Google Home speakers are baffling owners with pulsating lights that won't go away

All Google Home smart speakers come with embedded LED lights. As most owners are aware, these lights indicate the device’s current status or activity. But a new unwanted behavior is leaving users scratching their heads.

Normally, the LED lights on Google’s smart speakers turn on when the speakers are in use. However, owners on Reddit are reporting that the lights are now staying on at all times and pulsating. The lights reportedly turn off after a question is asked, but they return to the previous behavior shortly after.

A Google Home Mini user has shared a clip, providing a look at the issue in question. In the video, all four lights are white and fading in and out. Based on Google’s support documentation, this would suggest that Gemini for Home or Google Assistant is responding. It could also mean that the voice assistant detected a “Hey Google” and is waiting for a question or command. However, that wouldn’t explain why the behavior comes back shortly after a question is asked.

One owner suggests that it could be a notification. They claim that their Mini was doing something similar until they asked, “What’s up?” Reportedly, the device wanted the user to know that it was Hispanic Heritage Month.

There are multiple reports of this issue, but it’s unclear just how widespread it is. It’s also unclear what the exact cause could be. We have reached out to Google for comment, and we will update this article accordingly when new information becomes available.