Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Smart Home
  3. News

Google updates smart devices to fix Wi-Fi crashing issues

By

Google Home Max Review
Juliana Chokkattu/Digital Trends
Users on the Google Product Forums have reported that some problems with some of Google’s smart devices. It appears that these devices are crashing certain Wi-Fi networks.

Originally, the errors were confined to the Google Home Max and TP-Link’s Archer C7 router, but more problems have surfaced since the original reports and have affected users across a number of different devices. However, 9to5 Google has reported that the company has now implemented a fix that should solve this problem across all affected devices.

Recommended Videos

Users say that the problems begin as soon as the Google Home Max is connected to a network using the affected routers. TP-Link has placed the blame on the MDNS packets, which keep the Google Home Max connected to the router. Rather than sending the packets in 20-second intervals, as it is supposed to do, the Home Max appears to be spamming thousands of them and overloading the router.

Originally, the Archer C7 was the only router affected, but other users of other devices have since encountered similar issues. Those who are having problems can submit a report to Google within the Google Home app using the keywords “GHT3 – Unable to setup Max to network.”

Fortunately for affected users, there is a fix incoming. Android Police reports that a beta firmware update for the Archer C7 appears to have fixed the issue. The Google Home team says that they have not received any complaints from users who are using the updated Archer C7 firmware. While the original complaints were limited to  Google Home Max users, it has been reported that similar issues have been found to affect users of other Google products including Chromecast.

Despite the device’s issues with the Archer C7 router, the Google Home Max remains a popular smart speaker that has garnered strong reviews, including our own. The main issue we had with it was that the device is more expensive than the Google Home Mini, so if you don’t mind the smaller speakers, that may be the way to go for most users.

Update: Updated to include information about a software fix from Google.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Eric Brackett
Eric Brackett
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Your Google smart home devices just got a lot less talkative
A person standing in a living room while looking at a Google device.

Smart assistants are an indispensable part of any smart home, making it easy to give hands-free commands and control a variety of gadgets. Google is looking to further streamline the performance of its smart assistant, with the expansion of chime alerts to cut down on how talkative your Google Nest gadgets are when responding to instructions.

For example, after asking Google to turn on a fan, you’ll now be able to hear a quick chime to confirm the assistant has heard your instructions. Previously, confirmation would come in the form of a short sentence, such as “OK, turning on your fan.”

Read more
Google stops updating third-party smart displays
The Lenovo Smart Display on a table.

Google Assistant is one of the most popular smart home assistants of 2023, but it looks like big changes are in store for the remainder of the year. According to an updated support page, Google won’t be pushing any more Assistant updates to select third-party smart displays.

The Lenovo Smart Display, LG Xboom AI ThinQ WK9, and JBL Link View are the three smart displays in question -- and if you currently have them in your home, don’t expect to see further updates for their Assistant platform. They will, of course, continue to function as they did before this announcement, but they won’t receive any more software updates to enhance their performance.

Read more
Google partners with ADT to launch new smart home security system
Google and ADT collaboration.

Google has partnered with ADT to bring its lineup of smart home gadgets to a new DIY home security system -- ADT Self Setup. The unique package allows you to choose from a variety of Google devices to add to your home, all of which offer full support for the new ADT+ smartphone app.

The goal of the collaboration is to offer the customer service and security of ADT with the premium products developed by Google. The ADT Self Setup system can be modified to include the Nest Cam, Nest Thermostat, Nest Mini, Nest Hub Max, Nest Doorbell, and several first-party ADT products like the ADT Motion Sensor and ADT Smart Home Hub.

Read more