Having trouble with Speaker groups? Read this first

[kelanfromgoogle]

Hi everyone, 

Thank you for continuing to notify us of the reliability issues you’re facing with your Speaker groups. I escalated these issues internally and the team is actively investigating a resolution. If you’re able, all feedback is appreciated! Please keep it coming by saying “OK Google, Send Feedback." Providing details, such as mentioning that the issue is with the "speaker group," is especially helpful.  As always, we appreciate your feedback and are working hard to alleviate the issues. 

Thank you for the patience,
Kelan

[kelanfromgoogle · Accepted solution]

Hey folks,

Thank you for your continued patience while our team has been working to address the issues with Speaker group functionality. I want to give you all an update and confirm that a fix was identified which will address a specific problem where some devices, when acting as the group leader, cause an issue with audio not playing on other speakers that are part of the same group. However, you may experience that the main (or leader) device will still play the media as expected.

The following devices will cause this behavior when used as the group leader:

- Chromecast with Google TV (4K)
- Chromecast with Google TV (HD)
- Google Home (Fixed as part of firmware update 3.73)
- Google Home/Nest Hub (first-generation)
- Google Home/Nest Mini (first-generation) (Fixed as part of firmware update 3.73)
- Nest Audio (Fixed as part of firmware update 3.73)
- Nest Hub (second-generation)
- Nest Hub Max
- Nest Mini (second-generation) (Fixed as part of firmware update 3.73)
- Nest Wifi Point
- Pixel Tablet
- A small percentage of third-party speakers were also affected

Note: the issue must be fixed on the device that is the leader of the group in order for the other devices in the group to start playing consistently

The fixes are specific to each device type, and are dependent on upcoming scheduled update rollouts. We will update this post as the fixes begin rolling out for each device so you can test your own speaker groups.

There may be some devices that take longer to receive the update so if you’re still encountering issues, you can try these temporary workarounds:

Cast directly: if you’re trying to play audio in multiple rooms, cast the audio directly to the individual speakers.

Restart your devices: If you’re having trouble with your speaker group and are unsure which device is the group leader, try restarting all devices that are part of the speaker group. This can often resolve the issues.

As always, we deeply appreciate the feedback and your patience. If you are still running into issues with Speaker groups, please leave a comment below with clear descriptions of the behavior you're encountering. This feedback will help the team further investigate and mitigate anything else that might be causing this feature to not work as intended.

Thanks again, we're working diligently to get everything back to how it should be.

Kelan

[Dastud]

So the whole problem is that we just don't want to "try the troubleshooting listed above???????" Are you Fkin serious?? Why don't you try reading the countless posts from people doing exactly that. REPEATEDLY. With no long term success. Your response is to return the devices, if possible. Here's a novel idea. Fix your product so we don't have to return it.

[GLove]

It is a shame. I have been eyeing the speakers for a long time. I am tempted to keep one, but they sound better as a pair. It has been years since the speakers have been updated. You would think all the bugs would have been worked out. A shame.

[itsgiuseppe]

My GHM speakers will often stop or avoid playing in speaker groups when I have my mesh network enabled.

When this happens, I unplug one of the access points and the speakers work as expected again. My network access points are Nest Wifi Pro.

In another thread I see that there is a fix for speaker group issues in 3.73 - will the Google Home Max be bumped to 3.73? My four multi-hundred dollar speakers are still on 1.56.275994 (which is the latest firmware out for them) and I don't see them listed in the below thread. The Google Home is listed, though, and those were released in 2016, a year before the Google Home Max.

I know they are discontinued but I would be very disappointed if these speakers were simply no longer supported. Especially since I spent thousands of dollars between these speakers and my Google-branded wifi system.

It was my understanding that Google intended to continue to support these products. Can we get an official word on if the Google Home Max speakers will ever see any more support from Google? Specifically in the form of software updates to fix issues?

https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Speakers-and-Displays/Having-trouble-with-Speaker-groups-Read...

[osl]

I've been having the same type of issues recently with my speaker groups. Sometimes one speaker will stop playing, sometimes there is one specific song that when it plays all the speakers stop. Also it seems like occasionally the device I originally was casting audio from in YouTube music stops playing audio, and either another device, like my cell phone,  takes over, or occasionally Google Assistant goes off on its own tangent and no devices are controlling the music.

I I work in it and install Wi-Fi networks quite often and it never dawned on me that the meshing could be what is disrupting the speaker groups. I use ubiquity unify Wi-Fi APs. I was using the unify u6 APS, though I just switched to u7 the other day.. I wonder if I should reset all my devices, seeing as Google says that you should do so if you upgrade or change your router or gateway setup, though technically the aps aren't doing the routing so it should be okay.. then again I updated my firewall a few months back and didn't think too redo the Google devices 😜

[itsgiuseppe]

If you have a mesh set up at home, next time you're having issues try unplugging all but the main access point and see if the speakers start behaving shortly after. Assuming that they are all in range, that is. It works for us every time.

[RussdaFuss]

My friend, I don't like to say this but we shouldn't hope for a solution here.

Google is not a person with decency and conscience, but a profit-oriented corporation.

They've already gotten your money and they don't care if you're a happy customer.

There are billions of people in this world who are all potential customers and soon there will be new Google products on the market that these people will buy.

That's the system.

[DallasGG]

What is so weird about this speaker group problem is that one day my 3 speaker group only plays on one speaker and then a day or two later it plays on all 3....and I didn't change anything.  And then just today when I ask Google a question, ALL google speakers that can hear me answer the question at the same time (it worked correctly yesterday).  What is going on with these Google speakers?  They are nothing but inconsistent, day after day after day!  I'm hesitant to change anything because one day they work and then the next day they don't.  C'mon Google, a company as big as you can fix your smart speakers, can't you?

[WhyWhy99]

The same thing has happened to me. 

[Tijhuisje]

Hey, it's not the Wi-Fi network or connection. Sonos speakers work perfectly and they can see each other. It just works.

But Google doesn't.

[Uncle-Googs]

Neat.  Deleted all my groups.  Now a stereo pair in my living room somewhat/somehow split apart?  L speaker shows up on its own.  Yet the L and R stereo pair still shows up?!  Cant play to them.  I cant "separate" them however to "re-pair" them.. as "settings not available right now".  Neat.  Let me just factory reset these AGAIN... for the month... And rebuild my Stereo pair so I can listen to music.

Yet again --- There goes the 20 minute music moment I had..

Yup... Nothing wrong here Google.  All i need to do is follow these GREAT trouble shooting steps... cause i foolishly dared to play music on my speakers that just worked a few days ago..

[Uncle-Googs]

Oh neat... Hey!  That was soOoo easy... Just follow the posted troubleshooting!  Thanks Google and experts community!  Its working for a few more days!!!... until the next reset is needed.  I even have time to listen to 1/2 a song yet!  Great speakers.

[Uncle-Googs]

Oh Darn... Stereo pair not showing up in cast list.  I forgot I may need to reboot my google wifi first... then maybe (MAYBE) it will show up.  Thanks for the support... music moment officially lost... Bummer...

[Uncle-Googs]

Yup.  Just a quick factory reset.  Reclaim.  Re-stereo-pairing, wifi restart... Im back in business!  So easy....  jamming some tunes now!

[Tijhuisje]

Hey Google,

F*ck yourself with your speakers.

[Uncle-Googs]

By the way - the mic is off.  Pease slide the switch to the left...

The next thing I might try is setting up a separate single 2.4ghz band for just these devices.  Which is not possible using google wifi... So would have to be a separate AP.  I notice after I factory reset these (im an expert at this point)... often time after they connect to the wifi during setup - my phone/home app says they cannot be found on the wifi.  Then... Magically after a few minutes they show up under the "other devices in your home".  I can then add them to a room and finish the setup.  Makes me think this a wifi/band issue?  Not that google cares... But a thought...

[Tijhuisje]

I attempted to connect them to a separate Access Point, but to no avail; they failed after just three days of use.

I'm past the point of being able to return them, and I'm increasingly tempted to destroy them one by one.

[Uncle-Googs]

Thanks for the heads up.  Wont bother then...

Im sure Kellan or somebody will be back soon with an update soon... .. .

... .. .

LOL

[Tijhuisje]

Indeed, it's disheartening. "LOL" no longer seems appropriate. I feel like crying instead, as I have to replace five speakers with Sonos Era 100 or 300 models. They are quite pricey.

[MrKistic]

I've done that. Pulled out my old WRT54G so there is a dedicated 2.4GHz network that only has the Google speakers on it. There may be slightly fewer dropouts but it doesn't change anything regarding the speaker groups, it's still a mess.

[CHAZZER]

I think its time for a Class Action Lawsuit.

[morf]

I had already proposed a class action. I need to know who is seriously interested!!!

[CHAZZER]

It shouldn't have to come to this but lack of response from Google is unacceptable. 

I'm in.

[Lardo]

Count me in... it's beyond a joke. 
Also, my downstairs Speaker is now turning on my Bedroom lights EVERY time and it never used to... \ll a bit of a mess Google, I have to say

[Jaygjenning]

im in

[marcolopes]

Meanwhile, there are NEW preview "firmwares": https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/7365257

Are you all on the the preview program?

[Tijhuisje]

Hi, thank you for the notification. I will join the program once I am home this evening. I'm curious to see if anything's fixed.

[mndtrp]

Updating my Nest Audio with the preview firmware version 3.73.429109 have solved Speaker Group issue with my Harman Kardon Citation MultiBeam 700 Soundbar.
Will post back when/if it breaks.

[okey1]

How did you update it

[mndtrp]

You can probably find what you need here: Preview Program overview - Google Nest Help
So, I joined the Nest Audio device to the preview program. Had a coffee or two. Then I power-cycled the Nest Audio device. And a minute or two later it was running the latest firmware. Firmware versions can be checked at Google speaker and display firmware versions and release notes - Google Nest Help
There is of course no guarantee that it will update this fast, but in my case it did.

Casting to this group is still working splendidly (2 days+). From iOS device, Home Assistant (Spotcast) and Nest Hub (gen 1) voice commands.

[CHAZZER]

Well this firmware update made bo change for me.  So sick of it. 

[Uncle-Googs]

Same.  Joined preview program.  I see no improvement yet.

[JohnLand]

Today 9/13/2024 noticed the Production/Preview are one in the same now! Created a group with ALL my speakers and they all played great for one song, then they all started stammering and stuttering. Great JOB GOOGLE!!! 

[Dastud]

Go into setup and uncheck STAMMERING AND STUTTERING. Hope this helps

[KylaAlive]

No matter what I do, I cannot get a speaker group to work other than casting music. I have a Chromecast 4K and a Nest Audio speaker. There is no way for me to make the default auto source on the Chromecast as the Nest Audio other than to connect it via Bluetooth. When I do that, it prevents the Google Home app from functioning properly. It never shows what is playing on the TV only shows something is being streamed to the speaker. When View what's being played on the speaker, it says "Not Available" and I can only pause the media. I cannot view how long is left of the media (like, a show or song duration) or anything. If disconnect tthe Nest Audio speaker from Bluetooth, then I am able to use the Google Home app properly and view what is playing correctly. But then I have no sound as I do not want to use my built in TV speaker. There is no way for me to connect the Chromecast to the speaker any other way.

Also, when watching something on the Chromecast or casting from my phone, I am the only one in the house to receive the persistent media notification. My husband and I are both connected to the home app, have the same phone, and have all devices and apps up to date. My husband still never receives the pnotification unless he is casting something. When he is doing that, I do still get the notification. But if I am casting, he gets nothing. It's also worth noting we have both the same permissions granted for notifications and everything.

I have tried deleting the Google Home app and reinstalling, deleting speaker groups and recreating them, restarting my router, restarting the Chromecast and the Nest Audio. None of that fixes the issue.

I'm extremely frustrated and about to give up completely on this set up. Please help. l'm truly at a total loss!

[Firsttube]

I have 2 nest audio speakers in a stereo pair and a chromecast audio all part of a speaker group.  They used to work flawlessly together when casting from apps like Spotify.  Recently, this has stopped working. With the help of support I have done the following with no resolution:

1. Remove all the Speakers from the Speakers groups.
2. Delete that Speaker group.
3. Uninstall the Home app.
4. Reboot the Wifi Network.
5. Reboot Google Nest or Google Home speaker or display.
6. factory reset.
7. Reinstall the Home app.
8. Create a new home structure.
9. Set up your Google Nest or Google Home speaker or display in new home structure
10. Create a new Speaker group.
11. Add all the speakers in that group and try to stream Music and the Radio stations.

When I select the speaker group to cast to, I hear the initial connection noise on all speakers, but no audio plays.  Sometimes audio will play only through the chromecast audio device.  I've noticed in my Home app that the speaker group name sometimes changes to the name of the stereo pair, and then back again.

Not sure if something has changed because this all worked a few weeks ago.  Any ideas?

[PCicchiello]

Many of my first-generation Google Home Mini Voice Assistants have stopped working. Neither of the two factory reset procedures you have made available work. This shows how right those who chose the ALEXA environment did considering your general unreliability.

[mrxree]

@kelanfromgoogle please provide link to Google's terms of service that describes what Google does vs does not assure with regards to Google Home speaker groups.  

[WhyWhy99]

I'm sorry bit the mic is off.

[NoeC]

I have just added and set up a second nest audio speaker to me kitchen.  Both speakers work fine separately, and so I want to set up a group.  BUT the home app, that was just used to set up the new speaker is telling me that there are "no device found on this Wi-Fi network".  What is wrong?  Please help.

[NoeC]

I gave up yesterday and planned parceling up my speakers and sending them for a refund...But I gave it one more try this morning, AND everything worked immediately, speaker groups, stereo speakers etc. 

I did nothing different from the previous day.  So, it appears that the home app itself is at fault (btw, everything is on the same WiFi; app, latest version; devices, latest firmware;app on Pixel 8a phone).  I can only assume that perhaps some element of how the app manages the database of devices is buggy, and leaving it alone over night, gave it a chance to refresh.  Or maybe the app was a bit tired and needed a snooze 🙂 I am open to correction of course... A clear explanation from Google would be great, but I won't hold my breath.