HomePods play music randomly

By time the issue starts, on Gen 2 and some minis, the HomePod is usually a year out of warranty.

https://applemagazine.com/homepod-ghost-touch-frozen-panel/

It's a known hardware issue called ghost touch. Until users gang together to start a class action suit, Apple will continue to pretend it's unknown. The issue is that the touch panel on top of the HomePod goes bad. If you disconnect the Panel, you have to use Siri to get the HomePod to follow your wishes.

There are YouTube videos that show users how to disconnect the Panel or replace it, but on the Gen 2, that isn't for the faint of heart. The tear down it much harder than on the OG HomePod. On the OG, a tear down is top down. On the Gen 2, it's bottom up.

There are also guy's that you can ship your HomePod to and they will do the repair. I can't provide a link or the moderators will delete my comment. Do a web search. Nic's Fix charges $100 and you pay the shipping both ways. You can get discount shipping labels online from Pirateship shipping.

It may be a hardware issue. Restore the HomePod using a Mac or Windows and then take it to an Apple Store

It may sound random but give a try with a different socket, it worked to me.

Unfortunately this has been reported over the years.

In my case it started with one of the paired HomePod playing music from the Apple Music service whilst serving as TV speakers.

From there it went onto to blasting music at all hours of day at no one’s request; Siri went on having conversations of her own, and very soon the condition spread onto the second unit.

Tried all the tricks suggested by a community in desperation, and followed all the intricate and logical steps suggested by Apple support. Nothing happened.

Until now.

I’ve just come across another post on this matter, and learned that one unhappy Apple costumer was told at an Apple Store that there was nothing that could be done. So that was the end of those HomePods for him.

In the process of confirming this to be my case: if it is, no more HomePods for me, that’s for sure. Second Gen lasted 3 years? Get real Apple.

Please check my post and make sure to contact an Apple Store if u experience any similar issues

I have the same problem. The device is not fixable in any authorized store in my location. The only way to fix this is doing it by yourself using some Chinese replacements. Why doesn't Apple just add a feature in Homepod's settings to completely turn off the touch panel? I'm so angry, because it's my second device and I see exactly the same problem. The funny thing is I haven't even been touching the panel - it was used only wirelessly.

Exactly. Apple obviously missed the ball here, but it’s as if it’s not their doing.

And they’re releasing the same product, selling it as the ultimate sound system, providing you spend as much money on HomePods as you would on a proper Hi-Fi speaker system. Siri? Not the deal-breaker here for sure.

you are not the only one

Homepod randomly starts playing. - Apple Community

only happened for me 1 or 2 times though so I suppose I'm in luck