How To Fix Apple Intelligence: HomePod Not Playing BBC World Service via Siri

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If you’re having trouble getting your HomePod to play BBC World Service or other non-Apple streaming radio stations, you’re not alone. Recently, many users have reported that their HomePods can’t stream stations like NPR or BBC anymore and display an error message that says, “Sorry, there was a problem with Apple Music.” This can be quite frustrating, especially since manually connecting your iPhone to the HomePod works fine, but voice commands don’t.

Here’s a simple step-by-step solution you can try to fix this issue:

First, ensure your HomePod software is up to date. Sometimes, updates fix bugs that cause streaming issues. To check for updates, open the Home app on your iPhone, tap on your HomePod, then go to the settings and look for software updates.

Next, try resetting your HomePod. To do this, open the Home app, press and hold the HomePod icon, then choose “Remove Accessory” or “Delete HomePod.” After removing it, set it up again from scratch. This can clear out any glitches that might be causing the problem.

Also, check your Apple Music subscription. Even if you’re playing radio stations that are free, your HomePod may need Apple Music to be active for certain features. Confirm that your subscription is active and logged in with the same Apple ID used for your HomePod.

If the issue persists, try changing the default music service. In the Home app, go to settings and set your preferred music app other than Apple Music, like Spotify, if supported, or see if setting it differently helps.

Finally, consider resetting your network settings. If your Wi-Fi connection is unstable, it can impact streaming. Restart your router, or reset network settings on your iPhone by going to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Then reconnect to Wi-Fi and see if the issue improves.

If none of these steps work, contact Apple Support. They can help diagnose deeper issues or possible hardware problems.

By following these simple steps, you should be able to get your HomePod back to streaming BBC World Service and other stations smoothly.