HomePod not connecting to WiFi: Troubleshooting HomePod Connectivity Issues

Quick links:
Update HomePod
Restart or Reset Your HomePod
Reset Your Network Settings
Change Your Router’s Settings
Additional Tips

Is your HomePod struggling to connect to the Internet or losing its connection sporadically? Are you hearing the message “I’m having trouble connecting to the internet right now?” Don't worry, we've got you covered. This comprehensive guide will walk you through several troubleshooting steps to restore your HomePod's online connectivity.

Update HomePod

Before diving into complex troubleshooting, let's start with the basics. Ensure your HomePod is operating with the latest software. Although HomePods should automatically install software updates, sometimes they might not. Therefore, it's a good idea to manually check for updates in the Home app on your iDevice (or Mac using macOS Mojave or later.)

Updating Your HomePod from Your iDevice

1. Open the Home App on the iDevice that you originally set up your HomePod with.
2. Ensure your iDevice is also using the latest iOS.
3. Tap the house icon in the upper-left corner. For older iOS versions, this is an arrow icon.
4. Tap Software Update.
5. If an update is available, tap install. A white spinning light appears on the top of HomePod while it’s updating. Don't unplug HomePod until the update is complete. If you have multiple HomePods, this should update all your HomePods at once.

Updating Your HomePod from Your Mac

1. Open the Home App.
2. Tap Edit > Edit Home from the menu bar.
3. Select Software Update.
4. If an update is available, tap install. A white spinning light appears on the top of HomePod while it’s updating. Don't unplug HomePod until the update is complete. If you have multiple HomePods, this should update all your HomePods at once.

Restart or Reset Your HomePod

Restarts often fix a surprising number of problems, especially issues that suddenly appear without an apparent reason.

Restarting Your HomePod

1. Unplug your HomePod.
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Plug the HomePod back into power.

If a restart doesn’t help, try a reset.

Resetting Your HomePod with an iDevice

1. On an iDevice signed in with the same Apple ID used to set up your HomePod initially, open the Home App.
2. Press and hold the HomePod icon.
3. Tap Settings.
4. Scroll down and tap Remove Accessory, then follow the steps to set up your HomePod(s) again.

Resetting Your HomePod with a Mac

1. Open the Home app.
2. Double-click HomePod.
3. Tap Settings in the upper-right corner.
4. Scroll to the bottom and select Remove Accessory.

Set Up Your HomePod (Again!)

1. Plug in and turn on your HomePod.
2. Wait for a flashing white circle on the top of your HomePod.
3. Bring your iPhone/iPad/iPod nearby and unlock it.
4. Wait for a HomePod notification to appear on your screen.
5. Tap Set Up.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your HomePod’s location in your space, personal requests, iCloud access, Apple Music, agree to terms and conditions, and so forth.
7. When Siri greets you, the HomePod is now fully set up.

Restart or Reset Your HomePod

Using the iPhone, iPad, or iPod that you originally set up your HomePod with, go to Settings > General > Reset. Tap Reset Network Settings and enter your WiFi passcode again.

Change Your Router’s Settings

Some users have found that changing some settings on their routers helped resolve connectivity issues. They used a few different strategies, so try these one at a time–not all at once.

Reboot Your WiFi Router or Modem

Sometimes a simple reset of your WiFi Router is all you need to re-establish a good internet connection. Rebooting usually means unplugging your router and waiting a few minutes before plugging it back in. But check with your user guide or with your Internet Service Provider on specific instructions for your network and the make/model of your router.

Connect to a 2.4 GHz WiFi Network

Many HomePod users find that their HomePods work better using a 2.4 GHz WiFi signal versus a 5.0 GHz. For people living or working in large spaces or older spaces with plaster walls, the 2.4 GHz frequency works better due to its longer range. Additionally, 2.4 GHz signals penetrate solid objects much better than 5 GHz.

Turn Off IPv6

Some users discovered that their HomePods only connected to the internet consistently when they disabled IPv6 on their routers.

Turning off IPv6 can vary depending on the device and the operating system you are using. Here are general steps for some common devices:

On a Windows PC:

1. Open the Control Panel.
2. Click on Network and Internet.
3. Click on Network and Sharing Center.
4. Click on Change adapter settings from the left pane.
5. Right-click the network interface connected to the internet, and select Properties.
6. Select Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).
7. Click the checkbox to clear the selection to disable IPv6.
8. Click OK.
9. Click Close to apply the new settings.
10. Restart your computer.

On a Mac:

1. Click on the Apple icon in the top left corner of your screen.
2. Select System Preferences.
3. Click on Network.
4. Select your network connection (either Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
5. Click on Advanced.
6. Click on the TCP/IP tab.
7. Click on the "Configure IPv6" dropdown menu and select Off.
8. Click OK, then Apply.

On a Router:

The process to disable IPv6 on a router can vary greatly depending on the router model and firmware. Generally, you will need to access the router's settings by entering its IP address into a web browser, then find the IPv6 settings. It's recommended to refer to your router's manual or the manufacturer's website for specific instructions.

Create a Static or Reserved IP Address for Your HomePod

Another workaround that HomePod users recommend is setting up and using a static IP address (also called an IP reserved address) for your HomePod(s.)

Creating a static or reserved IP address for your HomePod using a Mac involves configuring your router settings. Here are the general steps, but please note that the exact process may vary depending on the brand and model of your router:

1. Open a web browser on your Mac and enter the IP address of your router in the address bar. The IP address is typically something like 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. If you're unsure, check the documentation for your router or try a quick web search.

2. Log in to your router's settings. If you haven't changed the login details, the username and password might be set to default values like 'admin' and 'password'. Again, if you're unsure, check your router's documentation or do a quick web search.

3. Look for a section in your router's settings related to DHCP or LAN setup. This is where you'll typically find the settings for IP address reservation.

4. You'll need to enter the MAC address of your HomePod and the IP address you want to reserve for it. The MAC address can be found in the Home app on your Mac. Open the Home app, double-click on the HomePod, and look for the MAC address in the settings.

5. After entering the MAC address of your HomePod and the IP address you want to reserve, save or apply the changes.
   The IP address you reserve for your HomePod should be within the range of IP addresses your router is set to use. This is often referred to as the DHCP range or pool.
   For example, if your router's IP address is 192.168.1.1, it might be set to use additional IP addresses from 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.254 for connected devices. In this case, you could choose any IP address within this range that isn't already being used by another device.
   To avoid conflicts, it's often a good idea to choose an IP address towards the end of the range. For example, you might choose 192.168.1.200 for your HomePod.
   Remember, these are just examples. The exact range of IP addresses your router uses could be different. You can usually find this information in your router's settings, in the section related to DHCP or LAN setup.
   Also, keep in mind that once you reserve an IP address for your HomePod, that IP address won't be assigned to any other device on your network. This helps ensure a stable connection for your HomePod.

6. Restart your HomePod and your router to ensure the new settings take effect.

Set Up Your HomePod as a DMZ Device

Another option some people opted for their WiFi network’s configuration was to set their HomePod as a DMZ device. DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) allows a device to accept all incoming and outgoing traffic. Not a great idea for your computer or iDevice but for a HomePod which doesn’t really store any data, it’s a possible solution to internet connectivity problems.

This process can vary depending on the brand and model of your router. Here's a general guide on how to do it:

1. Login to your router's management page. This is usually done by typing the router's IP address into a web browser. The default IP address is often 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 192.168.0.254, but it can vary depending on your router.

2. Once you're logged in, look for a section called "Forwarding", "DMZ", or something similar. This is usually located in the advanced settings.

3. Enable the DMZ feature and input the IP address of your HomePod. This is the static or reserved IP address you set up for your HomePod.

4. Save your changes and restart your router for the changes to take effect.

Remember, setting up a device as a DMZ host can expose it to potential security risks because it opens all ports and exposes the device to the internet. However, since the HomePod doesn't store sensitive data, this risk is minimal.

Please note that the above steps are a general guide and the exact process may vary depending on your specific router. If you're unsure, it's best to consult your router's user manual or contact the manufacturer's customer support for assistance.

Also, please be aware that not all routers support the DMZ feature. If you can't find this option in your router's settings, it's possible that your router doesn't support it.

Additional Tips

- The modem may be denying access to the MAC address for the HomePod. If you use Access Control and Timed Access of your network, temporarily disable it. Then, locate your HomePod’s MAC address and add it into any Timed Access before re-enabling Access Control on the network.
- If you set up an alarm on your HomePod–try removing these and see if your HomePod connects to the internet consistently.
- Try power cycling your modem and router for a full minute. Wait another minute and turn everything back on.
- Hold your finger on the top after unplugging it and plugging it back in, it should then factory reset.
- If all else fails, it might be worth reaching out to your Internet Service Provider or Apple Support for further assistance.

We hope this guide helps you troubleshoot and fix any connectivity issues you're experiencing with your HomePod. Happy listening!