HomePod Mini Internet Connectivity Issues

Same here, still working since updating to 14.4!

Same issue here.

Music was playing fine, but when asking for weather, "Sorry I cannot connect to the internet, or having trouble connecting to internet".

My router is serving up two independent networks; a 2.4 and a 5. HomePod mini and my phone are connected to 5. This appears to be an issue! Restarting the HomePod mini fixed it, for now.

Well, so the consensus is turn off, and then perhaps turn on again, although I’ve left it off, “recognise my voice” in the home app home settings. Force reset the device that is being used with the mini, try and get closer to the WiFi router and finally, hope it’s an easy software fix with Apple. Still, between us hopefully we have something that can be used by the Apple community.

I am just a lurker here, an Apple user who does not have this problem - my Mini and 3 other HomePods all work fine on an eero Pro mesh WiFi setup. That's not the point.

People posting about this issue MUST indicate the type of WiFi router they are using. The problem clearly doesn't exist everywhere, and is most likely a poor interaction between certain router configurations and the Mini. If Apple is to solve this issue (and I do not doubt they will) they need to know what y'all are using.

Anecdotally, it is easy to spot the Asus Blue Cave in these posts as a suspect router, but they may well be others. Whatever you're using, make sure to state it. That will help to solve this issue for all.

Hey Bob -

Sounds like you're trying everything you can with what you've got - I'm sure the HTC provided router is made by some company that provides "white label" manufacturing, who knows.

I am an Apple Music user with a family plan. We use our 4 HomePods both with Apple Music streaming as well as AirPlay for things like Spotify or my favorite iPhone podcast app (Overcast). We also use HomePods and AirPlay as the default audio output for an Apple TV. To answer your question: the HomePod Mini appears to work equally well receiving AirPlay audio or streaming from Apple Music. My eero Wifi system is stock normal and is configured in HomeKit to extend device security (via an eero Secure subscription).

Based upon the symptoms mentioned on this forum, it certainly sounds like the affected HomePod Minis are having trouble receiving and setting network config (IP address and/or DNS goof up) that would prevent both streaming or AirPlay functionality from working. It's a problem that likely affects some percentage of router/Mini combinations, but certainly not all. I'm sure Apple will issue a fix, but until then I suspect that those combinations just won't work well.  😕

Best of luck, Bob!

@Garberinc - your problem is simple. Your internet setup cannot handle the bandwidth required to run all the devices you have at once, period. The evidence is that when others aren't on the network, it works. The repeater isn't helping, as those slow down wifi networks considerably. I don't know how your FirstNet tablet is connected to the world, but that's where the problem starts.

To run all the devices you list, throughput of at least 50Mbps is required, and perhaps more at times. In our house, 150Mpbs is now considered "just adequate".

I am beginning to think it is some sort of multicast or MDNS issue. I now have seperate SSID for 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz. I have noticed now my apple watch has issues (it connects at 2.4Ghz) the MDNS and multicast may not be being sent correctly by the WLAN controller on the two SSID and LAN even thought they are bridged interfaces. on the Cisco WLC I have broadcast forwarding on and Multicast Forwarding on. (the Bonjour GW is off)

As per the rest of the thread I'm having much the same issue with the homepod mini (HPM) staying connected. another asus blue cave owner here.

I have the my blue cave broadcast separate SSID's for 2.4 and 5 ghz and have the HPM connect to the 2.4 ghz channel. DHCP lease is set to 24 hours but I gave the HPM a static IP - I'm also reluctant to change lease time since we mostly work from home and don't need any disconnects during the day from calls, secure vpn etc. I suppose I could set those work devices to static?

I'm lucky if the HPM will stick to its connection for much more than 8 hours, I'm certainly not getting 24 hours. I haven't timed it from a clean power on state but it seems to be somewhere ~7 to 9 hours before it begins fumbling over itself again. Fantastic little device when it is working but it's nuisance when it glitches out. My best other alternative at this point is to add a cheap smart plug and program it to power cycle automatically at least once per day.

On an entirely separate note, do any of you guys experience your HPM's just randomly deciding to play music when it's glitching out?

“I am REALLY not keen to replace a perfectly working and new...”

First of all, I am 100% confident that Apple is working on this and that either software and/or firmware patches are forthcoming. However, if you can’t wait then you don’t need to replace your main router as a simple and relatively inexpensive Powerline adapter will more than likely fix the issue as it did for me. I see them on Amazon for 40 euros.

@Baumpython - no changes to IP address, band steering or SSID schemes are likely to help. These issues almost certainly have to do with the way your router is handling Bonjour, multicast requests, and ports, and may not be adjustable by a user. Sad but probably true.

Most routers work fine with the HomePod Minis, but some get very confused. It's a frustrating issue I am sure, but given how small it is (e.g., number of affected users) I don't expect any rapid, direct action. It will probably get addressed along with dozens of other small issues in an update.

Keep in mind that Apple doesn't read these posts. If you want their attention, you need to file a bug report.

It's definitely not a wifi 6 issues as my Linksys Velop MX10 system is also wifi 6 and I haven't had any issues with the new system in place. It almost sounds to me like your settings on your main network are not "standard" and perhaps there is a setting or security protocol that differs from your guest network that the mini simply isn't compatible with.

I would definitely see about getting Apple Support or Eeros support involved in that. Maybe they can help you pinpoint what it is.

I will say the 14.4 update is nice so far and the new handoff features are pretty cool.

The update fixed for now on my homepod. But pulling the plug also did for a few hours, so let‘s see how long it lasts...

I just checked my settings: I also have the loading animation next to time zone. I also reset my settings and completely reset my home pod. Now wait and see if everything works!!!

Update 14.3 is out! I’m updating now and pray that this update will fix the issue!!