Strange popping sound in my nest mini

[limuremu]

Hello, I’ve just got my best mini about a month ago, and it’s been great so far. That being said, in the past week I’ve been hearing this sort or popping or cracking sound, similar to what you would hear if you had dust on a vinyl record and tried to play it. I haven’t heard it happen when the assistant is responding to me, but they don’t happen on a schedule or anything, more randomly. I’ve unplugged it and plugged it back in, rebooted it through the Home app, and tried plugging it into a different outlet. I’m pretty sure it’s not my wifi, and I’d like to avoid a factory reset if possible but I’m running out of options. Any help?

[pluri]

Hello, I don't think so, at least in my experience, I have one unit in a room that during winter is quite cold but still the issue was present as much as during summer. Also the ultrasound is not using much CPU, it is just a "stupid" ultrasound proximity sensor, nothing special.
Thermal paste over the CPU ? Ok now I see that you were just joking ! Nice one !

[Jen01]

After reading further comments I disabled the ultrasound sensor and have not had any popping since 🤞

[rickjforbes]

LOL

Thermal.paste.

The computer panacea

[marcolopes]

Nothing to do with heat...

I said here already that I conducted a heat test, where I put the device under high temperature with no change in popping.

Also, when you reset the device the popping sometimes goes away for 1 day...

[techtim]

My issue is with my Google Nest Audio which is the larger speaker.  It consistently crackles playing Spotify music and streaming radio stations.  There is no "ultrasound sensing" option in the settings.  My firmware is as follows per the app.  Unplugging it, replugging it back it and restarting the audio appears to fix it for a little while but it always returns.  Any other ideas?

System Firmware: 420420
Cast Firmware: 3.73.420420

[kelanfromgoogle]

Hey @techtim,

I see you're on 3.73 - this should resolve the popping sound. If you're still experiencing it after today, could you provide more details for what you're encountering? Are there any patterns you notice when the sound starts? Does it only happen with Spotify or does it occur when you're streaming any audio? What smartphone operating system do you use, Android or iOS? Is the music stream starting on the device via voice commands, or are you casting audio from a smartphone or tablet?

Appreciate any additional details you can share!

[techtim]

I power cycled the device yesterday as the crackling was really bad.  So far today I haven't heard any so I'll keep you posted as the day goes on.

Other details; I cast audio via my Home Assistant instance.  It starts Spotify music in the morning and automatically stops and restarts it when I leave my home throughout the day.  I also use Home Assistant to stream radio baseball games, then when the game is over back to Spotify music until it shuts off at 10:30pm.  I have an iOS device with the Google Home app.  I rarely ever use voice commands on this one.

[techtim]

@kelanfromgoogle 

Just heard the first couple crackle on the speaker.  The first one was between songs just as the new one began.  Then throughout the song it would crackle every 20 seconds or so.  I just stopped the music and restarted it.  Will report back.  I haven't power cycled it yet.

[BobSurunkle]

We might be at crossed purposes here, this thread is about distinct popping noises, not crackling or static sounds. It's a bit like bursting bubble wrap!

[techtim]

@BobSurunkle That's pretty much what it sounds like.  I'll try recording it and post that.

[techtim]

I finally had a few minutes of time to snag a recording.  It was really bad today.  This is the crackling/popping sounds I get while playing Spotify music on the larger Google Nest Audio.  On my iPhone Google Home app there isn't an option for the "Ultrasound sensing" feature.  I also have the microphone muted on the device.  If I unplug the device for a few seconds then plug it back in and restart Spotify music the crackling/popping usually stays away for a day or so but always returns.  Any additional input is much appreciated.

Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xPjotJCloBtzkHK2FAlY1U53LkZU15T5/view?usp=sharing

Device: Google Nest Audio
System FW: 420420
Cast FW: 3.73.420420

[marcolopes]

Let's ALL assume that a firmware different than the LATEST PREVIEW firmware (3.73.420420) is BUGGY!

So... ALL of you that use devices that are NOT on firmware 3.73.420420 should turn on the PREVIEW firmware option and "wait" for the update before commenting about this problem (you should, instead, use a thread to ask Google to implement a MANUAL FIRMWARE UPDATE option: https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Speakers-and-Displays/Google-Nest-Mini-firmware-384934-NOT-li...)

[BobSurunkle]

Like you Marco, my Nest Minis were on two different firmware revisions.

They both now have 3.73.420420 and interestlingly, my pair of Home Minis have updated to 3.73.415414. Not sure what they were before but I think they were the same as each other and of course didn't suffer from the popping.

Both pairs worked flawlessly for about 24 hours but then the next day only the left unit from each pair worked.

The Home app detected the right unit from each pair as a new device and I had to run setup (twice each time) to get them working.

So far, so good......no popping and both pairs in the group appear to be working perfectly.

[marcolopes]

You are now on all the most recent PREVIEW firmware: https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/7365257#zippy=%2Ccurrent-preview-program-firmware-versi...

It's not strange that the devices config gets lost when a firmware update is made (i expect anything and everything!). I'm glad the Nest Minis and the Home Minis (apparently) are now POPPING free!

I haven't heard a POP on my 3 Nest Minis (1 Stereo pair and 1 standalone device) for weeks now!

[marcolopes]

@kelanfromgoogle Sadly, i have to report that this issue is NOT resolved...

I've been posting about the apparent success of the latest PREVIEW firmware in resolving the POPPING problem, and I haven't heard any POPing since my devices were all updated UNTIL TODAY!

Today, i heard at least 2 "low volume" POPS (same as before) spaced by a few minutes, after restarting one PLAYLIST that i listen on Spotify using "voice commands" (i have to remember that this problem is/WAS NOT related to Spotify, but with ALL STREAMING made by the device directly from the INTERNET, including the ANSWERS of the "assistant")

I will keep you posted about the findings of the next days...

I really hopped that this problem was resolved...

[kelanfromgoogle · Accepted solution]

Hey everyone,

Our recent firmware update 3.73 has reached 100% rollout, and with it comes an update that should resolve the "popping noise" that many of you have described in this thread. If you are still experiencing this issue, please confirm that your devices and Google Home app are up to date. If the issue persists, please reach back out here with as much detail as you can provide and I'll make sure the team is aware.

Thank you all for the patience.
Kelan

[tsengf]

Hi, I have been on the latest firmware for a couple weeks now and can confirm that I do not hear any pops with and without the Ultrasound sensing feature.

Unfortunately, I think there are others who still experience the pops even on the latest firmware.

[marcolopes]

I have all devices with the most recent preview firmware (it was a battle to update the stereo pair... one device refused to update for months...) and I turned on the ultrasound sensing. 

NO POPPING for more than a week!!!

[sr_vrd]

A bit too late. Already got rid of my gen2 device and got a gen1 on eBay. For next time, prompt updates that are more than "yeah yeah, we know, we're working on this" would be much appreciated.

[marcolopes]

As I said previously, with the most recent PREVIEW firmware, no popping for a week now!!!

Let's pray to the universe 🙏 !

[enagen]

Testing and seems to works OK now, no noise!!!...all devices with 3.73, Nest Mini, Audio and Home. Hope this will remain this way.

[Neuber]

Still happening on nest audio

Firmware 420420

Cast Firmware. 3.73.420420

[marcolopes]

It's strange because your nest audio has the same firmware has the nest mini...

The problem should be fixed on both...

I was going to suggest that you create a new topic, but it's better to give feedback on this one. Please refer to the Nest AUDIO clearly when posting about the persistent problem on this device!

[BillF43]

Hi,

I have this problem - but only on one of my three Mini speakers.

The System Version is: 420420 & the Cast firmware is :3.73.420420 on all three - but the proble is only on one of them.

Can you assist / advise?

Regards

Bill

[Tarpii]

Fix confirmed, thank you!

[Teheran]

This is still happening with one of my nest minis, it (speaker audio breaking up) often happens in sporadic fashion coupled with delays in listening and sometimes not registering at all. Strange because the other one is fine. I looked for that ultrasound sensing feature in my app settings but it doesn't seem to exist as an option on my device.

[ChanceBacca]

One of my devices is still on 2.57 and refuses to update

[aperezdeleon]

Hi ChanceBacca,

Thanks for your input.

Can you give me more details about the specific devices that aren't able to update? That would be really helpful so we can investigate further and determine the best course of action.

Let me know how it goes.

Regards,
Angel.

[marcolopes]

In my case, it was the LEFT DEVICE of a STEREO PAIR (didn't update for months...)

Check this topic: https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Speakers-and-Displays/Google-Nest-Mini-firmware-384934-NOT-li...

Google MUST implement a way to FORCE a manual update! This is paramount!

[rickjforbes]

Hi @aperezdeleon 
You have now ghoisted me for 51 days on thread https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Speakers-and-Displays/Your-quot-Higher-Support-quot-quot-Engi...

As you are clearly active and I keep replying there, would you be so kind as to take a look

[marcolopes]

Check this tópic: https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Speakers-and-Displays/Google-Nest-Mini-firmware-384934-NOT-li...

[leinadwolf]

yo aun sigo esperando una RESPUESTA de soporte tecnico, para la actualizacion maligna que hizo con el google nest mini, la cual la dejo imposibilitada de usar y las 4 luces en blanco, mil pesos tirados a la basura, NO RECOMIENDO NINGUN DISPOSITIVO DE GOOGLE O SUS DERIVADOS QUE OCUPEN OS DE GOOGLE, 

[marcolopes]

Check this topic: https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Speakers-and-Displays/HOME-mini-UNRESPONSIVE-thread-quot-Goog...

[marcolopes]

I can say with certainty that this issue as been fixed.

It's a shame that Google doesn't point out what was causing it and how it was fixed.

I hope that, from now on, Google gives this community the attention it deserves.

Big thanks to all who participated in this quest, and reported here until this problem was finally resolved.

[tsengf]

Glad to hear it. Did the firmware of all your devices get updated?

[marcolopes]

Yes! Suddenly the stereo pair device that was refusing to update was up to date... (weeks ago)

After that, no more popping!