HomePod mini stuck in ''configuring''

I purchased a HomePod mini to use as a HomeKit hub. Went through the setup procedure and it failed to update because I had ''advanced data protection'' turned on. Turned it off and the HomePod updated from software version 15.6 to 16.5, however it's still stuck in configuring. Reset the device multiple times and it's the same thing everytime. In the home app, it says ''HomePod is being configured. Additional settings will be available shortly...''. Also alarms and timers are greyed out and it says that they can be viewed and managed only when this homepod is on the same network as this iPhone. I restarted my phone and router to no avail. Logged in to my router and I can see that the HomePod is indeed connected but it doesn't show it is in the home app (I can't see the wifi strength bars).


In this current state I can use it as a speaker and I know for a fact that it is connected to my wifi network as I see it as an audio output option on my MacBook Pro and it disappears if I turn off wifi. I asked Siri random facts and it did read the information from a wikipedia page. When I ask Siri to set an alarm or timer it says that something went wrong with my request and to try again later. I haven't tried controlling any HomeKit accessories yet because they haven't been delivered yet.


Help please!!!

HomePod mini

Posted on Jul 15, 2023 4:04 PM

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Posted on Dec 30, 2023 6:20 PM

This is patently ridiculous. The whole “it just works” mantra is what draws consumers to Apple in the first place. I won’t spend any more time than I already have trying to get a brand new HomePod Mini to correctly connect. We got two for Christmas. One connected flawlessly, and the other has cost me a half-day of my holiday vacation.


I’ll be voting with my wallet and returning it.


No one should have to be this knowledgeable about networks to get this thing to connect.

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114 replies

Jul 17, 2023 4:40 PM in response to Vancouver22

ok so I just did that, reset and remove and setup. it's been in configuring for about 20 mins thus far.


So far I've tried resetting, restoring, hard restarting my phone and router, disabling the firewall on my router and it comes right back to being stuck in configuring. I've also tried creating a new home and test room in the home app and it just gets stuck configuring in there as well.


From settings, I see that it's on tvOS 16.5 and my phone (a 13 pro max) is on iOS 16.5.1.


the only thing I haven't been able to try is a setup on a different wifi network which I don't believe is the problem as my other devices (iPhone, apple watch and MacBook) are connected to it and can access the internet just fine.


one thing I forget to mention is that the popup to enable location services comes up every now and then and also I get a pop up message saying that the HomePod cannot make changes because it's not connected to the internet, make sure I am connected and try again which is puzzling as my other devices are connected and can access the internet as mentioned above.


Jul 17, 2023 7:22 PM in response to rharripersad

rharripersad wrote:

I guess I will leave it alone and try another network when I can. is it a possible bug with this software version tho?

Not sure if it’s a bug. Some will get stuck like this stalling on completing the set up.

it might be worth rebooting the wifi and you could also try resetting network settings on your iPhone - rejoin your wifi once the iPhone restarts. Wifi needs to be on the same network with iPhone & homepod.

I forgot to mention I did all this as well but I’m not sure what finally worked. It’s more frustrating if you keep checking on it lol. It might be done by morning. See if it eventually does complete on its own.


Your Apple TV will act as a Hub in the meantime to add accessories etc.

Oct 15, 2023 1:46 PM in response to rharripersad

Spend 3 hours trying to figure out why all 3 of my HomePods won’t work. They stay stuck on configuring. I’ve reset them via themselves, reset via MacBook and even spent time talking to Apple rep. I’ve never had more problems than I have when it comes to Apple. I’m switching back to Alexa. I’m over the constant troubleshooting and waste of time I’ve had on these products.

Oct 24, 2023 1:15 AM in response to Vancouver22

This post of yours suggesting the Restoring was the sole solution after too much time through several days researching this issue. All was well with the first (left) HomePod, but the second (right) was stuck in configuring at OS 15 several times after several resets, then again for many hours overnight. I followed these simple but marvelous instructions of yours… Issue resolved! As far as removing the HomePod, I did this as soon as it started the restoring process on my iMac. I removed it from the Home app, then from its attachment to my iCloud account in settings. The setup procedure was without a glitch afterwards. Good to go! Gracias!

Oct 27, 2023 2:32 PM in response to rharripersad

Here's the Fix, and it worked reliably for me. The HomePods would remain at the "configuring...." status for hours. Nothing else (removing, resetting the HomePod first-gen, re-adding to a different room or home...nothing worked). Specifics: iPhone 14 Pro, iOS 17.1, TvOS 17.1, HomePod 1st generation (two of them, to be paired for stereo).


Step 1: Do you have a 2.5GHz router with the old WPA security? That's what I used, though you may find some other older-generation connection might work. I had a router available that supported 2.5 and WPA, and no security gateway or other gateway filtering.


Step 2: From your iPhone, remove the 5GHz network (select the "i" and forget the network).


Step 3: Connect to the old-school 2.5 GHz WPA network on your iPhone. You'll get an informational message that its not very secure. It isn't-- and so, don't leave that running after you're done :)


Step 4: Remove the HomePod(s) from your Home app (if you haven't already). Disconnect HomePod(s) power and then power one up. Hold the top "button" down while booting, wait for 3 beeps.


Step 5: Confirm that your iPhone is on the 2.5GHz WiFi. Then, add the HomePod in your Home app. The "configuring..." message state should be done in a few minutes at most.


Step 6: Repeat with the other HomePods as needed.


Step 7: From your iPhone, disconnect from the 2.5GHz network. Connect to your 5GHz WiFi with the current generation security features.


Step 8: Go to the Home app and select the configuration gear for one of the HomePods. A message that they are on the 2.5GHz network will be displayed, with an option to move them to the new network. Do that, and repeat this step if it takes 2-3 tries. (Perhaps there is something with passing credentials to the HomePods? Can't tell.) But once they are transferred to the new network, you're done-- they are still no longer in "configuring" status, and you can pair them or change the room assignment.


You're done! And it takes a bit longer to describe the steps than to do them (if you have an old router handy, or if you can temporarily configure your 2.5GHz router radio to use WPA... but then after you're done, be sure to return to your original router security configuration!)


Unknows: Was WPA needed? Don't know-- that's what the old router supported, and it worked.

Was it 2.5GHz vs. 5GHz? Was it the security gateway? Don't know-- but disabling the security gateway options and rebooting the current-generation router didn't work. The old router did, and then moving the HomePods to the 5GHz network was easy.


YMMV, but will be curious if, like me, none of the other recommendations worked-- but this worked straightaway.

HomePod mini stuck in ''configuring''

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