Google Faces Legal Heat Over Broken Google Home Devices

A U.S.-based law firm is launching an investigation into a potential class-action lawsuit against Google over widespread issues with its Google Home and Nest smart home devices. Users nationwide have reported escalating malfunctions—including voice commands failing to execute properly or devices behaving erratically—even though they once worked reliably.

Reports from users on Reddit and Google support forums describe lights turning off across the entire house instead of in a single room, devices appearing offline, routines failing to run, and Assistant refusing to understand simple requests. One user shared, “It barely works anymore—‘Sorry, something went wrong’ is all I hear.” Another noted that asking the system to switch off a fan instead shuts off the lights. These problems have persisted despite stable internet connections and previously functional setups.

The investigation was prompted by users expressing frustration over recent Nest Aware subscription price increases—subscription prices rose by around 25% just months ago—without any service improvement to justify cost hikes. The law firm contends that Google has allowed these issues to grow in frequency and severity, rather than resolving them in a timely manner, thereby falling short of the functionality promised at purchase.

Google has acknowledged the trouble. Chief Product Officer for Home and Nest, Anish Kattukaran, issued a public apology, promising major performance improvements later in the fall. However, users have expressed skepticism, pointing to Google’s history of abandoning smart home initiatives like Nest Protect, Chromecast Audio, and Stadia after initial enthusiasm.

While voice command issues have dominated headlines—particularly control of smart lights—other bugs include disrupted streaming, unresponsive devices, and poor automation reliability. Some users have resorted to controlling devices manually or switching to separate manufacturer apps, a cumbersome workaround undermining the smart home experience.

The broader shift at Google—from its legacy Assistant to the new Gemini-powered AI—is believed to contribute to many of these failures. Key routines and features compatible with traditional Assistant systems are missing under Gemini, and smart devices like Nest speakers have yet to receive full Gemini support. This transition appears to be a major driver behind the degraded performance user bases now face.

The law firm is collecting input from affected users through an online intake form, documenting failures such as unrecognized voice commands, broken automations, and devices inexplicably going offline. Depending on the volume and consistency of these reports, Google could face legal action if it’s deemed that they failed to deliver reliable service despite ongoing subscription revenue and user investment.

Google is already rolling out a targeted fix for light control issues. Users report seeing improvements in bulb responsiveness and room-specific commands. But many believe these patches are too little, too late unless broader systemic changes restore trust across the ecosystem.

This unfolding legal and technical saga signals a critical moment for Google’s smart home ambitions. For consumers investing hundreds or thousands of dollars into smart ecosystems, reliability isn’t a feature—it’s the foundation. If class action litigation proceeds, it could reshape expectations around accountability, service quality, and transparency in the smart home space.

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