Inquiry About Delayed Execution of Google Home Timer Commands

[chris63]

Hello,

I used the Smart Home integration to set a scheduled timer for turning on a light at an exact time. However, the timer was triggered 10 seconds late.

After checking our server logs, we confirmed that the "Turn on light" command was indeed received 10 seconds later than the scheduled time.

Could you please let us know if such a delay is expected behavior for Google Home timers?
Is there any known cause or mitigation for this kind of delay?

Thank you in advance!

[arm_dpe · Accepted solution]

Thanks for sharing. To help troubleshoot this, could you please provide more information on the following:

1. Integration Type:

   • What type of integration are you using for your light? Is it a cloud-to-cloud integration , or are you using Matter?

   • Is there an additional hub (e.g., a Zigbee hub, Philips Hue Bridge, SmartThings hub) that controls the light, or does it connect directly to your Wi-Fi network?

2. Immediate Command Responsiveness:

   • What happens if you give commands to turn the light on or off via Google Home (either by voice or through tapping) without using a scheduled timer? Are there any noticeable delays in the light's response?

3. Manufacturer's App Control and Scheduling:

   • Have you tried controlling the light or setting a schedule directly from the light manufacturer's own app (bypassing Google Home entirely)? If so, are there any delays observed when performing these actions?

4. Other Smart Devices:

   • Do you have any other smart lights or devices from a different manufacturer integrated with Google Home? If so, are you experiencing similar delays when setting a scheduled timer for those devices?

Your answers to these questions will help determine if the issue is specific to your current integration, a broader Google Home scheduling problem, or a delay originating from the light or its manufacturer's service.

[chris63]

• Integration Type:
  We are using a cloud-to-cloud integration. The light connects directly to the Wi-Fi network without any additional hub.

• Immediate Command Responsiveness:
  The issue occurs occasionally when using scheduled commands via Google Home voice control — the light sometimes turns on with a delay.

• Manufacturer's App Control and Scheduling:
  When using the manufacturer's own app (bypassing Google Home), the light responds normally and schedules are executed on time.

• Other Smart Devices:
  We haven’t tested with other devices yet. However, the delay only happens occasionally — sometimes the scheduled action is triggered right on time.