HomePod loses Apple TV connection

This problem has only gotten worse since the last tvOS and HomePod OS updates. I am running tvOS = 16.3.2 and hpOS = 16.3.2.

The (Gen 1) HomePods (Stereo Pair) are selected as the default audio option. Every few days, the HomePods will stop playing all CONTENT audio. Ex: Netflix, Hulu, Paramount+, etc. BUT… if you go back to the Home Screen, all of the Navigation Clicks can still be heard. I’ve restarted the HomePods, restarted the network, reset the HomePods… reset the network… nothing fixes this. For note, I have 2 other TVs in my house with HomePod Minis as the stereo pair and this does not happen to them. Only the Gen 1 HomePods. If this continues I will have to replace them with a Sonos or equivalent, because they are basically unusable in the current state.

Gen 1 Homepod had some wifi weaknesses. Try:

a) assigning a static IP address to it in your wifi-router settings

b) manually assigning wifi channels in your router settings (there might be intermittent interference with the ones assigned by the router)

c) try disabling any smart router functions in your router settings - they might confuse the Homepod

You will need to find instructions for your router model to do this.

With an Apple TV 4K you should be able to set the HomePods to default audio so it sticks. See: Set up home theater audio with HomePod or HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K - Apple Support. Have you done that?

For troubleshooting I’d start with rebooting the wifi.