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Chromecast Audio no longer working in Google Home

Henrik_Rosen
Community Member

I'm still using a Chromecast Audio, which has worked well for the last 2-3 years, to play music over the Aux port (3.5 mm) on my kitchen speaker. It has been connected to a Group of devices in the Google Home app, consisting of three Master & Dynamic speakers with Chromecast built-in and the one Chromecast Audio. Over the last few years this has worked more or less perfectly - now and then I need to reboot a device, but generally it all works well, and I control it with the Google Home app (v.2.46.1.7), previously on a Google Pixel 4 and now on a Samsung Galaxy s21 Ultra running Android 12, OneUI 4.

Yesterday the Chromecast Audio stopped working with the rest of the Group of speakers. When I cast audio from either my podcasting app (Pocketcasts) or Youtube Music, which worked fine just two days ago, the sound plays but switches from one speaker to another at ~20 second intervals - it begins playing in only one speaker, then goes silent there and continues in 1 other speaker, etc. This has never happened before. Also, the confirmation noise played by the Chromecast Audio when I begin casting to it sounds new - has Chromecast Audio received any updates recently? I thought it was discontinued, and would not get updates.

Here's what I've tried in terms of troubleshooting:

- Powering down and restarting all the devices (Chromecast Audio, each of the three M&D speakers, and my phone) - no difference

- Removing the Chromecast Audio from the Group - this solves the problem, in the sense that the other speakers function fine when the Chromecast Audio does not interfere, but as soon as I add the speaker again, it interferes with audio playback in the entire group. When the Chromecast Audio is not in the Group, it works fine as a single speaker, and the other speakers work fine as a Group - but as soon as I add the Chromecast Audio back it interferes with playback.

- Factory resetting the Chromecast Audio, both via the Home app and via the hardware button on the Chromecast Audio, several times, with no improvement

 

Any additional ideas I could try?

45 REPLIES 45

jens
Community Member

I have a somewhat similar situation. I have two Chromecast Audios that have worked flawlessly for years, then today, nothing. When I try to connect via an app (Tidal), I hear the new chime, the icon shows a very brief connection, then it disconnects. Same thing on both Chromecast. I restarted my phone, reset my wifi, and rebooted the Chromecast. They still don't work. 

 

svdworkis
Community Member

same here.  couple things i've noticed:

* historically, for me at least, the speaker groups haven't worked well unless a genuine google device is part of the group

* i've noticed that some of my chromecast audio devices have updated their firmware to 1.56.281627.  groups with these devices have this problem, not being synced but switching from one speaker in the group to another.  i also have some devices that are still on older firmware 1.42.172094.  groups with these devices work well.

* have have a chromecast hdmi (i think gen2?  bought in 2014), on firmware 1.49.250946, groups with this device work well

* casting direct from a browser to a group of only chromecast-builtin speakers is working well

 

 

svdworkis
Community Member

same here.  a few things i've noticed:

* for awhile now, only speaker groups that include a genuine chromecast device seem to work well

* i have some chromecast audio devices that have updated their firmwares to 1.56.281627.  these are the groups that are broken.  i have some older devices on firmware 1.42.172094.  these groups are working well.  i'd love to find a way to block a future update on my remaining working devices, but i don't know a good way to do that without blocking at firewall, which basically disables the device, not much help.

* i have a chromecast ultra hdmi that also causes this problem if it is in a speaker group

* i have an older chromecast hdmi (gen2?  bought in 2014) that does not cause this problem in a group.  i'm thinking i will buy a couple more of these.

* casting direct from web browser to a group with no google devices but only speakers with builtin chromecast seems to work ok.  but, i usually cast from my phone so not a huge help.

 

-scott

svdworkis
Community Member

same here. a few things i've noticed:

* for awhile now, only speaker groups that include a genuine chromecast device seem to work well

* i have some chromecast audio devices that have updated their firmwares to 1.56.281627. these are the groups that are broken. i have some older devices on firmware 1.42.172094. these groups are working well. i'd love to find a way to block a future update on my remaining working devices, but i don't know a good way to do that without blocking at firewall, which basically disables the device, not much help.

* i have a chromecast ultra hdmi that also causes this problem if it is in a speaker group

* i have an older chromecast hdmi (gen2? bought in 2014) that does not cause this problem in a group. i'm thinking i will buy a couple more of these.

* casting direct from web browser to a group with no google devices but only speakers with builtin chromecast seems to work ok. but, i usually cast from my phone so not a huge help.

 

-scott

svdworkis
Community Member

same here. a few things i've noticed:

* for awhile now, only speaker groups that include a genuine chromecast device seem to work well

* i have some chromecast audio devices that have updated their firmwares to 1.56.281627. these are the groups that are broken. i have some older devices on firmware 1.42.172094. these groups are working well. i'd love to find a way to block a future update on my remaining working devices, but i don't know a good way to do that without blocking at firewall, which basically disables the device, not much help.

* i have a chromecast ultra hdmi that also causes this problem if it is in a speaker group

* i have an older chromecast hdmi (gen2? bought in 2014) that does not cause this problem in a group. i'm thinking i will buy a couple more of these.

* casting direct from web browser to a group with no google devices but only speakers with builtin chromecast seems to work ok. but, i usually cast from my phone so not a huge help.

-scott

svdworkis
Community Member

same here. a few things i've noticed:

* for awhile now, only speaker groups that include a genuine chromecast device seem to work well

* i have some chromecast audio devices that have updated their firmwares to 1.56.281627. these are the groups that are broken. i have some older devices on firmware 1.42.172094. these groups are working well. i'd love to find a way to block a future update on my remaining working devices, but i don't know a good way to do that without blocking at firewall, which basically disables the device, not much help.

* i have a chromecast ultra hdmi that also causes this problem if it is in a speaker group.  it is firmware 1.56.281627

* i have an older chromecast hdmi (gen2? bought in 2014) that previously did not cause this problem in a group.  i believe last night it was an older firmware, but today i see it is 1.56.275994, and now causes this problem.

* casting direct from web browser to a group with no google devices but only speakers with builtin chromecast seems to work ok. but, i usually cast from my phone so not a huge help.

 

there have been reports of other problems with this firmware, but seem to be about 5ghz wifi, so seems like a different issue.  https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Chromecast/Chromecast-no-longer-works-after-firmware-upgrade-...

also, none of these new firmwares appear in the "firmware versions & release notes" page here https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/7124014?hl=en

-scott

I have a Chromecast Audio with 8 or so LG Chromecast enabled speakers.  Over the years the group has worked great until this week.  mDNS, media renderers & Avahi all suggest the Google device has gone haywire attacking the other devices indiscriminately, forcing them to cut audio & reset.   When I pull the Chromecast Audio out of the group; all is happy again.  I hope this is only temporary insanity because I don’t feel like messing with this during the holidays &  the Google Chromecast Audio drives my main stereo.

Jos1
Community Member

Same for me, when I deleted the device connected with an old chromecast audio from the group it started working again. What’s the conclusion? Is the chromecast audio in regards to groups? 

frankman
Community Member

I have the same issue. Sound in one group is switching from one to another speaker(chromate built in) every 10-20 seconds. Deleting my 2 Chromecast audios from another group solved the issue. As soon as I have one Chromecast audio in a group in the same network, the sound in the Chromecast built in speakers is switching from one to the the other all the time...

 

Jeran
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey there,

 

I am real sorry about the late response on this issue, but there has been a recent Firmware version (Preview Program) update on Chromecast Audio, which should be at 1.56.1. Would anyone who is experiencing this issue be willing enable/enroll the Chromecast Audio to the Preview program, which can be done through the Google Home app?

 

I look forward to your responses on this!

 

Best regards,

Jeran

svdworkis
Community Member

ok i've done a factory reset on one of my chromecast audio devices.  i've enabled preview and rebooted it a couple times and it still shows firmware 1.56.281627 (the same as originally, and also seemingly newer than the 1.56.1 that you mentioned), and it still has the problem.  let me know if i can help more.

frankman
Community Member

Hi Jeran!

I've enrolled to preview but the Chromecast audios not getting any updates and stuck on 1.56.281627 waiting for preview firmware updates.

 

I can although say that i experience the same problems as soon as my home mini with firmware 1.56.282045 is sanding out the mdns broadcast for any group.. 

As soon as the google-cast-group mdns is coming from one of the devices with firmware version 1.56.x it stops working probably..

The only way to get everything working probably is to creat a group with only pre-1.56 devices (tex the cc-bulit in speakers), so that one of these is broadcasting the mdns for this group and thereafter adding the devices with the newer firmware to this group. 

With kind regards, Frank

 

Hi Jeran,

Tried this over the holidays and the problem remains. I don't think I got any new firmware out of it (it still says waiting for preview firmware updates) and the chromecast audio still doesn't play nice with my home group. I just wish I could go back to the old firmware and prevent it from updating - I don't know why Goggle had to break a product that they're not even selling anymore.

Ciro
Community Member

Hey Jeran, any update you may provide? Firmware 1.56.281627, made my chromecast audio useless! Can't connect to any wifi network (5GHz and 2.4GHz). This is insane. Google created the issue and no solution yet. Please give some feedback. Thank you.

Kamal87
Community Member

I'm having the same problem. My Chromecast Audio no longer connects to any Wi-fi network. It's been a few months now. Factory reset didn't help. Did you find a solution? How did you figure out your firmware version?

beltedfiber
Community Member

I'm also having a similar issue with playing on Audio Groups. When one device drops, another starts playing. There is no way to play music on all devices at once. My whole home audio has become unusable. I have a combination of Google and Vizio devices. This worked great for years and no changes were made on my end. 

My initial ticket was opened with Google on 12/14/21 and is still being worked per Google support. 

Henrik_Rosen
Community Member

So I have to assume that these problems are all linked to this development: https://www.theverge.com/2022/1/6/22871304/google-home-speaker-group-volume-control-changes-sonos-pa...

For those who haven't clicked, it says that Google will be downgrading functionality on its multizone / multiroom speakers to comply with a Sonos lawsuit. This will make handling speakers as Groups much more difficult, and Google warns that it might make other chromecast-speakers not work well with Google's own speakers (including, I guess, Chromecast Audio). It also hints that 3rd party speakers will be getting FW-upgrades, which is worrying.

It might be unrelated, but to me this fits the situation at hand - I was wondering why a discontinued product received a firmware update, and why that update made the product worse, and this would explain it. It also seems to indicate that we are unlikely to ever get help on this, as Google is intentionally breaking functionality to comply with a court decision.

The old bait and switch. Thank you for providing this info. I have followed up on my case with Google. They don't appear to be making any effort to troubleshoot and this would explain why.

thx henrik.  i agree, even if these cases do not imply group speakers should break as badly as they have, it could well distract from the fixes.

Tepidano
Community Member

Three days ago, I lost all news channels from Google Home. I simply get, "Sorry I don't understand." I looked at the cast firmware and it's at 282045. Did they get rid of this option? Really, really frustrating. 

I just got off a chat with Google - bottom line, I rebooted the mini speaker to the factory and settings and it all came back to where I had it originally. Problem solved ... for now. She mentioned that it could have been an update from Spotify that set something off. 

Ciro
Community Member

Hallo everyone. I hope someone may help me. Since Firmware 1.56.281627 has been released, my Chromecast Audio (No video just Audio) does not connect to any of WIFI networks (2.4 GHz or 5GHz). I'm driving crazy. I have to reset it every time connection to WIFI fail. During the configuration it connect to the Google Home App (I hear the sound of connection from my speakers) but it does not connect to the WIFI network. Sometime, after several tentative it connect to the WIFI, but it disconnect after a few minutes or at maximum last a day. I followed all kind of suggestions. Reset of modem, reset of the Google Home App, etc. I would be happy if I could use the 2.4GHz only (until the 5GHz issue is fixed), but just as I said I cannot connect to the 2.4GHz either. Please help.

epistoteles
Community Member

Did you ever manage to fix this? I have the same problem.

Petem
Community Member

I cant connect at all to my chromecast audio at all... Why cant I find my chromecast audio through home? Is it fixable or has it been deliberately needed by Google?

Petem
Community Member

"Nerfed"

Jeran
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey there,

 

Henrik_Rosen is correct that this issue is related to the changes Google has made to the speaker groups. Speaker groups containing non-Google speakers or Cast-based-based devices may not work properly in speaker groups if they don't receive a software update. Third-party Cast devices like soundbars with Chromecast built-in will need to be updated to cast firmware 1.52.272222 and above.

 

Please note that not all device models will receive software updates. As a result, they may no longer work in speaker groups and will need the Device Utility app to complete each set-up.

 

I'm really sorry for any inconvenience this causes you.

 

Best regards,

Jeran

Jeran
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey there,

Did you have any more questions or need any additional help?

Thank you,
Jeran
 

svdworkis
Community Member

hi jeran - can you advise on how we might learn which third party chromecast speakers are expected to receive updates or already have updates available? is this tracked anywhere?

Jeran
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey there svdworkis,

 

This change impacts Chromecast devices and third-party devices that use the Cast platform, like soundbars with Chromecast built-in. These changes affect devices that support casting, but I’m not able to give a precise list of all impacted devices, unfortunately. If you have an affected device from a 3rd-party manufacturer, it may be beneficial to reach out to them to see if they plan to update their Cast firmware.

 

Best regards,

Jeran

xiomaii
Community Member

i cant find the add bluetooth device in the audio setting

Jeran
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey there,

Did you have any more questions or need any additional help?

Thank you,
Jeran
 

Squidgepot
Community Member

Hi there. I have 2 X kitsound boom evo's with Chromecast audios on each. I have until recently been able to use these as a group, but now when I cast to the group only one plays. I can cast to each individually but not both. 

Is this not possible anymore? Has all multiroom functionality been removed?

Maybe it would help to remove the group and rebuild it.
As I wrote: with my two built-in speakers and two chromecasts, it works, but only from time to time.
What works is:
- plug in the two built-in speakers, start Audials, start streaming

- as the two built-in speakers play, I can plug in one chromecast and it starts to play

- plug in the second chromecast (now four devices) works sometimes and sometimes doesn't work.

It's a shame to replace a well-working function with a gamble.

Found out last sunday that I have to plug in all devices in a defined order:

- First, I have to plug in the two built-in speakers
- Second start streaming app
- Third plug in "chromecast audio" in the living room
- Fourth plug in "chromecast" audio" in the bedroom
Only then all four devices play.
Any other combination lead to ping-pong of the two built-in speakers or one of the "chromecast audio" not playing at all.

So it's like an adventure game (remember Larry ?), you have to find out what's going on 😉

KevinAtHome
Community Member

Same problem here since november update chromecast audio.

Two chromecast audio and two "eBird" mono speakers with builtin chromecast. eBirds in a separate group work, all in one group leads to ping-pong of the eBirds. No chance to get updates to eBird speakers

I found a workaround by switching on the eBirds first, then I start the playing app on the all-in group. When the eBirds play, I switch on the chromecast audio. That works for me. But if I stop playing, I have to switch off the chromecast audio, restart the app, play again on the all-in group, then switch on chromecast audio again.

Jeran
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey there,

Did you have any more questions or need any additional help? If not, I'll go ahead and lock up this thread in 24 hours.

Just checking up,
Jeran
 

svdworkis
Community Member

could you confirm or clarify the following, just so we can be clear about what to expect going forward - because sonos volume control is not licensed, first party google audio chromecast will never again be able to sync audio at all (not just loss of volume control) with third party chromecast audio devices that do not receive firmware updates, even if the makers of those devices are not able to provide updates, for whatever reason (out of business, insufficient funding, strategic changes of priority, proprietary source code, etc).  furthermore, if any of those third party devices do get updates, then they too will not be able to sync with any devices that do not receive updates.

by the way jeran, i know this is a challenging question and issue.  thank you and google so much for keeping us informed and updated.  i realize not everybody and every organization does this, it's very helpful and appreciated, even if it's not always what people want to hear.

Last question:
do you know if a solution will be developed to bring back the old (correct working) behaviour without touching the SONOS patents ?

Or does it mean: to work again correct as before, buy new equipment ?