Crashes on your Wi-fi network may be the fault of your Google devices, according to one expert.
Unexplained router outages could be the result of an issue with the search company’s Chromecast and Home smart speakers.
Users who reported the problem to manufacturers have been told that a flaw with the ‘Cast’ feature on Google devices is to blame.
Cast lets you send entertainment and data from apps like YouTube on your smartphone, tablet or computer to your TV, speakers and other devices.
Mysterious crashes on your Wi-fi network may be the fault of your Google devices, according to one expert. Unexplained router outages could be the result of an issue with the search company’s Chromecast and Home (pictured) smart speakers
An engineer from router firm TP Link, based in Shenzhen, China, first made the connection, after customers got in touch to complain.
Cast sends out a packet of data in order to discover and keep a live connection with Google products, such as Google Home.
These packets are normally sent in a 20-second interval, but the devices will sometimes send a large burst of data at high speed.
This can exceed more than 100,000 packets over a few seconds, overloading your router, they found.
The bug is thought to affect Google Home and Chromecast users who have a number of popular routers, although the problem may extend to other Android devices that feature the Cast facility.
A number of users have reported experiencing the problem with the Pixel 2 smartphone.
Issues vary from router to router, with some becoming inoperable for a short time while others completely drop their internet connection.
Writing on TP Link’s support site, a company spokesman said: ‘This occurs when the device is awakened from its “sleep” state.
Users who reported the problem to router manufacturers have been told that a flaw with the ‘Cast’ feature, including on the Chromecast (pictured) on Google devices is to blame. Cast lets you send entertainment and data from apps like YouTube to your TV and speakers
Customers using the Google Home Max smart speaker with TP Link’s popular Archer C7 router were among the first to bring the issue to light. Routers from Asus, Linksys, Netgear, Link and Synology are also affected
‘The longer your device is in “sleep”, the larger this packet burst will be.
‘This issue may eventually cause some of router’s primary features to shut down – including wireless connectivity.’
Questions about the bug first emerged online toward the end of 2017, but this is the first time an explanation has been offered.
TP Link and Linksys have both confirmed the problem and issued firmware updates to affected routers.
Anyone who has experienced sudden difficulties with their router are advised to check with its manufacturer for similar patches.
Another temporary work around is to unplug or disconnect any Cast-enabled devices from your home network.
The bug is reported to have impacted a wide variety of devices and routers.
Customers using the Google Home Max smart speaker with TP Link’s popular Archer C7 router were among the first to bring the issue to light.
Routers from Asus, Linksys, Netgear, Link and Synology are also affected.
Users of other Google products, including the Chromecast accessory and Pixel 2 smartphone, have claimed that these devices have also triggered the router outages.
In an email to MailOnline, a Google spokesman said: ‘We’re aware that a small number of users are having issues and our team is working quickly to share a solution.’
An engineer from router firm TP Link, based in Shenzhen, China, first made the connection, after customers got in touch to complain. Cast sends out packets of data, which in some circumstances can overwhelm a router (stock image)