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Google TV Streamer issues with Google Photos in Ambient Screensaver

TomJones
Community Member

‎01-19-2026 06:34 AM

I just purchased a new Google TV Streamer and my issues started with the setup.  I could not get it to setup with the home app on my Wi-Fi.  I have almost every previous Chromecast device so I am very familiar with the setup.  I had to resort to setting it up using the remote and I had to hard wire it.  Even with those steps the setup had very long pauses between steps maybe 10 minutes.  I have factory reset it several times after it updated to see if the process would improve once it had updated but the setup issues continued.  One of the main features of the devices I love is the Ambient Screensaver showing my Google Photos (I have 5 TVs and monitors running my pictures).  I go into the Ambient setting on the TV using the remote, it asks to link my account which I allow on my phone.  I can then select albums but when I run the screensaver it only shows the stock photos.  I can set the AI photos but not my google photos.  I have also tried to setup the screensaver from the Home app on mu pixel 8 pro and when I click on Ambient Mode it asks to link my Google account and when I click Yes I am in it fails and says  "Can't Link to Ambient, Please try again later".  

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1 REPLY 1

GabrielaG
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

‎01-22-2026 03:47 PM

Hi @TomJones,

 

Thanks for posting in the Google Nest Community. I'm sorry to hear that setting up your Google TV Streamer (4K) wasn't the experience you were expecting and that you are having trouble setting up Ambient Mode. I appreciate your effort in performing those troubleshooting steps. I'm glad to help you.

Please perform the steps below to help isolate the issue:

  • Upgrade to the latest version of the Google Photos and Google Home app.
  • Check for system updates on your mobile device (Android version requirements).
  • Make sure you’re connected to WiFi and have available device storage.
  • Close and reopen the Google Home app.

Note: Please consider how many photos are in the album you want to use for the Ambient Mode screensaver. It is recommended to have no more than 100 photos in the selected album for the best performance.

Feel free to keep posting if you have more questions.

 

Regards,

Gabriela

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