Speaker groups stopped streaming simultaneously to Google speakers and other speakers

[RickSickSix]

I have previously set up speaker groups (such as home group) including my Sony soundbar and Sony Bravia TV as well as several Nest devices. Streaming music too these groups was working fine until a couple of weeks ago. Now I can still play music onto the stereo or TV from Google Home or Bluetooth on their own, but when selecting the speaker groups they are a part of the music only comes from the Google devices.

If I am already streaming to a Google device and try to add one of these non Google devices to what is playing, I get a message that something went wrong or I don't get any message but the device I clicked on fails to be ticked. If I am playing on the stereo and then tick the box next to a Google device it might start playing on it as well but not always. But I always get the message that something went wrong.

I have tried removing and creating new speaker groups. I have tried hard resetting the devices. The fact that both of my non-google devices stopped being included in groups at the same time. Makes me think this is likely a Google software issue and not related to hardware.

[5tiffler]

I found this is usually a mimo issue with your home router. Because it will only have 2 antennas it will struggle to keep more than 4 devices fed and in sync at the same time.

You could try separating your 2.4 and 5g WiFi and mix up which devices are connected to each to try load balance. You may get better results that way

[RickSickSix]

Thanks for the suggestion but I have mesh network with devices distributed across 2.4 and 5 GHz with no sign of loss of network activity so I don't think this is the case with my situation

[husher5142]

I have the same issue. You can put pcap in-between you can see the packets hit the device and get a return, but the device still drops and its the same with home ap. You will get different functionality between clicking on the device and trying to connect directly, versus from the main overview page. Still randomly drops

[Dan_A]

Hi folks,

That certainly hasn't been easy for you ― let me get this information out first for better understanding.

• Most Google Nest speaker, display, and Chromecast devices should receive an over-the-air update to allow those devices to continue to function in speaker groups. Refer to the Cast firmware versions below for the minimum versions.
• Nest Mini, Nest Audio, Nest Wifi Point > 1.56x
• Chromecast Audio, Chromecast (2018), Chromecast Ultra, Nest Hub (1st gen), Nest Hub (2nd gen), Nest Hub Max, Google Home, Google Home Mini, Google Home Max > 1.54x
• Speaker groups containing non-Google speakers or Cast-based devices may not work properly in speaker groups if you don’t receive a software update. You may notice that those devices don’t play audio in a speaker group. Third-party Cast devices like soundbars with Chromecast built-in will need to be updated to Cast firmware 1.52.272222 and above.

Note: Not all device models will receive software updates. As a result, they may no longer work in speaker groups and will need the Device Utility app to complete each setup.

Refer to the Find your device's firmware version help center article for how to find a device’s firmware version using the Google Home app and keep me posted.

Best,

Dan

[Muddi]

Hi there,

I wanted to follow up and see if you are still in need of any help. Please let me know if you are still having any trouble from here, as I would be happy to take a closer look and assist you further.

Cheers,

Muddi

[RickSickSix]

The problem is indeed old Chromecast firmware on my Sony hardware. Frustrating that a breaking change was introduced to Nest products with no way of reversing or backward compatibility. The hardware I have is by no means old, but not patched regularly, and is stuck on Chromecast 1.40

[Dan_A]

Hi folks,

@RickSickSix, we appreciate people who are keen on sharing their thoughts with us. We're always looking for ways to improve and we'll take this as feedback. You can use this link to submit a feedback. Let me know if I can assist you in anything else, otherwise I will be locking this thread in 24 hours.

Best regards,

Dan