Devices Keep Disconnecting on eero? Here’s What Fixed My HomePod + Zoeller System
TL;DR: If your HomePod or smart devices keep disconnecting on an eero network, disable client steering in your eero settings. This fixed my issue immediately.
This issue affected both my HomePods and a Zoeller AquaNot sump pump system, which pointed to a network-level problem.
If your devices keep randomly disconnecting on an eero mesh network — especially things like HomePods, smart speakers, or IoT devices — you’re not alone.
I ran into this exact issue, and after trying multiple fixes, I finally found what was causing it.
The surprising part: it wasn’t just one device. It was my entire smart home setup.
This kind of issue is common with mesh WiFi systems like eero, where devices may randomly disconnect or drop connection without an obvious cause.
My eero Mesh WiFi Setup (HomePod + Zoeller System)
Multiple Apple HomePods in different rooms
eero 7 router with a 6E extender (mesh network)
Zoeller AquaNot 508 backup sump pump system using the Z Control app
Devices spread across various distances from nodes
HomePod Cutting Out and Devices Disconnecting on eero
I started noticing that my HomePods would:
Play music normally
Suddenly stop for 30–60 seconds
Then resume playback
This happened across multiple HomePods — not just one.
At the same time, my Zoeller system (connected via the Z Control app) would:
Randomly show as disconnected
Lose connection intermittently
Then reconnect on its own
At first, these seemed like unrelated issues.
What Didn’t Fix the HomePod or Connection Issues
Restarting all HomePods
Rebooting the eero network
Moving devices closer to nodes
Resetting one of the HomePods
Checking internet speed and signal strength
None of these solved the problem.
How to Fix HomePod Cutting Out on eero (Disable Client Steering)
Disable client steering in the eero app. This immediately stopped my HomePod from cutting out and fixed all smart device disconnects.
After turning this off:
HomePods stopped cutting out
Music playback became stable
The Zoeller system stopped disconnecting
Smart home devices stayed consistently online
The difference was immediate.
Why eero Mesh WiFi Causes Devices to Disconnect
Mesh networks like eero use a feature called client steering.
This automatically moves devices between nodes (routers/extenders) to optimize signal strength.
That sounds great in theory — but in practice:
Some devices don’t handle handoffs well
Connections briefly drop during transitions
Streaming and smart devices are especially sensitive
This can cause:
Music interruptions (HomePod, AirPlay)
Devices appearing offline (IoT systems)
Apps losing connection
Why Smart Home Devices Drop WiFi More Often
Devices like:
HomePods
Smart speakers
Sump pump monitors (like Zoeller AquaNot)
Thermostats and sensors
…are designed for stable, continuous connections — not frequent network switching.
When they get moved between nodes:
They may disconnect briefly
They may fail to reconnect cleanly
Apps may lose sync
Tips to Prevent Devices Disconnecting on eero
Keep devices within strong range of a single node
Avoid placing devices directly between two nodes
Make sure all devices are on the same WiFi network
Keep your eero firmware updated
Reduce interference from other electronics
Final Thoughts on Fixing eero Connection Issues
In my case, this wasn’t a HomePod issue or a Zoeller issue — it was a network behavior issue.
Disabling client steering solved everything almost instantly.
If you’re dealing with random disconnects on a mesh network, especially with smart home devices, this is one of the first things I’d check.
For a deeper look at whether you should disable client steering, see this breakdown:
Should You Disable Client Steering on eero? Pros and Cons Explained
If you want to understand why this happens in the first place, I explain the root cause here:
Why Smart Home Devices Disconnect on Mesh WiFi (eero, HomeKit, and More)
Related Gear
Apple HomePod: https://www.apple.com/homepod/
eero Mesh WiFi Systems: https://eero.com
About This Site
I write about practical solutions, fitness, and systems that actually work for busy professionals — based on real experience, not theory.