Google says Home update fixes zero-volume alarms and unprompted replies

Google says its Gemini for Home update fixes bugs that made Home and Nest speakers and displays reply without anyone speaking to them or left alarms and timers at zero volume. The fixes are described in Google’s changelog, as covered by 9to5Google on 29 October 2026.

What Google says the update fixes

• Unprompted replies: Home and Nest speakers and displays could say “Sorry, I didn’t understand” without a request. Google says the update fixes that behaviour.
• Zero-volume alarms and timers: the fix addresses a bug that set their volume to zero. Affected alarm and timer volumes will be adjusted to match the device’s volume.
• Wrong timer type: the update addresses requests that changed a sleep, media or regular timer instead of the type the user requested.
• Moving music between rooms: the update addresses Gemini misunderstanding requests to transfer music from one room to another.
• Cross-room volume controls: when the intended speaker or display could not be found, a request could instead change the volume of the device receiving the command. The fix targets that error.
• YouTube TV playback: the update addresses a smart-display issue so voice commands reliably start the requested content.

Rollout may take time

The 29 October report said rollout was starting that day but could take time to reach everyone, so affected users may not receive the fixes immediately.