Issue with Spotify Not Playing Properly on Nest Hub Max

[MakotoJapan]

I am reaching out regarding an issue with Spotify not playing properly on the Nest Hub Max.

Symptoms:

• When I say, "Hey Google, play music on Spotify," the Spotify logo appears, but playback does not start.
• The track does not progress, and no sound is produced.
• Additionally, when trying to cast Spotify from my smartphone, tablet, or PC, the same issue occurs. After selecting the Nest Hub Max and pressing the play button, the logo appears, but playback doesn’t start.
• Other functions, such as YouTube, work fine.
• When I cast from the Google Home app using "Cast Screen" on the Nest Hub Max, it works fine (however, this is only screen casting, which is not the desired method).
• Other devices on the same Wi-Fi network (Nest Mini, TV, PC, smartphone) play Spotify normally.
• Nest Hub Max appears in the device list on Spotify.

Temporary Behavior:

• After a factory reset, playback works correctly for about 30 minutes.
• After that, the same issue reoccurs.

Steps I’ve Already Tried (all attempted multiple times):

• Factory reset of the Nest Hub Max
• Power cycling (including leaving it powered off for several minutes)
• Reinstalling the Spotify app
• Logging out of Spotify on all devices (via the web)
• Unlinking and relinking Spotify in the Google Home app
• Reinstalling the Google Home app
• Re-setting the default music service
• Deleting Spotify queue and switching playback devices
• Renaming the device
• Limiting Google Account to just one (removing sub-accounts)
• Disabling Voice Match
• Complete re-setup in a new “home”
• Casting tests from smartphone, tablet, and PC (same issue)
• Testing on a different network

None of these steps have resolved the issue.

If anyone has experienced a similar problem or has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it. Listening to music was a major use for me, and this issue is becoming very frustrating.

[humbertogarcia]

Hi MakotoJapan,

Thank you for posting in the community! I understand how important it is to have Spotify working perfectly on your Google Nest Hub Max. Thank you for the thorough list of symptoms and steps you've already tried; that is a great start. I’ll be happy to look for a solution to this inconvenience with you.

To help me narrow this down, could you clarify a few details?

• When did the issue start?
• Do you have a Spotify premium subscription?
• Does the issue appear with a specific music playlist, artist, genre, or album?
• Have you tried to test if the other Spotify services work fine? (podcasts, audiobooks, albums, etc.)

In the meantime, while you respond, I recommend you confirm the default music provider is set up correctly in the Google Home app:

• Open the Google Home app 
• At the top right, tap the profile picture or initial.
• Ensure that the Google Account listed is the one linked to the device. To switch accounts, select the alternate email address, if available.
• Tap Home settings, Services, and Music. (In the newest app redesign, the Settings icon (a gear) is also prominently located in the bottom navigation bar. You can reach "Music" through either the Profile icon (top right) or the Settings tab (bottom right).
• To choose the default service, tap the radio button on the right.

I look forward to your response; let’s correct the situation!

Regards,

Humberto

[MakotoJapan]

Sorry for the late reply—I didn’t notice your message.

This issue started about three months ago. For now, I’ve stopped using Google Home and switched to Alexa instead.

I have a Spotify Premium subscription.

The issue doesn’t happen with any specific playlist, artist, or genre—it happens with everything. It feels like the connection itself isn’t working.

Also, none of Spotify’s services work on the Google Nest Hub Max at all (including podcasts, etc.).

However, everything works perfectly on the Google Nest Mini.

I have already tried all the steps and suggestions you provided, but unfortunately the issue is still not resolved.

Thank you,

[humbertogarcia]

Hi @MakotoJapan,

Thank you for your response in the community! I appreciate your patience while we work on a solution for the Spotify issues on your Google Nest Hub Max.

Since you’ve already tried the basics, let’s move on to some advanced troubleshooting:

1. Unlink your Spotify account from the Google Home app, then relink it. (For best results, log into your Spotify account via a web browser and 'Remove Access' for Google before relinking).
2. Go to your Google Account Activity Controls and ensure Web & App Activity is turned on. This allows the Hub Max to load third-party visual interfaces.
3. Try a Spotify kickstart from your mobile device:
• Open the Spotify app on your phone and start playing a song.
• Tap the Devices icon and select your Hub Max to cast directly to it (avoid using a voice command for this test).

Please let me know the results of these steps. I’m here to help!

Regards,

Humberto

[MakotoJapan]

Hello,

Thank you for your reply again. 

I have already tried all of them you mentioned.  And  none of them worked.

Thakn you very much,

[humbertogarcia]

Hi @MakotoJapan,

I sincerely appreciate you providing all the troubleshooting details right from the start. Having this information upfront allows us to identify the best next steps more efficiently.

To gather data and further investigate, please make sure to provide feedback about the issue through the Google Home app. 

Before you submit your feedback, please turn on Send device usage data and crash reports to Google. This will include the device logs in your report and help us better investigate the issue. If you prefer to keep this setting off, you may turn it back off after you submit the feedback.

Make sure your phone or tablet is connected to the same Wi-Fi or linked to the same account as your Google Nest Hub Max. 

Share your feedback:

• Open the Google Home app Google Home app.
• At the top right, tap your Google Account.
• Tap Feedback:

Optional: To adjust your feedback privacy settings, tap Account & system information. You can choose to send feedback anonymously and if you want to include system logs with your feedback report.

• Tap Get Started.

Optional: To allow access to device logs to be included with your feedback report, tap Allow one-time access when prompted.

• In the field provided, enter the details of your feedback. Make sure not to include sensitive information.
• Tap Send.

Optional: Choose if you want to include a screenshot.

To highlight or hide parts of the screenshot, tap Highlight or hide info.

If you don’t want to include the screenshot, tap Remove the attached screenshot.

• Tap Continue.
• Select either Yes or No when prompted to receive email information or updates about your feedback.

I hope this helps. For any other product assistance, don't hesitate to contact me!

Regards,

Humberto

[jmars0511]

I am experiencing the exact same issue. Just about ready to revert to Bluetooth speakers.

[humbertogarcia]

Hi jmars0511,

Thank you for posting in the community! I understand that you have issues with playing Spotify on your Google Nest speakers. From your words I think that you’ve already troubleshooted to no avail. I’ll be happy to investigate a solution with you!

To ensure my understanding, please let me know your Nest speakers’ type; see the help article Google's connected home devices and services if necessary.

I would appreciate a response to the questions in my previous message. They are:

• When did the issue start?
• Do you have a Spotify premium subscription?
• Does the issue appear with a specific music playlist, artist, genre, or album?
• Have you tried to test if the other Spotify services work fine? (podcasts, audiobooks, albums, etc.)

Please list the steps you took to fix the problem. I look forward to your response!

Regards,

Humberto

[MakotoJapan]

I totally get it. I’ve also started thinking that maybe I should just give up and switch to Bluetooth speakers…

But at the same time, I don’t really like the idea of Bluetooth speakers because they have to stay powered on all the time, and I also really don’t want to lose voice control. That’s the part that’s frustrating.

Also, thanks to you, I don’t feel like I’m the only person in the world dealing with this issue anymore. I really appreciate it.