Is the affected network Zone connected with Ethernet or WiFi?
· WiFi
Does the issue affect all file formats?
· The issue affects *multiple/all* file formats.
Does the issue happen with local library music, streaming service music, or both?
· *Both streaming and local* *library* music are affected.
Do you encounter any playback errors with the "System Output" Zone?
· The System Output has *no problem*, it's only my other Zone.
How is the affected Zone connected to your RoonServer machine?
· Network - WiFi
Which network audio protocol is the Zone using with Roon?
· Airplay
Since this is an Airplay Zone, have you tried toggling Airplay Compatibility Mode for this Zone in the Device Setup window?
· There is no change in behavior.
Does the device show up at all in Roon Settings -> Audio?
· The Zone is listed under the wrong protocol
Does the device play audio from another source when using the same connection?
· The device has no problems with another audio source
Have you checked that Roon is whitelisted in any firewalls?
· I've checked the firewall and the issue remains
If the device has multiple output options, do the other options work as expected?
· Multiple output types are affected
Is the device using the latest firmware as per the manufacturer?
· Firmware is up-to-date but the issue remains
Do you have an approximate timestamp of when the issue last occurred?
· This morning, sorry can't be more specific
What are the make and model of the affected audio device(s) and the connection type?
· Apple HomePod speaker pair
Describe the issue
I believe this may be related to a MacOS update (just patched host MacOS to 26.5 yesterday). These are HomePod speakers that Roon sees, but cannot play to. They'd been working fine prior to the 26.5 patch. AppleMusic can see the HomePod pair and plays to them, but does appear to be also having problems seeing them as a stereo pair. Hopefully this is an Apple issue that gets resolved with a 26.5.1 patch.
Describe your network setup
HomePods connected via WiFi (only choice for this device)
It is incredibly frustrating when a reliable setup suddenly stops working right after a system update. Networked audio can be notoriously finicky when underlying system protocols shift.
The behavior you are describing—especially the fact that Apple Music is also struggling to properly recognize the HomePods as a stereo pair—strongly points to a routing or AirPlay protocol change introduced in that recent macOS update.
To figure out exactly where the handshake is failing between Roon and the HomePods, we need to capture a fresh diagnostic trace of the exact moment the playback drops.
Could you please do the following:
Reproduce the issue: Attempt to start playback to the HomePod zone from Roon one more time.
Record the timestamp: Note the exact local time (e.g., 3:15 PM) when the playback fails or refuses to start.
Reply to this thread: Share that specific timestamp along with your local time zone.
Once we have that exact time, we can enable diagnostics for your account and pinpoint the precise failure mechanism in the logs. This will help us determine if there is a workaround we can apply within Roon while waiting for a potential patch from Apple.
Thank you for your patience while we look into this!
Just checking in on this, have you had a chance to try the playback test to the HomePod zone again and note the exact local time it fails? If you can reply with that timestamp and your time zone, we can turn on diagnostics and trace where the AirPlay handshake is breaking after the macOS update. Thanks, and let us know if there is anything else we should look at.
I had the same issue of the HomePad no longer working. It has been working since this morning. Assume it was the update that resolved the issues and not the gremlins that were causing the issues getting tired.
Thanks
Circling back on this, are the HomePods working now for you? If not, have you had a chance to try the playback test to the HomePod zone again and note the exact local time it fails? If you can send us that timestamp along with your time zone, we can turn on diagnostics and trace where the AirPlay handshake is breaking after the macOS update. Thanks.
We have not heard back from you, so we will go ahead and close this thread due to inactivity. If you need further assistance, please submit a reopen support request via the support form link and specify that the issue be reopened. Thank you.