Why is my Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen music not playing?

Common causes include software issues, connectivity problems, and settings misconfigurations. Follow our guide to fix your Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen.

How do I fix Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen music not playing?

Start by restarting your device, checking connections, and updating firmware. Our step-by-step guide provides detailed instructions.

When should I call support for my Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen?

If troubleshooting doesn't resolve the issue, or you encounter persistent errors, contact a certified Google technician.

Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen Music Not Playing

There's nothing more frustrating than asking your smart display to play your favorite song and getting silence in return. Whether you're dealing with Spotify, YouTube Music, or another streaming service, this guide will walk you through proven fixes for when your Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen music not playing issue strikes. Most problems stem from Wi-Fi connectivity, account linking errors, or outdated firmware—and the good news is you can usually resolve them in minutes without calling for help.

Quick Fixes to Try First

Before diving into deeper troubleshooting, these simple steps resolve the majority of music playback failures on the 2nd generation Nest Hub.

Check Your Wi-Fi Connection: Swipe up from the bottom of your Nest Hub screen, tap Settings, then Wi-Fi. If you see "Disconnected" or a weak signal indicator, move your device closer to your router or restart your modem. Test by asking, "Hey Google, what's the weather?"—if it can't answer, your internet connection is the culprit behind the Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen music not playing problem.

Restart Your Nest Hub: Unplug the power cable from the back of your device, wait 10 full seconds, then plug it back in. Wait for the boot animation to complete (about 2 minutes). This clears temporary glitches that commonly interrupt music streaming without affecting your settings or preferences.

Verify Your Default Music Service: Open the Google Home app on your phone, tap your Nest Hub, then Settings (gear icon). Scroll to "Music" under Audio and ensure your preferred service (Spotify, YouTube Music, Pandora, etc.) is selected. If "No default provider" shows, tap it and choose your active subscription service.

Relink Your Music Streaming Account: In the Google Home app, tap your profile picture, then "Assistant settings" > "Music." Find your service and tap "Unlink," confirm, then tap "Link" and re-enter your login credentials. Expired tokens between Google and third-party apps frequently cause silent failures even when other voice commands work normally.

Check for System Updates: On your Nest Hub, swipe up, go to Settings > System > System updates. If an update is available, connect to power and install it immediately. Outdated firmware often breaks compatibility with streaming APIs, especially after music services push their own updates.

Factory Reset as Last Resort: If music still won't play, swipe up on your Nest Hub, tap Settings > System > Reset options > Factory reset. You'll need to set up the device again in the Google Home app, but this eliminates deep software conflicts. Have your Wi-Fi password ready before starting.

Warning: A factory reset erases all personal data, routines, and device preferences from your Nest Hub. Screenshots of your current settings in the Google Home app will save time during reconfiguration. Do not interrupt the reset process once it begins—unplugging during this phase can permanently damage the device.

Service-Specific Troubleshooting

If you've completed the general steps above but still experience Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen music not playing with a particular app, try these targeted solutions:

Spotify users: Ensure your account is Premium—Spotify Free no longer supports streaming on Google smart displays. In the Spotify app, go to Settings > Devices and remove any duplicate "Nest Hub" entries that may confuse playback routing.

YouTube Music subscribers: Confirm your Google account on the Nest Hub matches your YouTube Music billing account. Family plan members must use the primary account holder's credentials or be added as family members in Google Family Group.

Apple Music users: This service requires a separate subscription and explicit enabling in the Google Home app. If songs won't load, sign out of Apple Music on all devices, then sign back in starting with the Nest Hub linkage.

Still Need Help With Your Google Device?

If these steps didn't resolve the music not playing issue, our certified technicians can help.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Nest Hub say it's playing music but I hear nothing?

This usually indicates the volume is muted or set extremely low. Check the physical volume buttons on the back of your device, or say "Hey Google, volume 50 percent." Also verify the Nest Hub hasn't routed audio to a Bluetooth speaker or Chromecast group that's powered off.

Can I play music from my phone's library on the Nest Hub 2nd Gen?

The Nest Hub doesn't support direct playback from local phone storage. Upload your personal music collection to YouTube Music (free up to 100,000 songs) or use Bluetooth pairing: say "Hey Google, turn on Bluetooth," then connect from your phone's Bluetooth settings to stream any audio app.

Does the Nest Hub 2nd Gen support music playback during phone calls?

No—when the Nest Hub is actively handling a Duo or Meet call, music playback pauses automatically. The device cannot mix these audio streams. End your call and reissue the music command to resume listening.