Some radio stations not playing on certain devices

[Gren]

So after years of everything working fine I'm getting a particular issue playing the radio on my Hub Max.

It won't play anything on Rayo (Magic etc) or Global player (Capital) but will play Radio 1 on BBC Sounds. Other Google home devices (Mini and Audio) on the same network will play everything.

When I try to play Magic/Capital on the Max. It says it's playing, the app banner comes up then all I see is the programme detail and no sound. Asking it to 'stop' does nothing unless I actually specify the exact device. If I don't it says its stopping another device in the house.

The firmware on the Max seems up to date and I've rebooted it. Nothing changes. Any thoughts?

[DB485]

Same problem here on all my speakers and displays. Anyone out there have a remedy. As it drives my kids and me nuts.

[Gren]

I found a workaround that shows what a shambles Google Home is. Hopefully it will help you.

I created a routine. Called it 'kitchen radio'. If I trigger it from the home app by pressing the automations button then the radio plays. It plays Magic FM via TuneIn and works fine

If I use the voice command to trigger the exact same routine it trys to play via Rayo and fails.

So there is definitely an issue between certain radio apps and the Home Max.

Don't use voice commands and force it to use TuneIn was the only way I could get it to work

[DeboraJ]

Hi @Gren,

Thank you for reaching out to the community! I understand you encountered some issues streaming Magic Radio on your Nest Hub Max. Thank you for letting me know that you found a potential solution using Google Home app automations. I'm glad to hear it's now working for you.

Even though you found a workaround, I'm still happy to try some things to get it working with voice commands if you're up for it! If so, could you answer a few questions for me: 

• What version of the Google Home app are you using?
• When did this issue start happening?
• What's the exact voice command you're using to play the radio?

Once you provide this information, I'll be more than happy to assist you further.

Best regards,

Debora

[Gren]

Thanks for helping,

Google Home app version 3.30.1.6 (note I am not using the app to trigger this)

Started happening around a week ago

I say 'Hey Google play Magic radio'

I can force it to work myself by saying 'play Magic Radio on TuneIn' but that's not solving the actual problem it's just another workaround

[DeboraJ]

Hi @Gren, 

Thanks for the details! It's great to know that saying "play Magic Radio on TuneIn" ensures your device works properly. This is the recommended command you can use to play Magic Radio on your Nest Hub Max. This is because sometimes you need to be more specific when giving commands to your device.

Don't hesitate to ask if you have more questions, I'm happy to answer them.

Best regards,

Debora

[Gren]

Thanks for trying to help but sorry but that's just a workaround. Why does it work on all my other devices? Why does it work with other radio playing apps? Why did it work until last week? Forcing it to use TuneIn is not a solution, the problem is still there unfortunately

This is a bug. Pure and simple. Users should not have to find ways around bugs that are introduced by developers.

[AndyPP]

Completely agree, forcing it to a specific app doesn't work for me. I'm trying to play Radio X and that defaults to Global Player, as expected, the app displays on the Hub Max but there is no audio. If I start the stream on a Mini and then via the Google Home app add the Hub Max to the cast it works immediately. This is 100% repeatable.

[Paul41]

Like the OP, this is not a solution. I am getting exactly the same issue since last week and can get it to work via TuneIn but not Rayo. The Rayo app is clearly the issue, their developers have changed something and caused this. Not sure that google can fix it. 

[VillageMan]

Yes it's a Rayo app issue as everything else works. Like Spotify and BBC sounds. Sorry only two I used other than Rayo 

I've reached out to Rayo support but no replies yet. 

[AndyPP]

It's not unique to Rayo, it also affects GlobalPlayer. But if it is an app issue, why does it appear to be limited to Nest Hub Max and not the Nest Mini which seems to work normally. As I mentioned before, if I start the stream on a Mini and then cast it to Hub Max from the Google Home app it works first time.

[AndyPP]

Simlar problem, works on Home Mini etc but not on Hub Max. Workaround is to start the streaming on a different device and then from the Google Home app add the Hub Max to the cast. Oddly, later in the day it usually works the normal way on Hub Max.

[Se66]

Same here. In the last five days iHeartRadio and W ABC 77 look like they’re going to play, but nothing happens.  Something is broken on their end.