HomePod Not Responding? Try These 7 Simple Fixes

Experiencing your HomePod mini or HomePod not responding can be frustrating since troubleshooting isn't as intuitive as it can be on an iPhone. Still, there are several things to try to get your smart speaker working again. We'll cover how to reset HomePods, plus other steps you can take when your HomePod gives no response.

How to Fix HomePod mini or HomePod Not Responding

If you experience your HomePod mini or HomePod not responding when you try to activate it with your voice, there are several things to try. Most of these steps just take a second or two, but we'll also teach you how to reset HomePods if the easier steps don't work.

1. Make Sure It Is Plugged into a Reliable Power Source

First and foremost, your HomePod or HomePod mini needs to be plugged in. These are not wireless devices, so if you've unplugged your HomePod, plug it back in. Make sure the cable is fitted snugly into both the power outlet and your HomePod itself, as a loose connection can be the cause of your HomePod response issues. If it is plugged in with no visible issues and still not working, try a different outlet to see if that fixes the problem. For more troubleshooting tips, check out our free Tip of the Day Newsletter.

2. Check Your Home App for Alerts

If your HomePod disconnects for some reason, your Home app will let you know. I was recently made aware of a one-minute power outage while I was out shopping because my Home app alerted me that there was an issue with my HomePod's connection, and then a minute later it told me the HomePod was connected again. To check for these alerts, open your Home app. Underneath your HomePod's listing, you'll see its status, whether it's responding, not responding, or installing an update.

3. Make Sure Siri Is Enabled

If Siri is not enabled on your HomePod, you won't have any luck with voice commands. Here's how to enable Siri on your HomePod:

1. On your iPhone, open the Home app.
2. Tap on your HomePod.
3. Scroll down and tap the gear icon.
4. Scroll down to the Siri header and make sure Listen for "Hey Siri" is toggled on.
5. You can also play with your other Siri settings here, like if you want a light to appear when using Siri.

4. Make Sure Your HomePod is Connected to Wi-Fi

Your HomePod needs to be connected to Wi-Fi for most of its magic. Even if your HomePod is connected to the network, if your Wi-Fi is down, your HomePod won't work. To check if it is connected:

1. Open the Home app, select your HomePod, and tap the gear icon.
2. Scroll down to the bottom. Next to Wi-Fi Network, you'll see your Wi-Fi's name listed and the signal strength next to it.

5. Update Your HomePod

If your HomePod is not responding because of a bug, check for an available HomePod software update. HomePod updates can be a bit easier to forget than iPhone, iPad, or Mac updates, but they are important. If you haven't updated for a while, it's worth checking to see if one is available.

6. Restart Your HomePod

When a device isn't working, restarting the device is always one of the troubleshooting steps you should take. You can try unplugging and re-plugging your HomePod, but you can also reset it through the app. Here's how to reset your HomePod.

7. Remove & Re-Pair Your HomePod from Your Home App

Finally, you can remove your HomePod from the Home app and then add it again. It's fairly quick and easy to do, and may provide the fix you are looking for.

Now you know how to fix HomePod mini and HomePod not responding. If you've tried all of this and nothing works, it may be time to contact Apple Support.