HomePod Not Responding? 8 Quick Fixes That Work

If your HomePod suddenly stops responding, you’re not alone. Whether it’s ignoring “Hey Siri” or touch controls, failing to show up in the Home app, or just feeling a bit sluggish, the fix is usually easier than it seems. In this guide, I’ll explain why your HomePod isn’t responding and share practical steps you can take to get it working again.

Why is My HomePod Not Responding to Voice Commands or Touch Controls? 

When a HomePod ignores Hey Siri or doesn’t react when you tap the top surface, the cause is usually one of the following things: 

• The HomePod isn’t powered on 
• Software crash causing a boot loop 
• Siri is disabled or can’t hear you 
• No active internet connection 
• There’s a gesture-recognition glitch 
• Updates stuck midway, or Home app sync issues 
• Interference with home hubs or paired devices 
• Hardware failure 

For this reason, you may see a No Response alert for your HomePod or HomePod mini in the Home app.

8 Methods to Fix HomePod Not Responding

Try these proven methods to fix your unresponsive HomePod in minutes.

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1. Ensure HomePod is Turned On

It might happen, you’re continuously calling Siri, but HomePod isn’t responding because you haven’t actually turned it on! You can make sure it’s powered on by tapping the top surface. A pulsing white light will show.  

Otherwise, open the Home app on your iPhone/iPad and tap on the HomePod. Check if it shows as ‘Playing’ when you initiate music. If it fails even this basic step, power-cycle the speaker before moving to the next step.  

1. Switch the HomePod off and unplug it from the wall outlet. 
2. Now, wait for 10 seconds. 
3. Plug the HomePod back in securely and turn it on. You may try a different power outlet. 

Now, check if it responds to your voice commands or touch controls. 

2. Check For the Alerts in the Home App

If your HomePod or HomePod mini is having trouble connecting to your home Wi-Fi network, accessing your Apple Account, or experiencing another issue, you will see a warning with details in the Home app. 

1. Go to the Home app on your iPhone.
2. Tap HomePod, and you will see an alert banner at the top if it’s not responding or has any issues. 
3. Select View Details to learn about the problem.  

This step ensures you follow the proper troubleshooting steps and quickly fix your HomePod.

3. Connect HomePod to a Strong Wi-Fi Connection

Your HomePod automatically connects to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone. If you’ve recently changed your Wi-Fi password or moved it to another location, you might lose connection. In this case, when you approach Siri, it will tell you that there’s a problem connecting to the Wi-Fi. 

You can also manually verify if there’s a Wi-Fi connection issue from the Home app and connect it to the same network as your iPhone.  

1. In the Home app, go to the HomePod tab. 
2. You will see a HomePod Network Mismatch alert.
   
3. Tap View Details on the banner. It will show you the Wi-Fi network your iPhone is connected to.
   
4. Select Move HomePod to [Wi-Fi network], then wait for the update to complete. 

No network mismatch? Then maybe your Wi-Fi is the culprit. To validate this: 

1. Open the Home app > HomePod, then tap the Settings icon at the bottom. 
2. Scroll down to the Wi-Fi Network. Check the Wi-Fi signal strength indicator on the right.  

Your Wi-Fi signal is poor if the signal strength indicator displays two bars or fewer. Eliminate potential Wi-Fi interference sources, such as microwaves or cordless phones, and try relocating your HomePod closer to your router.

4. Make Sure Siri is Enabled for HomePod 

Now that your HomePod and iPhone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, long-press the top of your HomePod and ask, “Hey Siri, what’s the temperature?” If there’s no response, Siri might be disabled or not listening to you properly. 

1. In the Home app, tap the HomePod tile, then tap the Settings icon. Tap Listen for “Siri” or “Hey Siri” and choose “Siri” or “Hey Siri.” 
2. Toggle on Touch and Hold for Siri and Personal Requests. Check for Siri language settings as well. 

Now, try some Siri commands in a clear and loud voice. If your HomePod is still not responding, the microphone may be blocked. Check for any physical obstructions and clean your HomePod.

5. Restart HomePod

Software bugs can cause HomePod to become unresponsive, interrupting its functions. To clear out such software glitches, simply restart the device. It’s a simple yet proven method. 

1. Open HomePod Settings in the Home app. 
2. Scroll down to the bottom and tap Reset HomePod. 
3. Select Restart HomePod from the pop-up. 

6. Confirm HomePod Firmware is Updated 

Apple regularly releases new firmware versions to keep the HomePod working smoothly. By default, those updates happen over the air. You can still verify if any updates are pending. 

1. Open the Home app and tap the three-dot icon at the top. 
2. Select Home Settings > Software Update.  
3. If an update is available, tap Update next to HomePod.  
4. Also, ensure HomePod is toggled on under Automatic Updates. 
5. You will see a spinning white light on the top until the installation is finished. 

7. Remove & Re-Add the HomePod 

If your HomePod is still struggling to respond, you need to do a factory reset. This can resolve corrupted settings, network handoffs, or hub registration issues. 

1. Access Home app > HomePod > Settings icon.  
2. Tap Reset HomePod at the bottom and select Remove Accessory.
   
3. Hit Remove to reset it. 
4. A white light will start spinning on the top. Wait until it disappears to know the reset is done. 
5. Then set up HomePod again as if new. Bring your iPhone near and follow the on-screen instructions. 

8. Manual Hardware Reset 

If everything else fails and you’re unable to reset it through the Home app, you can do a full hardware reset: 

1. Unplug HomePod, wait for ~10 seconds, plug it back in. 
2. After 10 seconds, touch and hold the top surface. The white light will spin. Continue holding until you see a red light. 
3. Now, Siri will announce that your HomePod will be reset. Lift your finger once you hear three beeps. 
4. Once reset, set it up again.

Contact Apple Support 

If, after all these steps, your HomePod still doesn’t respond or function, it may indicate a hardware fault or deeper software corruption that needs service. The best possible way is to contact Apple Support. 

Fix Your HomePod Quickly! 

As HomePod offers much more than just a music-streaming speaker, you might lose productivity on your daily tasks. But we hope you have resolved the error with one of the ways we’ve explained. If yes, then which is it? Tell us about it in the comment section below!

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