HomePod mini stuck in ''configuring''

I encountered a similar issue with my original HomePods. They are placed on my desk and paired. I tried to update them to 17.0 and then to 17.1. However, I was only able to upgrade one, as the other was stuck in a perpetual "Configuring limbo," which prevented it from fully configuring. Additionally, I couldn't get them to pair, whether during the initial setup or after the second one appeared to be "Setup Complete" but was still in "Configuring limbo." Here are the unsuccessful steps I took:

1. Hard reset (unplugged, then pressed down on the top until I heard three beeps).
2. Removing devices from my iCloud Account, followed by a hard reset.
3. Creating a new Home in the Home App, while also removing the devices from my iCloud Account first, and performing a hard reset, then joining the new "Home."
4. Using my iPhone, iPad, or my wife's iPhone to set up the initial configuration for both devices.
5. Excessive cursing and throwing of desktop items.
6. Each time I managed to fully configure the first HomePod, the second one remained stuck in Configuring Limbo. The order did not seem to matter. If HomePod "Thing1" fully configured, then "Thing2" would not, and vice versa.

Initially, I did not check my router's network settings, as prior to the 17.0 upgrade, this pair had been playing music happily for 2-3 years since purchase without any issues during the original install. The configuration issues only arose when I attempted to upgrade them to 17.0.

After trying various methods without success, I revisited my network settings and here's what I did:

1. Logged into my Router and verified some of my Wi-Fi settings.

• • I have a primary network and a guest network (this is my office router).
  • I'm broadcasting on both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz.
  • I'm using WPA2/WPA3-Personal for security.
  • I had also enabled AP isolation.

1. I "downgraded" my security to WPA2-Personal and disabled AP isolation.
2. Removed both devices from my iCloud Account.
3. Unplugged and replugged both "Thing1" and "Thing2", and pressed down on top until I heard the beeps.
4. Set up both HomePods, waited for both to fully configure (which took about 5 minutes after setup), and then paired them together.
5. Changed my settings back on the router to the security levels I wanted.

This seems to have resolved the issue.

I also pondered why Apple doesn't allow us to configure them directly instead of only relying on the Home App/install scripts. The current method doesn't seem to save me any time or headache. While it may work seamlessly most of the time, when it doesn't, the process to get results feels like eating salad with a straw.