Why does my google nest audio not update firmware?

[Ivan24]

Hi all, a quick question. Current firmware on my google nest audio is 299498 (I currently experience the frequent connection loss both thru wifi and bluetooth). I noticed that the latest production firmware is 313652. So why does my device not update (and a forced update seems not possible). Any views or ideas? I hope the update fixes the annoying issue. Thanks all.

[tamanaco]

Still on on firmware 1.56.299498... Keeping the thread alive ⚽

[dahimi]

I have the same issue. I have 3 nest audio speakers that are still on 1.56.299498. Tried reboots and factory resets.

[tamanaco]

@Dan_A  Submitted form a week ago, but I have yet to hear from anyone - Still on 1.56.299498 - Keeping thread alive.

[Ivan24]

Same here, no news whatsoever ...

[MrJinx]

I'm having firmware issues with several Nest speakers. I've contacted Google's help department. Unfortunately, they are completely useless. What kind of luck have you had?

[Gr8H2O]

Yeah.  I'm on the same firmware and cannot use Speaker Groups, even with only one speaker in the group.  These wireless speakers really need to work in order to sell more products. 

[MrJinx]

You're right Gr8H20. I don't know how Google can sell the Group feature when they must know it does not work. I'm on board with any legal actions against them. 

[Ivan24]

and the silence from google is deafening - still no reaction whatsoever on the submitted form ...

[MrJinx]

their runaround is stunning. instead of admitting they have technical issues, they prefer to ask you to do everything from try using a mobile hotspot to start firmware downloads to a rain dance. it's incredible no one has contacted legal representation.

[MrJinx]

after many hours of work, i was able to get all of my speakers to update their firmware. your suggestion put me on the right track. 

after removing all the speakers from my Home, i deleted the Home. Next I created a new Home on a different WI-FI signal. 

after adding each speaker to the new Home and adding the speaker to the Preview program, most of the speakers updated their firmware. 

however, there were two that which required several reset and reboots in order to update the firmware.

finally, the last speaker updated its firmware after i created a new Home on the original WI-FI signal. as i mentioned, all my speakers are on the latest firmware update.

[MrJinx]

after all of my speakers firmware were updated, i still find the HOME app is buggy and unreliable. it's garbabe and the programmers should be fired. 

[Ivan24]

I got a reply rom the support team after lodging my case - answer: firmware cannot be forced (unless via the preview like you did apparently) and is slowly distributed (why slowly, no details) - then next question was whether there was any other problem LOL - so they don't even bother to read what the issue is. And now I read that even the updated firmware is no guarantee that the devices do what they're supposed to, function ...

Indeed, garbage and to be avoided at any cost. 

[MrJinx]

i don't blame the support team. they're hired to read a script, collect data and move the call to the next level. however, I do blame the product team. they're selling a product and expectations. the product does not meet the expectations.

[tamanaco]

I received the same canned reply from support about firmware updates.

"Sorry to know about it. Our Technical support team doesn't have control on the firmware updates. It happens over-the-air, and is slowly rolling out. The workaround we usually do is join the speaker to the Preview program > Reboot the speaker, and monitor the changes on the Firmware version for 24 hrs. " 

I have followed those instructions several times without success and my Nest Audio Speakers have been in the Preview program from day one.  I found this article about Google releasing Fuchcia on the Nest Audio in the not too distant future which might be a reason for the current firmware updates delays. But, given that Google does not comment on future releases, I would not expect an official reply regarding Fuchcia on the Nest Audio here.

[MrJinx]

based on my experience, i don't have high hopes for their FUchia release. the past predicts your future. 

[MrJinx]

after some experimenting, i discovered group play works on upto eight speakers or 4 stereo pairs. the play is not consistent. also, the UI is buggy.

[Ivan24]

I have been in contact with helpdesk through PM - seems that suddenly my devices' firmware was update to version 1.56.324896 - coincidence? - quick "google" showed that this version is not "published", so not clear whether this is a preview version or not. Anyhow, not yet tested whether this solved my connection issues, will do so in upcoming weekend and will let you guys know.

[Ivan24]

Quick update/correction - just saw that the version I mentioned indeed is the preview version.

[Cossey]

I had the same issues with my two Nest Audio speakers running on different and old firmware versions. I followed the advice and steps mentioned above and it worked. Both speakers were updated to the latest firmware of December 15. What I did?

1. I deleted both speakers from my current Home.

2. I did a factory reset on both speakers for 3 times in a row.

3. I used another phone to use as a WIFI hotspot.

4. I created a new Home in the Google Home App.

5. I added both speakers to the new Home using the Hotspot WIFI on my second phone.

6. After the installation process of both speakers, both speakers were updated to the latest firmware. YEAH!

7. Once they got the new firmware, I deleted both speakers from the new Home and did one factory reset again, to install them as new speakers in my old (existing) Home. While using my regular WIFI router again.

That's it!

[MrJinx]

that route is similar to the route I took. hopefully, google corrects their script and avoids hours of frustration.

[Ivan24]

As mentioned, I tested the devices this weekend and no longer drop outs (at least on bluetooth) - so the new firmware mentioned in a previous post seems to solve the issue (for the time being at least). So hopefully this new firmware gets rolled out for everyone sooner than later.

[MrJinx]

I'm consistently having drops while casting. How do you create a group via Bluetooth?

[MrJinx]

all of my speakers are on firmware - 1.56.324896. My guess is the latest firmware has issues with connectivity and with a sound delay. 

either way, google should be embarrassed of putting out such a bad product. I'll never buy anything google. 

[tamanaco]

Yesterday, I power-cycled both of my Nest Audio speakers and their firmware was updated as they rebooted to 1.56.324896 - No issues to report so far as it relates to the firmware on the speakers. The only small issue I noticed is that the paired speaker's "name" (Livingroom Speakers)  does not appear listed on the Favorites' page of the "Preview" Home App. It's listed as "Livingroom Speakers" under Devices in the Home App, but as "Left Speaker" under Favorites. Once I select "Left Speaker" under Favorites I can see the "Livingroom Speakers" details. It appears that the "Preview" Home app is listing the "Default Music speaker", in my case the "Left Speaker" as it was selected during the pairing configuration.  I hope I made sense. 

[MrJinx]

i've run into the same issue. several times, I pair speaker and only see one of the speakers in my favorites. 

there are many issues with the speakers, home UI and integration to youtube music. 

I've listed the firmware update issue and a work around. 

I'm amazed users have to be the ones to troubleshoot the issues. obviously, google does not care. again, i'd never buy a google product or recommend one. 

[Dan_A]

Hi folks,

For those who haven't yet, please fill out this form with all the needed information then let me know once done.

Thanks,

Dan

[MrJinx]

sounds like a waste of time. prove to me filling out a form will fix anything then I'll fill out a form. what a waste of time. 

[Dan_A]

Hi MrJinx,

Filling out the form will get you to our higher support team to find the solution. There are lots of information that we need but cannot be disclosed in this forum for your safety and security. Once the form is filled, you will be contacted via email and from there you can continue your conversation.

I hope this helps.

Regards,

Dan

[MrJinx]

i took a look at your form. unfortunately, I don't feel like you can deliver. I've reached out to support directly and via this forum with little to show for it. 

[Dan_A]

Hey MrJinx,

The form that you will fill out is submitted to our higher support team. From there they can review your case and contact you via email on the next steps to take the solution. If you could fill it out for them to be able to contact you it could help a lot.

Best,

Dan

[MrJinx]

i've been down that road. fill out this. answer that. same result. nothing. 

prove to me you're worth my time. otherwise, you bring no value. 

[Jurn]

Same problem Here, 2 Google Nest Audio Speakers. One at firmware 309385 and one at 299498. Tried everything, except new home. Will try that. All other google speakers update fine. Filled in the support form as well.

[MrJinx]

I had to use a second wifi and create a home for that second wifi. afterward, add the speaker to the second wifi. sometimes, that's enough to force a firmware update. unfortunately, you may have to reset the speaker on the second wifi a few times or re-add to the original wifi home. i hope that helps. 

[Dan_A]

Hi folks,

MrJinx, we really appreciate the assistance and the steps you've provided. It helps a lot.

@Jurn, would it be okay if you could do the steps above? Start with the factory reset, to revert your Nest Audio to its default settings. create a new home structure and set up your devices there. You can also set up your Nest Audio to another phone's mobile hotspot. Basically you'll be needing 2 phones for this to work, one is to use for the set up and the other is where you connect your Nest Audio to, instead of connecting to Wi-Fi.

Tell us how it goes.

Kind regards,

Dan

[MrJinx]

dan_a,

why don't you report the firmware update issue to your next level. two phones? two wi-fi? that's a lot to ask instead of fixing the update issue. ridiculous

[MrJinx]

i agree. stick all your forms in a sock. filling out the forms has done nothing. get your IT house in order Google

[Jurn]

I already tried with a seperate phone with wifi hotspot (after factory reset), but no success. I will take one speaker to my work tomorrow and will try there with a new home structure. I did not tried the new home structure yet. Fingers crossed, but this should not be like this. Google should create at least a way to manual update.

[MrJinx]

i had to remove all my speakers from one home. delete it. create a new home on a new wifi signal. add all the speakers and reset each speaker (sometimes, more than once). 

it took a while to get all the speakers to the current firmware update (including removing all the speakers from the second wifi, dropping the second wifi home, creating a new home on the original wifi, adding the speakers and resetting them a few times. 

you're right.

imo, it's a sham product.

[Jurn]

Update:

Solved it by just creating a new home structure, factory reset add to new home structure. Both speakers now have the latest firmware. After that I did another factory reset and added the speakers back to the original home. I did not need a separate wifi.

I am curious what will happin if there is a new update.

Thnx for the support. 

[MrJinx]

congrats jurn

im amazed google's answer to fixing their garbage software and firmware is trial and error.