Unifi & Google Home Not Working? A Fix-It Guide

Troubleshooting Unifi and Google Home Integration Issues

Integrating your Unifi system with Google Home promises seamless voice control over your network and cameras. The ability to ask Google to stream your front door camera to your TV or pause the Wi-Fi on a specific device is a powerful feature. However, when the link between these two powerful ecosystems breaks, it can be difficult to diagnose the problem.

If you're struggling to get Google Home to discover your Unifi devices, seeing devices as 'offline', or your voice commands are failing, this guide is for you. We'll cover the essential requirements and troubleshooting steps to get your smart home running smoothly.

Common Problems with Unifi and Google Home

Let's identify the specific issue you're facing, as the solution will vary depending on the symptom.

• Device Discovery Fails: When you try to add the Unifi Protect or Unifi Network service in the Google Home app, it fails to find any of your devices after you log in.
• Devices Appear 'Offline': The linking process seems successful, and the devices appear in your Google Home app, but they have an 'Offline' status and cannot be controlled.
• Voice Commands Don't Work: You try a voice command like, "Hey Google, show me the Porch camera," and it responds with, "Sorry, I can't reach Unifi Protect right now."
• Camera Streaming Fails: Voice commands to stream a camera to a Chromecast or Nest Hub display result in an error or a black screen.
• Authentication Errors: You receive an 'invalid credentials' or other login error when trying to link your Ubiquiti account, even though you know the password is correct.

Step-by-Step Guide to a Stable Connection

Follow these steps carefully to ensure all prerequisites are met.

1. Ensure You Have the Right Hardware and Setup

The Google Home integration relies on a specific Unifi setup. This is not a direct, local connection; it works through the Ubiquiti cloud.

• Unifi OS Console Required: You must be using a Unifi OS Console, such as a UniFi Dream Machine (UDM), UDM Pro, or a Cloud Key (Gen2 or newer). The integration will not work with the old software controller running on a PC or server.
• Remote Access Must Be Enabled: The connection is authenticated via the cloud. You must have Remote Access enabled in your Unifi OS Console's settings. You can check this by logging into your console's local IP address and going to Settings > System > Administration.
• Up-to-Date Software: Ensure your Unifi OS Console and the Unifi Protect/Network applications are updated to the latest available versions. Outdated software can cause compatibility issues.

2. Use the Correct Permissions and Accounts

The account you use to link the services needs the right privileges.

• Use Your Ubiquiti Account: You must link Google Home using the credentials for your main Ubiquiti cloud account (the one you use at unifi.ui.com).
• Administrator Privileges: For the most reliable connection, the account used for the integration should have Administrator or Super Administrator privileges on the Unifi OS Console. View-Only roles may not have sufficient permissions to control devices or stream cameras.

3. Enable RTSP for Camera Streaming

If your primary issue is that you cannot stream your Unifi Protect cameras to a Google display, it's almost certainly a Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) issue.

• Log in to your Unifi Protect application.
• Select the camera you want to stream.
• Go to the camera's Settings tab.
• Expand the Advanced section.
• At the bottom, you will see 'RTSP Streams'. You must enable at least one resolution (e.g., the 'Medium' or 'Low' stream is usually sufficient).
• Repeat this process for every camera you wish to stream to Google Home. Without RTSP enabled, Google has no way to access the video feed.

4. The "Turn It Off and On Again" Method: Relinking the Service

If the integration was previously working or you've tried everything else, refreshing the connection is the best next step.

1. Open the Google Home app.
2. Tap Settings > Works with Google.
3. Under 'Linked services', find Unifi Protect (or Unifi Network).
4. Tap it and select Unlink account.
5. Once it's removed, tap the '+' icon in the top left of the 'Works with Google' screen to add a new service.
6. Search for Unifi Protect again and go through the login and authentication process.

This simple relinking process resolves a majority of issues related to expired authentication tokens or temporary cloud service glitches.