Nest Hub Max Microphone Volume Extremely Low

[PretzelMan]

I have a Nest Hub Max

If I monitor the camera, the audio is very, very low.  This is NEW.

I used to be able to hear sounds easily if I monitored the camera.  Yesterday, the sound was extremely low.  I thought it was off, but if I put my ear to the speaker on my phone, I could hear faint sounds.

I checked all settings and even did a factory reset of the Hub Max.  Still almost zero sound.  I tried this on both my phone (Adnroid) and iPAD (IOS).  It was the same on both.

If I say "Hey Google..." the Hub hears me.

Any advice is appreciated.

[Jrcurtis1]

I still don't have Mic on mine. How do you fix it?

[bk88]

Jrcurtis1,  I haven't received my firmware update yet either -- the firmware update goes out in waves, so it could be a while yet until we get it I'm afraid.  (Once you get the update, you may need to reboot - I'm not sure about that.  But the new firmware apparently fixes the issue.)

[garden]

 Mine is still not updated

[Hyall]

Mine is working now, but not as clear as it used to be. Turn off your phone, then turn it back on. Then reboot the hub and you’re all set. 

[GaDeb]

I am having the same issue !! I need to check on my elderly mother while I’m at work and just seeing her is not good enough! I want to be able to talk to her too !  Please resolve this issue with urgency Google !! 

[GaDeb]

After joining the preview program,,, I now have sound !! Yay !!  Thanks to those who suggested this.  You would think Google would mention this as a fix !

[garden]

I too have sound because of signing up for the Preview Program.  
I would have never known about it if not for the members in this forum.

Thanks everyone 

[Btrotta]

When will there be an update to the Nest Hub Max to fix the issue with the microphone audio being too low.

The issue was caused by a Google update either on the server side or the hardware side. This has been a known issue for two months and there have been no attempts to fix the problem. 

With the microphone useless the Hub Max is useless. So when is it going to be fixed? Or is Google going to refund part of our monthly monitoring fees or refund us the difference in price between the Hub Max and the Hub since the camera and microphone are the only differentiating features between the two devices?

Or is Google just going to discontinue support for the device, not fix the problem, and hope we all buy the overpriced tablet thing?

[MplsCustomer]

Just by way of background (no resolution, just "our team is currently investigating the matter"), here is a very long thread on the topic:

https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Speakers-and-Displays/Nest-Hub-Max-Microphone-Volume-Extremel...

And these articles on PiunikaWeb and DealNTech:

https://piunikaweb.com/2023/06/21/google-nest-hub-max-users-report-microphone-volume-too-low/

https://www.dealntech.com/google-nest-hub-max-users-complain-low-microphone-volume/

[Alex_S]

Hi everyone,
 

Thanks for the help here, @MplsCustomer.
 

@Btrotta, I'll merge this thread with the main post, where all the updates will be posted, so we can communicate effectively. You can follow the main thread for news because this one will be locked automatically once merged.

Best,
Alex

[garden]

Apparently some members are now able to hear clearly on their Hub Max.

I still cannot!!

[CaptEasychord]

Join the preview programme (it's in settings somewhere) and it should update fairly soon. 

[bk88]

Thanks so much, CaptEasyChord!  I hadn't realized that the Preview Program was available at the device level.  I just signed up.  Details are:

https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/6343937?hl=en#zippy=%2Cwhy-join-the-preview-program%2Ch...

[NestProblems]

maybe some of us joining the preview program will stay in it and do a better job than our predecessors. If the people in preview had reported this problem when they first got the .120 version the rest of us would have been spared! At least it should work that way.  Also, I wonder if we join to get the fix, does that mean we can immediately cancel once our device is updated, and it will remain on the new version until the new version is love for the public?

[carlk]

I have been in the preview program for a long time and did report it immediately but it hit about the same time that the problem hit everyone.

[NestProblems]

Well, Thank you for that! That’s too bad about the timing and reporting not having made a difference.

[bk88]

[EDIT/UPDATE: my response below was misguided -  see recent posts re a Preview option specific to the device.  No need to wait! ]

Hi Garden, per https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/7365257?hl=en#zippy=%2Ccurrent-production-firmware-vers...     

you and I have not yet received the fix, (which can take several weeks perhaps?). Once your firmware is updated from the version ending 2.120 to the version ending 3.134, then we should be able to hear the Home Monitoring sound one again. I can't wait!

[garden]

Ok - thank you for this.

[bk88]

Powering off, waiting, then powering on didn't help, but -- just a coincidence? -- clicking the option REBOOT actually immediately brought the firmware update and the fix to the audio.

[NestProblems]

I’ve done both, but I’m not in the preview program. So nothing.

[bk88]

Dear NestProblems,

Why not?  Getting into the preview program for the device (as opposed to the preview program for Home - confusing names!) was easy to do.  That got me the new firmware and fixed my audio issue with Home Monitoring.

[NestProblems]

I’m considering it.

I just don’t  want to remain in the preview program because I’d rather get the thoroughly tested updates  I see how ironic that statement is given what’s happened with the microphones 😊 but you know what I mean. I also would like to wait a while to make sure there aren’t other issues with 3.134 version at this point.

[GazzaWill]

Yeah...so...fixed as well. The preview program firmware sorted the issue. Shame I've lost out by paying for a service that didn't work for months. 😔

[Lildup337]

I too am experiencing the same issue. The sound is very faint. Like others mentioned, I used to be able to hear clear and distant sounds. Any fix?

[GaDeb]

Go into settings, and join the preview program... Seems to work for most us.  Might take a couple of days.

[Juni]

Hi folks,

It’s good to know that a lot of you are not experiencing this issue anymore. I’ll keep this thread open and wait for other users' feedback. If you need further help, let me know.

Cheers,

Juni

[Juni]

Hi there,

I just wanted to follow up to see if you all still need our help. Please let us know, as we would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
 

Thanks,

Juni

[garden]

I received all my help from other members 

[Hyall]

You Google engineers have let us down. We've been screaming for over a month for you to fix a bug. What makes you think we'll trust your customer service in the future?

Now the microphone is working, thank you. But after how long? You failed, personally, I can't trust your support, you or Google technicians, or Google products.

Unpleased and unsatisfied customer! 

T

[garden]

I agree with you 100%

[Hyall]

You Google engineers have let us down. We've been screaming for over a month for you to fix a bug. What makes you think we'll trust your customer service in the future?

Now the microphone is working, thank you. But after how long? You failed, personally, I can't trust your support, you or Google technicians, or Google products.

Unpleased and unsatisfied customer! 

[Chukdaduk]

I am currently having the same issue . Any ETR  when this will be fixed 

[JeffJensen23]

Hopefully a good sign for all in here but mine has miraculously been fixed.  Not sure if it was an update push or what but I checked my feed this morning and I could hear everything without holding my phone to my ear at max volume.  Had been having the problem since May like everyone here, worth noting I am NOT part of any preview program.

[Chukdaduk]

I just checked mine and it's now working 

[Lucinda1]

It was fixed today!!! I can finally hear the audio from my nest hub! I have no idea what changed but it seems to be fixed today! The audio went out back in March. I gave up that they were going to fix it and today it works! I hope everyone else here has the same success.

[jjcs227]

Hello…..

It seems the hardware is perfect then. I’m experiencing the same problems exposed here. Low Audio I’m unable to turn on the camera, it always shows offline, or enable it as nest surveillance camera. 

[Hyall]

I think you should reboot your google nest, then make sure the operating system is current. The bug has been fixed, you need, I think to reboot the nest and you’ll be okay. 

[garden]

Thank you - my hub is working fine now.  Volume is back to normal.

[Juni]

Hi everyone.

As we got our resolution here, I'm going to mark this one as resolved. Please feel free to open up a new thread if you need assistance.

Cheers,

Juni