for years), the message is, "Sorry! It looks like the stream is currently unavailable from [camera name]."

[SmithP1]

As with anything that works once (or even twice), your mileage may vary

I was just sharing a success. Feel free to ignore.

[ToddL]

Not ignoring your ability to access your cameras manually from the latest version of Chromecast Google TV. You deserve credit for getting that much to work — it's something, and it's good info. It may help people.

But I just don't want anyone at Google to mistake a limited workaround for a fix because smart access between my cameras and doorbells and all of my TVs and displays is still broken, and the impact of that reality cripples pretty much everything I've set up — routines, voice commands, etc.

[sostermiller]

Are you certain that you are seeing live video when you click on the individual camera from the Home page? When I click on a camera thumbnail, it makes a full screen image of the camera that never refreshes. Its a still image - not live video.

[SmithP1]

I thought I was within the scope of the thread. Honestly, I can't imagine Google reading any of this stuff unless you count it being scraped by AI or basic bots.

I thought this was a community of users trying to help each other. Perhaps I misread the room. I'm brand new here.

'Better to be silent and thought ignorant...' Sometimes I forget that advice

[ToddL]

To point out that it's still broken is in no way a criticism of your best attempt to be helpful, or of your contribution to the discussion.

I've tried to express that.

I am extremely indignant with the Google Home failures, and that is what you are sensing. It's not aimed at you.

Honestly, it baffles me that the Google team wouldn't be interested in the feedback on this website. I hope someone reads it.

Virtually all of my comments are made for their eyes.

[ToddL]

Also, I think AI can actually help sort things out for interested parties in this case. For example, when I query Google AI about the exact problems and frustrations described in this thread, it's clear that the language of this thread has helped inform the learning data.

That's a good way to communicate and publicize I think. I don't want to digress from the main topic of these camera issues too much, but those are my thoughts, and that's another reason I decided to log a critique of the only-partial workaround.

Once again, I thank you for your contribution.

[SmithP1]

Completely off topic...

I believe that the only real value here is Information shared between the users. I think the entire structure of this is designed to placate people with problems ( You're call is important to us). I believe that the AI is exceptionally good and deliberately designed to repeat our comments back to us in a way to pretend they are paying attention. 

I think every time we post things we get a badge from the system (Good on you, here's a cookie).

I understand your view is vastly different, and I can respect that. Perhaps you have seen actual changes brought about by past interactions here that reinforce your beliefs. If that is the case I would hope to see changes like that in the future, ones that would lead me to change my perceptions. I would welcome that.

But my cynicism has served me well the past. Nothing has paid off for me better than low expectations

[ToddL]

Fair enough.

[jcplerm]

Also have had this problem for a couple of months. 

[eighty666]

when did it start and what is your cast version?

[jcplerm]

I can't recall exactly, but about 2 months ago.

At one time it stopped, then I powered off and restarted all devices, then it worked again.

But recently all google assistant commands to cast cameras to the Chromecasts no longer work.

The Chromecast HD devices are on these versions:

System firmware version: UTTC.241218.008.H1

Cast firmware version: 3.72.446070

They do show the Google Home panel, and I can stream if I selected a camera directly on the device with the remote control, on that Google Home panel.

But I need to rely on automations to rotate cameras on dedicated TVs.

This is for two elderly ladies that just can't use the controls.

It's for their own security, so they can see the surroundings of the house.

I had everything fully automated, but this issue renders most of my set up useless.

And it's not only between Google devices (cameras vs chromecast streaming), but Onn Roku TVs also broke. I could turn them on and off, also part of the automation, but that has also broken. I can no longer control the Roku TVs from Google Home. That's beyond the scope of this discussion thread, but shows that Google has broken things all over the place.

Now how am I supposed to replace all my 14 cameras, doorbells, tvs, with something else like Alexa compatible? How much money goes to waste?

It just gets to a point where Google tells customers to screw themselves.

With the excuse that they are "focusing on features that customers love". 

The feature you need isn't among the ones "customers love"? Well, then that's because you are a loser....

[ToddL]

Exactly!

[jcplerm]

Whe I thought I had found at least  some minimal workaround by using the google home panel on the chromecast, today it simply stops casting the camera and starts playing ads.

The level of disregard is astounding.

[sostermiller]

I have found the same results. I am using Google Home. When I access the cameras through the Home section, I see the thumbnails for my 3 cameras. The thumbnails are live video. When I click on one of them, I see a full screen view of the camera that says, "live". However, its not video and never refreshes. Its a still shot - exactly the opposite functionality we used to have. 

[SmithP1]

For any here that believe that Google is listening to our feedback.

I just got an email from Google:

Perry, get more from your Chromecast

Make Google TV yours.

Personalize your TV experience with the recommendations
below, made just for you. Read on to get features and tips
that go way beyond watching.

Basic boilerplate promotional BS

Should give them points for not promoting the cameras as well?

[ToddL]

They are clearly indifferent to any feedback that doesn't align with their outwardly destructive, self-serving goals. Make no mistake that I'm probably more cynical on that point than you are. But, with that said, I still find it hard to believe that they are totally unaware of the feedback on this site (that they do not see the feedback), and I am keen to shape the narrative and express my frustration with their broken promises through all available channels.

[ToddL]

Three weeks and counting without camera cover that's visible from the rooms in my home, Google... people depend on this system for their security — elders and disabled, parents and children, domestic and farm animals. Pay attention, Google reps. Escalate this complaint. Your bosses have some serious explaining to do.

[sostermiller]

Any chance we could find an eager consumer protection reporter willing to write some press on it? I liked your angle of security risks, elderly and children. 

[ToddL]

Tech media coverage mostly treats smart home tech like a game of convenience. I'd like to see people sharing their personal stories here, describing how the loss of room-to-room camera monitoring capabilities puts their home at risk. After all, this isn't a novelty feature like "Ok Google, shuffle my playlist."

Personal anecdotes would make for a good human interest story, perhaps attractive to editorialists. The adverse impact that Google's bad faith has had on the quality of life of those who have come to depend on this technology — particularly the vulnerable and those on a limited budget — is potentially very serious.

[sostermiller]

Hey group, please take a minute to describe what is at risk in losing your live camera stream. Why did you rely on the live stream? What is at risk now that its gone? 

[eighty666]

sanity

any remnant of faith in google scumbots

baby moniors

security

...these were at risk. now they've gone

[ToddL]

Very true. Even when the camera streams "worked," the connection was generally delayed, unreliable and unstable. So we were always at risk, and now the little we had is gone. Total system failure was simply the coup de grace.

[ToddL]

I originally invested in a large Nest camera network to remotely monitor animals at a farm following a serious mishap involving one of the horses. The screens that allow the animals to be monitored for their safety from throughout the home have gone dark.

In another household, there is an elderly family member who used to monitor activity around the property for her security and bring the sounds of outdoors into every room during the day for her well being. This all became a big part of her life for years, and now all the screens are silent and dark.

[Tvr07]

I have the older Gen 1 cameras and they barely detect movement for notifications anymore. They're pretty useless without live stream. I use mine to watch over my animals. What sucks is I couldn't upgrade to the newer models even if I wanted to. They require way too much upload speed and I live in a more rural area where those speeds aren't available. If this issue isn't fixed I'm going to have to replace my system. 

[ToddL]

I don't expect Google to come through with a solution that doesn't involve investing in new (en$#ittified) proprietary equipment and paying for additional "premium" subscriptions to restore basic function. Their strategy all along has been to lock us in as captive, codependent consumers.

I'm in the process of replacing my whole system with open source Home Assistant. There's a learning curve, but everything is totally under the user's control. For farmers, homesteaders and anyone with a strong DIY ethos and a sense of self-sufficiency, I think Home Assistant is a much better solution than investing in digital waste and turning the tractor keys over to Gemini in exchange for Google's predatory valet services.

[Testeroni]

Posting in this thread where nobody will respond is fine, but all of us need to be bombarding Google with calls and escalating to managers

[jcplerm]

I've opened multiple Google Nest Support tickets.

Unfortunately they won't let you track progress of an existing ticket.

I open a new ticket anyway, requesting the status of the first Case ID given to me.

You need to go to: https://support.google.com/googlenest, click on one of the options, then try follow prompts to hopefully get a chat session.

The chat sessions always end with them stating "As soon as this gets resolved or I have any updates on the fix of the error you are receiving on your end, I will surely be sharing with you via email."

I also have submitted the "Feedback" on the Google Assistant and Google Home apps, which apparently send logs to support for the device you are sending feedback on.

However, the support agent on the chat never answer my explicit question when I asked if anyone ever took a look at the logs send through the "Feedback" link.

One more thing to notice, the chat support engineers always say "Your valuable and precious feedback about your concern and product with us so we can continue to improve our products for our customer's better experiences." which, if you read carefully, say the feedback is used to IMPROVE the products, but never to actually FIX anything.

[ToddL]

Exactly. It's impossible to get any help or even a glimmer of hope toward a resolution.

Google has been totally irresponsible as a household service provider. The way they toy around in the background with critical services that people depend on every day is totally unethical.

They just yank the plug on whatever device or feature they choose while bombarding you with ads inviting you to expand your investment and deepen your dependency on their unreliable ecosystem.

Aside from their deliberate en$#ittification of features and services, I can't even turn on the lights on the first try without a glitch to walk safely down the hallway half the time.

[TheJD]

If something happens that my security cameras could have prevented but I could not see because they no longer stream the Chromecast then Google may be looking at a lawsuit.

[Sandawg]

Someone needs to extract a official statement from Google, not just platitudes. Simple question, are you going to support streaming to televisions Chromecast from these nest cameras? Yes or no? If not I want my full money back for nest aware and apology and a letter to the Google team and the project manager asking for their firing. What kind of a pathetic team and project manager okay this? And if this is not the only thing all my automations have been starting breaking month after month. Just a few weeks ago they removed the ability to use personal location, not global locations, not home and away, but personal location based on your phone location is a trigger for an automation. Someone needs to directly reach the engineering team and tell them what you think

[SmithP1]

It seems there has been a reaction though one that I should have expected rather than one we might have hoped.

In the last six days I have received five promotional emails telling me of all the features available on my Chromecast More basic boilerplate promotional BS, now appearing almost one a day

[BLNT]

They seem to be making the Google Assistant "less sharp" - perhaps so when the rollout to Gemini is complete, it will seem smarter... uh huh.  Over the last couple of days - at bedtime when I ask it to turn on my (specific) bedroom fan (noise machine), it goes off and says something about turning or (or such) 15 fans. I have 2 homes and an office location - I don't know if it's trying to turn everything on everywhere or what (ceiling fans, AC fans, etc). I go in and check, and nothing seems to be turned on. I'll repeat the request, and the last two evenings it got it right the second time. Strange things are afoot at the Circle K !

[jcplerm]

It looks like the automation routines and google assistant commands are working again, to stream my cameras to the chromecast devices.

No what idea what happened. Everything stayed the same on my side.

Hopefully they fixed something and it stays this way.

[Tvr07]

Mine is now working on my Google Chromecast device but it still doesn't work on my TV that has Chromecast built in.

[BLNT]

My Google TV still does not stream, but the assistant reply has changed (indicating that "she" understood and it's steaming, but it's not).

[ToddL]

Still down on my side.

[Lvautier56]

Not for me, it still will not stream to my Chromecast just my Google home device.

[sostermiller]

its working again!!!! Thanks to all of you for your help!

[sostermiller]

To clarify, I am using Google Home. To see the live stream, I used the same voice prompt I used in the past, "Show me the driveway camera". 

[Lvautier56]

So am I and it still does not work.  I gave up and went to a Roku Camera on my high priority area.  I can get that to play.