Google fixes issue with the Assistant’s white noise sound that had sparked user outcry

Google offers many ambient sounds from the Google Assistant, including one for white noise that might help block out noise to make it easier to sleep or study. The company seemingly changed its white noise sound last week, and many expressed frustration with the update, as reported by 9to5Google. But Google tells us it has fixed what it describes as an issue, and the sound should work like it used to.

“There was an issue impacting our white noise experience. It’s fixed now and working as it previously did,” Google spokesperson Robert Ferrara said in a statement to The Verge.

The change had been disruptive for a lot of people, as documented in this Google Nest community thread which had more than 150 replies when we first published this story on Monday. Some described the changed white noise as quieter or sounding muffled. One person said their child has asked to use another white noise generator instead of a Google Nest Hub. Another said their toddler has observed the change and wakes up during the night.

To help those that wanted the original white noise back before Google fixed it, a user on Reddit uploaded a one-hour track of original one and longer versions of it to Google Drive that would have theoretically used as workarounds. Google also offers other ambient sounds, like forest sounds and rain sounds, and you can see the full list here.

Update January 18th, 7:12PM ET: Added statement from Google saying the issue was fixed.