HomePod Unable to Connect to WiFi

I have nine (9) HomePods in my house (2 are “Mini”) and they have all been working beautifully until a couple weeks ago when a set of paired HomePods disconnected from my WiFi. I have been able to re-join one of the HomePods to the Wi-Fi network but the other stubbornly refuses. The Wi-Fi network in question is generated by a NetGear Orbi960 Series.


I have tried resetting the HomePod many times, and it has made no difference. I have also tried resetting the network settings on my devices used with the HomePod (iPad Pro 5thGen and iPhone 13 Pro). I have also tried connecting the HomePod to a Wi-Fi network created by an AirPort Time Capsule that it used to connect to just fine until I swapped in the Orbi, to no avail.


I have attached a screenshot of the error message that I get.


Any suggestions welcomed. All devices are running the latest iOS / iPadOS.


Thanks -

Scott H.

SF CA


HomePod, 16

Posted on Oct 22, 2022 04:36 PM

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7 replies

Dec 5, 2022 04:41 PM in response to sWoopSF

Hi Scott - super frustrating. I can relate. Thank you for your thorough commentary and help!!!


Here is where I am at:


  1. Went to the Apple Store to meet w/ the Genius. She confirmed that it didn't work. Then she offered the following: trade my non-functioning HomePod and $280 for a refurbished one... This was a pretty painful offer that I couldn't accept - it seemed like good money after bad.
  2. I went to my parent's for Thanksgiving and brought the unit, with the hopes of pairing to their wifi and mimicking what you were able to do. So far, I've been partially successful - was able to get HomePod to recognize their wifi and work while there. Now that I am back at my house, I'm having ongoing issues trying to port over (as you suggested), but I haven't given up yet.



Super frustrating... disappointed with Apple here.


For others following the thread I think the takeaway is don't quit too early and find an alternate wifi (or two) to test with.

Oct 24, 2022 10:00 AM in response to sWoopSF

I will check that article out, although no router settings were changed between the Pod connecting and then disconnecting and not reconnecting. The Pod worked fine from mid-April (when I bought the Netgear Orbi system) until a couple weeks ago, when the Pod randomly disconnected. I’ll reply back again after I’ve checked out that article.

Thanks again -

Scott

Oct 27, 2022 01:24 PM in response to sWoopSF

I have nearly the exact same issue. I have 5 full size + 4 minis. I updated the wi-fi password and reset everything to work with the new password. Onboarding the HomePods went fine up until the last one (large) which is being difficult. After receiving the error a few times I tried using a different channel (2.4G instead of 5G) and was able to get success (so the HP is not junk/broken), but you need all the HPs on the same network to use Airplay fully. I've tried/retried setting it up 10 times... nothing. Not sure why given I had success with all of the other units doing the exact same thing.


Thanks for insights!!!


Jim

Nov 21, 2022 02:24 AM in response to NeedHelpwmyApple

Jim -


First, apologies for the delayed reply.


To your question: short answer is “not really.” Here’s the tortured history …


I first went through the “recommended settings” article (see link above) and did not need to make any of the changes suggested. I then tried connecting the HomePod to my Comcast network and, for reasons I still do not know, it worked. Not an ideal solution but it allowed me to then “move” the HomePod to the desired network (when the device is connected to a different network than the HomePod, the “move” option is presented using the Home App). Pod


That worked just fine for the last couple weeks. But about 3 days ago, for no apparent reason, the HomePod started giving me issues again. And still is. Different result, however.


On this go-around, the HomePod seems to be connecting just fine but gets stuck in an endless “configuring” loop. To reset it, I have to power-cycle it — only the “remove accessory” option is given in the Home App. I can play audio through it, but can’t successfully “stereo pair” it. Using the router’s App, the HomePod is listed as a “connected device.” Later today, I will try the previously successful approach of connecting to my Comcast network and then trying to move the HomePod to the desired WiFi network.


And that’s where things stand, Jim. Apologies again for the delayed reply. I will better monitor email in the coming days in the event you reply.


Cheers -

Scott

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HomePod Unable to Connect to WiFi

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