Google Nest Mini via iHeartRadio no longer works for some stations

[Tattz]

Why have Google Nest Minis suddenly stopped playing some iHeartRadio stations? For example, if I say "Play Curtin Radio" it responds with "Playing Curtin Radio on iHeart Radio" and is followed by total silence, even though the Home app shows it as playing.

I know that this station is broadcasting as it works both on the Curtin Radio website and via the iHeart radio app on my phone. It even works on my Google Nest Hub but not on any of my Nest Minis.

It all worked fine up until about a week ago.

Has Google recently updated the software for Nest Minis and stuffed them up again?

[Viberoom]

Yes it’s been the same for me across all devices for the past couple of weeks. Full factory reset and set up and still the same…

[Tattz]

Hopefully someone from Google will read this and twitch the broken wires back together again! 😕

[cifuentesj]

Hi folks,

Thank you for your timely post and the comprehensive information you've provided. I've reviewed the input and understand that you're encountering issues on the iHeartRadio app when you want to play some radio on your Google Nest Mini. When you make a request, you get a response, but then there's complete silence. I'm here to help you troubleshoot and find a solution together.

To assist you further, please attempt the following questions:

• Were there any recent changes to your environment, such as a change in Wi-Fi network or relocation of the device?
• When did this behavior first begin?
• Have you experienced any power outages in your area?
• Have you tried connecting the Google Nest Mini device to a different power source?
• May I know the model of your smartphone?
• Are both your Google Home app and smartphone operating system up-to-date?
• Did you notice another issue when you try to use the voice commands or just when you play the iHeartRadio app on the Google Nest Mini?
• Is the iHearRadio linked to your Google Home app?
• Does this happen with all of the radio stations or just the radio station that you are referring to?
• Do you have a premium iHeartRadio subscription, or is it free?
• Is the iHeartRadio app up to date?
• What troubleshooting steps have you already tried? If so, which steps have you tried already?

In the meantime, you can check these articles:

• For your radio, you can check out additional voice commands for radio: Listen to media, 
• Listen to radio on your Google Nest speaker or display.

Please keep me posted.

Warm regards,

Jeremy.

[Tattz]

Hello Jeremy,

My responses to your questions are shown in BOLD below.

• Were there any recent changes to your environment, such as a change in Wi-Fi network or relocation of the device?
• A: No, there have been no changes to WiFi configuration or device location.
• When did this behavior first begin?
• A: First noticed about a week to ten days ago.
• Have you experienced any power outages in your area?
• A: We did have a power outage but that was after this issue started.
• Have you tried connecting the Google Nest Mini device to a different power source?
• A: No, but I have rebooted all devices a couple of times.
• May I know the model of your smartphone?
• A: It is an Oppo A79.
• Are both your Google Home app and smartphone operating system up-to-date?
• A: As far as I know; All are set to automatically update.
• Did you notice another issue when you try to use the voice commands or just when you play the iHeartRadio app on the Google Nest Mini?
• A: Everything else seems to work fine. Bear in mind that Google chooses to play the chosen station (Curtin Radio) via iHeart radio. Other stations play on “radio app” etc. I have no control over which app on which Google chooses to play.
• Is the iHeartRadio linked to your Google Home app?
• A: Yes.
• Does this happen with all of the radio stations or just the radio station that you are referring to?
• A: I mainly listen to Curtin Radio so it’s hard to say. Smooth FM plays fine as does BBC Radio 2 but these are not played via iHeartRadio.
• Do you have a premium iHeartRadio subscription, or is it free?
• A: It is a free subscription.
• Is the iHeartRadio app up to date?
• A: Yes, it appears to be. Version 10.45.0/710450003/8322834793
• What troubleshooting steps have you already tried? If so, which steps have you tried already?
• A: This is what I have tried already and already tried; Reboot all devices, written to iHeartRadio and yelled rude words at Google.

Hope the above may help you determine what has gone wrong.

[Viberoom]

I’ve tried everything you have listed above including rebooting the device. Happens on both the nest and mini and only for the one radio station. As was mentioned in the initial thread, this station is audible through iHeart radio web and desktop/mobile apps. 

this started about 2 weeks ago for me…

[Tattz]

Seems like we both have the same issue and there's probably thousands of others like us out there.

I got an answer from iHeart and they are investigating it.

My guess is a firmware update screw-up. If I get anything useful back I'll post it up here. Good luck.

[cifuentesj]

Hi folks,

I appreciate your prompt replies and the information you provide. Kindly take the following earlier actions:

• Make sure your Google Nest Mini and both applications are using the same account.
• Unlink iHeartRadio from the Google Home app.
• Open the Google Home app.
• Tap your account in the top right.
• Tap Settings.
• Under Services, tap Music.
• Tap the iHeartRadio app, then unlik.
• Link your iHeartRadio from the Google Home app:
• Ensure your device is connected to the same Wi-Fi network or account as your Google device.
• Open the Google Home app.
• Tap your account in the top right.
• Confirm that the Google account is the one linked to your device.
• Tap Settings.
• Under Services, tap Music.
• Tap the iHeartRadio app, then relink.
• Unlink the Google Home app from the iHeartRadio app and then relink.

Furthermore, if the issue remains, proceed with the next steps.

• Uninstall your Google Home and iHeartRadio apps and reinstall them.
• Perform a factory reset on your Google Nest Mini. You can follow the steps in this article: Factory reset Google Nest or Home speakers or displays.

Let me know how it goes.

Best Regards,

Jeremy.

[Tattz]

I followed your steps but there is no way to unlink iHeartRadio that I can see.

Underneath Spotify for example I can see an unlink icon but there is nothing under the iHeartRadio one.

What next?

[Tattz]

Hello Jeremy,

Did you find out what Google have done to stop certain radio stations playing on Google Nest Minis and when a firmware update will be rolled out to fix the problem?

[cifuentesj]

Hi @Tattz,

Thank you for your timely response and the comprehensive information you provided. I understand that you're still experiencing the same issue, and I really appreciate it for following the steps in the previous post. To assist you better, you can get a hold of our support team by filling out this form, and they can take a deeper look at your specific situation.

Please make sure you leave your community thread and community username. Once you've completed the form, please let me know. This will allow us to investigate the issue further and find a solution.

Please keep me posted.

Warm regards,

Jeremy.

[Tattz]

Hello Jeremy,

I have completed and submitted my form to the Googlemeisters.

I look forward to a speedy solution so that I, and the trillions of listeners in the Googleverse, will soon be able to enjoy Curtin Radio once again on their Nest Minis.

[cifuentesj]

Hi @Tattz,

Thanks for letting me know. You will be contacted as soon as one of our technical support is available.

Warm regards,

Jeremy.

[PJMC]

Yes, I'm having the same issue and came upon your thread. Its only on the Google Nest Mini devices, my Nest Hub Max is still operating.

I live on the NSW coast and stream Curtin FM regularly. For some unknown reason it just stopped as you have described. 

14/11/2024

[PJMC]

On iHeart Radio app

[Tattz]

I think the problem is quite widespread and probably effects other radio stations that people wish to listen to via their Google Nest Mini. My personal view is that it stems from a firmware upgrade rolled out to the Minis and may involve Google's Gemini AI system which is fraught with issues and basically does not work as intended.

I have had communication with iHeart Radio and they say it is not a problem with them and this is borne out by the fact that you can listen to Curtin Radio via iHeart on other devices (e.g. mobile phone app, Google Nest Hub)

I wrote to Curtin Radio but did not receive a reply.

I have completed a form for Google's technical support team to get involved so let's hope that they can sort it out.

Stay tuned (pun intended) !!

[cifuentesj]

Hi @PJMC,

Thank you for your timely post and the comprehensive information you've provided. I would like to know if you have followed any of the instructions I provided in the troubleshooting section of the prior post.

Please keep me posted.

Warm regards,

Jeremy.

[PJMC]

Jeremy - yes and my Nest Hub Max is fine, its only when I ask Google to play Curtin FM on my Google Nest Minis that there is an audible response from Google but then complete silence. Both my Nest Minis plays other stations upon request.

[Tattz]

Exactly! C'mon Jeremy, get it sorted otherwise some might suspect that you are an AI bot and not a real live person!

[Bootsie3]

I was having this problem with I heart Christmas on my Google minis. ‘Hey Google, play I heart Christmas’. And then! I thought to say stream instead of play,(ie. Hey Google, STREAM I heart Christmas’  and for some reason that worked! And it’s worked consistently for a day now. 
I hope it works for you!

[PJMC]

Tried this without success. Its definitely a problem with the Mini Nest speakers. 

[Tattz]

Nope! Still don't work!

[johnig]

I've been having problems with iHeart with radio station 100.3. still it announces and no sound comes out for already 3 weeks

[Tattz]

Some stations work and some don't. It's hard to formulate a list of those that don't work. If you say, "Hey Google, play Smooth FM" that should work fine as it does for me. However Curtin Radio is as silent as the grave. Until Google get thier poop together and sort it out, this problem will remain.

[cifuentesj]

Hi folks,

Thank you for your prompt response and the comprehensive information. If you followed the previous post in which I gave troubleshooting steps and you are still encountering the same issue. To assist you better, you can get a hold of our support team by filling out this form, and they can take a deeper look at your specific situation.

Please make sure you leave your community thread and community username. Once you've completed the form, please let me know. This will allow us to investigate the issue further and find a solution.

Please keep me posted.

Warm regards,

Jeremy.

[Tattz]

Hello Jeremy,

I submitted my form but have heard nothing further.

Can you confirm if you are a real person or part of Google's AI Gemini program?

Best regards

Tattz

[cifuentesj]

Hi @Tattz,

Please keep an eye on your email. You will receive an email from our technical support team. If you have any questions, please feel free to post at any time.

Warm regards,

Jeremy.

[Tattz · Accepted solution]

SOLUTION FOUND!!!

It would appear that Curtin Radio is now hosted by TuneIn and no longer streams via iHeartRadio. So if you say "HEY GOOGLE PLAY CURTIN RADIO VIA TUNEIN" your Nest Mini will once again play this station.

Hopefully Google will eventually update the firmware so that it directs requests to play Curtin Radio directly to TuneIn rather than iHeartRadio and the requirement to nominate the carrier will no longer be necessary.

[PJMC]

Thanks Tattz for all your help. I've just tried your solution on my Nest Minis and they now appear to be working again. Curtin FM now available. I noticed that Google Home did an app update on 6 November 2024 and I suspect this is when the issues began with the Mini speakers.

Thanks