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ramtinsepanji
User level: Level 1 (12 points)

HomePod 2nd Generation – Entire Touch Surface Stopped Working Immediately After Software 27.2 Update

Hello everyone,

I’m experiencing a serious issue with my HomePod (2nd Generation) immediately after updating to HomePod Software 27.2. I’m posting here to find out whether anyone else has experienced the same problem and whether there is a way to recover the device.

Device Information

  • Product: HomePod (2nd Generation)
  • Model: A2825 (EMC 8208)
  • Software Version: 27.2
  • iPhone Software Version: 27.2

1. Complete Loss of Touch Functionality

Before installing Software 27.2, my HomePod was working perfectly.

Immediately after the update, the entire touch-sensitive surface on the top of the device stopped responding completely.

None of the following actions work:

  • Single tap
  • Double tap
  • Touch and hold
  • Volume adjustment using the + and – controls

There is absolutely no response to physical touch.

However, several other functions continue to work normally:

  • Siri responds to voice commands.
  • AirPlay works and music playback is normal.
  • Sound Glow visual effects work perfectly, including synchronized lighting animations during music playback.

This is particularly confusing because the HomePod itself is clearly operational, but its entire touch interface appears to be disabled.

2. Lock Controls and Touch Accommodations

I have verified that:

  • Lock Controls is OFF.
  • Touch Accommodations is OFF.

Despite both settings being disabled, the touch surface remains completely unresponsive.

The behavior makes me wonder whether there could be a software or firmware issue affecting the touch-control system.

3. Factory Reset Attempts Have Failed

I have already tried the following:

  • Disconnecting the HomePod from power for more than 30 minutes.
  • Performing the official manual factory reset procedure multiple times.
  • Trying both a single finger and my entire palm on the touch surface.

When attempting the manual reset, the expected white spinning light never appears after touching and holding the top surface. Consequently, the red spinning light, Siri reset announcement, and three confirmation beeps never occur.

It appears that the device does not register any physical touch input, even during the reset procedure.

4. Home App and Account Situation

During my troubleshooting attempts, I removed the HomePod from the Home app and my Apple Account device list.

Now:

  • It no longer appears in the Home app on my iPhone or Mac.
  • My iPhone cannot discover or add it again.
  • AirPlay and Siri voice commands still work.

This has left me in a difficult situation: the device is operational, but I cannot control it through touch or complete the normal setup and recovery process.

5. Questions for the Community

I would really appreciate advice from anyone who has encountered a similar issue, particularly after updating to version 27.2.

  1. Has anyone experienced complete touch-surface failure immediately after a HomePod software update?
  2. Could this be a firmware regression affecting the capacitive touch controller?
  3. Is there any alternative way to factory reset a HomePod 2nd Generation when the touch surface is completely unresponsive?
  4. Is there a way to restore or reinstall HomePod firmware using a MacBook Pro, even though the second-generation HomePod does not have the USB-C recovery port found on HomePod mini?
  5. Can Apple Support remotely diagnose or reset a HomePod that is still connected to Wi-Fi but no longer appears in the Home app?

I’m located in Iran, where access to Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers is extremely limited. Therefore, a software-based recovery method would be particularly helpful.

Important: I have already tried the standard troubleshooting and reset procedures. I would appreciate suggestions beyond simply unplugging the device or repeating the normal factory reset steps.

Thank you in advance for any help or technical insight.

Posted on Nov 2, 2026 2:30 PM

6 replies

Vancouver22
User level: Level 8 (38,420 points)

Nov 2, 2026 11:50 PM in response to ramtinsepanji

If you removed it from the home app it’s not possible for it to show in the Home App until it’s been set up again. Unplug it for a minute or two. plug it back in and wait for the chime to begin set up. I wasn’t clear if you had managed set up since you were able to change settings on it in the Home App?


You cannot perform a hard reset by pressing the top if the touch panel is not working, you cannot plug into a computer to restore because it lacks the usbc connection.


The touch panel has done this on numerous gen 2 HomePods prior to 27.2 being installed. You’re not the only one.

Vancouver22
User level: Level 8 (38,420 points)

Nov 3, 2026 11:05 AM in response to ramtinsepanji

I have two of them with touch not working. I don’t have any other ideas on what you can do to get it back into the Home App. Did you try as I suggested in the other thread of closing the home App to see if it refreshes and even restarting the device you’re using on the Home App and looking at the Home App on another device like a Mac?


The touch not working is more of a hardware failure. Unless that control lock became enabled and it was left stuck on that setting before you removed it. but you say it was OFF. If control lock is on it will have a red bouncing light when you try to press the center. Is it doing that? Just asking since you say this began after the update that introduced this feature.

ramtinsepanji Author
User level: Level 1 (12 points)

Nov 9, 2026 3:03 PM in response to maestrobaldwin



Thanks for sharing! I just tested tapping and holding all around the outer edges while playing music via AirPlay, but unfortunately the entire top surface—both the center and the edges—is completely dead on mine with zero lights or response.


Since I had already removed the HomePod from my Home app and Apple Account before realizing the touch panel was completely unresponsive, I can't even access its settings or trigger a software reset anymore. Definitely seems like the 27.2 update bricked the top touch/LED controller firmware on a lot of units. Hopefully Apple releases a fix or a recovery method soon!

ramtinsepanji Author
User level: Level 1 (12 points)

Nov 3, 2026 1:42 AM in response to Vancouver22



Thanks for the reply. To clarify your question: I was never able to set it back up after removing it. I removed it from both the Home app and my Apple Account settings hoping that would trigger a remote factory reset, since the top touch panel and LEDs suddenly died and wouldn't let me adjust the volume or do a manual hard reset.


I have already tried unplugging it for several minutes (and even longer) and plugging it back in, but it never plays the setup chime or enters setup mode. Instead, it just boots straight back onto my Wi-Fi in an orphaned state—Siri still answers basic questions like the time, and it still shows up as an AirPlay speaker and plays music, but it never actually wipes itself.


Since the touch surface and LEDs are completely dead, I’m stuck in a loop where it won't factory reset on its own, and I can't force a manual reset or set it back up in the Home app. Hopefully Apple acknowledges this widespread touch panel failure on the Gen 2 soon and offers a proper fix or replacement program.

ramtinsepanji Author
User level: Level 1 (12 points)

Nov 3, 2026 3:33 PM in response to Vancouver22

Thanks for the suggestions! Unfortunately, none of those steps worked. I tried restarting my Home app, checking from another device, and testing the touch panel as you described, but the surface remains completely dark and unresponsive with zero lights or feedback.

Just to emphasize, this issue started immediately after installing the 27.2 update, and everything was working perfectly right before that. Since the touch panel is completely dead and I had already removed it from the Home app, I'm currently stuck with a working AirPlay speaker that cannot be reset or set up again. Thanks anyway for trying to help!

maestrobaldwin
User level: Level 1 (17 points)

Nov 8, 2026 3:21 PM in response to ramtinsepanji

I am having the exact same issue. Two separate HomePods in two different cities and the center tap functionality just stopped working. Surprisingly, if I tap the edge, it works, but the center does nothing. I'm thinking it is a software issue and would love to Apple to address this.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256387769