Level 1 (9 points)

Mac Mini audio very glitchy to homepod since upgrading to 27.0.1

Mac Mini audio very glitchy to homepod since upgrading to 27.

This may have begun when I updated to highest ver of 26, I intended to stay in that OS for a while but had to get new phone which made everything need 27. But this was occurring during the brief (1wk) time before I jumped to 27.0.1.

My audio setup is to play my itunes library from Mac mini, line out (thru a CalDigit breakout box) to my home stereo - line in. But for kitchen, (since I dont have speaker lines run there) I use a HomePod. Its always been a little glitchy, occasionally dropping out & easily restored, but now it happens all the time.

I have to keep unchecking & rechecking the boxes for Mac mini and HomePod in the music app audio. Both checked, I start playing music and within a minute, HomePod drops out. At that moment, level out to stereo drops by about 1/3, tho volume slider in music app doesnt move. HomePod is unchecked. I recheck it and it works for another 15 sec (with level to stereo restored) before quitting again.

I have updated Home app, unplugged & replugged in HomePod AC, restarted Music app, restarted whole computer, nothing changes. This was problematic in earlier OS, but in 27 it is now constant.

Any help is much appreciated, if there any Qs I can answer LMK

Thanks,

Duane

Posted on Oct 9, 2026 9:33 AM

4 replies

DSusername Author

Level 1 (9 points)

Oct 24, 2026 10:15 AM in response to DSusername

This helped solve it so far... (info was sent to me)

The 10-second dropout and subsequent 50% volume drop on the Mac mini is a core audio routing conflict. It is often triggered by corrupt preferences or third-party audio plugin conflicts with macOS 27. [1, 2] Reset the macOS Audio Daemon (CoreAudio): Forcing the audio system to restart often fixes sudden volume dips and AirPlay handoff drops. Have him open Terminal (via Spotlight or Applications > Utilities) and paste this command, then press Enter: sudo killall coreaudiod (He will need to enter his Mac's login password; no characters will show as he types).

DSusername Author

Level 1 (9 points)

Oct 17, 2026 8:29 AM in response to DSusername

Update a week or so later.

I reset the Home app again, and for whatever reason it seems to be working now.

At least for the last hour which more than since this all began.

Others having HomePod issues since updating to 27 may want to try that.

DSusername Author

Level 1 (9 points)

Oct 18, 2026 6:01 AM in response to DSusername

One other note - the audio output of the Mac mini is definitely lower now, after it settled in to working consistently. Its very noticeable, especially when I switch to other inputs on the stereo. Checked system settings & output is still up full.

DSusername Author

Level 1 (9 points)

Oct 20, 2026 6:32 AM in response to DSusername

Continuing to post notes in case the engineers read this and it offers clues.

after I reset the home app, it all worked great for about a day. Now back to exactly where it was, same symptoms as originally listed.

In general, OS 27 has been very glitchy in other ways. A lot of spinning color wheel, and mpegs 10 yrs old no longer open.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256373226