Google Streamer custom button will not work with Google Home

[datristanthe2nd]

The instructions say long press the Star/Custom button and select Google Home, then press Create Shortcut and you will receive a conformation message...

What happens is I long press the Star button, click the ok button when Google Home is selected, and the streamer dumps me back on the google tv homepage.... when i press the star button again it goes into setup.
What am i doing wrong or is the system broken?

I can hold the home button and select google home and access most devices (lights but not cameras) so Home is connected.

[DBStreamer]

Exactly the same issue here. Tried to change language, but did not help. Not sure what else to try, seems like a bug. Since I can see all my Google Home devices, cams, etc via the Settings, it should be simple to have the shortcut working, but it seems like it cannot store/save when I choose "Google Home" as my configurable button

[emmzone22]

I guess that's one of the few things that works fine for me. My customized button works great for Home. Other than that and the remote overall and the system being faster, it's a complete waste of money. It's no better than the Chromecast which is half the price. Actually, I think the Chromecast is better. 

[BumbleBeeTuna]

Cameras quality on the stream is a ton better. Find my remote also really handy. Built in data jack. 3 reasons why this is a worthwhile upgrade over the previous gen especially for the low cost. 

[CalValX]

I JUST posted about this same issue because it said no such issue has been posted before. I suffer from exactly the same issue. Have you tried to factory reset it and set it up all over again? 

[Wizard07701]

I have the same issue.  Have been on multiple phone calls with Google help but still no solution.  I bought the streamer so I would have quick access to Google Home on my TV.  As of right now I have to go over to the gear icon , click there to get to Google home.  

[koalabjb8]

If you long press the home button on the remote it should bring up the side settings which you can then access Google Home from pretty easily. 

[Wizard07701]

If I long press the home button, all it does is take me to Google TV.  I still need to navigate to the gear button then go down to Google Home.  That takes 8 clicks of the remote.  My whole reason for buying this was to have one click access to Home on my TV.  

[Ashepherdson]

Something more is going on with your unit then, as Long pressing the Home brings me right to Google Home.  You may want to factory reset the unit and start fresh!

[CalValX]

You received the confirmation to create the shortcut? It has never popped up for me. I restarted, did the factory reset, unpaired and repaired the remote, checked for updates, pulled the USB power, everything and it still doesn’t work. Sounds like us with the issues need to replace the unit unless Google can finally update the software.

[CMYanko]

Sure but then if I hit the back button to leave the panel It also leaves what I was watching

[CalValX]

I upgraded to the Google TV Streamer from the previous version in order to take advance of the Google Home features. In attempting to pair the Customizable Button to pull up the Google Home panel, it simply refuses to do so. Upon selecting, it either goes back to the Home Screen, or to the previous page(if I’m in the full Settings menu). I’ve tried all available remedies shared here and tried it on multiple days. Everything is up to date as well. I don’t know if there needs to be an update patch offered to fix this issue but I’m at a loss on what to do next. I don’t want to have to resort to returning the unit. Please help.

[emmzone22]

My Chromecast with Google TV has the Home features. The only thing it doesn't have that the Streamer has is the customizable Home button.

[jblancobello]

Hello, I purchased a Google TV streamer over the weekend and have been unable to configure the remote (star button) to launch Google Home.

The app does not allow me to map the start button to 'Google home', I can see the option to do so, select it, hit save, but the device does not remember my selection. I can access Google Home perfectly fine from the main menu.

[JillG]

Hi @jblancobello 

You aren't the only one.  The Streamer team is aware and her is their reply and a workaround until a fix is out:

Appreciate everyone who has let us know about the customizable button not working as expected. The team is investigating the issue. In the meantime, if you'd like to access the home panel with your remote, you can long-press the home button on the remote and navigate to the home panel tile. For more information and detailed steps - check out this help center article.

Thanks for reporting!

Jill

[Cederick]

That's not even a workaround. It is just using the menus like on Chromecasts without the fancy new button. A workaround for the button would make the button at least work. It feels like comparing you'd say going to the grocery store would be a workaround for food delivery.

[Ashepherdson]

It is a workaround as it gets you to the home controls, I know it's not ideal, but it is being worked on, no ETA as of yet , especially due to the time of year, but it is being taken seriously and will be addressed.  I have raised your concern with the team at Google 

[Cederick]

Well first of all I want to say that I appreciate your efforts. I am just really frustrated because I bought this product as an upgrade to a Chromecast. But I had to discover that none of the new advertised software features seem to be available in Germany even if you change your language to English (AI summary, AI backgrounds, Live Channels). Not even binding the home app to the custom button is working for anyone. So I just feel like I wasted money and like I got scammed. Are you even created in new post regarding this issues which is literally getting zero replies. And I speculate that Germany is not the only country with these issues.

[Ashepherdson]

We get notified of posts that we are part of , and try to merge posts of the same nature.  I will take a look at others and try to merge here.   All I know at the moment is the Google team is working on the custom home button.   As for the other features, I'm in Canada myself and trust me I know the pain of not getting access to all features.   All we can do is wait this out as it is still a new product.  You are of course welcome to return it if you wish.  I will say, from my own experience with the streamer this far, the custom Google home button feels like a misstep by Google, as the long press is the way it was meant to be used.  Personally I linked the custom button to open Plex as that is what I use most, and I long press the home button to get the side panel open and control my home, which I prefer because I can do it while not interrupting what I am watching, but to each their own.  I will update you when I hear more, and I know the Google team will also post when they have a solid answer. 

[MichaelRuiz91]

Just bought the streamer and am having the same issue. Any update to this problem?

[dbarbi1]

Same issue here.

[ChoE]

Same issues here, awaiting resolution.

[tjbx]

Same issue here

[SeeSwiss]

Same pls fix google

[Ashepherdson]

Everyone... Why are you trying to set the custom button for Google home... You simply need to press and hold the home button for the panel to open.  Use the custom button for your favourite app (IE Plex, Amazon, etc).

[Wizard07701]

You might be confused , if not apologies.  Google "home" button takes you to the Google TV screen not to Google Home "app".  As a lot of us have posted on this thread , we bought this streamer so we could hit one button and the Google Home app would open on our TV to see cameras or adjust lights etc.  

I can only recommend that everyone having issues call Google and get your "ticket " in.  

[SeeSwiss]

Exactly this. It’s was the main marketed use of the shortcut button and what a lot of us google home users upgraded for. This shouldn’t have been released if the main feature people bought it for isn’t working and for these to have been shipping for a couple months now and it’s still not fixed is beyond ridiculous.

[Ashepherdson]

Alrighty, I can see what you are talking about...trying to select Google home does nothing in the custom menu.. strange indeed.  I will escalate this with the team, but for now, have you tried as a work around to use the long press on the home button to use the home panel? It has the Google home devices (cameras, thermostat, lights, etc) 

[dbarbi1]

Long press on home, then selecting Google Home works. It is a few button presses more than necessary, but works.

Just a bit strange in the Out-of-Box Experience that it asks me to set this button to either Google Home or my favorite app, so I set it to Google Home which didn't do anything. I would assume Google would want to fix it, or remove the screen during the first run setup.

[SeeSwiss]

As Per Google’s own FAQ - “The Google TV Streamer Voice Remote comes with a new customizable button, which you can program to immediately launch your favorite app, switch inputs, or open the home panel to control your smart home. Visit this Help Centre page to learn more.”

[Ashepherdson]

Yes that functionality seems to be broken, I have escalated already and the Google team is aware now and will provide updates 

[C408gray]

For my issue:

Customizable Button was set to Google Home, but I noticed if I updated my "Favorites" within Google Home app that it wasn't coming across correctly to the Google TV Streamer. 

I restarted the Google TV Streamer; still no change. I changed the Customizable button from "Google Home" to "Input" then tried to go back to "Google Home" and it will not let me go back. 

I can go to Settings>Remote & Accessories > Set up remote buttons > Customizable Button, and then I can toggle either "Favorite App" OR "Device Input", and either of those work just fine. If I select "Google Home" then it returns me to the previous "Set up remote buttons" page without applying the change. It retains the previous setting, whether it be an app or input. 

I have restarted the device, no change. 

I have forgotten the remote and re-added, no change. 

Issue started for me at approximately 2030 PST on Dec 8th. Will update if I find a fix. 

[RobNordrum]

Same issue here. Fyi the in store video demo at BestBuy literally shows people pressing the home button and going to the google home app directly. This is literally thr ONLY reason I bought this thing so that my guests could control the lights easily and access googme home favourites. Pls fix. This is rather frustrating.

[Wizard07701]

Sorry for repeating myself but please just don't post here, fill out the help form and have Google call you and let them know this issue is widespread.  They have reached out to me multiple times but still no fix.  

[Ashepherdson]

Guys Google is aware... Nothing you can do now but wait for a fix.  Workaround is long pressing the home button to access Google home through the panel, not ideal I understand but it works.  

[GoogleNestTeam · Accepted solution]

Hey all,

Appreciate everyone who has let us know about the customizable button not working as expected. The team is investigating the issue. In the meantime, if you'd like to access the home panel with your remote, you can long-press the home button on the remote and navigate to the home panel tile. For more information and detailed steps - check out this help center article.

Thank you for your patience.

[Genius]

Same exact issue experienced on 12/12/2024

[Jakefleeger]

So when will this bug be patched? Part of the reason I switched to Google home was so I could easily access cameras on tv.

[kellyjeanmarie]

Same issue here on Google streamer

[Wizard07701]

Good day.

Any update?  Do i return this before the holiday before my return window is over?  As you can tell this issue is systematic.   Are their actual engineers working on this ?