Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

HomePod Dead Original HomePod w/ odd Lights (Plus & Minus Sign blinking bright white)

A

adamjackson

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Jul 9, 2008
2,340
4,743
We have three original HomePods. Each bought in subsequent years (2018, 2019 and 2020) each with a 2 year AppleCare+ coverage added. Sadly, the first 2 devices are out of warranty now with one about to also expire. My first HomePod purchased November of 2018 died today.

Last night, AirPlay 2 of Christmas music from an iPhone 13 was playing to it. It’s running the latest software (15.2) and the music kept stopping. We have this happen sometimes when trying to AirPlay 2 lossless audio from Apple Music. I didn’t really worry about it. This morning I yell out for Siri to turn on the kitchen lights and nothing. I look over and the + and - signs were flashing. They were doing it in unison on a 2 second cycle. I opened the Home App, “no Response” I tapped the top a few times, nothing. I fully unplugged and waited 60 seconds and rebooted..after trying that twice, I reached out to AppleCare.

They were very friendly considering it’s Christmas Day. they actually offered me zero additional troubleshooting steps they confirmed it was indeed out of warranty so no Express Replacement Service was available.

They asked me to take it to an Apple Store and i had to be a little pushy about mail-in service since my nearest Apple store was 2 hours away. they finally relented. Here’s the summary of charges for an out of warranty HomePod service:

https://support.apple.com/homepod/repair/service

So I paid $289.95 which also included shipping, taxes etc and they’ll mail me a box in 2 days for me to mail the HOmePod to them. The rep said it’s almost guaranteed they’ll confirm the situation and send me a replacement refurbished which will have a 90 day warranty. While on chat with them, I checked eBay to see if It’d be much cheaper to just buy a used working HomePod. Nope, prices are $200-$300 for ‘used’ models so $289 for a replacement isn’t out of realm for reasonable given the market.

This makes me wish I had bought 1-2 extra and kept in the box when this thing went on sale for $250-$300 before finally being killed off.

I’m posting my situation because my buttons were not the same as others I’ve seen here. Mine wasn’t dead, just unresponsive But the buttons still lighting up.
 
Last edited:
adamjackson said:
We have three original HomePods. Each bought in subsequent years (2018, 2019 and 2020) each with a 2 year AppleCare+ coverage added. Sadly, the first 2 devices are out of warranty now with one about to also expire. My first HomePod purchased November of 2018 died today.

Last night, AirPlay 2 of Christmas music from an iPhone 13 was playing to it. It’s running the latest software (15.2) and the music kept stopping. We have this happen sometimes when trying to AirPlay 2 lossless audio from Apple Music. I didn’t really worry about it. This morning I yell out for Siri to turn on the kitchen lights and nothing. I look over and the + and - signs were flashing. They were doing it in unison on a 2 second cycle. I opened the Home App, “no Response” I tapped the top a few times, nothing. I fully unplugged and waited 60 seconds and rebooted..after trying that twice, I reached out to AppleCare.

They were very friendly considering it’s Christmas Day. they actually offered me zero additional troubleshooting steps they confirmed it was indeed out of warranty so no Express Replacement Service was available.

They asked me to take it to an Apple Store and i had to be a little pushy about mail-in service since my nearest Apple store was 2 hours away. they finally relented. Here’s the summary of charges for an out of warranty HomePod service:

https://support.apple.com/homepod/repair/service

So I paired $289.95 which also included shipping, taxes etc and they’ll mail me a box in 2 days for me to mail the HOmePod to them. The rep said it’s almost guaranteed they’ll confirm the situation and send me a replacement refurbished which will have a 90 day warranty. While on chat with them, I checked eBay to see if It’d be much cheaper to just buy a used working HomePod. Nope, prices are $200-$300 for ‘used’ models so $289 for a replacement isn’t out of realm for reasonable given the market.

This makes me wish I had bought 1-2 extra and kept in the box when this thing went on sale for $250-$300 before finally being killed off.

I’m posting my situation because my buttons were not the same as others I’ve seen here. Mine wasn’t dead, just unresponsive But the buttons still lighting up.
Click to expand...
Blinking volume lights is another logic board failure method. Then there's the spinning circle reboot loop (also logic board failure)
 
  • Like
Reactions: adamjackson
Sorry to hear this. Yes, the blinking + - is a telltale sign of a failed logic board.

I've noticed that my stereo HomePod OGs tend to only pop and restart when I'm streaming music from my iPhone (i.e. AirPlay2 through "control other HomePods"). I had another "pop" scare the other night Airplaying Holiday Music...thankfully the affected HomePod rebooted, but oddly started playing different music all while still stereo paired to the other one playing holiday songs. I pulled the plug on both and did a full factory red-light reset and good as new. I am starting to believe that the OGs just don't handoff AirPlay well and get schizophrenically confused when going from direct voice commands to AirPlay device commands (iPhone, iPad, AppleTV)...possibly even overloading the internals. Adding bandwidth hungry Lossless to the mix is just asking for trouble...I'm not really sure Lossless even adds anything in terms of quality, IMO.
 
  • Like
Reactions: adamjackson
Spotlighter9 said:
Sorry to hear this. Yes, the blinking + - is a telltale sign of a failed logic board.

I've noticed that my stereo HomePod OGs tend to only pop and restart when I'm streaming music from my iPhone (i.e. AirPlay2 through "control other HomePods"). I had another "pop" scare the other night Airplaying Holiday Music...thankfully the affected HomePod rebooted, but oddly started playing different music all while still stereo paired to the other one playing holiday songs. I pulled the plug on both and did a full factory red-light reset and good as new. I am starting to believe that the OGs just don't handoff AirPlay well and get schizophrenically confused when going from direct voice commands to AirPlay device commands (iPhone, iPad, AppleTV)...possibly even overloading the internals. Adding bandwidth hungry Lossless to the mix is just asking for trouble...I'm not really sure Lossless even adds anything in terms of quality, IMO.
Click to expand...

The problem is I default to "download lossless" and "stream high quality" on our devices because I have higher end monitors I use with my iPhone so I wanted the extra bits and my 1TB iPhone doesn't really care about storage but I have seen these old HomePods (like you said) struggle with this so maybe for now Ill just request HomePods to play music versus using AirPlay to get them a break. Both of our HomePods that are still working struggle sometimes with lossless files.
 
Yeah, I’d LOVE to find a new Homepod for $289. If one of mine dies, I’ll gladly pay the out of warranty fee. Even if it’s refurbished. Well, unless there are good rumors of a new big HomePod being released.

I like my Mini’s, but for my main TV stereo pair I much prefer the full sized ones. The sound is much richer and the bass is way better.

FWIW, I still have a HomePod from February 2018 that I use every day and it’s working just fine.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Itinj24 and adamjackson
perezr10 said:
Yeah, I’d LOVE to find a new Homepod for $289. If one of mine dies, I’ll gladly pay the out of warranty fee. Even if it’s refurbished. Well, unless there are good rumors of a new big HomePod being released.

I like my Mini’s, but for my main TV stereo pair I much prefer the full sized ones. The sound is much richer and the bass is way better.

FWIW, I still have a HomePod from February 2018 that I use every day and it’s working just fine.
Click to expand...
Same exact thought process here on all accounts. I’m not too confident my OG HomePods will last much longer though. Hoping to see something new soon or I’d also be paying the out of warranty fees. When they work as advertised, they’re an amazing product.
 
  • Like
Reactions: perezr10
One of my HomePods has developed the blinking volume lights. When this happens it will not do anything. When I unplug it, it will keep on flashing for a few seconds. After I left it unplugged over night and restarting the Apple TV it is connected to a few times it comes back to life again. It happened 3 times so far I now unplug it when I am not using it, but I think one day soon it will die completely.
 
  • Sad
  • Like
Reactions: adamjackson, ouimetnick and Itinj24
BSben said:
One of my HomePods has developed the blinking volume lights. When this happens it will not do anything. When I unplug it, it will keep on flashing for a few seconds. After I left it unplugged over night and restarting the Apple TV it is connected to a few times it comes back to life again. It happened 3 times so far I now unplug it when I am not using it, but I think one day soon it will die completely.
Click to expand...

I am now running an out of warranty replacement that has a 90 day warranty from Apple. The cost of it exceeded what I paid for my HomePod new ($279) - https://support.apple.com/homepod/repair/service

You can either pay apple $279 or throw it in the recycling bin Once it finally goes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: adamjackson
adamjackson said:
I am now running an out of warranty replacement that has a 90 day warranty from Apple. The cost of it exceeded what I paid for my HomePod new ($279) - https://support.apple.com/homepod/repair/service
Click to expand...
That 90 day warranty though... I think that alone would prevent me from buying an OOW replacement. The ones they send out are probably also 2018 units, presumably with the same potential for failure.
 
  • Like
Reactions: adamjackson
ouimetnick said:
You can also throw it on eBay. Broken units are still fetching $120+
Click to expand...

Yes but last time I checked, HomePods on eBay were selling for $200-$300 and Apple made me send them the dead unit to get the replacement. They're double dipping here. HomePod was $299 for most of its life, Apple required I send them the dead one which is worth $100 at least and made me pay $270 for a refurbished one. They won that battle and I'll gladly keep doing it until they release a HomePod Max whenever that happens.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dustin_
BSben said:
One of my HomePods has developed the blinking volume lights. When this happens it will not do anything. When I unplug it, it will keep on flashing for a few seconds. After I left it unplugged over night and restarting the Apple TV it is connected to a few times it comes back to life again. It happened 3 times so far I now unplug it when I am not using it, but I think one day soon it will die completely.
Click to expand...
Wow. This is the second incident I've heard of, of a blinking + - OG HomePod coming back to life. The other revived after an extended time unplugged and the owner thought that somehow cleared the capacitors of charge. You could try doing a hard reset. I would first deselect it as AppleTV Home Theater speakers, then unpair it from Stereo Pair, then Unplug for 2 minutes, plug back in and hold your finger on the top until the red swirling light begins and Siri tells you "Your HomePod is about to reset...keep holding until you hear three beeps", then bring your phone close and setup your HomePod. Not sure if this will prevent future blinking -+, but its probably on its way out anyway so you have nothing to lose and if it does work, it may provide a path for those similarly affected. Please keep us updated.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ouimetnick
Yow. This just happened to one of my three HomePods yesterday. The device does nothing but flash the volume lights. I have an appointment at the Apple store tomorrow. Will I walk away with a refurbished unit on the spot or do they send one to me in the mail?
 
  • Like
Reactions: adamjackson
CanaanRidgeback said:
Yow. This just happened to one of my three HomePods yesterday. The device does nothing but flash the volume lights. I have an appointment at the Apple store tomorrow. Will I walk away with a refurbished unit on the spot or do they send one to me in the mail?
Click to expand...
Assuming that you are under warranty or paying the $279 out of warranty replacement fee, they will order a replacement unit and that will arrive at the store in a week or so. Then you’ll come back to the store to swap it out.
 
So I decided to have mine repaired by Apple. It isn't really a replacement since they didn't take mine but told me a "new" one would arrive in a week or so. When it arrives I am supposed to surrender my non-working HomePod to them. When I mentioned the refurbished aspect, the clerk told me I would be receiving a new HomePod. I asked him to verify that with someone and he returned and told me indeed it would be new. Can this be accurate? I don't really understand the need to give my damaged HomePod back to Apple since I am actually buying a replacement for $279, not truly having the original repaired. Why would they take the old one back? How does this make sense? I want a working HomePod as part of my home set-up so I am doing it. When it arrives, is there a way to tell if it's a new or refurbished HomePod?
 
CanaanRidgeback said:
So I decided to have mine repaired by Apple. It isn't really a replacement since they didn't take mine but told me a "new" one would arrive in a week or so. When it arrives I am supposed to surrender my non-working HomePod to them. When I mentioned the refurbished aspect, the clerk told me I would be receiving a new HomePod. I asked him to verify that with someone and he returned and told me indeed it would be new. Can this be accurate? I don't really understand the need to give my damaged HomePod back to Apple since I am actually buying a replacement for $279, not truly having the original repaired. Why would they take the old one back? How does this make sense? I want a working HomePod as part of my home set-up so I am doing it. When it arrives, is there a way to tell if it's a new or refurbished HomePod?
Click to expand...
Why really knows. Might just be a way to make sure fraud isn’t committed at the store level. I’m not sure of anyway to make sure if it’s new or refurbished, but check the serial number to see it’s production date. If it’s from the original run (2017-2018) it’s probably new. I don’t think they really repair them, just recycle them.

They require AirPods back when replacing them (even when out of warranty) and those are scrapped/recycled, not refurbished.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dotme
ouimetnick said:
If it’s from the original run (2017-2018) it’s probably new. I don’t think they really repair them, just recycle them.
Click to expand...
Why would Apple still have new stock from 2017-2018? Amazing to pay nearly $300 for a product but have no clear idea as to what one is actually purchasing. Shouldn't it be labeled or package as new or refurbished? I can't wait to see what arrives at the store and in what sort of packaging.
 
As far as I know, they only had one production run. It sold so poorly that they didn’t have to make anymore besides the initial batch. The 3 new units I bought after it was discontinued in 2021 all had late 2017 and early/mid 2018 production dates. The units also had software version 11.2.5. Those units just sat on shelves. Over priced and under featured.
 
Picked up the replacement HomePod today. It was ready two days after I visited the Apple Store. Similar serial number as the others I bought when first released. The iOS version loaded was 14.4 (release date was January 2021). It appears brand new with original packaging. One of the materials in the box has a copyright date of 2019. Did a quick software update and it was up and running in no time.

Pricey but I am glad to have a replacement. I am a huge fan of the original HomePod. Sound quality and integration with other Apple products is what I want.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ouimetnick
CanaanRidgeback said:
Picked up the replacement HomePod today. It was ready two days after I visited the Apple Store. Similar serial number as the others I bought when first released. The iOS version loaded was 14.4 (release date was January 2021). It appears brand new with original packaging. One of the materials in the box has a copyright date of 2019. Did a quick software update and it was up and running in no time.

Pricey but I am glad to have a replacement. I am a huge fan of the original HomePod. Sound quality and integration with other Apple products is what I want.
Click to expand...

Run the serial number through https://serial-number-decoder.com/apple-serial-number/apple-serial.php

What does it say for date of manufacture?
 
ouimetnick said:
Run the serial number through https://serial-number-decoder.com/apple-serial-number/apple-serial.php

What does it say for date of manufacture?
Click to expand...

Thanks for that website which says the replacement was made in Week 5 of 2018. Given it came with a more recent software then it has been updated a year ago and repackaged. If it indeed is refurbished the exterior reads as brand new. Not a flaw anywhere. Let's hope the hardware holds up.

If nothing else, at least it is now the newest of my three HomePods although it is the same manufacture date as the one that failed.
 
CanaanRidgeback said:
Thanks for that website which says the replacement was made in Week 5 of 2018. Given it came with a more recent software then it has been updated a year ago and repackaged. If it indeed is refurbished the exterior reads as brand new. Not a flaw anywhere. Let's hope the hardware holds up.

If nothing else, at least it is now the newest of my three HomePods although it is the same manufacture date as the one that failed.
Click to expand...
If it was refurbished (doubt that it was) it would still have a new outer shell (mesh) and top touch surface.

I doubt they refurbished them. The replacement units were probably part of the original production run and put aside for warranty replacements and out of warranty service.
 
I think the fact that it came with OS 14.4 suggests that it was refurbished and repackaged. ..I doubt Apple would go through the cost and trouble of OS updating and repacking old stock in January 2021...especially given that OG HomePods were discontinued 2 months later. IMO, refurbished is better than getting new "old" stock from the original production run, as the issues presumably will have been repaired and you get a new warranty. Will they allow you to purchase Apple Care for it?..for $39 its totally worth it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back