Airplay on Homepod is buggy

I doubt sincerely that the extra HomeKit functionality of the HomePod has anything at all to do with your issue. The amount of traffic that all generates is quite small, and zero if the features are not actively engaged.

I think the key here is that you are using 3rd party audio sources (e.g., Spotify) and AirPlay. As an experiment, try using ONLY the Apple Music app for a while and see what results you get. My hunch: the Apple Music app works perfectly.

Why do I have this hunch? Because I have observed similar erratic behavior with various 3rd party audio apps and AirPlay, with or without HomePod. I cannot be certain, as I am not an Apple engineer; but I'm an audio guy - and I think that some apps don't play nice with AirPlay's buffering and latency demands.

If that hunch plays out, then the issue is with the implementation of AirPlay on the iPhone/iPad and how it interfaces with 3rd party apps, not your network. Small consolation as it offers no cure, but at least you might know what the problem is.

There have been some recent issues with AirPlay and 3rd party audio apps, it doesn't have to do with the HomePod per se. Might be addressed in the 11.2.6 update for iOS. I've observed this with several apps, note that Apple Music and Podcasts work 100% fine.

The iOS 11.3 Beta 3 did not seem to fix it for me. Things like toggling pause-play buttons, audio "output" (target), WiFi on/off, and rebooting iPod all do not help. Still the only way to get it back is to completely power off HomePod for 15 seconds (or whatever) and plug it in again.

My "new" (previously owned) name brand DSL/Wireless router should arrive tomorrow. Will update thread later with results. [I won't consider the Verizon-supplied Actiontec router to be "name brand" 😝]

Funny that you used the word "infuriating" to start a thread with that subject line. That's the word I kept using at the Apple Store today as I exchanged my HomePod out of aggravation trying to use it purely as an AirPlay speaker. The replacement unit does not work any better. I tried everything and it just does not reliably come back to life after going to "sleep" (between music-listening sessions, when it's not being used). I can usually get it show up in the list of AirPlay targets and appear to "take" (to stick) and the music controls start moving as if it's playing but there is just no sound! HomeKit gets all confused and says it's either unreachable or "paused" (it often claims "paused" in Home app when the music controls are actually playing/running audio). Infuriating, indeed... considering I have tried completely resetting both HomePod and iPod touch to default (blank slate) factory settings. Whew, "buggy" is another word I would also use to describe it (like you did). More details soon as I keep gathering my thoughts and trying different things.

Just to clarify, I made sure WiFi router settings are as recommended by Apple for AirPlay and rebooted the router. The problem for me is not audio drop-outs or noisy (crackling) sound — although I have experienced that a bit (it is AirPlay after all 😁) ... No, my case is about no AirPlay sound coming through even though it appears to be playing (the playhead is moving). [YES, the volume is turned up.] The WiFi router is about 10 feet away.

Siri and Apple Music are all disabled (by me, as desired). I just want this to work as a locally-controlled (in-home) AirPlay speaker with my iPod touch (6th-gen) with all up-to-date software (iOS 11.2.6). It is supposed to support this use case!

AirPlay audio works fine on a Libratone Zipp speaker in this same environment.... but it doesn't require HomeKit... which is probably why it works as a reliable AirPlay speaker.

One Apple Store agent basically felt like HP was not designed to be used without all these services and always-on Siri and stuff, which I dismissed at the time. He kept pointing to the fine print on the box which mentions all these "services" (features / subscriptions). But the more I think about it, I wonder if my use case (underlined above) really wasn't tested much, if at all.

I mean, I've never used HomeKit until now (because it's required for HomePod setup). But if this is the very first HomeKit speaker ever made... (is that true?) ... And if it's also acting as the "Hub" (which I don't really understand about, since I'm not versed in the nuances of HomeKit). And so, if it goes into sleep/hibernation mode (with Siri disabled, so sleeping especially deeply 😉), then has the HomeKit Hub just gone offline??! (Sure doesn't sound good, put that way.)

PS: I would try the 11.3 beta without hesitation, except there's no build for iPod touch yet (even though every other iOS device seems covered). Weird, huh? Almost seems like there's a connection.

I use the HomePod with AirPlay (and other AirPlay devices) from iTunes on my iMac using the the iPhone/iPad Remote App everyday and have had no problems at all. It also works perfectly via AirPlay from my Apple TV 4K. I understand it's not the same usage, but there doesn't seem to be a problem with AirPlay on it.

Again thank you. The problem of my HP getting "confused" and not producing sound even though the playhead is moving (after not being used for a while) also occurred with the Apple Music app. I'm not steaming anything, it's just all local AAC files on my device (Music Library on device). But, grant you, I do very much prefer to use 3rd-party app like Onkyo HF Player because it has nice custom EQ curve function (with ability to save custom presets) and I feel the HomePod can really use some extra help with EQ!

HomePod also randomly stops playing music while using via Airplay with iPhone 8 Plus. When I view iTunes app the app may indicate the music “is” playing but I hear nothing or the song has reset to the beginning (without playing through). Music will play through HomePod when I “⏸” & “▶” again or just “▶” but will ultimately stop at some point during Airplay mode. A bit frustrating for a “smart speaker”.

Thanks, you two. I know you feel my pain even though you're not having issues. 😉

Maybe it's the cheap router that Verizon supplied with my DSL service, even though it works fine with another AirPlay speaker. But HomePod means HomeKit (not a simple AirPlay speaker), and it tries to act as a hub, and maybe it's all just too much for this poor router... or, I mean, not compatible enough w/HK. (Even though everything starts off fine.)

iOS 11.2.6 did not help, but they finally released a beta build of 11.3 for iPod just today and it's installing now. If that doesn't help, then maybe the NETGEAR router I also ordered used from eBay will work better. (Even though it just adds to the overall cost of this experiment.)

PS: Or maybe HomeKit is just buggy on iPod at this moment in iOS history. Who the heck knows, but something sure isn't mixing well.