Update for me, I fixed it by opening my google mini, opened the small
switch box and cleaned the contacts, tested the contact and closed it
back, now its fully working. Seems my issue was the dirty mute switch
even if I never used it.
Ending up here for the same issue only one of the 3 nest 1st gen I have
has the always on mute issue even if the switch is not set to mute.
Tried rebooting, power down and up, reset to default and nothing
changed. I have never used the mute button on...