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

[Uncle-Googs]

What is interesting is after my Wifi Mesh swap to Deco (from Google) things got more stable ---Strike 1 Google.  Groups still wont play (YouTube Music).  Magically if I use iHeart Radio... group plays fine --- Strike 2 Google.

Thanks for all the support Google - you are making these decisions clear for your customers.  YouTube music is now cancelled.

[Uncle-Googs]

Hey Google...

Been a Google Wifi user since Gen1, Gen2... have considered Gen3 (6e).  Nope --- bought a competitors mesh that will be here on Wednesday.  One less Google Product in my life.  Did I mention I was your salesmen for the Google Mesh system?  Many people have purchased them based on my recommendation.  I setup some elderly family with them also.  Nope.  No more.  If people ask - will tell them avoid Google hardware.  What would be HILARIOUS is - if that fixes my problems... but its too late Google.  I don't care.

I have x8 nest mini speakers, and x4 nest audios.  Those are next to go.  Might go Alexa - but honestly I am so turned off by smart speakers - I may just go back to Bluetooth.  Never thought I would say that.  But I want to listen to music - not interact with 10,000 apps and updates, and firmware and clouds.  When I have a moment - I want to be able to just play music.  You know - kind of how my Nest Audios/Minis used to be???  Cannot wait to just be able to play music.  OH!!! I will be canceling my YouTube Music also -- why?  Cause my GOOGLE speakers wont cast from the App, and they wont even play the songs I want it to when I ask "Here a playlist from Spotify like that..."  umm... I am paying for YouTube music.  LOL.

Google - I was your speaker salesmen also... no more.  Well - since 2023 I have stopped selling those for you - cause that is when everything went to SHEET.

Next on the list after that? --- x1 Nest hub max and x2 nest hubs... those might say a bit - as they are just photo frames.  But --- they will be out of my life soon.  Oh - I sold a few of those for you also!  No more - if people ask about them (they always do)... I will say AVOID... like all Google hardware.

Did I mention I was really considering going from Roku to Chromecast/Google TV?  Umm... 100% not going to happen.

Thanks for the support Google.

[Uncle-Googs]

Talk of a firmware update gave me hope.  Fixed?

Nope.  Dared tried to make an upstairs group - which used to work fine.  Turned into a studdering stammering mess.  I could not get to stop.  Voice commands - "something went wrong".  Home app not responding.  Youtube music acts like nothing is playing.  Rage yelling at hub to get it to stop.  Finally just rebooted my **bleep** google wifi AGAIN (just did less than 24 hours ago) to get it to stop.

Google, Kellen, Support Team... Thanks for the peaceful relaxing morning of music.

What a complete JOkE.  Its been a year since this worked consistently and nobody gives a sheet.

Google - just closed this thread.  This is pointless.  Clearly you have moved on - as have I.  Its been been a year of complete trash.  You dont care.  Likely have a new device coming out.  1-2 years ago I would have been excited about that - and sold even more speakers for you.  Not anymore.  Done!

[DallasGG]

What a mess.  I had ignored my google speaker groups not working for the last 3-6 months.  Today I tried them again.  They didn't work.  I tried deleting the 3 speaker groups I had and adding them back.  One of the groups worked ONE time and the 2nd time I tried that group, only played on one of the speakers in the group.  The other 2 groups didn't work at all.  WHEN IS GOOGLE GOING TO FIX THIS COMPLETE AND TOTAL MESS?  Amazon seems to be able to get speaker groups to work.  Why can't Google?  No wonder Alexa is beating Google in the smart speaker/display game.  Geez, just fix this mess already and stop blaming the users and asking them to jump through hoops to fix their speaker groups.  This should NOT BE THIS DIFFICULT.  You group speakers together and then they play music together.  IT SHOULD NOT BE THIS DIFFICULT!!!!!

[Uncle-Googs]

"The mic is off...."

Im sure the "Nest Audio 2 with Gemini" will fix all our problems.  Google - I used to look forward to your hardware releases.  No more.  I am moving on.  Will tell everyone that askea me for tech advice to look elsewhere and avoid your speakers.

[DallasGG]

I might have stumbled upon a solution for my speaker groups not working.  My old speaker groups were named "kitchen speakers", "living room speakers" and "bedroom speakers".  They worked a long time ago but not recently at all.  Most of the time, only 1 speaker would play in those groups.  

About 1-2 weeks ago, I created 3 new groups with slightly different names..."kitchen sound", "living room sound" and "bedroom sound" and put the same speakers in them that I had in the old speaker groups.  At some point in time, I deleted the old speaker groups.  Anyway, the new ones now work perfectly.  I'm not sure if this will be temporary or not.

The weird thing is that I had previously deleted the old groups/group names and added them back with the same names and speakers.  They never worked when added back.  My guess is that Google somehow ties a speaker group name to one specific speaker and won't release that name when deleted.  Any insight into this?

[Michel_281]

Hi,

Sound cut back issue when starting outputting sound due to bug. Temp fix by pressing the Resumé soft touch button on the primary speaker (when in stereo mode). 

Firmware 3.74.437716 bug reappears!!
Firmware 3.73.429109 was fixed .

Firmware 3.73.420420 bug reported

I am in The Netherlands 

[Aaroneus]

I have 5 Google Nest Audio Speakers in a speaker group called "Google Speakers".

I have Youtube Music Premium.

When I play music from the YTM app on my Android phone, I CAN play on "Google speakers" and it usually works.  Often one speaker will not play, and often one (sometimes different) speaker will say "too many people are using the account" even though it's just me.  I used to also have a Nest Mini but it never worked correctly so I threw it away. Anyway, it's all garbage tech and we all know that, but that's not the issue here.  

The voice commands for playing music seem to not be connected to YouTube music at all, and speaker groups are not recognized either.  For example, if I'm in the bathroom, and I say "Play my Jazz Music playlist on Google Speakers" it will instead play some random jazz playlist from youtube on the bathroom speaker only.  

I can use voice commands to pause or stop music, but I can't use it to start or resume (it always says "there is currently no music playing").  Pretty disappointing experience overall.

[JohnLand]

I gave up using voice commands well over a year ago, tired of screaming. 

Youtube Music Premium way back when it was still Google Play. Same problems "too many people are using the account", "sign up for YTP" etc. 

Little over a month ago jumped over to Spotify. Still have my YTP account as I hate advertisement on YT videos but after 15+ years paying Google those days are numbered.

[Uncle-Googs]

Swapped out my Google Wifi mesh for a Decco mesh.  I am noticing some improvements.  1.  My speakers are picking a close wifi node vs picking a node for no reason on the other side of the house.  2. speakers seems to show up faster on my cast list and not coming and going like a game of wack a mole.

Groups still busted - but they do show up consistently.

I have been able to start music on on stereo pair in YouTube music... Then go to the home app and add more speakers.  This seems consistent.

Still a mess.  Granted - its only been about 4 days since the switch.

[JohnLand]

I also switched over to Deco mesh last spring. In the Deco app under clients I was able to determine the "Group Leader" as the leader Uploads to the other speakers.

[Uncle-Googs]

Anyone have issues with groups playing.  Are you using YouTube music?  Try a competitor product like iHeart.  Groups that wont play on YouTube music work with iHeart for me.

So far --- moving from Google/Nest wifi made my environment more stable... but Groups wont work.  Then switching form YouTube to iHeart - now groups work.  See the pattern here?  Just need to purge the Google eco system.

[Gazer2740]

Hi there, I have read the speaker group threads (all older now) and am curious if there is any update on resolution?  Or am I just to give up and say this simple feature just doesn't work?

Specifics:  I have two nest audio speakers connected in a stereo pair and I have one nest mini generation 2.  Both work fine individually (I can cast audio from YouTube music directly to the nest speaker stereo pair or directly to the mini.)

However, when I tried to cast to my home group which comprises all three speakers (one speaker group and one mini) YouTube music will not play. I also cannot use voice commands to play music to the home group. 

Of course I have rebooted the speakers, of course I have removed and reset up the home group.

Are there any next steps? I actually ditched Sonos for this setup instead due to their disaster with their application. I was hoping Google stuff would work better. 

Help?

[Ashepherdson]

https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/7174267?hl=en-CA

Speaker groups work with select devices (list in linked URL above) , just have to set them up and you should be good to go.  I use them for YouTube music and TuneIn radio , works well 

[Gazer2740]

Yep, my devices are on that list. And yep, I've set it up and re set it up and factory reset and set it up again, but it doesn't work.  It seema easy... there must be some sort of bug because it hasn't worked since I purchased it.  

II guess I really can't think of anything I could possibly be doing wrong here. Setup is straight forward. Any suggestions? 

And for what it's worth, it seems like I've read through tons of other posts that are having similar problems. There's something more here than "just set it up" 

[Tijhuisje]

I hate to tell you, but I actually switched to Sonos Era 100’s and 300’s.

Sonos has recently fixed their application, and everything seems to be working well. Google, on the other hand, has been disappointing. Their Home app has been broken since summer 2022.

I’ve sold all my Google devices, even though I took a loss. But now, I’m happy with my expensive Sonos system throughout my home. The sound quality is fantastic, especially when paired with speaker groups and Tidal.

[Uncle-Googs]

Try iHeart radio (free) and see if your group works.  I had the same problem using youtube music... just curious if iHeart works for you.

I have since cancelled YouTube music.

[Uncle-Googs]

Try iHeart.  See of group works then.

[scragin]

Sorry, but you made a mistake switching from Sonos. Google speaker groups have, apparently, unfixable issues and Google DOES NOT CARE. 

[Gazer2740]

Crazy that there is no actual fix...and that YouTube music doesn't work.   

I am only slightly regretting my sonos change out. That company really pissed me off and I have no intention of working with them again. They're hardware was awesome but their software was always awful and their decision in May to make that change was just the worst.

[JohnLand]

Posted yesterday about the forced update to 3.74.437716, don't know where that disappeared too? Spent couple hours doing our usual bag of tricks. This morning I went to adjust the volume on a speaker in the group Home/Favorites/Active Group and as of yesterday you could adjust individual speaker volume. Not anymore overnight it was removed.

I have come up with a plan to replace speakers first, then all nest cameras. I will never put my trust and thousands of dollars into one "NEST" ever again! 

[Uncle-Googs]

Good plan.

Nest Wifi gutted last week... Canceled YouTube music... speakers are next... But I must say the above 2 things have really helped my situation...

[JohnLand]

Little over a month ago I signed up for Spotify and actually been able to play music for the entire day. Signed up for YTmusic back when it was google play music, 15 years! I like the no commercials on YT but then again waste a lot of time watching stupid junk. So I think this will be my last month with them.  

[JohnLand]

So like every place I've worked at the day shift fixes what the night shift screwed up. The individual volume control has reappeared.

And if your listening google, the 3.74 has the same problem that 3.73 had on the initial release. 3.74 will not play with older devices in the group. Kelan responded to my post about it last update.

[JohnLand]

They have a new Preview firmware version out 3.74.444789! Not sure but given the track record. Out the door to everyone Friday so we can be proudly show family and friends how we waste or time and money!

[JohnLand]

So they have shoved 3.74.444798 out! Should of realized it when I heard speakers rebooting on their own, then found a few speakers stammering/stuttering. But the dead give away was the spinning wheels on the nest cameras! What is wrong them?

[FrustratedAust]

I have a variety of google home devices and for the last couple of months, none of them (Mini 1st gen, mini 2nd gen, Nest Hub, Nest Hub Max, Nest Audio) will process verbal volume commands.

Note, all are current firmware versions. 

It responds to Volume Up/Down - "Sorry something went wrong...when you are ready give it another try"

I have tried submitting feedback, and being infinitely patient but I am getting tired of all the issues.

Other issues include:

Not being able to play to a speaker group, despite this previously working. It tells me the speaker group is not found, while it appears to be valid in the speaker group list in the app.

It refuses to play "ABC radio National" - and instead plays an American station called the one. Despite previously not having any issues with this, and ABC being the Australian national broadcaster and one of the most popular stations in the country.

When I ask my Nest Hub Max to add an item for a shopping list, I often get told I don't have permission to add items, as I haven't setup personal results in the app....but I have for every single device!

When I ask what temperature is or ask for the weather forecast, it gives me the state capital city (Melbourne) rather than my home location (150kms away). When previously it would give me local results.

Perhaps I am naive thinking that the eco-system would get better over time, but instead it just seems like google doesn't care anymore about things working as promised.

I am also annoyed that Australians can't get access to alternative voices like the U.S.A does...why? We pay a huge premium for these devices yet, we are treated badly. 

Thanks in advance for any assistance you may be able to offer.

All the best

[Uncle-Googs]

Except a case number from Google in a few moments.  This community is not gonna stand for this,.

I have most of the same problems.

Recent things that have helped me.

1.  Switch from Google/Nest WiFi to Deco.  Brought stability to devices showing up on my cast list.

2.  Stop using YouTube Music.  Magically iHeart radio plays fine for my groups.

3.  Gave up on voice commands... Just turns any moment I have to relax to music into a rage/screaming session.

Sorry... That first part - the support for.these devices seems to be dead.  Google has moved on.  No ticket, no support... This pinned thread is silent from Google.  They basically dont care.  Good luck.  Tell everyone you know that this ecosystem is trash .  About all we can do at this point .

[JohnLand]

The "NEST" has been abandoned, all that's left is bunch of Rotting Stinking products up a Tree!

[Uncle-Googs]

Hey all.  Its been 2 weeks since dropping YouTube music for iHeart and gutting my Google Nest/Wifi for TP Link Deco Mesh. 

Things have been stable!

Thanks Google!

Google... You can close my support ticket.  Ha.  Haha.  Ha... right.  The mic is off...

[hielevation]

Putting this out there for the team at Google on the slim chance that someone is still paying attention to this thread. Since these issues popped up and continue to be unresolved after months and months, I've decided to move away from all Google products from here on out. You won't catch me giving you another cent for hardware.

I have been a Pixel user since Pixel 3, but I moved to an iPhone last month.  I'm replacing my 4 Google Home / Nest Minis, 2 Chromecast Audio devices, and Google TV with products from companies that actually care about supporting their products and making them work. 

For nearly a decade, I was happy to hand over thousands of dollars for your products because they improved my life.

I'm done.

[Uncle-Googs]

I hear you... Think of all the Google products we have sold for Google.  Showed to friends  and family - recommended to friends and family and neighbors.  No more.

Google you have lost your core community and sales force.  No more.

I highly recommend anyone using google/nest wifi - to move to Deco or Eero as a first step.  This move fixed 95% of my problems.  Will keep using my current gen speakers - but will be phasing to a different platform vs giving google more money.  Complete joke.  Maybe it was my legacy google/nest wifi all along since things work now??!?  Doesn't matter... I am moving on.

[Tijhuisje]

I've also kicked every piece of **bleep**ty google hardware out of my house. Rip more than thousand dollars. Never buying hardware again from you guys. 

You guys make great software, but the combo of hardware and software just sucks. Your whole hardware sucks.

[Mrjones]

why do my groups and speakers keep disappearing ?  YES. I have factory reset them and rebooted the router, they come and go and my groups are very inconsistent.  ideas ?

[Uncle-Googs]

You using Google/Nest Wifi?  I had the same problem - until I moved to a different mesh system - Deco.

[Mrjones]

i have spectrum wifi and use the Google Home app. I have a Hub MAX, and then 4 Google Nest Audio speakers.  It used to work like a charm but then we moved and have new wifi and it does not work. I want to be ablke to say "hey google play downstairs" hey google play downstairs and back deck" etc. based ont he groups I set up.  what is a different Mesh system ?

[JohnLand]

You say you moved, so I am assuming you are using a different router as in Spectrum's supplied router? I would contact them first and see if they can do something on their end. If one of your devices has poor signal it can cause headaches in speaker groups. A mesh system is used to add coverage where signals are weak. 

[Uncle-Googs]

Gawd this forum format is trash.  Typed a long reply and its gone.

I have spectrum.  No wifi from them. Modem only with a wire coming out to plug one device to the Internet (lan).  From there I had my google wifi/nest mesh system.  That is what I removed.  I now use a Deco mesh system (XE70).  Since switching - everything has been working for over a month.  Note - all I do is cast from my phone - minimal voice.  This was completely rubbish prior to the switch to Deco.  Now -all my pairs and groups show up quickly.  Play consistently.  Everything is fine.  I also stopped using YouTube music - which may be a factor also.  Now I use iHeart and Spotify (free + not paid).  Prior to the switch to Deco In had tried iHeart and Spotify and had issues.  For me - I am pretty sure my issue was something with my wifi system..

[JohnLand]

Verizon Fios 1 Gigabit connection running directly into 3 node Deco BE63 as of May 2024. I live in a small ranch 1,000 square feet and all devices show strong strong signal in the Deco app. Granted I have 14 in a speaker group and they are a mix of devices from google and third party manufacture's. I could not get all to play nicely together and god forbid I wanted to check my 7 nest cameras it would send all speakers into stammering and stuttering + spinning wheel video feeds. 

So I found the group leader (audio Chromecast) and ran ethernet to it. It improved so I hard wired another audio cast, then a Max Speaker then 2 more audio cast. So my music listening has greatly improved and can check my camera feeds without pausing the music!

[CarolynPoss]

I have a google home mini and we have google devices and tuya smart app to use for the non google devices as google home mini keeps having problems connecting.  So I have a husband with a deep Italian voice and my own Aussie voice and my three girls voices using this machine as they all have lights or devices in their rooms they switch on and off using the google home mini.  We set up our voices on the google home app when we first got the machine.  Now for some reason the google home mini doesn't like my voice (adult female) so we have set the voice up twice thinking this might be the problem.  When google declines my voice they say I'm sorry one or more devices are not set up.  My husband says the same thing immediatly and it works.  Google's other favourite message is 'I'm sorry I dont understand'.  So today in sheer frustration I said to my husband I'm angry with Google home and I want to get another machine because it's rude (obviously this is a computer problem but I still think it's rude).  So my husband in a falsetto which was absolutely ridiculous says okay google lights a hundred percent.  I told him I'm killing the google home machine if it works.  He said it again while looking in the air (the speaker was on the desk next to where he was standing).  What did the machine do?  Can you guess...Either I'm killing the google home mini or someone needs to fix this outrageous problem quickly.  Thankyou