Google home not responding and playing music

[92blacktt]

I am having trouble with my google nest / home system where the issue started when my voice command to cast music to speaker groups stopped working.  I can still cast them using voice to individual speakers.  The feedback I get can include "playing music on XXXX" with no music actually playing or "Sorry, youtube isn't installed at the moment".  The home system also stopped responding to play/pause requests using voice commands to my TV.  All of this used to work fine.

But its getting worse now, I cannot cast youtube to my speaker groups even manually using the android app.  However spotify works fine 100% of the time!  I would like to continue using Youtube Premium and not switch to spotify subscription.  Any sugestions?

I contacted google support a few times regarding my home system now working correctly but its not getting resolved and I am not being helped.

I currently have: 3 nest mini (2nd gen), 1 nest mini (1st gen), 2 google chromecast with google tvs, 1 google hub display (2nd gen) and 2 nvidia shield pro 2019s in my system.

[wavedashdoc]

Nest closed the other thread but I found a workaround because this still isn't working after months now. 

On the Chromecast with Google TV, remove it from the speaker group in the settings, system, cast, groups. Then start the cast from the phone by selecting the speaker group that contained the Chromecast with Google TV and nest speaker. The song will start playing on the nest speaker. On The Chromecast with Google TV, readd it to the speaker group, then the screen will flash and the UI will load properly and the song will play on the speaker group correctly.

[92blacktt]

thats quite a work around.  I would like to be able to give a voice command to play on a group like it used to.

[wavedashdoc]

Trust me so would I. But Google/Nest doesn't seem to either acknowledge this issue or doesn't want to fix it. As an original Google Music user from 2009/2010, I expect better. This workaround only works for the current session, so you'll have to do this every time you start casting again.

[92blacktt]

I have been trying to get it resolved since Feb of this year.  Many different cases and follow ups and no help at all.  In July the support finally stated that the resolution was to replace every single google device.  But the nest mini gen 2s are out of warranty so thats on my dime.  They want to replace my chromecasts with google tv and nest hub under warranty.  Its now October and they still haven't replaced that.

Now lets say I replace all the devices, will it work then!?

[wavedashdoc]

I doubt it replacing every device would fix it. And shame on them for recommending this as a solution to a paying customer when Spotify works fine. This is probably some strange issue because of api connection that is probably not working because jerri-rigged from all the different Google music services (Google Music, Google Play Music, YouTube Red, Youtube Premium and YouTube Music Premium and now more recently changes to YouTube branded accounts) from over the years. 

[92blacktt]

Yep and I pay for youtube premium and can't even use it!  

[Juni]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for posting. 

I’m sorry for the trouble this has caused, let me help. A few things: Has anyone tried creating a new speaker group and name it “Speaker group”? If that did not work, try doing the reset and create another group and see if it will make a difference. 
 

Keep me posted. 
 

Best,

Juni

[92blacktt]

I have run through these steps a few times with various support people.  It did not fix it.

[wavedashdoc]

Also with the most recent android 12 update for Chromecast with Google TV 4k, the issue persists. Also I would suggest not using the workaround, as it broke my audio playback for the device (all on device apps), until this morning when it started working again.

[Dan_A]

Hi to all,

I know exactly how it feels if something’s not going your way. I found an article that might explain everything. What I understand is most Google Nest speaker, display, and Chromecast devices should receive an over-the-air update to allow those devices to continue to function in speaker groups. Refer to the Cast firmware versions below for the minimum versions:

• Nest Mini, Nest Audio, Nest Wifi Point > 1.56x
• Chromecast Audio, Chromecast (2018), Chromecast Ultra, Nest Hub (1st gen), Nest Hub (2nd gen), Nest Hub Max, Google Home, Google Home Mini, Google Home Max > 1.54x

Speaker groups containing non-Google speakers or Cast-based devices may not work properly in speaker groups if they don’t receive a software update. You may notice that those devices don’t play audio in a speaker group. Third-party Cast devices like soundbars with Chromecast built-in will need to be updated to Cast firmware 1.52.272222 and above. 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 setup.

Refer to the Find your device's firmware version help center article for how to find a device’s firmware version using the Google Home app.

Now, after all that, you could try creating a new Home structure and move all the devices there. Create a speaker group and try it. Also try re-installing your YouTube app and relink your account to have the lates update. Other than that, I’m pretty sure you’ve done most of the troubleshooting given to you.

Hope this helps.

Best,

Dan

[wavedashdoc]

All devices that are having this issue are Made by Google or Nest. specifically Chrome Cast with Google TV 4k and Nest Home Mini's gen 2. These devices only don't work together in a speaker group with YouTube Music Premium. The Nest speakers work fine paired together, but as soon AS ANY Chromecast Cast with Google TV 4ks are introduced to the speaker group, the music fails to play.

[92blacktt]

Are all the google chromecasts and nest devices receiving these updates?  They will all be fixed?

[Dan_A]

Hello again,

We know how important this is for you — our team is already aware of this and we're now working diligently on a fix. We'll check back in once we have an update.

Thanks,

Dan

[wavedashdoc]

Thanks Dan. Thank you for finally acknowledging that this issue is not user error. This means a lot in establishing trust with your paying customers. Especially the ones who are tech savvy and have already tried traditional tech support steps. I patiently look forward to a resolution.

[Dan_A]

Hi wavedashdoc,

It was a pleasure helping you and others by giving information about this concern. Everything's already set in motion and it's just a matter of time.

Regards,

Dan

[92blacktt]

Just wondering, what was the purpose of google home telling me I need to replace all my devices?  They are replacing my chromecasts and google hub.  I have to go out and buy new nest mini v2.  

[Dan_A]

Hi 92blacktt,

Most probably that's the endgame after checking every possible solution. Also, the replacement is approved depending on the devices firmware if an update is possible over-the-air. The silver lining in all this is a "cause" has already been detected. What's next is the "solution". We are trusting our programmers to find a fix asap.

Thanks,

Dan

[92blacktt]

Should I still be replacing all these devices?

[Dan_A]

Hey 92blacktt,

While our team is already working on a fix, I suggest that we wait for them to give us an update regarding playing music with Google Home devices.

Thanks,

Dan

[92blacktt]

I am also having lots of trouble with using the devices.  Voice commands rarely work for anything anymore.  I get either no response, some far off device will answer or I get some kind of confirmation and then nothing happens.  It has been going on since February and there is no resolution.  

[KolonelPaniK]

When playing from YouTubeMusic, If there is any Android TV device including Google TV in the speaker group it will connect, but never start a song. If as mentioned, you start with a group that has no TV the add te Google TV later it will work. Interestingly this does not include the remoteless older Chromecast. 

Some observations: 

The group works fine when containing an Android TV device from

1. Spotify even when choosing Google Cast. 

2. From Tidal.

One key difference is that when an Android TV is in the mix, the full youtube app is launched on the tv. This is when playback never starts, however when adding the Android TV after playback to a group is already started the Chromecast interface will launch. I think this is at play but do not know anyway to modify the behavior.

Disappointing that this is fine in non Google app....smh...

[wavedashdoc]

We'd be happy to provide device logs, yet support has only placed threads around this issue into infinite limbo. Can someone at google replicate this issue on their end?

[Ekg]

Hi I was wondering whether this issue had a fix yet? I have a (tall )Google Assistant but stop playing YouTube two or three days ago. I can finagle it and make her play iHeart or other music sources but even changing which app to use in the Google home settings doesn't make her automatically use anything other than YouTube which she won't play. I have two minis and up until this morning both worked. Now one will not play music whatsoever from YouTube while the other plays just fine. I have reset and restarted everything, check to make  sure all the assistants are logged into my YouTube account since I pay for YouTube premium and still two of my three assistance will not play YouTube.

So I read that they know there's a problem and they are working on fixing said problem are there any updates to that?

[Dan_A]

Hi Ekg,

Thanks for posting. As of now we don't have any information yet. We're still waiting for an update.

Regards,

Dan

[Ekg]

I just wanted to share that my issues have been resolved. As stated above two of my three Google devices just randomly stop playing YouTube. They also would not easily play any other music source such as iheart Pandora Spotify even if I specifically asked her to play off of those apps and checked them as a music source in the Google home app.

They were connected to the internet because I could use every other part of the assistant. It would broadcast through my home group or through single speaker. I could ask the time, the weather, date  etc..use it for any Google searches...I could use it to call my husband's cell phone. Not playing YouTube was the only problem.

Well I guess that's not true I have my Google Assistant on an Australian accent because I like the sound of it better but two of the three that didn't work in the beginning still had an Australian accent but it was a completely different voice.

After a day or so my third device decided it was no longer going to play YouTube so I had three bricks. One thing I am going to say is DO NOT uninstall youtube and reinstall it... you lose all your downloaded music and for me it's about a thousand different songs so  I would rather just buy new Google assistance or hook up a Bluetooth speaker when cooking  then uninstalling YouTube.. Lol. Anyways I'll list the steps I took..it's not difficult just time consuming

I did this all one assistant at a time.

First I uninstalled and reinstalled the Google home's app. When you reinstall it it will list your assistants in the app but they still won't work. Had what I'm about to present not worked I would have factory reset all of them at once and then uninstalled the Google app and reinstalled it but since this seemed to work I didn't have to try that.

I unplugged all the Google assistance and after uninstalling reinstalling app I plugged one in and factory reset it. I went through all the setup  and when it asked in the app to find a device it took four or five tries to find device..I would say 4 minutes maybe to actually find the device. I would hit the + "find device" a cpl times w no luck.. then close app... reopen to hit find device again. I also restarted phone..(I was not giving up). .& repeated find device 2 times,close app,find devices  until it finally did.. once the app found the device everything worked again. I just repeated those steps for the other two devices (one at a time) and they all work just fine.

It took th longest "find my device" on the 1st assistant that went down.. the other 2 we're quicker to be found..

And my assistant's is back to her normal Australian LOL 

Hope this helps..

[wavedashdoc]

It doesn't sound like you have the same problem involving the Chromecast with Google TV 4k and the nest speakers. But glad you fixed your problem.

[Ekg]

No that was not my issues.. mine was strictly related to the Google (tall) assistant and two mini's..  I don't have Chromecast and never thought to connect my soundbar with my assistant, lol,so I can't comment on whether they were issues or not..🙂

[92blacktt]

This still hasn't been resolved for me, and customer support is effectively not helping me.  Even the RMA process has stalled which has been going on for months now.  What do I do?

[wavedashdoc]

I would wait for Dan_A to provide another update.

[Dan_A]

Hello again,

I'm sorry to hear you still haven't received the replacement. You can reply back to the email they sent you when they asked for your shipping details. Ask them about the status of the replacement.

Regards,

Dan

[Dcox]

I haven't been able to play my premium YouTube music on my Google home or mini speaker. 

I've rebooted, removed and added the device, and made sure YouTube is available and on the same wifi. 

This started Nov 3, 2022 and I haven't been able to say " hey Google play music" without it telling me " I look for that but it either isn't available or can't be played right now"

Any help? 

[JMarq]

My old command of “play <album name> by <band name>” fails and has been failing for me as well. Is it Fuscia? Worked before. Speaker thinks it’s playing but zero output. Me too.

[Muddi]

Hey folks,

To confirm, does "Hey Google, play music" command work? Also, what are the troubleshooting steps that you've done?

Cheers,

Muddi

[wavedashdoc]

@Muddiwe are all still waiting for @Dan_A 's update follow-up from 10/19/22 on the fix from the developers

[wavedashdoc]

@Dan_A any update for us on this? It's been awhile.

[JMarq]

I have done zero troubleshooting because it will lead to frustration based on what I’ve head here. This was a big investment for me - two Max units, two standard, a few Minis around the house. When I set them up originally I logged into Apple Music from one of the Max units. Now there’s no login screen I can found.

it feels as if the Fucshia rollout partially bricked the device. It’s nice to stream my radio stations. Not so nice to hear a song when I ask for it, especially when the units says it’s going to play it.

[Muddi]

Hey folks,

Thanks for all the information. I understand this issue has been ongoing for quite some time, and I apologize for the inconvenience it has caused so far. We've shared this information with our team, but do not have any updates to share right now.

@JMarq: To confirm, are you able to play music from Apple Music on your Nest Hub Max? When you mentioned about the login screen, are you pertaining on the Google Home app?

Cheers,

Muddi

[JMarq]

Greetings - tentative success in getting it to work. Logged back in with the app. It doesn’t like playing Apple Music and I logged out and logged back in again. Used beta Home app.

[Muddi]

Hey JMarq,

Are you able to play a song from Apple Music after you tried to log in and out your account?

Cheers,

Muddi