Recently had this problem with my HomePod, it started playing music randomly and then get stuck on the reset loop after I tried to unplug and plug it back in. I fixed it by disconnecting the touch panel as I usually control it with Siri or Home app anyway.
Follow the video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI0yCVP-SPY to open up the HomePod, only need to open the top part and you will quickly find the cable to disconnect. Note that you have to lift the latch before pulling the touch panel cable. Then you can reassemble the HomePod and it can look just like new. If you are Mac savvy, you should already have a good set of Torx screwdrivers, you will need a few of them. Will also need something “soft” like plastic prying tools or just your fingernails to take the top part off. And maybe some glue or double sided tape to stick the bottom cover back on too. If you do it carefully, it won’t cause any visible damage to the HomePod.
If you own a HomePod mini or 2nd Gen HomePod and have experienced your device getting stuck in a constant reset loop, you’re not alone. A growing number of users have reported this frustrating problem, which turns out to be caused by a hardware defect known as “phantom” or “ghost” touch in the touch-sensitive control surface.
What’s Happening?
The HomePod mini uses a capacitive touch panel to register taps and swipes on its top surface. In some units, the touch sensor starts malfunctioning over time, mistakenly thinking it is being continuously pressed when there is no actual touch. This causes the HomePod to trigger factory resets repeatedly, trapping it in a reset loop from which it cannot normally recover.
Symptoms to Watch For
• The HomePod mini restarts continuously on powering up.
• Siri “wakes up” randomly without command.
• Volume changes or playback commands trigger erratically.
• Standard reset or software restore from the Home app or Mac/PC won’t resolve the issue.
Temporary Workaround: “Palm Trick”
Many users have found a simple workaround that can break the reset loop temporarily: place your palm flat on the touch surface as the HomePod mini boots. Covering the sensor with multiple fingers seems to confuse the phantom touch detection enough to stop the device from resetting itself repeatedly — at least for a time.
Permanent Fix: Disconnect the Touch Panel Cable Internally
For users willing to open their device, the permanent hardware fix is to disconnect the faulty touch panel cable. Doing this stops the phantom inputs entirely, allowing the HomePod mini to operate normally without the touch control surface. The downside is losing touch controls — but voice commands through Siri still work perfectly.
Why Not Replace the Touch Panel?
Currently, Apple does not offer official replacement touch panels, and no legitimate repair parts are available on the US market. However, some independent technicians are working on manufacturing replacement touch panels, so a full repair solution may be available in the future.
What About Cleaning?
Cleaning the touch surface and the speaker mesh underneath sometimes helps reduce false touches but is rarely a reliable long-term solution to the reset loop.
Reference:
Leave a Comment