homepod mini debacle

To really start from scratch go to Home > Home Settings, scroll all the way down, then tap Remove Home. I suspect removing and rebuilding rooms and resetting the devices won't have been a deep enough clean, just like it wasn't for me.

tt2

For some users it seems their router might be "too smart" for the Homepods that don't seem to be able to keep up with the latest wifi optimising strategies. Try disabling these optimising features in the router settings.

I found that assigning static IP addresses (via router settings) made my Homepod connections more reliable.

Another thing to meditate on: HomePod mini are concentrates of high technologies that use a lot of protocols like Wi-Fi Direct and security things to work. The basic routers provided by internet operators are cheap assemblies of parts that cost less than 10$ to make. How can these inexpensive routers work well with a technology-packed accessory released in 2020?

I've never had problems with my HomePods, Wi-Fi, Hand-Off, stereo pairing and so on. And I have a lot of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee accessories, Apple products. But my Wi-Fi is managed by Ubiquiti hardware and especially not by my mouldy box provided by my internet provider.

Think about it.

Yep. Stereo pair still not working. Again. They worked briefly last week, tried again today (still have them set up, but sitting on top of my wired speakers coming from a receiver - that image would make for a wonderful advertisement or YouTube video) but they're just a mess.

They just can't keep sync - only one of the stereo pair will play, then randomly the sound switched back to HDMI and one of them began playing music from some other unknown source.

The most un-Apple-like experience I've had with one of their products in years and years. Why would they discontinue the HomePod to focus on a product (the Mini) when it doesn't even work properly?

shadow2350 wrote:

I have unplugged the HomePod Mini and deleted it from the Home app. I am no longer using it. However, the Home app still has a post "Kitchen Not Responding." If I have removed the HomePod Mini from the system, why does the system still remember there was a speaker in that room?

Perhaps you need to remove the room if the room no longer has any active kit.

FWIW I've been struggling for ages trying to add a device that worked previously. I finally got around to completely removing the home and rebuilding it from scratch (2 x HomePods, ATV4HD) and this time my LIFX lamp added exactly as it is supposed to. I must have tried and failed well over 50 times before it occurred to me to be that little bit more radical in my attempts to start over the setup of this device.

tt2

Same problems with stereo pair of the HomePod Minis here. I've reset both pods, re-paired as stereo, etc, etc. over and over again. When they work, trying to use them as a stereo pair for my Apple TV 4K, they sound amazing and are more than sufficient for our "home theater". Problem is, they work for an hour or so. Then one will play one channel, the other sitting strangely silent. Or I'll switch apps and they'll lose connection. Or they'll even randomly start playing music from some other source. Total mess. I've basically given up on using them, but try them every couple weeks, in case they've been fixed with a software update. I expect better from Apple. And the crazy thing is, I often use my AirPods and AirPods Pro for the sound on my Apple TV. Perfect, seamless experience. The HomePod Minis, however, seem to be some beta project that never should have shipped. I also bought these thinking if it worked I would later upgrade to the full HomePods. Now I'm afraid to spend the $600 on those. Apple, what is wrong here?

3 HomePod mini’s I use for white noise or lullabies for my kids stops playing after a couple hours. I start them all within minutes of each other and a couple hours later they stop playing. 

I have replaced my wireless modem/router three times thinking it was defective, but the signal strength on my other devices are still strong. I have 2 original HomePods (larger ones) which I used prior for the same purpose and they played until morning. 

I simultaneously played HomePod and the HomePod mini’s with the same track from my personal playlist (Hey Siri, play xyz playlist) and placed it on repeat (Hey Siri, repeat this song), on the same network at the same 5ghz frequency and the HomePod mini’s stopped after a couple of hours. 

I'm having issues with my 2 HomePod minis also. Worked great for a few weeks or so... now constant problems. They keep disconnecting from my wifi and HomeKit and will not setup properly. Now nothing! An Error Code 301003 comes up. I've been through all suggested solutions... first rebooting/re-starting everything. Then resetting the HomePod minis with no personalization. Then resetting the HomePod minis, wifi, bluetooth. Restarting my iPhone etc. Nothing. I now own 2 cool-looking paper weights that cost $99 each. I will abandon Apple HomeKit and move to other vendors and solutions... this is way too frustrating. I'm a former Apple employee (retail business team) and am proficient on Apple devices. I've been an Apple Mac/iPad/iPhone user for 8-10 years (2 MacBook Pros, 2 MacBook Airs, 3 iMacs, 3 Mac minis, 3 iPads, and 5 iPhones). I've had more trouble with my Apple devices over the past 1-2 years than ever before. So disappointing. Steve Jobs, rest in peace, would have NEVER released products with these many issues.

Hello shadow2350,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities!

If we understand your post correctly, since adding the HomePod Mini with your other two HomePods they will cease to respond at different times and play different music from sources unknown. We're happy to help!

Looks like you've tried some great troubleshooting steps this far so we won't ask you to repeat those steps.

"Create a stereo pair

You can create a stereo pair with two HomePod speakers or two HomePod mini speakers. (You can’t create a stereo pair with a HomePod and a HomePod mini.) To create a stereo pair, both HomePod speakers need to be assigned to the same room.

1. In the Home app on your iOS or iPadOS device, touch and hold a HomePod.
2. Scroll down, then tap .
3. Tap Create Stereo Pair and follow the onscreen instructions."

For more information about stereo pairing check out this article: Set up HomePod stereo pairing

Let us know if you have any questions.

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

Take care!