Issue Setting up Voice Assistant | Home Assistant | Page 1

sly elk Jan 6, 2026, 4:03 AM

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I just got my Home Assistant Voice Preview Edition in the mail and after some trouble setting it up, I finally got it added manually, but when I try to set it up, I starts to update then gives me "Entity not found."

I don't know where to go from here. Any help is appreciated. 💛

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If it helps, every time I click "Set up voice assistant," the LED ring goes dark and doesn't come back until I unplug/replug the device.

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**Update: **after a couple of tries, it did update, but now every time I try to set it up, I get "hello" spinning for a while, the LED ring turns off, then I get "unable to connect." If I hit "retry," the LED ring spin a very bright white for a moment, then off, then I'm back to square one.

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The device is working; it lights up when I say "ok Nabu," so apparently it's only the "Set up Voice Assistant" that's not working?

sudden needle Jan 6, 2026, 4:36 AM

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sly elk **Update: **after a couple of tries, it did update, but now every time I try to ...

what type of home assistant install do you have?
is your network a standard setup or do you have anything complex going on? (e.g. vlans)

sly elk Jan 6, 2026, 4:40 AM

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the server is running in a Hyper-V container on my laptop. I just installed that today via these instructions.

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There's nothing out of the ordinary going on. I'm able to access it via the web and everything through Home Assistant Cloud as well.

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(I'm gonna move the server to a NUC at some point, though, if that matters)

sudden needle Jan 6, 2026, 4:46 AM

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sly elk There's nothing out of the ordinary going on. I'm able to access it via the web...

moving to a nuc in the future is a good plan. but for now running on hyper-v shoud be mostly fine. I ask because the VPE requires connections to be able to be established both ways between HA and the VPE. and just trying to work out the network layout as that is one of thee common issues.

can you access the HA locally fine from other systems other than the hyper-v host?

sly elk Jan 6, 2026, 4:59 AM

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the HA server? yeah, I can get to it via the local address on my local machine. The device itself? No idea. HA can; I can change settings like the LED lights and such.

sly elk Jan 6, 2026, 5:50 AM

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I think the issue has to do with outputting audio. The wake word works, but it doesn't say anything when I give a command.

sudden needle Jan 6, 2026, 5:54 AM

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sly elk the HA server? yeah, I can get to it via the local address on my local machine....

your local machine is not the hyper-v host? i am checking another system on the network can access HA via local network (if so then the vpe probably can)

sudden needle Jan 6, 2026, 5:54 AM

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sly elk I think the issue has to do with outputting audio. The wake word works, but it ...

when the wakeword is heard. does it "listen" (leds slow clockwise spin) or do the leds just go off?

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trying to work out exactly where the issue is in the flow.

sly elk Jan 6, 2026, 6:39 PM

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sudden needle your local machine is not the hyper-v host? i am checking another system on the ...

It is. It's a bridged connection.

sly elk Jan 6, 2026, 6:41 PM

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sudden needle when the wakeword is heard. does it "listen" (leds slow clockwise spin) or do th...

I don't know it's it's listening, actually. The logs aren't saying anything about what it picks up, so maybe not?

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The LED ring does spin one direction when I say the wake word and the other when I speak to it.

sudden needle Jan 6, 2026, 6:50 PM

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sly elk I don't know it's it's listening, actually. The logs aren't saying anything abo...

could you record a short video demo of you trying to use it? in a way i can see the led patterns throughout.

sly elk Jan 6, 2026, 6:51 PM

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This is what I see in the logs, actually. And yeah, I'll drop something.

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It outputs sound, but not voice, I guess.

sudden needle Jan 6, 2026, 6:58 PM

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sly elk It outputs *sound*, but not *voice*, I guess.

ok, go to settings->voice assistants

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then on your voice pipeline, hit the 3 dots and go to debug

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sly elk Jan 6, 2026, 7:00 PM

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stage: done
run:
  pipeline: 01ke8ndv98xyn5pdvtbwv66fjv
  language: en
  conversation_id: 01KE8RHDQH2FTJQ8ZYQP0RHP57
  satellite_id: assist_satellite.home_assistant_voice_0a1023_assist_satellite
  tts_output:
    token: 11AbWT1wHvlH5eSzbGaaxA.flac
    url: /api/tts_proxy/11AbWT1wHvlH5eSzbGaaxA.flac
    mime_type: audio/flac
    stream_response: false
events:
  - type: run-start
    data:
      pipeline: 01ke8ndv98xyn5pdvtbwv66fjv
      language: en
      conversation_id: 01KE8RHDQH2FTJQ8ZYQP0RHP57
      satellite_id: assist_satellite.home_assistant_voice_0a1023_assist_satellite
      tts_output:
        token: 11AbWT1wHvlH5eSzbGaaxA.flac
        url: /api/tts_proxy/11AbWT1wHvlH5eSzbGaaxA.flac
        mime_type: audio/flac
        stream_response: false
    timestamp: "2026-01-06T04:22:53.792943+00:00"
  - type: stt-start
    data:
      engine: stt.home_assistant_cloud
      metadata:
        language: en-US
        format: wav
        codec: pcm
        bit_rate: 16
        sample_rate: 16000
        channel: 1
    timestamp: "2026-01-06T04:22:53.793123+00:00"
  - type: stt-vad-start
    data:
      timestamp: 1400
    timestamp: "2026-01-06T04:22:55.219843+00:00"
  - type: stt-vad-end
    data:
      timestamp: 2650
    timestamp: "2026-01-06T04:22:56.470141+00:00"
  - type: stt-end
    data:
      stt_output:
        text: Never mind.
    timestamp: "2026-01-06T04:22:56.616348+00:00"
  - type: intent-start
    data:
      engine: conversation.home_assistant
      language: en
      intent_input: Never mind.
      conversation_id: 01KE8RHDQH2FTJQ8ZYQP0RHP57
      device_id: 8ae13ce2cff136873b8cd790c73a6e99
      satellite_id: assist_satellite.home_assistant_voice_0a1023_assist_satellite
      prefer_local_intents: false
    timestamp: "2026-01-06T04:22:56.616612+00:00"
  - type: intent-end
    data:
      processed_locally: true
      intent_output:
        response:
          speech: {}
          card: {}
          language: en
          response_type: action_done
          data:
            targets: []
            success: []
            failed: []
        conversation_id: 01KE8RHDQH2FTJQ8ZYQP0RHP57
        continue_conversation: false
    timestamp: "2026-01-06T04:22:56.624829+00:00"
  - type: run-end
    data: null
    timestamp: "2026-01-06T04:22:56.624972+00:00"
started: 2026-01-06T04:22:53.792Z
stt:
  engine: stt.home_assistant_cloud
  metadata:
    language: en-US
    format: wav
    codec: pcm
    bit_rate: 16
    sample_rate: 16000
    channel: 1
  done: true
  stt_output:
    text: Never mind.
intent:
  engine: conversation.home_assistant
  language: en
  intent_input: Never mind.
  conversation_id: 01KE8RHDQH2FTJQ8ZYQP0RHP57
  device_id: 8ae13ce2cff136873b8cd790c73a6e99
  satellite_id: assist_satellite.home_assistant_voice_0a1023_assist_satellite
  prefer_local_intents: false
  done: true
  processed_locally: true
  intent_output:
    response:
      speech: {}
      card: {}
      language: en
      response_type: action_done
      data:
        targets: []
        success: []
        failed: []
    conversation_id: 01KE8RHDQH2FTJQ8ZYQP0RHP57
    continue_conversation: false
finished: 2026-01-06T04:22:56.624Z

sudden needle Jan 6, 2026, 7:00 PM

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ok so you dont have any TTS specified

sly elk Jan 6, 2026, 7:00 PM

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That would help 😂

sudden needle Jan 6, 2026, 7:00 PM

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on the voice assistant settings press on the pipeline

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then can set a tts voice

sly elk Jan 6, 2026, 7:03 PM

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This?

sudden needle Jan 6, 2026, 7:04 PM

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yup

sly elk Jan 6, 2026, 7:04 PM

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After clicking "Update," this happens:

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stage: done
run:
  pipeline: 01ke8s3jt5b3y1p69mj116f0q3
  language: en
  conversation_id: 01KEAB0EF00Y8QWT8CD9XDK1V4
  satellite_id: assist_satellite.home_assistant_voice_0a1023_assist_satellite
  tts_output:
    token: D9IhwHHC9Q3mwnxZODx5NA.flac
    url: /api/tts_proxy/D9IhwHHC9Q3mwnxZODx5NA.flac
    mime_type: audio/flac
    stream_response: false
events:
  - type: run-start
    data:
      pipeline: 01ke8s3jt5b3y1p69mj116f0q3
      language: en
      conversation_id: 01KEAB0EF00Y8QWT8CD9XDK1V4
      satellite_id: assist_satellite.home_assistant_voice_0a1023_assist_satellite
      tts_output:
        token: D9IhwHHC9Q3mwnxZODx5NA.flac
        url: /api/tts_proxy/D9IhwHHC9Q3mwnxZODx5NA.flac
        mime_type: audio/flac
        stream_response: false
    timestamp: "2026-01-06T19:05:41.936981+00:00"
  - type: stt-start
    data:
      engine: stt.home_assistant_cloud
      metadata:
        language: en-US
        format: wav
        codec: pcm
        bit_rate: 16
        sample_rate: 16000
        channel: 1
    timestamp: "2026-01-06T19:05:41.937305+00:00"
  - type: error
    data:
      code: stt-stream-failed
      message: Unexpected error during speech-to-text
    timestamp: "2026-01-06T19:05:43.365160+00:00"
  - type: run-end
    data: null
    timestamp: "2026-01-06T19:05:43.365879+00:00"
started: 2026-01-06T19:05:41.936Z
stt:
  engine: stt.home_assistant_cloud
  metadata:
    language: en-US
    format: wav
    codec: pcm
    bit_rate: 16
    sample_rate: 16000
    channel: 1
  done: false
finished: 2026-01-06T19:05:43.365Z
error:
  code: stt-stream-failed
  message: Unexpected error during speech-to-text

sudden needle Jan 6, 2026, 7:07 PM

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sly elk ``` stage: done run: pipeline: 01ke8s3jt5b3y1p69mj116f0q3 language: en con...

ok, is there a "play audio" button on the debug screen?

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oh wait, it doesnt get that far

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so, i suspect that its failing to start the pipline because the VPE is not able to establish a connection to the ha server (this ability is needed for tts)

sly elk Jan 6, 2026, 7:09 PM

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So the HA server can't reach the internet, you mean?

sudden needle Jan 6, 2026, 7:09 PM

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no

sly elk Jan 6, 2026, 7:09 PM

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oh oh oh

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yeah

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ok

sudden needle Jan 6, 2026, 7:09 PM

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for tts works. HA server needs to be able to host a file which the vpe them connects to and streams

sly elk Jan 6, 2026, 7:09 PM

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Can I set that up locally instead?

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I'd rather do it that way, anyway.

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Are there docs on that?

sudden needle Jan 6, 2026, 7:10 PM

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we can possibly solve the issue 😛

sly elk Jan 6, 2026, 7:10 PM

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Well yeah, working is better right now 😂

sudden needle Jan 6, 2026, 7:10 PM

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so the HA server is virtualised via a bridged connection so it get its own ip on your network correct?

sly elk Jan 6, 2026, 7:11 PM

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I'll double check, but yes, I believe so.

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sudden needle Jan 6, 2026, 7:13 PM

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what are the options on your "default switch"?

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FYI: its been a while since i touched hyper-v

sly elk Jan 6, 2026, 7:14 PM

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me, too.

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I'd rather just do it in Docker, but that seemed like more of a pain that it was worth right now.

sudden needle Jan 6, 2026, 7:14 PM

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vm is connected to the virtual switch but how the virtaul switch is connected to the network is the question

sly elk Jan 6, 2026, 7:16 PM

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I'm figuring out how to find that 🫥

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I made another "External" switch. Checking now.

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SUCCESS!

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This should be updated. Do you want a PR? 😂

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That's not super clear, even for me.

sudden needle Jan 6, 2026, 7:43 PM

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yeah "bridged" is how virtualbox calls an external connection so the language is a bit off perhaps.

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you could pr if you want to, or just feedback. stuff for it is at the bottom of the page.

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tbh, hyper-v setups are not that common

sly elk Jan 6, 2026, 7:44 PM

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Yeah, and I'm gonna have to reset everything when I move and get it all on a NUC anyway.

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New wifi and all

sudden needle Jan 6, 2026, 7:45 PM

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with an internal connection it was making a nat most likely which meant that the vpe couldnt connect in. so when switching to external it was then on the same real network so could see it

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depending on spec of nuc, going virtualised can be good but should go with something like proxmox

sly elk Jan 6, 2026, 7:53 PM

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Also, is there a way to do custom wake words?

sudden needle Jan 6, 2026, 7:53 PM

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so... technically yes...

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how important is it for you?

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i ask because its going to get easier in the future so if it can wait then its best to leave it for now.

sly elk Jan 6, 2026, 7:54 PM

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I'll wait then. I'm willing to go through the hassle but it'll be a month before I can get around to it anyway

sudden needle Jan 6, 2026, 7:56 PM

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a lot of guides and documentation around custom wake words are out of date btw so dont be falled by some of it.

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the current best way of making a model is using THIS project but then you have to host it then take control and customise the firmware of your VPE to pull the model and compile it in.

sly elk Jan 6, 2026, 7:58 PM

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Oh okay yeah let's not.

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Not anytime soon anyway

sudden needle Jan 6, 2026, 7:58 PM

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there is a plan to make models loadable from the HA server but its not ready yet

sly elk Jan 6, 2026, 7:58 PM

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Oh sweet

sudden needle Jan 6, 2026, 7:58 PM

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the feature is in the backlog repo - https://github.com/OHF-Voice/backlog-issues/issues/54

GitHub

Enable custom wake words for ESPHome satellites · Issue #54 · OHF...

Users would like to use custom microWakeWord models for ESPHome voice satellites without having to "take control". As a first step, this proposal is for serving models from the HA config/...

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some of the groundwork has been done but its not working yet

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can track progress from that issue. but realistically you will probably see it in patch notes when its ready anyway.

sly elk Jan 6, 2026, 8:00 PM

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Thanks so much for the help

#Issue Setting up Voice Assistant