Nest Mini (gen2) won't accept cast/play/send commands to Chromecast

[kerbe]

Up until a week ago I could give the command, "Hey Google, play (name of radio station) on Chromecast" and it would. Then it stopped and I had to first play what I wanted to hear on the Mini and THEN tell it to "play this on Chromecast" or "send this to Chromecast" and it would. Until two days ago. Now, when I give it either command it confirms the command but then goes right on playing on itself. All of my Google devices are on the same network, I've unplugged and rebooted them all and I've even factory-reset the Chromecast Ultra and reconnected it. 

[GeremiG]

Hi @kerbe!

Thank you for posting in the community. I'm sorry to hear that your Nest Mini (2nd Gen) won't send commands to your Chromecast Ultra. I appreciate your efforts in taking those steps before. I'm happy to help you!

To help me find the best solution, I'll need to ask you a few questions:

• Do you receive any error messages when you provide the command?
• Is your Chromecast Ultra updated to the latest firmware version?
• Are both devices located within the same home structure in the Google Home app?
• Are you experiencing the same issue when trying to control the volume or turn the device on or off using voice commands?
• Does this problem only occur with radio stations, or does it also happen when playing music from other sources?

Please keep me posted. I'll be waiting for your response.

Best regards,
Geremi

[kerbe]

Bullet 1 - no

Bullet 2 - yes

Bullet 3 - yes

Bullet 4 - I don't do either of those things

Bullet 5 - I don't stream from other sources to Chromecast

[GeremiG]

Hi @kerbe!

Thank you for your response. Let's work together for a solution. To best assist you, I would like to perform some diagnostic steps to identify the root of the problem you are experiencing. These steps will help us isolate the issue and find a faster solution.

1. Try controlling your Chromecast Ultra using voice commands from your Nest Mini (2nd gen). Here are some commands you can use.

• 'Volume up on Chromecast.'
• 'Mute Chromecast.'
• 'Turn on Chromecast.'
• 'Turn off Chromecast.'

Are you experiencing the same issue when trying to control the volume or turn the device on or off using voice commands?

2. Could you attempt to cast content from other sources to see if they work with your Chromecast using voice commands?
3. Is the problem occurring with different radio stations or with a specific one? If you have only tried one, please try playing other ones.
Thanks for your kind attention; I will be looking forward to your answer.

Best regards,
Geremi

[kerbe]

1. I opened the TuneIn app on my Pixel 8 phone and cast KQAC to the Chromecast. I then gave the Nest Mini the commands you suggested and they all worked perfectly.

2. I have yet to do this, but I intend to stream video content from my Windows desktop for this test.

3. I opened the NPR app on my phone and cast WQXR and then IHeartRadio and cast KUSC - and used the commands you suggested and they all worked perfectly both times.

I remain unable, though, to send audio from the Mini to the Chromecast or to command the Mini to play a radio station on the Chromecast.

[GeremiG]

Hi @kerbe!

Thank you for the information provided. Let's try some troubleshooting steps:

1. Rename your speaker and Chromecast devices.
To ensure proper playback on your TV, follow these tips when naming your devices:

• Give your speaker and Chromecast devices that work with Cast different names, and avoid using the same words in the names. This helps your speaker understand your command correctly and play content on the right device.
• Make sure that the name is easily pronounceable.
• Avoid using emoji or special characters.

To change the name of your Chromecast or speaker:
1. Open the Google Home app.
2. Tap Favorites or Devices. 
3. Touch and hold your device's tile, and then at the top-right corner, tap Settings, and then Device Information, and Device Name. 
4. Delete the current name and type in a new name. Tap Save.
5. Please test your device again.
Thanks for your kind attention; I will be looking forward to your answer.

Best regards,
Geremi

[kerbe]

Background info: I have three Nest Mini and one Home Mini on my network. They are named, "PBR", "Office," "GR" and "Bathroom". My Chromecast is named, "CC".

All for devices function as expected when it comes to controlling smart devices around the house. I can start playing something on any one of the four devices and then give it the command, "Play this on (name of other Mini)" and it will. Until a little over a month ago, I could accomplish this same action by saying, "Play this on CC" and, whatever was playing, would then move to the Chromecast. I could also walk up to any of the Minis when they were NOT playing anything and give the command, "Play (name of radio station) on CC" and whatever I requested would start playing on the Chromecast.

Nothing has changed with my network: Same router, same devices, same ISP, etc.

So, following your instructions, I renamed the four Minis "1," "2," "3" and "4" and the Chromecast, "Geremi" (you're welcome 😉). 

I then did the following:

1. Asked each Mini to play three different radio stations.
2. Asked each Mini to play what it was playing on a different Mini.
3. Asked each Mini to broadcast the phrase, "This is getting tedious."
4. Asked each Mini to play what it was playing on the Chromecast.
5. Asked each dormant Mini to play a radio station on the Chromecast.

All four Minis accomplished steps 1 through 3 without a problem. All for Minis were unable to accomplish steps 4 and 5.

As a test, I asked Google Assistant on my Pixel 8 phone to "Play (name of radio station) on Geremi," and it did.

I then returned all five devices to their original names.