Nest Audio: Paired Speakers exhibit audio cracking/popping

[BobbyRich]

I know this topic has been discussed in this forum before, but all discussions appear to have been locked.

I have two sets of Nest Audio Paired Speakers in my home. They've worked great until the last week where they've suddenly started popping and cracking. Some details:

1. In both speaker pairs, it's always the left speaker that suffers from the problem.
2. The popping & cracking happens regardless of whether I'm casting from a Chrome Browser or Android Phone.
3. Music source: YouTube Music.
4. In the last week, I upgraded my home network from Google WiFi units to Nest WiFi (non Pro). I never noticed any popping or cracking until after this upgrade.
5. The Left Speakers are running a lower version of System & Cast Firmware than the Right Speakers:
   1. System Firmware:
      1. Left Speaker: v299498
      2. Right Speaker: v309385
   2. Cast Firmware:
      1. Left Speaker: 1.56.299498
      2. Right Speaker: 1.56.309385

[DannyKoblenz]

Got the same problem with Nest Mini Stereo and Nest Audi Stereo configuration. No root cause identified but it think it's somehow related with the power supply. My speaker suffers dirty current that comes from big mashines. Disconnect power from both speakers of a Stereo pair solved the problem, and rebooting using the home app too, every time. Happend approximately 8 times in 2 Month

[Juni]

Hi folks,

Thanks for posting here in the Google Nest Community.

@BobbyRich and @DannyKoblenz, This is not the experience that we wanted you to have, let me help you out. A few things: does the issue occur while playing music only? Is the issue, 100% reproducible? Are you still using the original power cord? If you already did a reboot, you can do a full reset and observe if this will fix the issue. Check these steps.

Reset Nest Mini:

Here’s how to do the reset, on the side of your Google Nest Mini, switch the mic off. The LEDs will turn orange. Press and hold the center of your Nest Mini, where the lights are on top. After 5 seconds, your Google Nest Mini will begin the factory reset process. Continue to hold for about 10 seconds more until you hear a sound confirming your Google Nest Mini is resetting.

Reset Nest Audio:

Here’s how to do the reset. On the back of your Google Nest Audio, switch the mic off. The LEDs will turn orange. It will say "The mic's off" then press and hold the center of your Google Nest Audio, near top. After 5 seconds, your Google Nest Audio will begin the factory reset process. It will say, "You're about to completely reset this device. Release to cancel" then wait for the chime.

You can also check this helpful article and let me know how it goes.

Thanks,

Juni

[BobbyRich]

Hey @Juni, thanks for the reply. Answers below...

1. Does the issue occur while playing music only? Not sure since I only use the speakers to play music.
2. Is the issue, 100% reproducible? Yes.
3. Are you still using the original power cord? Yes.
4. If you already did a reboot, you can do a full reset and observe if this will fix the issue. A factory reset is one of the first things I did upon observing the cracking & popping - prior to creating this post. The issues came back soon after the factory reset.

[Muddi]

Hi BobbyRich,

Chiming in to ensure everything is covered here. It would help a lot if you could share a video of what's happening with your Nest Audio. Also, could you tell us when and where you purchased your device?

Keep us posted.

Cheers,

Muddi

[BobbyRich]

@Muddi Got a busy week but I'll reply with a video soon. 

Both Nest Audio Sets were purchased direct from the Google Store.

• 1st Set: Oct 2020
• 2nd Set: Oct 2022

[Juni]

Hi BobbyRich,

We appreciate the details you provided. We will keep this thread open for 3 more days to wait for the video. 

Thanks,

Juni

[BobbyRich]

@Juni @Muddi Well, this issue seems to have resolved itself as of yesterday. Haven't been able to reproduce it since. Furthermore, according to the Google Home App, the two Left Speakers are now running the same firmware version as the Right Speakers.  I'm wondering if that would explain the problem & solution?

[Juni]

Hi BobbyRich,
 

Thanks for keeping us in the loop and happy to hear that this has been sorted out. I’ll keep this thread open for 1 more day. Give us a shout if something comes up — you know where to find us.

Thanks,

Juni

[Juni]

Hi there,

It's me again. I want to make sure you're all good — how did the steps go?

Regards,

Juni