Siri has started asking “Hi there, how can I help?”

[RodThePlod]

For the last two days, Siri on the HomePod mini in my kitchen has started randomly asking “Hi there, how can I help?” - even when nobody is speaking and there are no sounds that might be setting her off.

I noticed this a couple of times yesterday - my office is next to the kitchen, and as I was working, I heard Siri ask that twice. Didn’t think too much of it - thought it might have been a glitch of some sort…

But I’ve just heard it again today - again, nothing going on in the kitchen.

The Home app shows that the HomePod is on 17.4 (21L227), and all other devices are up-to-date version-wise.

Going to reset the HomePod today, but just wondered if anyone else is experiencing this?

 

[gwhizkids]

I have no idea what is causing it, but that is hysterical. Probably not for you though.

 

[ipaqrat]

We all float down here, Siri...

Ha, kidding, Siri is actually a Cenobite.

No, no siriously, capacitive button surfaces can make devices seem possessed. Maybe there's something on, or interfering with, that control triggering Siri? Try disabling the button as a trigger option, see if it keeps happening. I don't have a homepod, but I got that with my Apple Watch and a wierd rope-chain bracelet.

 

[RodThePlod]

We all float down here, Siri...
View attachment 2366235

Ha, kidding, Siri is actually a Cenobite.
View attachment 2366236

No, no siriously, capacitive button surfaces can make devices seem possessed. Maybe there's something on, or interfering with, that control triggering Siri? Try disabling the button as a trigger option, see if it keeps happening. I don't have a homepod, but I got that with my Apple Watch and a wierd rope-chain bracelet.

This is maybe a good idea - the HomePod was kinda dusty, so I do wonder if there was something going on there!

I’ve given it a clean, removed it as an accessory from the Home app, re-added it, amd set it up again.

Hopefully it’ll stop. If not, then maybe I have a possessed HomePod after all. Eeeek!

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Your HomePod has been equipped with Genuine People Personality (GPP™️). The default personality is brash & cheery, as if it was selling detergent. There is a backup personality, but I don't recommend it...

 

[RodThePlod]

Hahaha - thanks for the amusing comments on this thread 😀

You may be happy to know that, since the HomePod was set up again, I haven't heard any more "how can I help?" requests. So I think we're all good!
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Narrator: "Little did RodThePlod know, this was only the start of his nightmare..."

 

[fatTribble]

That is pretty strange! I’m sure it’s a shock to hear that at random moments!

I use Siri often to add items to my grocery list.
Just recently Siri will say “Which list? Grocery or Grocery?” 😳
I just say uh Grocery and it works fine.
I checked to make sure I don’t have two lists named Grocery and I don’t.

 

[RodThePlod]

That is pretty strange! I’m sure it’s a shock to hear that at random moments!

I use Siri often to add items to my grocery list.
Just recently Siri will say “Which list? Grocery or Grocery?” 😳
I just say uh Grocery and it works fine.
I checked to make sure I don’t have two lists named Grocery and I don’t.

I do the same - as this HomePod is in my kitchen, I often notice that I'm out of milk or something, and I'll say "Siri - add milk to the shopping list". Siri then replies "OK - I've added milk to the shopping list list".

Lol - I keep saying that I need to rename my "Shopping List" (in Reminders) to simply "Shopping" to stop Siri from saying the additional "List".

But yes - using Siri in this way generally works well for me. The list is also shared with my wife and daughter, and they add groceries to it in the same way.

 

[A Hobo]

For the last two days, Siri on the HomePod mini in my kitchen has started randomly asking “Hi there, how can I help?” - even when nobody is speaking and there are no sounds that might be setting her off.

I noticed this a couple of times yesterday - my office is next to the kitchen, and as I was working, I heard Siri ask that twice. Didn’t think too much of it - thought it might have been a glitch of some sort…

But I’ve just heard it again today - again, nothing going on in the kitchen.

The Home app shows that the HomePod is on 17.4 (21L227), and all other devices are up-to-date version-wise.

Going to reset the HomePod today, but just wondered if anyone else is experiencing this?

clean the display on the top, I imagine that's its getting a bit oily being in the kitchen and now has spurious capacitance on the screen, thinking a finger is being held.

 

[HDFan]

Just recently Siri will say “Which list? Grocery or Grocery?”

Yeah had exact same problem with that list. Renamed the list and then renamed back and it went away.

 

[RodThePlod]

clean the display on the top, I imagine that's its getting a bit oily being in the kitchen and now has spurious capacitance on the screen, thinking a finger is being held.

Yup - all looking good now after the HomePod was cleaned up and reset. No more phantom triggers… yay!

BTW - I checked my other HomePods (in the bedrooms, & living area) and they didn’t have the same type of dust/residue on their displays as the one in the kitchen. So you’re right - it definitely seems that the airborne grease particles, etc. in the kitchen contributed to this issue.

 

[Luis Ortega]

For the last two days, Siri on the HomePod mini in my kitchen has started randomly asking “Hi there, how can I help?” - even when nobody is speaking and there are no sounds that might be setting her off.

I noticed this a couple of times yesterday - my office is next to the kitchen, and as I was working, I heard Siri ask that twice. Didn’t think too much of it - thought it might have been a glitch of some sort…

But I’ve just heard it again today - again, nothing going on in the kitchen.

The Home app shows that the HomePod is on 17.4 (21L227), and all other devices are up-to-date version-wise.

Going to reset the HomePod today, but just wondered if anyone else is experiencing this?

It’s probably reading your thoughts now.

 

[A Hobo]

Yup - all looking good now after the HomePod was cleaned up and reset. No more phantom triggers… yay!

BTW - I checked my other HomePods (in the bedrooms, & living area) and they didn’t have the same type of dust/residue on their displays as the one in the kitchen. So you’re right - it definitely seems that the airborne grease particles, etc. in the kitchen contributed to this issue.

I speak from experience 😂😂
It’s something about the oil getting ‘aerosolised’ during cooking that makes it stick to glossy surfaces ( metal stove hood getting sticky is common too)

 

[aries81]

My HomePod started playing music late at night once. Rather odd tbh

 

[gwhizkids]

My HomePod started playing music late at night once. Rather odd tbh

Ours just started playing Celtic music randomly about an hour ago. I never play Celtic tunes.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

OP: RESPOND (to new, improved, magical, proactive A.I. Siri Deluxe Pro MAX when she offers)!!!

My sources say you can ask anything and she will promptly do a web search for you... a dazzling technological achievement for one and all.

 

[RodThePlod]

OMG - funny you should post! After almost two weeks of the HomePod behaving, I heard the dreaded "Hi there, how can I help?" message yesterday. Urrrrgh. I've unplugged it for now, and its sitting on my office desk while I decide what to do next.

I cleaned it up a couple weeks back when it first started misbehaving (basically wiped the surface down with a damp cloth) so I'm now not so convinced it's contaminant thing. I'm considering leaving it unplugged for a bit, maybe until Apple release a new HomePod software update?! <sigh>

I have similar HomePod minis in the bedrooms, and an OG HomePod in the living room, and they're all working well...