HomePod Not Responding? Here Are 7 Simple Fixes (2023)

If your HomePod or HomePod mini is not responding, you might feel frustrated since troubleshooting it isn't as intuitive as it can be when you're on an iPhone or iPad. Still, there are several things to try to get your smart speaker working again. Here's what to do when your HomePod gives no response.

How to Fix HomePod Not Responding

If your HomePod is giving no response when you try to activate it with your voice, there are several things to try. Here's what to do when your HomePod or HomePod mini is not responding.

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, just 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 Settings icon.
   
   
4. Scroll down to the Siri header and make sure Listen for "Hey Siri" is toggled on.
   
   

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 WiFi 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 its connected:

1. Open your Home app and tap on your HomePod.
   
   
2. Scroll down to the bottom of the HomePod screen that pops up.
3. Next to Wi-Fi, 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, updating your HomePod may fix this. 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 replugging your HomePod, but you can also reset it through the app by following these steps:

1. Open your Home app and tap on your HomePod.
   
   
2. Scroll down and tap the Settings icon.
   
   
3. Scroll down to the bottom and tap Reset HomePod.
   
   
4. Tap Restart HomePod.
   
   

And your HomePod will restart!

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

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

If you've tried all of this and nothing works, it may be time to contact Apple Support.