Nest mini connection problems

[Quark]

I have a Nest mini speaker and a Chromecast (attached to my TV).

I can always cast to both of them from my Pixel 6a.

I can always cast to the Chromecast from my Win 10 laptop, but can only cast to the Nest about 20% of the time - it's rarely listed in the Cast icon in any of my browsers (Chrome, Firefox or Edge). Everything is on the same wifi network. I can't figure out what's different when it can and when it can't connect.

How can I fix this?

[Muddi]

Hey Quark,

Thanks for visiting the Community.

I understand how challenging it is when you're having issues casting to your Google Nest Mini using your laptop. I'd love to help. A few questions: when did the issue start? What do you usually cast (video or music)? How far are you from the speaker during casting?

Please note that Firefox and Edge is not a fully supported browser for casting to your Nest Audio and Chromecast device. We highly suggest that you use a Chrome browser to maximize your casting experience.

Cheers,
Muddi

[Quark]

Hi Muddi,

The problem has been going on for a few months.  I cast audio to the Nest Mini (and video to the Chromecast). I'm about 8' from the nest (and a bit farther from the Chromecast).  As I mentioned, Chrome does not work any better than other browsers.

To reiterate, I don't have any trouble with the Chromecast from any device and I don't have any trouble with the Nest Mini from my phone. Everything is on the same network. All software is latest version.

Please let me know if you have any other questions or any suggestions.

[Muddi]

Hey Quark,

Could you tell us how you normally cast using the Chrome browser on your laptop? Also, is there an active anti virus on your laptop?

Cheers,

Muddi

[Quark]

Hey,

To cast, I'd navigate to the website with the program I want to listen to, then click the cast button on the toolbar, then click the nest mini line (I believe it's listed as Living Room speaker), wait for the connection sound, then start the audio.  In other words, the method described as Option 1 at https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/7194413?hl=en  

The problem is the nest mini speaker usually isn't listed, while Living Room  TV is always available.

I have a Windows 10 laptop running the default Windows Security.

[Muddi]

Hey Quark,

Thanks for the added information. Could you share the websites that you're trying to cast?

Cheers,

Muddi

[Quark]

Hey Muddi,

It's the same for every web page I try.  Random example, https://podcasts.google.com/  Men In Blazers Podcast - Men in Blazers Sunday Puzzle : NPR Home - BBC News

Go to a page, click on Cast icon, Chromecast appears, Nest Mini does not.  It doesn't matter if I start playing something or not.  As mentioned, at seemingly random times, Nest Mini does appear, and it always is there on my phone.

[Muddi]

Hey Quark,

To confirm, does it happen on videos most of the time?

Cheers,

Muddi

[Quark]

Hey,

I was watching a youtube video when I got notice of your post. The Cast icon show my Chromecast and not my Nest Mini.

[Muddi]

Hi Quark,

Got it! That's the reason why your Nest Mini does not appear as a choice because your speaker is not compatible for video casting. You can only cast to Nest displays and Chromecast.

Cheers,

Muddi

[Quark]

Hey,

Then why can I cast to the Nest Mini about 20% of the time from audio programs, such as google podcasts, npr and the other sources I listed?  For that matter, why can I cast to the Nest Mini 100% of the time from my phone from every source, including the youtube I was watching on my laptop? Of course I only get audio from that.

[Muddi]

Hi Quark,

That's weird that you can cast from YouTube app from your phone to Nest Mini. Would you mind sharing a video so we can further check because when I tried it on my end the only option on my phone to cast YouTube videos to Nest Mini is my Android TV. Another thing that may cause the issue is the anti virus and firewall set on your computer that's why it's not 100% that it appears as a casting device. 

Could you check under sources on Chrome browser if it is set to "Cast Tab" or "Cast desktop" You'll see this when you tap "Cast" on your Chrome browser. Also, do you see a cast icon from the videos that you are trying to cast?

Cheers,

Muddi

[Quark]

Hi,

How can I create and share a video of my phone casting the audio from a youtube video to my nest mini?  I'm using the Screen Cast function of my Pixel 6a if that matters.

The source in my laptop Chrome browser is "Cast Tab". 

This morning the Nest Mini (listed as Living Room speaker) showed up in the cast icon.  FWIW, it also showed up in Edge.  I'm currently able to cast audio from any source that will play in the browser.  Based on experience, this will not last.   I have not changed any settings since yesterday.

[Muddi]

Hi Quark,

Thanks for providing all the information that we need. Let me check some additional information from the team, and I'll get back to you for update.

Cheers,

Muddi

[Muddi]

Hey Quark,

My apologies for the delays. I'm just checking in to see if you're still having the same issues casting?

Cheers,

Muddi
 

[Muddi]

Hi there,

I'm just checking in to see if you still need help with your device. 
 

Cheers,

Muddi

[Quark]

Hi,

Yes, unfortunately things have not improved.  Connection from the browser on my laptop appears to work at random, while it always works from my phone.  As noted above, everything is on the same network and the network has lots of bandwidth.  

[Muddi]

Hey Quark,

How about your Nest Mini? Are you still having issues when connected to your network?

Cheers,

Muddi

[Quark]

The Nest Mini itself has no problems connecting to the network and never has.  The only issue is casting from the laptop to the mini.

[Muddi]

Hi Quark,

Got it! To confirm, have you tried using a different laptop or computer to cast using a Chrome browser? 

Cheers,

Muddi

[Quark]

We have a desktop with a wired connection that is casting properly at the moment,  As mentioned, so does a pixel phone over wifi. Also, the laptop is able to cast to a TV that has a chromecast device.