Core: Spotify source (Google Home) disappearing

[Elmardus]

Home Assistant release with the issue:
0.88.0

Operating environment (Hass.io/Docker/Windows/etc.):
Hass.io on raspberry Pi

Component/platform:
Media player component and the Spotify platform

Description of problem:

I am trying to play Spotify music on a Google Home mini, controlled by HA. If I start playback from my smartphone app to play on the google home, then it shows up in the _sources_list_ in the _media_player.spotify_ entity. I am then able to control it with the _media_player.play_media_ service.

However, as soon as playback is stopped on the Google Home, it disappears from the sources_list and trying to manually select it using _media_player.select_source_ fails. Music can not be played on the device, it now defaults to one of my other devices with Spotify installed. Only manually starting playback from the Spotify Android app makes it reappear as a source in Home Assistant.

To try to debug the issue I have enabled the Google Cast integration. The home mini shows up on the HA dashboard with a 'power button'. If this button is pressed the mini emits a beep and the state switches to 'idle'. This had no effect with regards to playing spotify, the device is still missing from the _source_list_.

[wrenchse]

This is a problem with Spotify and the Cast platform in general. Even desktops cannot stream to speakers unless they are discovered by a mobile phone, and the sources disappear after a while.
I had to set up MPD and an icecast server on my NAS that streams spotify in an in home internet radio, and the link generated can be sent along to chromecasts etc.
This is not a home assistant bug and it is also unlikely to be resolved. And it's a shame.

[Elmardus]

That is quite unfortunate. I will take a look at MPD and Icecast, but probably I cannot install this on Hassio.

[robbiet480]

Not a Home Assistant bug, sorry everyone! Closing as such.