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

HomePod Homepod keeps stopping every 2-3 songs.

9

9Benua

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 20, 2011
165
68
I just bought Homepod from Bestbuy. Per title, it keeps stopping every 3-4 songs. I'm using it to airplay music from itunes on mac mini.

Mac mini - Sierra
Router - Airport Express
No Apple music.

I am not interested on subscribing to apple music or itunes match. I just want to play my own music. This keeps stopping every 3-4 song is very annoying. I have tried re-starting & re-setting the homepod. I prefer to keep my mac mini at Sierra, however I don't mind to update it to Catalina if it will fix the issue.
 
have you rebooted your router?

you're using an airport express as your main router?
even though they have the apple name, they didn't have the best reputation when they came out, which was 6 years ago. the technology has improved quite a bit since then.
if you can update your router to something else, you might have better results. if you can't do that, try hardwiring your laptop.


---
if it hasn't been too long, you might want to return the HomePod, and get something else
Without apple music, they aren't the most helpful, That's my situation and it's kinda annoying
"hey siri, turn on the kitchen lights", "There's nothing playing on this HomePod" "No sh*t, I never play music on you"
I hear "there's nothing playing" 3 or 4 times a week
my favorite though was a couple days ago, woke up early, still dark "hey siri, turn on the lights", silence, "MEOOOW" (as I step on the cat) "hey siri can you please turn on the lights" "ok, here you go" (the cat is fine)

Sonos will let you share a folder from your Mac, and use that as a music service.
Since it's using file sharing, instead of airplay, it will be much smoother.

If you do subscribe to another streaming service, chances are it's already on sonos. and you won't have to use airplay.
You do loose siri though, but have your choice of Alexa or google.
if you don't want voice control you can even save a few bucks (retail for the one is $199 with voice, $179 without)
IKEA also has sonos speakers for $99 (no voice), They work the same and sound good, but don't sound as great as the higher priced speakers.

---
I do love apple gear, and have a ton, but you've mentioned what (in my opinion) are 2 items from towards the bottom of their list of products.

I keep the HomePod without Apple Music, because I have a lot of homekit, and it's nice to talk to siri for that.
also for sending messages and adding reminders.
for general knowledge questions, I have much better luck with Alexa or google.

Airplay is an OK solution, but not a great one. It depends on a solid network, and without that is prone to problems.
I use it from time to time, but would never depend on it as a long term solution.
 
Your hardware and operating systems are old and you are resisting Apple Music which will solve your HomePod woes while letting you maintain your old hardware and operating systems.

The solution is to get rid of the HomePod and buy an older Airplay speaker, something from 2015 should do it.
 
waw74 said:
have you rebooted your router?

you're using an airport express as your main router?
even though they have the apple name, they didn't have the best reputation when they came out, which was 6 years ago. the technology has improved quite a bit since then.
if you can update your router to something else, you might have better results. if you can't do that, try hardwiring your laptop.


---
if it hasn't been too long, you might want to return the HomePod, and get something else
Without apple music, they aren't the most helpful, That's my situation and it's kinda annoying
"hey siri, turn on the kitchen lights", "There's nothing playing on this HomePod" "No sh*t, I never play music on you"
I hear "there's nothing playing" 3 or 4 times a week
my favorite though was a couple days ago, woke up early, still dark "hey siri, turn on the lights", silence, "MEOOOW" (as I step on the cat) "hey siri can you please turn on the lights" "ok, here you go" (the cat is fine)

Sonos will let you share a folder from your Mac, and use that as a music service.
Since it's using file sharing, instead of airplay, it will be much smoother.

If you do subscribe to another streaming service, chances are it's already on sonos. and you won't have to use airplay.
You do loose siri though, but have your choice of Alexa or google.
if you don't want voice control you can even save a few bucks (retail for the one is $199 with voice, $179 without)
IKEA also has sonos speakers for $99 (no voice), They work the same and sound good, but don't sound as great as the higher priced speakers.

---
I do love apple gear, and have a ton, but you've mentioned what (in my opinion) are 2 items from towards the bottom of their list of products.

I keep the HomePod without Apple Music, because I have a lot of homekit, and it's nice to talk to siri for that.
also for sending messages and adding reminders.
for general knowledge questions, I have much better luck with Alexa or google.

Airplay is an OK solution, but not a great one. It depends on a solid network, and without that is prone to problems.
I use it from time to time, but would never depend on it as a long term solution.
Click to expand...

I have airport extreme as my main router and airport express as extender, my mistake. Airplay is actually working great on mine. I have prior gen Apple TV which is connected to my HT setup for music listening. I never got any drop out issues. I get the homepod to put in my bedroom for late night music listening.
 
9Benua said:
I just bought Homepod from Bestbuy. Per title, it keeps stopping every 3-4 songs. I'm using it to airplay music from itunes on mac mini.

Mac mini - Sierra
Router - Airport Express
No Apple music.

I am not interested on subscribing to apple music or itunes match. I just want to play my own music. This keeps stopping every 3-4 song is very annoying. I have tried re-starting & re-setting the homepod. I prefer to keep my mac mini at Sierra, however I don't mind to update it to Catalina if it will fix the issue.
Click to expand...

I think we need more details of how your network devices is all connected to each other before saying return it and get something else.....the HomePod should work as long as your home network is all setup and running correctly.

So, who is your ISP? Do you use their router as well or just a modem connected to your AirPort Extreme?
How is your airport extreme router connected to your airport express..via ethernet or wifi connection?
Is it just your Mac mini that you use as the source of music to airplay to the HomePod?
How is the Mac mini connected...ethernet or wifi to the extreme or express?
Does the music only last 3 or 4 songs if you airplay something from your iPhone instead?
 
having this issue on macOS Big Sur and WiFi 6 mesh routers all over the house. Every 3 songs iTunes stops Airplaying - doesn't happen with any other device (iOS streams the same synced songs fine). Did you ever figure this out?
 
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