As said, there is a static and crackling sound lasting up to 5 seconds when I’m playing music from Spotify on my HomePod Mini. It comes up every couple of minutes and then music resumes playing normally. So far I had no issues, and after this emerged, I updated all softwares to latest versions and updated the Spotify app. Any ideas what to do next?
HomePod mini, 18
I can no longer reliably use any of my HomePods with OS18. I have two homes in two countries with more than 8 HomePods at each site. After upgrading to OS18, it's not possible to reliably listen to music:
It goes without saying that these bugs destroy any listening pleasure using HomePods with OS18. Such a shame.
nope, still the same.
At least - I assume that updating my iPhone to 18.1 takes care of that?
I cannot find any setting in the Home app to update the HomePod specifically.
It didn’t fix it for me
Yes, I had seen the same that the white light stayed on after stopping the playback. In case it happened, it was always the HomePod responding to the command
@FrankNeese, you update your HomePods through the Home app...Home Settings...Software Update.
You can check the state of the software of your HomePod Minis through the iOS Home App. If they are behind in software you can initiate a software update through the same app as well. Hope this help!
Excellent troubleshooting!
I had locked the 5GHz band on my router to 20MHz a little more than a week ago, and it seemed more stable for a few hours but then the issue reappeared.
I would second the advice to open a support ticket with Apple. The more noise we make, the more likely it will be that our HomePods will soon make less noise.
Yes, had high hopes for the update to 18.1 which seemed quite a lengthy one when installing on homepods last night. Disappointed and angry when the first song I played afterwards was ruined by humming and buzzing feedback again.
Come on Apple. Improvements in the homepod experience and its stability have always been a painfully slow process, but this current issue is a huge step backwards.
I’m sure as soon as I post this the issues will return, but since updating to 18.1 I haven’t had any more trouble. AirPlay is still wonky at times (randomly switches which speaker I’m controlling), but the crackling and sync issues have not been happening over the last couple of weeks.
Some update from side: I switched the 5 GHz WiFi to 20 MHz band width. Since 28th October I could no longer experience the sound issues, or delays. I’m still not 100% convinced of the stability. So, I will further monitor it.
I did not received any further feedback on my case from Apple, but I’m honest: I did not had time to follow up on it in the last weeks. But it is still on my list.
Similar issues since approx. July 2024. After a software update. One of my Stereo paired 1st Gen HomePods. Extreme crackle, static...and dies...sometimes boots itself back up after a few minutes. I can re-connect via Airplay....and the scenario repeats (my other 4 HomePods, Mini's ...all fine). Completed a lot of trouble shooting, WIFI, restores, pairing, unpairing. Also logged a case with Apple who appeared interested, but after a few days trouble shooting, done by myself, and getting back to Apple, support has dropped off. From what I can read, apple are aware, and this is a known issue for many users across the globe. My visit to the Apple Store, gave the distinct impression, they know, and are not keen at all to take further. I was more or less told, there is nothing apple can do, aside from offer to sell me a new HomePod (a Gen2) that does not even pair with my other unaffected a Gen 1....at FULL price.
All of trouble shooting, leads me to believe AirPlay has some major issues, and the frequencies seem to also be a problem. I will not swear on here, but given the huge amounts I have spent on Apple, for the last 2 years, this is beyond poor and dissapointing, as Apple truly do now seem to just not care anymore. They never used to be like this.. A fix would usually have been rolled out by now. Or even an option to restore to the previous software/firmare...but NO.
Let us know if you get any further with yours. Thanks.
Still no fix in sight. And now, the latest updates as of March 2025, the software updates have destroyed my Apple Airports AirPlay with my BOSE speakers. So before that update…I had the one faulty HomePod Gen 1 NOT WORKING, but did have another that still works (was paired) plus 3 HomePod Mini, and 3 Bose Spkears…all AirPlay, and working. NOW I am down to 1 HomePod 1st Gen and 1 x HomePod Mini. Beyond angry. Apple have always been very quiet one know issues, faults…but 90% of the time….you did eventually get a fix rolled out, software, or firmware. Apple Genius Bar tell me, nothing can be opened up and checked….yet there IS a USB port, un the base’s cap.. Given this is global…these products are not cheap…. Class action sounds like it is the next step. I have spent weeks of my own time, trouble shooting, testing, resetting, restoring, starting from scratch even on my Wifi set up. Now really angry.
Updated my Xfinity box to the Xi8 model and also upgraded my wifi mesh router from Google nest to TP-Link BE5000, thinking the boost in wifi would help. Also upgraded to Apple certified Belkin Ultra high speed hdmi cables and no change in the intermittent static/crackling noise.
Pulling my hair out over this.
I updated last night and so far have had no issues. Thanks Apple for getting on the issue in an expedient manner.
How were able to update? Are you using 18.1?
😂
Static and crackling sound on HomePod Mini
