Level 1

76 points

How can I stop HomePod mini from playing music automatically?

I have just bought a homepod mini last week. However it is troubling me as it played music spontaneously and unexpected from time to time.

After adding the homgpod using default settings, on Monday, I was working remotely on my job when the homepod mini suddenly started playing music. I was not listening to any music or video, since I prefer silence when working on more challenging tasks. My husband was not at home either. Luckily I was not on an office metting. How embrassing it could be otherwise?

Then again on Wednesday, at about 5am in the monrning, the homepod started playing music at a loud volume by itself, again. Everyone was in a deep sleep. My husband was woken up and walked to the living room to turn it off.

We have no pets of any sort and no automation for playing music. My husband was irritated. He uninstalled the entire Apple Music and iTunes from his phone.

Does it mean the device is malfunctioning? Is there a way to disable music permanently?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

HomePod mini

Posted on Feb 21, 2024 9:14 PM

Top-ranking reply

Joyce3aj

Level 1

38 points

Posted on Aug 8, 2024 6:43 PM

I have a pair of HomePod 2 speakers connected to an Apple TV 4K. Everything was working normally until one day I noticed that music would start playing randomly in the middle of the night, with no apparent pattern. Even after changing the settings to require a 4-second press for activation, the issue persisted, though less frequently.

When I had some free time, I reset the HomePods and tested them individually without connecting them to the Apple TV. I discovered that one of the HomePods had an abnormal touch panel that would automatically register multiple touches. Sometimes, when rebooting after changing settings, it would automatically enter reset mode (as if the touch panel was being pressed during startup).

I eventually opened up the problematic HomePod and disconnected the touch panel's ribbon cable (the display and touch functions are separate). After this, everything worked normally. So, if you find that your settings are reset after a reboot, accompanied by three beeps, it's likely a touch panel issue. Since the touch panel isn't essential, you can simply disconnect it.

Based on current testing results, the issue is with the upper touch module. This problem can occur in both HomePod 2 and HomePod mini. To identify the problematic unit, you need to ungroup the speakers and use them individually. Once you've identified which one is malfunctioning, you can open it up and remove the touch control ribbon cable. This resolves the issue, although you won't be able to use the top touch controls manually anymore. However, Siri and the display will still function normally.

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80 replies

May 2, 2025 3:31 AM in response to Serena_yu1

This morning I turned it on and once powered on it just started to play music. phone, watch and ipad all off! Now putting 18.5 (22L5566a) on to see if that helps. So far, reset the device, reset all settings to factory, software updated = no change fault still there. You can't really put up with this fault as its starts playing during the night full volume so it wakes everyone up so turn it off / bin it is my suggestion.

Serena_yu1 Author

Level 1

76 points

Mar 1, 2024 6:42 AM in response to timothylance

I am mad about the Homepod.

I have reset the homepod, I have only myself and husband in the home group, and allowed "only people sharing this home". We have no pets. We have no other people on our LAN/wifi or in our house.

Last Thursday during working hours, when I was the only living thing at home, and was in a complete silence. The homepod suddenly said "OK, start to play radio."

Last Saturday at 2am, we were both sleeping and Homepod started playing music at a loud volume.

Since then I had unplugged it to make sure we could sleep.

This morning I plugged it in and reset the Homepod again. At 1:35 am when no one was active the Homepod replied "OK play music from your library" and started playing.

I pushed on its top trying to stop it, but it kept resuming the music in a few seconds each time I pushed to stop it.

I said "Siri stop playing", and it complained "There's nothing to stop", yet resumed the music.

All this nonsense had to be termininated by unplugging it from the power.

I am mad about it. What a nuisance? Why is this thing so obsessed in playing music at midnight?

allurenl

Level 1

14 points

Mar 4, 2024 8:00 AM in response to Serena_yu1

Sad and annoying as it is, the story created a smile on my face anyway. It is just unbelievable. I have similar issues, hence the query on this platform. The way you described it made it sound hilarious, no offense meant.

Catdokki

Level 1

8 points

Apr 19, 2024 6:50 AM in response to Serena_yu1

Have you still had this issue? I just experienced this same problem with our HomePod. We have no automations, access to play speakers or tv is set to only my partner and myself since we are the only ones connected to the network.

it was spooky to say the least.

Jun 26, 2024 1:49 AM in response to Serena_yu1

I am having the same issue. Apple customer support told me it’s a software issue. The other problem I am having it raises volume up to full on its own. This is very frustrating. I have all apple products iPad iPhone applets mini Mac and home pod mini. I liked it because they all work together.until now.

Jul 10, 2024 5:27 AM in response to RichBW

Started at 5am, on both minis. Who doesn't love waking up to blasting radio by Siri...

resetting didnt work. it's still doing it on/off, now randomly playing imusic or keeps asking "hi what can i do for you? blah blah blah blah..." Super annoyed. Any suggestions beyond resetting would be appreciated.

[Edited by Moderator]

sxc5678

Level 1

10 points

Aug 30, 2024 11:44 PM in response to Serena_yu1

HomePod mini in the bedroom woke up my wife twice recently by randomly playing loud music in the middle of the night. This really isn’t funny because she has sleeping issues (insomnia) in general.

Until and even if they can fix these issues, Apple should simply implement a “quiet” time setting on HomePods, so you can set them to not make any noise (even Siri answering) between certain times.

Ravet007

Level 1

16 points

Sep 5, 2024 10:40 AM in response to sxc5678

Did you find a solution. All my homepod mini’s start randomly talking and playing loud music in the middle of the night and day.

This happened right after the update to 17.6

I tried resetting all devices, turning off touch and Siri but that didn’t work either.

Did you have any luck?

Sep 24, 2024 12:59 PM in response to Joyce3aj

I have 2 HomePod second generation and…both Apple HomePods are Garbage after software 17.5, ( OUT OF WARRANTY)…..Apple music turn by itself, siri same way, Touch Bar not working or not responding at the touch in both speakers … calling Apple support, they have the same answer for me, I have to pay $ 240 dls for a replacement, when I get a new ones for 290, I think they should be responsible for replacing or fixing the HomePod if the problem results after the software update in both speakers at the same time ( bricked the HomePods )….

Sep 24, 2024 6:47 PM in response to Ravet007

Updating to iOS 18.0 not fix the problem in my pair HomePod second generation!!!!I hope Apple make a feature software update fixing this problem, before we open the speakers and disconnect the Touch Bar connection!!!

Oct 31, 2024 1:34 AM in response to Serena_yu1

Have the same since last Friday after the OS18 update on Apple TV 4K and the two HomePods in stereo pair. Very strange and annoying since the apple stops playing the movie or tv content and starts playing random music. Not one song but on and off it is playing a part of a different song. Or the HomePod is telling me that it will start playing music I like. Not very happy to open the HomePods to remove the touchscreen since they are still in warranty. The last update to 18.1 does not fix the issue at all. Driving me nuts!

Nov 14, 2024 11:00 AM in response to johnenmark_rotterdam

Very similar issue for me. I'm not going to open up the device to do Apple's job for them of actually fixing this issue. Hope a fix is released or a recall if that's what's necessary because of a hardware flaw.

Nov 28, 2024 10:17 PM in response to Serena_yu1

I too have the same issue, my mini HomePod randomly starts playing crackling fireplace sounds. I do not have the Home App installed so I cannot go change any settings. How do I stop the homepod from starting these sounds randomly. My HomePod is less than a month old.PLEASE HELP ME IT DISTURBED MY SLEEP ALMOST EVERYNIGHT.

.wallaby

Level 1

8 points

Feb 22, 2025 6:41 AM in response to Serena_yu1

Same exact issue here. It’s only one of my home pod minis, unfortunately the one right next to my bed. It used to work just fine, so I suspect the latest update screwed it up. I also tried restarting and resetting, to no avail.

May 1, 2025 1:41 AM in response to Serena_yu1

Mine's doing this as well. Randomly, it just plays music, last night it was 3am at full volume. Then again this morning at 9am. No devices were on, iphone off, watch flat, ipad off. Apple TV was on but I never use the music app on TV. Reset to factory, no improvement. Its a really Bad Apple as Brina would say.

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How can I stop HomePod mini from playing music automatically?