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Stop reacting to "hey google hey google"!

SunnyRio
Community Member

Having to post this again due to the same question being closed due to inactivity (rolls eyes).

I'll reword it to see if I'm understood this time.

If I say "hey google", and it takes a while to notice, I might say "hey google" again. But then I find it noticed the first one late, and then tries to answer the question "hey google" with something silly like "hey indeed". And then I have to start again.

1 Recommended Answer

@SunnyRio

When I say "Hey Google" the Nest Hub immediately displays its tabs. If I say "Hey Google" again, it displays "Hey Google" at the top but doesn't do anything; if I say nothing more, nothing happens and the screen goes back to the clock. If I say "Hey Google" several times with pauses it displays each one, and then after a few seconds, it finally says "That's me, how can I help?"

View Recommended Answer in original post

94 REPLIES 94

Mlabrador
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hi folks, 

 

Thanks for posting in the community. Let's sort this out. 

 

@MikeClark, thanks for the help. 

 

@SunnyRio, thanks for trying the steps. Could you also check if this also happens when asking your Google Assistant using your mobile phone? 

 

 

Best, 

Nikki 

Dan_A
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hello everyone,

 

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

 

Thanks,

Dan

I know my voice is clear.  I've listened to playbacks of the recordings in my account.  I know the voice is converted to speech at the Google servers.  The servers are broken.  It ain't my device.

Muddi
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey SunnyRio,

 

I understand that you have multiple issues with your Google Home device. Also, I noticed that you have different threads open discussing all the issues on your speaker. To avoid confusion and to make sure that we address all your concerns, it is best if we stick to one thread since you're having issues with only one device.

 

I'll review all the threads so I can merge it on the main one. I'll update you as soon as I finished merging all your threads.

 

Cheers,

Muddi

Muddi
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey SunnyRio, 

I’ve duplicated your thread to the main one here since your concerns is related to one device only. This will help us address the issue on your device one at a time.

Cheers,
Muddi

SunnyRio
Community Member

How do I adjust the Hey Google sensitivity?  I did this successfully back when I set up my Google Home original device.  But when I try now (to check it's still on maximum after resetting things), it says "this feature is not supported on any of your devices at this time".  What's going on?

Sorry if this has been posted before, but I think the forum's show similar posts is busted, it takes ages to give results.

By the way, even on maximum sensitivity it often doesn't notice I'm talking to it.  Is this something which was improved on later models?

Juni
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hi SunnyRio,
 

Thanks for posting here in the Google Nest Community.
 

I’m sorry to hear you’re having trouble with this. No worries, we'll check this out. Check these steps to adjust the “Hey Google” sensitivity.

  1. Open the Google Home app Google Home.
  2. At the bottom, tap Home Home.
  3. Touch and hold your speaker or Smart Display.
  4. At the top right, tap Device settings Settings and then Audio and then “Hey Google” sensitivity. 
  5. Choose how sensitive you want Google Assistant to be when it responds to you.
  • To change this setting on another device, tap Adjust more devices.

We want to know more about your Nest speaker's not responding to voice command concern. 

  1. What kind of environment does the device fail in? Examples: Is the environment noisy, normal, or quiet.
  2. Where is the device placed? Examples: Is the device by itself, up against the wall, next to a TV or audio speaker, next to a microwave?
  3. Is there anything that covers the device? (Example: If a child has decorated the speaker or display with stickers

Keep me posted.

 

Regards,

Juni

This software is so inconsistent.  The very first time I did it, it worked fine.  The second time I did it, I was told "this feature is not supported on any of your devices at this time", the third time I'm told I'm not the primary account holder for the device, so I change account and now I can adjust it.  What a palaver for such a simple setting.

It can be noisy in here (many parrots) but it also fails to hear me when it's silent - eg. I've just got up, they're still dozed off, and I ask it a question.

It's sat on top of a stereo (which isn't playing) near computer monitors and an insect zapper.  If that's a problem, tough, people tend to have more than one thing on a desk.

I assume the microphones are the two little holes on top?  (It's an original Google Home) - if so, they're not covered.

Juni
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hi there,
 

Thanks for providing those details and sorry that you are still experiencing the issue. You can do a reboot and once it’s booted up, get within 3 to 5 feet of the Google Home and say the hotword "Okay Google" or "Hey Google.". Check if the LEDs turn on when they use the hotword. If the LEDs turn on, this means that your Google Home heard you and is ready to listen for a command. If the device still doesn't respond at this attempt, say the hotword again, but slower.

 

Keep me posted.
 

Best,

Juni

SunnyRio
Community Member

Rebooting doesn't help.  It always ignores me about 10-20% of the time.  Or 0% when I'm trying to test it!  I must speak more clearly when testing, natural speach confuses it.

Juni
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hi SunnyRio,

 

Thanks for the response. That is correct, we just need to make sure that we speak as clearly as possible so your Google Home can respond and answer your inquiries and tasks accurately.
 

Regards,

Juni

SunnyRio
Community Member

I actually find it mishears me more often if I speak clearer, especially with maths questions.  A natural voice works better than clearly enunciating each number.

Why is it so rubbish at understanding speach in 2022?  I was using speech recognition about as good as this in 1999.  It was running on a Pentium 266Mhz single core machine.  What is the computing power of the Google servers compared to that?

Muddi
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey SunnyRio,

 

Just an added question: what is the Assistant language set on your device? Also, please share a video showing how you command your device. This will help us to understand what's going on with your device.

 

Cheers,

Muddi

SunnyRio
Community Member

English UK.  Not sure what you want in the video, and I can't be bothered making another one, I recently made this for another query in here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/4nvpqtti46y050h/20221224_041104.mp4?dl=0

Muddi
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey SunnyRio,

 

Thanks for sharing the video. To confirm, how many Google Home/Nest devices do you have?

 

Cheers,

Muddi

SunnyRio
Community Member

Only one device (apart from my Android phone).

Hey what does that Bronze medal I got mean?

Muddi
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey SunnyRio,

 

Thanks for confirming. I’ve duplicated your thread to the main one here since your concerns is related to one device only. This will help us address the issue on your device one at a time.

 

Cheers,
Muddi

SunnyRio
Community Member

You have to make maths more accurate.  I'm often given wrong answers.  I asked "what's 4 divided by 24?"  I was told 0.33333 which is wrong.  I asked precisely the same question again, and was given the correct answer of 0.166667.  If it's not sure it must repeat the question so you know it's misheard.  Sometimes it does, but it seems to be thinking it's sure it's heard correctly when it hasn't.

I have sent feedback, but I'm not sure they ever listen to them, nothing I complain about ever gets fixed.  How big is the queue of stuff to work through?  This system has been running for years now, how can they have not perfected it yet?  And don't tell me you don't have access to that information.  Do you guys have access to anything at all?

@SunnyRio 


I think the Google Assistant just doesn't hear correctly at times. It helps to have a device with a screen, so you can see the readout of what Google Assistant thinks it heard, so you know what happened.  In your example, it would certainly be interesting to see what Google Assistant thought it heard to yield an answer of 0.33333.

I'm amazed they can't make software better at interpreting speech in 2022.  Presumably this is the fault of the software running on the server, not my device.  I did some research into voice recognition a long time ago when I worked in a university, around 1999, and I found the power of the processor made a huge difference.  Maybe they don't have enough server power to do everyone's recognition at once with enough power?

Yes it does seem odd.  It can't have thought I said 8/24 or 4/12 as those words sound completely different.  Oh!  I just checked the history, it thinks I said 4/12.  I played back the recording and I definitely and clearly said 4/24.

What's really funny is when I played back the recording, it heard itself and answered again!  You'd think it would be bright enough to ignore a playback of itself!  Wow, some programmers....

This is terrible.  I just asked 500/60 and it misheard it as 500/6.  I have to think about every answer to see if it sounds reasonable.  Very shoddy workmanship.

It's a pity I'd never heard of the screen versions when I bought this.

Muddi
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey SunnyRio,

 

Thanks for reaching out, and we appreciate @MplsCustomer  for helping here. Sorry to hear about your experience with your Google Home/Nest device. Let's get to the bottom of this. 

 

A few questions:

 

  • What specific Google Home/Nest device do you have?
  • How long did the device work as intended before experiencing this symptom?
  • When was the device purchased?
  • How often does the problem occur?
  • What kind of environment is the device in?
  • Where is the device placed?
  • Does the same issue occur when others are speaking to the speaker or display?

Looking forward to your response.

 

Cheers,

Muddi

 

SunnyRio
Community Member

The original one.

 

It's always misheard me.

I bought it about a month ago.

Problem occurs about 1 in 4 times.

It's in my living room, fairly quiet, sometimes parrots squawking, but it mishears me whether they're making a noise or not.

The device is on top of my stereo, behind the computer monitor, but it's the same anywhere.

I've not tried other people speaking to it.

Muddi
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey SunnyRio,

 

Thanks for the information. I noticed that you have other threads open - is this the same device that you're having an issue with?

 

Cheers,

Muddi

SunnyRio
Community Member

Yes, I only have the one device, plus my Android 11 phone (but I don't use that for Google Homing).

Muddi
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey SunnyRio,

 

Thanks for confirming. Since we're assisting you on the same device.  I'll go ahead and duplicate your other threads here so we can assist you properly. I'll update the thread as soon as I assign a main thread for your issues.

 

Cheers,

Muddi

Muddi
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey SunnyRio,

 

Just a quick update. I’ve duplicated your thread to the main one here since your concerns is related to one device only. This will help us address the issue on your device one at a time.

 

Cheers,
Muddi

SunnyRio
Community Member

Is there a way to find the number of days between two dates, eg. "Hey Google, how many days between October the seventh nineteen ninety seven and June the fifteenth twenty eleven?" - that question produced the ever common "I'm sorry I don't understand".

@SunnyRio

Reworded just slightly, I just asked our Nest Hub "Hey Google, how many days are there between October seventh nineteen ninety seven and June fifteenth two thousand eleven?" I got 4,999 days as the answer.

Thanks, that worked. I guess even though I have mine set to English, it requires me to use the American style for naming dates. It's actually an American Google Home, well it's got an American plug and warned me I was in the wrong country and it might not work when I set it up. It was a cheap "unused customer return" from an Ebay seller. Not sure how it ended up over here.

@SunnyRio

Well, it might also be that Google Assistant is not nearly as forgiving as a human being in figuring out the meaning a question, and can easily get confused. Sometimes I just try rephrasing a question if Google Assistant gets confused or gives a meaningless answer. Sometimes careful enunciation also helps.

For example, I just tried adding two words to your phrasing and got the correct answer:

"Hey Google, how many days ARE THERE between October the seventh nineteen ninety seven and June the fifteenth twenty eleven?"

Now mine is accepting my original phrase, worded exactly as it was! Does it learn? I'm sure after trying a question a few different ways, it understands them all next time. Maybe it actually realises the second is a rewording of the first.

Can you ask yours my exact original wording? Have you tried my wording before?

@SunnyRio

I just tried your exact original wording here in Minnesota, USA, and it worked. Who knows?

It's strange, sometimes it's really good at understanding and sometimes it isn't. For example I had a laugh when I took it to my parents' house. I tried asking it questions putting on various accents, and it understood me perfectly. Then I imitated King Charles (was Prince Charles) and pretended to forget my name. It said "Your name is your highness". I pretended to look shocked. I'd pre-set my name as this but my dad didn't know and thought it was hilarious.

Juni
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

HI folks,

 

@MplsCustomer, thanks for the help. 

 

@SunnyRio thanks for posting, I hope you've got the answer you're looking for. If you're still in need of any assistance, feel free to let us know. 


Thanks,

Juni

Dan_A
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hi folks,

 

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

 

Best,

Dan

SunnyRio
Community Member

I'd like it to notice when I say "Hey Google".

Dan_A
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hi SunnyRio,

 

I do apologize for asking this but, is your Nest Hub not responding when you say "Hey, Google"? Does it light up when you say the trigger words? When you ask it about your name, does it give you the correct answer?

 

It would help a lot if you could do a sequential reboot to refresh the device. unplug the power cord from your router followed by your Nest Hub. Plug them back in starting with your router after 3 minutes. Restarting your phone might also help and tell me how it goes.

 

Thanks,

Dan

SunnyRio
Community Member

Since when did I have a nest hub?  Please pay attention to my 1st post.  I clearly selected 1st Gen.

I've rebooted and reset this device many times, that doesn't help.  It's just rubbish at detecting what I'm saying.  About 20% of the times I say "Hey Google", it ignores me completely, nothing lights up, as though I was saying completely different words.  It's on full Hey Google sensitivity.  It fails even when the room is completely quiet.  I expected better from a 21st century piece of tech.  All it has to listen for is one single phrase!  I'm not impressed.

Both Google Home and Alexa have been out for quite some time, yet they both have a lot of problems.  If only they would both copy each other's advantages, they'd both be perfect.

https://www.cnet.com/pictures/ways-google-home-outsmarts-alexa/8/

https://www.cnet.com/pictures/reasons-alexa-is-a-better-assistant-than-google-home/8/

Dan_A
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey there,

 

I'm sorry for the confusion! Would it be okay to confirm? When you say "Hey, Google!", it doesn't respond, right? But when you say "Hey, Google!" followed by a command, does it also not respond or even light up?

 

Could you also send here your device's firmware version? Open this link.

 

Best regards,

Dan