From 2026.5: `miniaudio.DecodeError: ('failed to init decoder', -1)` when playing audio or TTS on HomePod or Apple TV

[gdenas]

The problem

TTS via tts.home_assistant_cloud (Nabu Casa) to HomePod fails with
miniaudio.DecodeError: ('failed to init decoder', -1) after upgrading
to 2026.5. Was working flawlessly on 2026.4.1.

The issue appears to be caused by the Python 3.13 → 3.14 upgrade
bundled in 2026.5. The miniaudio C extension does not appear to
initialise correctly under Python 3.14, causing all TTS streams to
HomePod/AirPlay targets to fail.

What version of Home Assistant Core has the issue?

core-2026.5.1

What was the last working version of Home Assistant Core?

core-2026.4.1

What type of installation are you running?

Home Assistant OS

Integration causing the issue

Apple TV

Link to integration documentation on our website

No response

Diagnostics information

No response

Example YAML snippet

Anything in the logs that might be useful for us?

Logger: homeassistant.components.websocket_api.http.connection
Source: components/apple_tv/media_player.py:357
Integration: Home Assistant WebSocket API (documentation, issues)
First occurred: 22:36:19 (2 occurrences)
Last logged: 22:46:35

[281472079975488] Error handling message: Unknown error (unknown_error) gdenas from 192.168.1.106 (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 18_7 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/605.1.15 (KHTML, like Gecko) Home Assistant/2026.4.1 (io.robbie.HomeAssistant; build:2026.1904; iOS 26.4.2) Mobile/HomeAssistant, like Safari)
[281471913219456] Error handling message: Unknown error (unknown_error) gdenas from 192.168.1.106 (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 18_7 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/605.1.15 (KHTML, like Gecko) Home Assistant/2026.4.1 (io.robbie.HomeAssistant; build:2026.1904; iOS 26.4.2) Mobile/HomeAssistant, like Safari)
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/components/websocket_api/decorators.py", line 28, in _handle_async_response
    await func(hass, connection, msg)
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/components/websocket_api/commands.py", line 1064, in handle_execute_script
    script_result = await script_obj.async_run(
                    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
        msg.get("variables"), context=context
        ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    )
    ^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/helpers/script.py", line 1891, in async_run
    return await asyncio.shield(create_eager_task(run.async_run()))
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/helpers/script.py", line 467, in async_run
    await self._async_step(log_exceptions=False)
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/helpers/script.py", line 534, in _async_step
    self._handle_exception(
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~^
        trace_element,
        ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    ...<2 lines>...
        self._log_exceptions or log_exceptions,
        ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    )
    ^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/helpers/script.py", line 594, in _handle_exception
    raise exception
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/helpers/script.py", line 532, in _async_step
    await getattr(self, handler)()
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/helpers/script.py", line 1027, in _async_step_call_service
    response_data = await self._async_run_long_action(
                    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    ...<9 lines>...
    )
    ^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/helpers/script.py", line 642, in _async_run_long_action
    return await long_task
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/core.py", line 2827, in async_call
    response_data = await coro
                    ^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/core.py", line 2870, in _execute_service
    return await target(service_call)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/components/script/__init__.py", line 733, in _service_handler
    response = await self._async_start_run(
               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
        variables=service.data, context=service.context, wait=True
        ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    )
    ^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/components/script/__init__.py", line 689, in _async_start_run
    script_result = await coro
                    ^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/components/script/__init__.py", line 722, in _async_run
    return await self.script.async_run(script_vars, context)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/helpers/script.py", line 1891, in async_run
    return await asyncio.shield(create_eager_task(run.async_run()))
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/helpers/script.py", line 467, in async_run
    await self._async_step(log_exceptions=False)
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/helpers/script.py", line 534, in _async_step
    self._handle_exception(
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~^
        trace_element,
        ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    ...<2 lines>...
        self._log_exceptions or log_exceptions,
        ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    )
    ^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/helpers/script.py", line 571, in _handle_exception
    raise exception
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/helpers/script.py", line 532, in _async_step
    await getattr(self, handler)()
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/helpers/script.py", line 1027, in _async_step_call_service
    response_data = await self._async_run_long_action(
                    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    ...<9 lines>...
    )
    ^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/helpers/script.py", line 642, in _async_run_long_action
    return await long_task
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/core.py", line 2827, in async_call
    response_data = await coro
                    ^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/core.py", line 2870, in _execute_service
    return await target(service_call)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/helpers/service.py", line 951, in entity_service_call
    response_data = await _async_handle_entity_calls(
                    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    ...<5 lines>...
    )
    ^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/helpers/service.py", line 830, in _async_handle_entity_calls
    single_result = await entity.async_request_call(_with_context(entity, coro))
                    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/helpers/entity.py", line 1696, in async_request_call
    return await coro
           ^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/helpers/service.py", line 825, in _with_context
    return await coro
           ^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/helpers/service.py", line 909, in _handle_single_entity_call
    result = await task
             ^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/components/tts/entity.py", line 136, in async_speak
    await self.hass.services.async_call(
    ...<17 lines>...
    )
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/core.py", line 2827, in async_call
    response_data = await coro
                    ^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/core.py", line 2870, in _execute_service
    return await target(service_call)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/helpers/service.py", line 951, in entity_service_call
    response_data = await _async_handle_entity_calls(
                    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    ...<5 lines>...
    )
    ^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/helpers/service.py", line 830, in _async_handle_entity_calls
    single_result = await entity.async_request_call(_with_context(entity, coro))
                    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/helpers/entity.py", line 1696, in async_request_call
    return await coro
           ^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/helpers/service.py", line 825, in _with_context
    return await coro
           ^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/helpers/service.py", line 909, in _handle_single_entity_call
    result = await task
             ^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/components/apple_tv/media_player.py", line 357, in async_play_media
    await self.atv.stream.stream_file(media_id)
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.14/site-packages/pyatv/core/facade.py", line 390, in stream_file
    await self.relay("stream_file")(
    ...<4 lines>...
    )
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.14/site-packages/pyatv/protocols/raop/__init__.py", line 363, in stream_file
    audio_file = await open_source(
                 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    ...<4 lines>...
    )
    ^
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.14/site-packages/pyatv/protocols/raop/audio_source.py", line 730, in open_source
    return await InternetSource.open(source, sample_rate, channels, sample_size)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.14/site-packages/pyatv/protocols/raop/audio_source.py", line 598, in open
    stream_generator = await loop.run_in_executor(
                       ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    ...<9 lines>...
    )
    ^
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.14/concurrent/futures/thread.py", line 86, in run
    result = ctx.run(self.task)
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.14/concurrent/futures/thread.py", line 73, in run
    return fn(*args, **kwargs)
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.14/site-packages/miniaudio.py", line 1658, in stream_any
    raise DecodeError("failed to init decoder", result)
miniaudio.DecodeError: ('failed to init decoder', -1)

Additional information

Both tracebacks show identical failure at:
/usr/local/lib/python3.14/site-packages/miniaudio.py, line 1658
regardless of how tts.speak is invoked (automation or direct WebSocket
call from iOS app). This rules out any automation-specific issue.

Last working version confirmed: 2026.4.1 (visible in iOS app
user-agent in second traceback).

[home-assistant]

Hey there @postlund, mind taking a look at this issue as it has been labeled with an integration (apple_tv) you are listed as a code owner for? Thanks!

Code owner commands

Code owners of apple_tv can trigger bot actions by commenting:

• @home-assistant close Closes the issue.
• @home-assistant rename Awesome new title Renames the issue.
• @home-assistant reopen Reopen the issue.
• @home-assistant unassign apple_tv Removes the current integration label and assignees on the issue, add the integration domain after the command.
• @home-assistant add-label needs-more-information Add a label (needs-more-information, problem in dependency, problem in custom component, problem in config, problem in device, feature-request) to the issue.
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---

@gdenas Thanks for reporting this issue!

Before we dive in, please make sure this isn't a duplicate by searching through existing issues. Also check recently closed issues, as your problem might already be fixed but not yet released.

https://github.com/home-assistant/core/issues?q=%20label%3A%22integration%3A%20apple_tv%22%20
_{^{(message by IssueContext)}}

---

apple_tv documentation
apple_tv source
_{^{(message by IssueLinks)}}

[gdenas]

Checked for duplicates (https://github.com/home-assistant/core/issues?q=%20label%3A%22integration%3A%20apple_tv%22%20). Closest matches are #110952 (10s timeout / slow TTS) and #114273 (same -1 error code after a HA update), but neither involves Python 3.14. All prior reports show python3.11–3.13 in the traceback path. This appears to be a new manifestation specific to the Python 3.13 → 3.14 upgrade in 2026.5, not a duplicate of existing issues.

[jamesoff]

I'm encountering this too with media_player.play_media to a HomePod Mini.

End of log message about it:

  File "/usr/src/homeassistant/homeassistant/components/apple_tv/media_player.py", line 357, in async_play_media
    await self.atv.stream.stream_file(media_id)
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.14/site-packages/pyatv/core/facade.py", line 390, in stream_file
    await self.relay("stream_file")(
    ...<4 lines>...
    )
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.14/site-packages/pyatv/protocols/raop/__init__.py", line 363, in stream_file
    audio_file = await open_source(
                 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    ...<4 lines>...
    )
    ^
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.14/site-packages/pyatv/protocols/raop/audio_source.py", line 730, in open_source
    return await InternetSource.open(source, sample_rate, channels, sample_size)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.14/site-packages/pyatv/protocols/raop/audio_source.py", line 598, in open
    stream_generator = await loop.run_in_executor(
                       ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    ...<9 lines>...
    )
    ^
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.14/concurrent/futures/thread.py", line 86, in run
    result = ctx.run(self.task)
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.14/concurrent/futures/thread.py", line 73, in run
    return fn(*args, **kwargs)
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.14/site-packages/miniaudio.py", line 1658, in stream_any
    raise DecodeError("failed to init decoder", result)
miniaudio.DecodeError: ('failed to init decoder', -1)

Installation method Home Assistant OS
Core 2026.5.1
Supervisor 2026.05.0
Operating System 17.3
Frontend 20260325.7

This worked before upgrading to 2026.5.1, which I did straight from 2026.4.x (whatever the last version of that was) after a three-week trip away (so it's harder for me to provide any more historical info).

[Jphancy]

Same issue here, noticed after updating the from HAOS 17.2 to 17.3 before updating to core 2026.5.1 from 2026.4.x.

Same isssue I'm facing as jamesoff from above with media_player.play_media attempting to play media HomePod Minis. Getting a "Error: ('failed to init decoder', -1)"

Refer to #170937 for logs and information.

[jamesoff]

Ah yes, I did also upgrade to HAOS 17.3 too (another thing I put off while I was away).

[WBWBW]

I also have the same issue. Same error.

[gcortes]

I get the same error, but only sometimes. It seems to work fine with short sentences, but anything long causes the error. My systems worked fine before the latest update to HAOS 17.2 to 17.3 and 2026.5.1

[stamatis921]

Same issue, after upgrading to 2026.5. I also can't stream locally hosted media to my HomePods, with the error 'failed to init decoder', -1.

[MykMcC]

After upgrading to 2026.5. I have confirmed that the exact same MP3 generated by Chime TTS plays successfully on a Yamaha MusicCast AVR but fails on Apple HomePod Mini and Apple HomePod via the Apple TV integration with DecodeError: ('failed to init decoder', -1).

A recent change in the Apple TV / pyatv / miniaudio playback chain appears to have introduced a decoder problem affecting certain MP3 files sent to HomePods, and both native TTS and Chime TTS can trigger it. Shorter MP3 files seem to work but longer MP3 files fail on Apple HomePods with the ('failed to init decoder', -1) error.

[Quentame]

Same issue here, while using actions tts.speak (which uses media_player.play_media after the audio generation).

I don't think it's related to Python 3.14 (or not directly) as it was adopted from Home Assistant core 2026.3 (release notes), and streaming through the Apple TV integration did worked on 2026.3 and 2026.4.

I think the issue started from core 2026.5.

---

Did some streaming tests on an HomePod mini and an Apple TV (same results) with HA core 2026.6.0b0:

1. ✅ 1 min 22 audio from a royalty free music website (setting that URL), and it worked (use media_content_type: music instead of media_content_type:= audio, audio/mpeg or audio/mp3) (streaming through external HTTPS URL)

action: media_player.play_media
target:
  entity_id: media_player.homepod_salon
  # OR entity_id: media_player.apple_tv_salon
data:
  media:
    media_content_id: https://cdn.pixabay.com/audio/2026/05/23/audio_9c985e2f64.mp3
    media_content_type: music
    metadata:
      navigateIds:
        - {}
        - media_content_type: ""
          media_content_id: __MANUAL_ENTRY__
      browse_entity_id: media_player.homepod_salon

2. ✅ same 1 min 22 audio downloaded and uploaded to my HA instance to play on the same HomePod, it worked too ... (local streaming)

action: media_player.play_media
target:
  entity_id: media_player.homepod_salon
  # OR entity_id: media_player.apple_tv_salon
data:
  media:
    media_content_id: media-source://media_source/local/audio_9c985e2f64.mp3
    media_content_type: audio/mpeg
    metadata:
      title: audio_9c985e2f64.mp3
      thumbnail: null
      media_class: music
      children_media_class: null
      navigateIds:
        - {}
        - media_content_type: app
          media_content_id: media-source://media_source
      browse_entity_id: media_player.homepod_salon

3. ✅ short TTS audio from Piper (configured in French)

action: tts.speak
data:
  media_player_entity_id: media_player.homepod_salon
  # OR media_player_entity_id: media_player.apple_tv_salon
  cache: false
  message: Bonjour tout le monde.
target:
  entity_id: tts.piper

("Hi everyone" in French)

4. ❌ medium TTS audio from Piper (configured in French)

action: tts.speak
data:
  media_player_entity_id: media_player.homepod_salon
  # OR media_player_entity_id: media_player.apple_tv_salon
  cache: false
  message: >-
    Bonjour tout le monde. Il est 12 heures 30. Le ciel est couvert aujourd’hui.
    L'indice de pollen est élevé.
target:
  entity_id: tts.piper

message working or not depending on the length:

• ❌ Bonjour tout le monde. Il est 12 heures 30. Le ciel est couvert aujourd’hui. L'indice de pollen est élevé. (106 chars)
• ✅ Bonjour tout le monde. Il est 12 heures 30. Le ciel est couvert aujourd’hui. (76 chars)
• ✅ Bonjour tout le monde. Il est 12 heures 30. L'indice de pollen est élevé. (73 chars)
• ✅ Le ciel est couvert aujourd’hui. L'indice de pollen est élevé. (62 chars)

5. ✅ short TTS audio from Google Translate (English)

action: tts.speak
data:
  media_player_entity_id: media_player.homepod_salon
  # OR media_player_entity_id: media_player.apple_tv_salon
  cache: false
  message: Hi everyone.
  language: en
target:
  entity_id: tts.google_translate_en_com

6. ✅ medium TTS audio from Google Translate (English)

action: tts.speak
data:
  media_player_entity_id: media_player.homepod_salon
  # OR media_player_entity_id: media_player.apple_tv_salon
  cache: false
  message: >-
    Good morning everyone. It's 12:30 PM. The sky is overcast today. The pollen
    count is high.
  language: en
target:
  entity_id: tts.google_translate_en_com

7. ✅ long TTS audio from Google Translate (English)

action: tts.speak
data:
  media_player_entity_id: media_player.homepod_salon
  # OR media_player_entity_id: media_player.apple_tv_salon
  cache: false
  message: >-
    Good morning everyone. It's 12:30 PM. The sky is overcast today. The pollen
    count is high. You have new emails on your inbox. Happy New Year ! I love
    Home Assistant so much I can make babies with it. What the fuck is this
    issue ? I don't understand where it cames from !
  language: en
target:
  entity_id: tts.google_translate_en_com

270 chars !

8. ❌ medium TTS audio from Google Translate (French)

action: tts.speak
data:
  media_player_entity_id: media_player.homepod_salon
  # OR media_player_entity_id: media_player.apple_tv_salon
  cache: false
  message: >-
    Bonjour tout le monde. Il est 12 heures 30. Le ciel est couvert aujourd’hui.
    L'indice de pollen est élevé.
  language: fr
target:
  entity_id: tts.google_translate_en_com

✅ with message "Le ciel est couvert aujourd’hui. L'indice de pollen est élevé."

9. ✅ medium French TTS audio from Piper or Google Translate with Sonos integration as media player

action: tts.speak
data:
  media_player_entity_id: media_player.sonos_soundbar
  cache: false
  message: >-
    Bonjour tout le monde. Il est 12 heures 30. Le ciel est couvert aujourd’hui.
    L'indice de pollen est élevé.
target:
  entity_id: tts.piper
  # OR entity_id: tts.google_translate_en_com

SO ...

I thought at the beginning, as read on the issue comments, that the issue cames from the audio length, but apparently not (not directly at least), as proven by successful tests from music longer than 1 minute (tests 1 & 2) and long English test (7).

Then I thought it was about some kind of special sound that affect my French audio TTS (don't know what kind of audio you are streaming guys 😉), but both French medium TTS tests (4 & 8) show that special characters are not affected because they work when on shorter message.

Also I thought that, the generated audio file would be different if generated from different TTS service, but on both files the issue is the same (tests 4 & 8).

Tested the TTS message that did not work with the Apple TV integration with the Sonos integration (test 9), and working fine, so it really comes from the Apple TV integration.

I don't understand where this issue comes from 😅