My HomePod mini won't stop configuring in HomeKit

I had this problem too. I could use Siri, connect to it from my phone and Mac and it worked fine. I couldn't get it to get past "configuring" in the setup stage and the HomePod Siri wouldn't control my smart lights.

In the end I removed my Apple TV from the Apple Home App (config -> remove Device), removed the HomePod from the Apple Home app and from my iCloud account, and then did a factory reset on the HomePod mini to set it up from scratch.

Now it is configured and I can control it from my phone and via Siri, I can use HomePod siri to control my lights. However I now cannot connect my Mac to the HomePod mini via Airplay and still searching for a solution.

Have you tried a software update? It needs that right away.

Update HomePod - Apple Support

It seems Apple have some back end issues that might affect configuring new devices. See https://www.macrumors.com/2020/12/25/apple-verification-failed-stuck-configuring/.

Still listed as an issue at Apple - Support - System Status.

tt2

I am stuck on this as well. Restarted the HomePod, removed it from HomeKit, removed it from iCloud, I even did a factory reset on my phone and nothing has worked.