HomePod won't play music

Same issue here-HomePod acknowledges requests but doesn’t play anything, the +/- dims after Siri says “now playing...”, and if I start playback using my iPhone the cover art flashes for a second before saying “not playing”. I notice this usually happens when I keep changing the playlist/radio that are currently playing. It is as if the HomePod is stuck processing my requests and gives up. In my case, closing the Music app on my iPhone and Apple TV (I usually have it on to show what’s playing on the HomePod) sometimes fix the issue. But sometimes the HomePod starts working again after I leave it for a few hours without doing anything. So weird.

Yes...that’s it! If I leave it for a few hours it will work again for a bit.

It seems to relate to using the iPhone as a remote (but once it starts playing up, it is like that for a while regardless of how you get it to play...iPad, Apple TV or directly through Siri...all show same behaviour).

It’s like something on the phone is stopping the HomePod authenticating with Apple Music. It shows the track, fails to check you’re authorised to play it and then tries something else.

I’ve reset everything that I can. I didn’t try the keychain thing as I don’t want to lose all my auto fill data and wasn’t certain what that setting removes. I did do a Reset All Settings which cleared the problem for a day.

Out of curiosity, is there any pattern as to what time of the day this issue happens to your HomePod? In my case it always happens around 6-8pm, which in the UK is internet “peak hours”, so this could be due to problem with connection. I’ve tried to replicate this issue outside of these hours but can’t.

I also found signing out of my Apple Music account sometimes solves this issue. But if nothing works I just let the HomePod alone for a bit and, like you said, it will work as usual after a few hours.

I’ve had the problem at all times if I use it. Perhaps noticed it more in the evening because that’s when we use the HomePod most.

It’s just arisen again this morning for example after 5 minutes of use and doesn’t come back despite signing in and out.

Perhaps I can use it in 5 minute bursts each morning as long as I don’t change the track? 😩

Has anyone tried leaving HomePod overnight (problem seems to resolve temporarily after a few hours), then putting iPhone on airplane mode before it’s used and controlling HomePod via voice?

My suspicion is this is a bug on the iPhone’s music app/iOS which interferes with Apple Music authentication. I’m told it works fine when I’m out the house, it seems ok when I haven’t used my phone in a while and I can cause the problem by using the remote music control on my phone to switch between playlists and songs for a few minutes.

Try this

Okay, I confirmed that what I said above is correct. You can only stream music from one of Apple's services. Here is the list of possible audio sources (from Apple's support pages):

I had what sounds like the same issue. AppleSupport directed me to sign the HomePod out of iCloud and back in again using the Home app on my iPhone. That solved the problem for me.

Hello,

Maby try rebooting the HomePod, or turn the volume up.

Depending perhaps on where purchased you should have 14 days to return it if you don't like it.

tt2

I agree the HomePod is crap , nothing but problems, released with not enough testing!

I had the same problem. Twice within 24 hours.

And while this solution did fix the problem both times, I am hoping this isn't a regular occurrence.

I can the problem to occur multiple time within a few hours.