Level 1

27 points

Homepod disconnects or stops playing music from itunes randomly

Homepod was just updated to 13.4. I did NOT notice this issue previously but others are reporting the exact same issue on other forums.

The first thread details the issue perfectly.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/homepod-stops-playing-music-from-itunes-windows.2215843/

https://www.reddit.com/r/HomePod/comments/eq4lg3/itunes_and_homepod_constantly_disconnect/

When using the homepod as a speaker from iTunes it will randomly stop playing music and display a dash like this "-" next to it. If I deselect it and click it again it will start playing sound again. If I stop the track and play again, it will start playing again.

Playing from windows 10 PC, fully updated.

iTunes 12.10.4.2

Homepod 13.4

The issue seems to happen less when I use the homepod as the only device checked to play music to. If i check other devices, like the apple TV and computer itself to play as well the issue happens more often. My WiFi is solid with no deadspots, I've done a speed test and poor mans site survey with my iPhone to test speeds with no issues. Also to rule out WiFi as the issue i can play from my iPhone to the homepod and apple TV without the problem.

I suspect its an iTunes issue or possibly the homepod struggling to stay in sync with iTunes. Please read the other threads before suggesting solutions already purposed as I've tried them all.

This clearly seems like a bug but I don't know where to submit bug reports for the homepod.

Thank you in advance.

Posted on Mar 25, 2020 7:34 PM

Top-ranking reply

Bumbeen

Level 1

21 points

Posted on Aug 29, 2020 9:56 PM

So no dice on turning off the homepod features, however I have found a pattern in the packet capture correlated with the failure. I no longer think this is an issue with the homepod, but a problem solely with iTunes.

Every 30 seconds, iTunes sends a TCP message to homepod port 7000 with an OPTIONS message that provides cseq number, user agent, instance ID, and a remote ID. Between these messages, the homepod will send a TCP Keep-Alive to my PC from port 7000 every 6 seconds. After 4 of these, iTunes sends the options message.

When the issue occurs, that 30 second interval TCP options message does not get sent. That's why the other poster was encountering the issue at the 28 second mark each time. That is the refresh interval for this options message.

We can see in the packet capture, the TCP fin message comes as soon as the 30 second interval passes without the options message being sent from iTunes:

This leads me to believe that it might be possible to spoof this options message to the homepod using a 3rd party tool, therefore keeping the stream alive even when itunes fails to send the options message itself. That will be my next task.

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Similar questions

103 replies

Jul 24, 2020 11:54 AM in response to Bryan Kinkel

Same here. Apple did replace the Homepod. I did not update it until 13.4.8 came out. Still the same disconnect issue.

I will also say it. So disappointing.

mkhadka

Level 1

4 points

Aug 9, 2020 7:03 AM in response to Kwoodhouse

Hello,

Were you able to find a solution to this problem? I'm experiencing the exact same issue.

Thanks,

Aug 9, 2020 7:10 AM in response to mkhadka

No MK. The problem persists through all recent updates. This is an OS issue as best as I can tell. I’m hoping the new version will correct it.

Aug 10, 2020 10:53 AM in response to Wappaloochie

i just find it annoying to do a job for a company... sorry... it is apples god **** job! Not ours... We paid for things to work and not for working on things we paid for...

Aug 13, 2020 11:15 AM in response to Wappaloochie

Well, it doesn't stop from disconnecting from iTunes at all. my iTunes is on a macbook pro... it ain't a Microsoft issue. It is an apple issue...

Bumbeen

Level 1

21 points

Aug 31, 2020 4:55 PM in response to Bryan Kinkel

Oh yeah that would be a much more elegant solution. Have to send Apple a services rendered bill for fixing their product hah! Interested to see what you come up with there.

DougDuey

Level 1

8 points

Sep 1, 2020 2:22 PM in response to Bryan Kinkel

I have a call with Apple support tomorrow. I will relay your findings. At least now we can point to the cause. Great job everybody.

Sep 1, 2020 2:54 PM in response to Bumbeen

Here is a screenshot of my app.... Does the job.

Bumbeen

Level 1

21 points

Sep 1, 2020 10:57 PM in response to Bryan Kinkel

Hey that's super clean! Would love to help you test it out hah. Not sure if that's running afoul of the forum rules here. Couldn't hunt down your github :)!

Sep 2, 2020 11:01 AM in response to Inmate_0801

The app has been running now for about 48 hours with no problems. I use my real name here on the forums. Shoot me an email at my first name dot last name at geee mail. We can go from there. -- Bryan

Sep 4, 2020 6:42 AM in response to Bumbeen

Bumbeen - can you get in touch with me? bryan dot kinkel at gee mail. thanks!

nand_dbs

Level 1

9 points

Sep 7, 2020 11:25 PM in response to Bryan Kinkel

This is phenomenal! I hope Apple fixes this bug once for all and send you and Bumbeen complimentary Homepod(s) for doing all their work.

Oct 22, 2020 12:43 PM in response to EuroAmerican1970

>> Bryan... is it possible for me to try out your app?

Absolutely - shoot me an email at bryan dot kinkel at gmail dot com. :)

nand_dbs

Level 1

9 points

Oct 22, 2020 9:55 PM in response to EuroAmerican1970

Thats exactly how I felt once Bryan and Bumbeen found the issue and issued a fix to boot!! Unbelievable. What an awesome work by these two.

Hey Apple. Hope you can read English.

Bassamu

Level 1

8 points

Nov 8, 2020 7:19 AM in response to nand_dbs

hi nand_dbs

Where can I find it?

I was asking for it above

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Homepod disconnects or stops playing music from itunes randomly