Persistent Game Mode on Google TV Streamer

[Saitama1979]

Recently purchased the device but having a major issue already.

Game Mode has been turned off in the device settings. However, it keeps forcing my TV into game mode. This is causing all the media playback to be without any processing which causes major stuttering. Also unable to utilize any of the tv settings while the streamer is in Game Mode.

Have already tried a hard reset. After initial setup, it seemed fine. But as soon as I tried to play a movie (via Plex) it switched to Game Mode. And now it won't come out of it. 

[branches78]

Hello,

What TV do you have?

Did you actually turned OFF the game mode on the device?, there is a toggle that you can turn OFF, it's somewhere in the advanced video settings.

[Saitama1979]

Yes it's turned off. And yet it forced the TV into game mode.

Hisense TV.

I found another user on reddit complain about the same with the Google TV Streamer.

I had an older Mi Box device lying around. Plugged that in and the issue was not there.

[branches78]

It is strange that the game mode is getting triggered even when it's OFF.

You can also turned off the game mode on your Hisense TV, it's usually on Auto, can you check?, I also have a Hisense TV and I can turn it OFF too.

On my case it's different, I have an LG TV and the game mode doesn't get active with the Streamer if quick media switching is also active on the TV, I have to turn it off to get it working.

I use the game mode but I've been unable to use it with the Streamer, I already reported the issue though.

Please go to settings -> scroll down to help and feedback -> send feedback and explain in detail the situation, Google says that's the main way to report issues with the device.

[Saitama1979]

Hisense Game Mode turned off too.

I'm genuinely considering returning the device as the much cheaper Mi Box has no such issues.

I'll try the settings route to explain the issue to Google

[branches78]

Don't return it, we are expecting for Android 16 to arrive this year, hopefully they will announce it on this year's Google I/O so I hope the update fixes that issue as well as other issues I've reported.

[Saitama1979]

My return window is until the end of the month. My worry is that if this issue doesn't get fixed, I'm stuck with a dud device.

Movies are almost unwatchable because of the awful stutter/judder.

I've sent feedback via the device. Hoping for some form of feedback.

[branches78]

In that case I would suggest to return it, we don't know for sure how long will it take for them to fix the issue, I've been waiting for the game mode issue to be fixed for a few months now.

[BeulaA]

Hi @Saitama1979,

Thanks for reaching out to the community! I understand you're experiencing issues with Game Mode remaining active even after you've turned it off. This can cause media playback to run without processing and prevent you from accessing certain TV settings while using the Google TV Streamer (4K) in Game Mode. I know how important it is to have your device working properly, and I appreciate the steps you've taken so far. Don’t worry, I’m here to help!

I recommend following these steps to check if Game Mode is turned off in the Google Home app:

• Make sure your mobile device or tablet is connected to the same Wi-Fi network and signed in to the same account as your Google TV Streamer device.
• Open the Google Home app.
• Tap the name of the streaming device.
• At the top right, tap Settings.
• Under Device features, tap Video.
• Under Display, turn off Game Mode and set it to Automatically.

@branches78, thanks for providing information about the situation.

Keep me updated.

Regards,
Beula

[Saitama1979]

Just attempted to follow these instructions and Google Home is not even listing the streamer.

Same wifi network. Same Google account on both mobile and streamer. 

Tried adding device as well. No luck. 

The device is so buggy. Even when you try and restart it, the device restarts but doesn't pass any signal to the tv. You have to turn it off/standby via the remote and back on. 

[branches78]

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@Saitama1979 wrote:

Even when you try and restart it, the device restarts but doesn't pass any signal to the tv. You have to turn it off/standby via the remote and back on. 

---

That's a problem with Hisense TVs, you must switch the HDMI setting from Auto to enhanced mode, that should correct it.

[Saitama1979]

Oh. Wasn't aware.

Anyways that's the least of the problems I'm having at the moment.

If you don't mind me asking, what were the issues you were having with game mode again?

[branches78]

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@Saitama1979 wrote:

If you don't mind me asking, what were the issues you were having with game mode again?

---

The game mode doesn't work when the Quick Media Switching function is also activated on the TV, the only way I can use the game mode is by turning of QMS on the TV.

That is an issue that Google must correct on the Google TV Streamer because it works correctly with other devices I've tested.

[Saitama1979]

So since you have a Hisense as well, are you not facing similar issues like mine?

[branches78]

Not at all, the Game mode works as it should on that TV.

Have you check that the streamer is on its latest firmware version?

[Saitama1979]

Strange. Yes it's the latest firmware.

[branches78]

I would suggest to also contact Hisense, perhaps all this issue comes from its current firmware.

Have you checked if the TV is also on the latest firmware?

[Saitama1979]

Hisense is on the latest firmware. And I got the Google Streamer to upgrade from my existing Mi Box S 2nd Gen. 

That has game mode enabled but still doesn't have the issue the Google Streamer is having.

Funny thing is, if I unplug the streamer and let it boot up fresh, Game Mode doesn't get activated. 

The second I try and play back any video either via Netflix or Plex etc, it switches to Game mode.

[branches78]

Perhaps you are getting the same issue as me but it's the opposite.

Can you try by turning off the match content framerate option in the streamer, it may be set on "seamless-only", try by selecting never.

[Saitama1979]

When you mentioned this, it made me realise something. The Mi Box, despite having refresh rate switch at both system and app (Plex) level, doesn't actually switch the refresh rate at all.

So here are my findings.

Switching Hisense to Enhanced mode doesn't make a difference. Streamer on restart does not pass a signal. However, switching it to standard mode actually works! This issue doesn't exist on the Mi Box. 

Disabled refresh rate switch at device level. Left it on at app (Plex) level. TV switches to Game mode.

Switched it off at app Level. TV no longer switching to game mode.

So now I'm really confused. Is it a streamer issue? Is it a tv issue? Is it both?

Worst of all, once the device switches to Game mode, you can't take it out of it unless you either switch tv mode to standard or unplug and replug the device.

[branches78]

@Saitama1979  please follow my recommendations to try to isolate the problem, therefore:

1) Set your TV to enhanced mode, if the streamer doesn't output video, quickly switching to standard mode and then back to enhanced mode.

2) Go to the streamer video settings, then go to match content framerate settings and set it to never.

3) Since you say you are using Plex, test the app by switching the autoframe rate option between ON and OFF, the idea is to determine which option triggers the game mode.

[Saitama1979]

@branches78 

1) As mentioned in my earlier reply, switching to standard mode did bring up the Streamer signal. And I did switch to enhanced mode right after.

2) Had done this too as mentioned in my earlier post. It fixed the game mode issue. But obviously now everything plays at 60Hz 😫

3) Also mentioned in my previous post 😁. On triggers game mode and off doesn't.

So it basically seems like any time the box tries to auto switch between frame rates, the tv game mode gets enabled. This is with both the game mode on TV and streamer kept on off.

[branches78]

Thank you for clarification, have you tested the Streamer on a different TV?, the idea is to determine if the issue lies directly on the Streamer or on the TV.

[Saitama1979]

Unfortunately the Hisense is the only TV I have access to with a game mode.

[BeulaA]

Hi @Saitama1979, 

Thanks for your response, I appreciate the time and cooperation. To resolve the issue that you’re experiencing with the Google TV Streamer, i recommend you to try the following step:
1. Check HDMI-CEC Settings:

HDMI-CEC could be triggering the automatic switch to Game Mode when certain actions are detected, like starting media playback. To disable this:

On the Hisense TV:

• Go to Settings > General > HDMI-CEC (or a similar menu, depending on the model).
• Turn off HDMI-CEC (sometimes listed as Control for HDMI or simply CEC).

On the Google TV streamer:

• Go to Settings > Display & Sound > HDMI-CEC (this may be found under Device Preferences).
• Turn it off or set it to not automatically switch input modes.

2. Disable Auto Game Mode on the TV:

The TV might be auto-detecting the device as a gaming console. To stop this from happening, manually set the input to non-Game Mode:

• Go to Input Settings on the Hisense TV.
• Select the HDMI port where the Google TV is connected.
• If Game Mode is listed as an option, ensure it is turned off.

3. Factory Reset the Google TV Streamer:

Since you have already performed a hard reset, it may be worth trying a factory reset to resolve any lingering configuration issues:

• Go to Settings > System > Reset & Restore > Factory Reset.
• Confirm the reset and follow any on-screen prompts.

After the reset, reconfigure the device and check if Game Mode is still being automatically enabled.

4. Adjust HDMI Input Settings on Google TV:

If the Google TV is connected to an HDMI port known for gaming (like HDMI 2.1), it might be auto-detecting the signal as a game. Disable any auto-detection or auto-switch features in the Google TV’s Display Settings.

5.  Review TV Picture Settings:

Please check if there is an option to toggle between Standard and Game modes under the Picture Settings to regain full control over your display.

Keep me posted. 

Regards,
Beula

[Saitama1979]

Hi @BeulaA 

Thank you for the suggestions.

1. Disabled HDMI-CEC on both TV and streamer. Restarted streamer. Switched resolution switching to no. Switched to Game Mode again.

2. This was disabled on both TV and streamer from the start.

3. This is the last thing I had done before posting in the community here. No difference.

4. Game mode was the only option I could see with any relevence to this.

5. No such option unfortunately.