Google confirms YouTube Music issue with Premium users hearing surprise ads

Published on 20 February 2026 Android Authority

Summary

YouTube Premium users report unexpected ads interrupting music playback on Google Home devices, despite active subscriptions. Google acknowledges the issue and is investigating complaints of delays and random selections, frustrating users who expect an ad-free experience.

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Key Insights

Why are YouTube Premium users hearing ads on Google Home devices despite an active subscription?

The issue occurs due to misconfigurations in the Google Home app, such as incorrect default music service settings or unlinked speakers in speaker groups, causing ads to play even with YouTube Premium active on other devices.

Sources: [1], [2]

How can YouTube Premium users fix ads playing on Google Home devices?

Reset a Google Home device by unplugging it, open the Google Home app, set music to 'No Default', reselect YouTube Music to confirm Premium status, and ensure all household accounts have correct settings; this resolves the linkage issue.

Sources: [1]