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Level 1

25 points

I can't connect to HomePod from my Mac Pro

Hi All,

It seems I have stumbled across a bug. Let me explain...

I have a Mac Pro, on which I have two networks, the physical one using Ethernet as well as a WiFi one. I usually have the Ethernet network set highest in Service Order in Network settings. I basically only use the WiFi to unlock my Mac Pro from my Apple Watch, and AirPlay (I was hoping).

Now I just got a HomePod, and it works great. I can connect to it from my iPhone, iPad, as well as my MacBook Pro. However, I cannot connect to it from my Mac Pro. My Mac Pro sees it, but when I select it in Sound settings, it says it cannot connect. But, if I select the WiFi to have the higher service order in Network settings (above Ethernet), it all works fine...

That MUST be a bug, right? It certainly is a MAJOR irritation. I have no wish to have all my internet traffic go through the slower WiFi, but if I select the service order to prefer Ethernet, I cannot use my HomePod.

Any suggestions?

Mac Pro (Late 2013), macOS High Sierra (10.13), HomePod

Posted on Mar 9, 2018 12:25 PM

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26 replies

bomelkr Author

Level 1

25 points

Mar 11, 2018 9:02 AM in response to turingtest2

I set all the WiFi networks on my Mac Pro to not "Automatically join this network", and with the WiFi turned on, but no WiFi networks selected, I see the HomePod, but I cannot connect to it. Only if I select one of the WiFi networks, can I connect to the HomePod.

If I turn off WiFi on the Time Capsule it is the same. It is a bit tricky to test as I have no less than 5 WiFi networks in the house. I work in IT and test a bunch of internet connections (LTE, ADSL, BSA), and I have two separate WiFi networks for usage.

turingtest2

Level 10

272,881 points

Mar 11, 2018 1:59 PM in response to bomelkr

bomelkr wrote:

It is a bit tricky to test as I have no less than 5 WiFi networks in the house. I work in IT and test a bunch of internet connections (LTE, ADSL, BSA), and I have two separate WiFi networks for usage.

Ah, that might be the issue. When you set up the HomePod I suspect it inherits all of the wireless settings of the device you're using for setup. There is, perhaps, no guarantee that the HomePod is using a wireless network that is reachable by the wired connection from the Mac Pro under such circumstances. You'd have to interrogate the DHCP leases for each network to be certain which network the HomePod is actually using. If you forget all of your local networks apart from the TimeCapsule from the device you're using for setup, then set up the HomePod again from scratch it might work.

tt2

bomelkr Author

Level 1

25 points

Mar 11, 2018 11:13 AM in response to turingtest2

I hear that and tried. I removed all WiFi associations on the iPhone before setting up the HomePod, and still, I cannot get a connection to it from my Mac Pro, unless I join a WiFi network on the Mac Pro. Even with the WiFi turned on, and no WiFi networks selected, I see the HomePod, but I cannot connect to it.

bomelkr Author

Level 1

25 points

Mar 11, 2018 12:16 PM in response to turingtest2

Thank you tt2, for all your efforts and ideas. I do think I found the problem though...

I pulled everything apart because what was really bugging me was that it worked "sometimes", but most of the time it did not, and I couldn't find a common denominator. I found that...

Between the HP switch and my NAS1, my NAS2, and my Mac Pro, I was using two ethernet connections, in an aggregated ethernet / LACP setup. on the Mac Pro, I have created a virtual interface using the two ethernet ports. When I use that to connect to the network, the system cannot figure out how to create the connection to the HomePod. It tries, but it cannot downgrade the interface for the few seconds it needs to, in order to bind the AirPlay with the HomePod.

However, if I connect to the HP switch or the Time Capsule, using only one ethernet connection, it works fine. When I select the HomePod in Sound settings, the normal ethernet connection is off and then on, for just a few seconds, but enough that the Mac Pro binds with the HomePod.

I guess this is a bug, but I also guess that it is but a few people who connect to their network using an LACP setup.

Mar 9, 2018 3:27 PM in response to bomelkr

ok, I too have a time capsule, as my router and it works for me so not sure ... power cycle your router maybe can't hurt.

Mar 9, 2018 3:41 PM in response to evilcougar

Also forgot to mention, for Speakers in Home App/HomeKit click on arrow in top left corner, I have it set to "Allow Speaker Access" "Everyone".

turingtest2

Level 10

272,881 points

Mar 10, 2018 7:52 AM in response to bomelkr

Where does your Ethernet connection get plugged in? One of the LAN ports on the Time Capsule, or somewhere else? LAN ports should work, anywhere else not so much.

tt2

bomelkr Author

Level 1

25 points

Mar 10, 2018 3:51 PM in response to turingtest2

Good suggestion, but it made no difference.

I had already disabled configuration over Ethernet WAN port, so it should be OK, but the HP switch is now connected to the Time Capsule in a LAN port.