How to Get Music Assistant in Home Assistant to Repeat

Music Assistant in Home Assistant enhances your smart home’s audio experience by integrating multiple music sources and advanced playback controls. One of its most useful features is the ability to enable repeat functionality, ensuring continuous audio playback for music, ambient sounds, or announcements. In this guide, we’ll explore how to configure Music Assistant to repeat tracks, automate looping with scripts, and troubleshoot any playback issues.

Understanding Music Assistant in Home Assistant

Music Assistant is an advanced integration for Home Assistant that enhances media playback capabilities by providing a structured way to manage and control audio sources. It allows users to integrate multiple music providers, handle playback across various media players, and apply advanced playback features such as looping and queue management.

Key Features of Music Assistant

Music Assistant extends Home Assistant’s built-in media player functionality by introducing features such as:

Multi-source integration – Supports various music services, including local media, streaming platforms, and networked audio sources.
Advanced playback control – Enables track queueing, shuffling, and looping.
Synchronization – Allows multiple players to sync audio playback for a seamless multi-room experience.
Metadata support – Fetches detailed track information, album artwork, and artist details.

How Music Assistant Works in Home Assistant

Music Assistant operates as a custom component within Home Assistant, interacting with the media_player entity to provide enhanced audio playback. It integrates with Home Assistant’s automation capabilities, allowing users to control playback through scripts, automations, and voice commands.

Integration with media_player entities – Music Assistant works by extending existing media player entities, enabling additional playback features.
Service calls for playback control – Users can leverage Home Assistant service calls such as media_player.play_media to play, pause, or stop playback.
Queue and playback management – Tracks can be added to a queue, reordered, and looped based on user preferences.

Enabling Loop/Repeat Functionality in Music Assistant

One key enhancement that Music Assistant brings to Home Assistant is the ability to loop or repeat tracks. By default, standard media_player entities in Home Assistant may not support repeat functionality natively. However, Music Assistant enables users to implement this feature using customized service calls.

Steps to Enable Track Looping

Ensure Music Assistant is Installed
- Music Assistant must be installed and configured in Home Assistant. This can be done via HACS (Home Assistant Community Store) or manual installation.
Use the media_player.repeat_set Service
- Home Assistant provides a repeat_set service that can be used with compatible media players. To enable looping, call this service with the appropriate parameters:
```
service: media_player.repeat_set
target:
  entity_id: media_player.music_assistant
data:
  repeat: "one"
```
- The repeat parameter can be set to:
  - "off" – No repeat
  - "one" – Repeat the current track
  - "all" – Repeat the entire queue
Automate Looping Using Scripts or Automations

Users can create an automation to enable loop mode automatically when a specific track or playlist starts playing:

alias: Enable Loop Mode for Music Assistant
trigger:
  - platform: state
    entity_id: media_player.music_assistant
    to: "playing"
action:
  - service: media_player.repeat_set
    target:
      entity_id: media_player.music_assistant
    data:
      repeat: "one"

Confirm Looping via Home Assistant UI
- The loop/repeat state can be checked in the Home Assistant media player dashboard. Some UI customizations may allow for direct control of the repeat setting.

Benefits of Using Loop/Repeat in Music Assistant

Enabling repeat functionality in Music Assistant provides several advantages:

Continuous Background Playback – Ideal for ambient sounds, meditation tracks, or background music.
Improved User Experience – Users can enjoy seamless playback without manually restarting a track.
Automation Flexibility – Can be integrated into Home Assistant scripts and automations for personalized playback control.

By incorporating loop functionality via Music Assistant, Home Assistant users gain more control over their audio experience, making it a powerful tool for smart home media management.

Setting Up Repeat Function

Adding a repeat function to the media player service in Home Assistant allows users to continuously loop audio tracks, improving playback control and automation. Below are the steps for implementing this functionality.

Enabling Repeat in Media Player

Most media players integrated with Home Assistant support basic playback functions, but not all provide built-in repeat options. To enable repeat functionality, the following methods can be utilized:

Checking Media Player Capabilities
- Navigate to Developer Tools > Services in Home Assistant.
- Select media_player.repeat_set to check if the media player supports repeat mode.
- Identify supported repeat modes, such as one, all, or off.
Configuring Repeat Mode via Service Call
- The media_player.repeat_set service allows setting repeat mode using a service call.
- Example YAML configuration:
```
service: media_player.repeat_set
data:
  entity_id: media_player.your_media_player
  repeat: "one"
```
- This sets the media player to repeat the currently playing track.

Automating Repeat Function

To ensure continuous playback without manual intervention, automation rules can be created:

Creating an Automation for Loop Playback

Navigate to Settings > Automations & Scenes in Home Assistant.
Click Create Automation and select Start with an empty automation.

Use the following YAML to automatically enable repeat mode when media starts playing:

alias: Enable Repeat Mode
trigger:
  - platform: state
    entity_id: media_player.your_media_player
    to: "playing"
action:
  - service: media_player.repeat_set
    data:
      entity_id: media_player.your_media_player
      repeat: "one"
mode: single

Looping an Audio File in Scripts

Scripts can be used to play a specific audio file on repeat.

Example script to loop an audio file:

alias: Play Audio on Loop
sequence:
  - service: media_player.play_media
    data:
      entity_id: media_player.your_media_player
      media_content_id: "https://example.com/audio.mp3"
      media_content_type: "music"
  - delay: "00:00:05"
  - service: media_player.repeat_set
    data:
      entity_id: media_player.your_media_player
      repeat: "one"
mode: restart

User Interface Integration

For easier control, repeat functionality can be integrated into Home Assistant’s Lovelace UI:

Adding Repeat Control to Media Player Card
- Edit the Lovelace dashboard and add a Media Control Card.
- If the media player supports repeat, it will display a repeat button.

Using Custom Buttons for Repeat Mode

Create a Custom Button Card for toggling repeat mode:

type: button
entity: media_player.your_media_player
name: Repeat
tap_action:
  action: call-service
  service: media_player.repeat_set
  service_data:
    entity_id: media_player.your_media_player
    repeat: "one"
icon: mdi:repeat

By implementing these methods, users can enable and automate repeat functionality in Home Assistant, ensuring continuous playback for various use cases such as background music, ambient sounds, and announcements.

Methods for Implementing Repeat

Implementing repeat functionality in a media player service requires modifying existing playback controls to allow continuous audio looping. Below are several approaches to achieve this, ranging from simple automation to more advanced service modifications.

Using Automation in Home Assistant

One of the simplest ways to implement repeat functionality in Home Assistant is through automation. By creating an automation script, users can automatically restart a track or playlist when it finishes playing.

Steps:

Create an Automation
- Navigate to Settings > Automations & Scenes in Home Assistant.
- Click Create Automation and select Start with an Empty Automation.
Define the Trigger
- Set the trigger to activate when the media player enters an "idle" or "stopped" state, indicating the track has ended.
- Example YAML trigger:
```
trigger:
  - platform: state
    entity_id: media_player.your_media_player
    to: "idle"
```
Add an Action to Restart Playback

Use the media_player.play_media service to restart the audio file or playlist.

Example YAML action:

action:
  - service: media_player.play_media
    target:
      entity_id: media_player.your_media_player
    data:
      media_content_id: "url_or_path_to_audio_file"
      media_content_type: "music"

Save and Enable the Automation
- Save the automation and enable it, ensuring it runs whenever the track ends.

This method ensures that audio restarts automatically without modifying the media player service itself.

Modifying the Media Player Service

For a more integrated solution, modifying the media_player service to support repeat functionality can be considered. This involves adjusting the API to include a repeat option.

Adding a Repeat Parameter

The media_player.play_media service could be modified to accept a new parameter, such as:
```
repeat: "one"  # Options: "one", "all", "off"
```
This change would require modifying the Home Assistant core media player component to interpret the repeat parameter and apply it accordingly.

Implementing Loop State Management

A new attribute, repeat_state, could be introduced to track whether repeat mode is enabled and its current status.
Example states:
- off – No repeat.
- one – Repeat a single track.
- all – Repeat an entire playlist.

This method requires development effort, but it provides a seamless and user-friendly way to toggle repeat functionality directly within the media player controls.

Using Custom Scripts

Another approach is to create a custom script that manually loops a track or playlist.

Example Script:

script:
  loop_audio:
    sequence:
      - service: media_player.play_media
        data:
          entity_id: media_player.your_media_player
          media_content_id: "url_or_path_to_audio_file"
          media_content_type: "music"
      - delay: "00:00:03"  # Adjust delay based on track duration
      - service: script.loop_audio  # Recursively call the script

This script continuously restarts the track after a short delay, simulating a repeat function.

Leveraging Third-Party Integrations

Some third-party media services natively support repeat functionality. If using an external service like Spotify, the media_player.repeat_set service can be used.

Example Service Call:

service: media_player.repeat_set
data:
  entity_id: media_player.spotify
  repeat: "track"  # Options: "off", "context", "track"

This approach is ideal when using services that already support repeat functionality.

Conclusion

Implementing repeat functionality in a media player service can be achieved through automation, script-based solutions, direct API modifications, or third-party integrations. The best method depends on user needs, technical expertise, and available system resources.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

When implementing audio loop functionality in a media player service, users may encounter various challenges. Below are some common issues and their respective troubleshooting steps.

Loop Function Not Working

If the media player does not repeat the audio as expected, consider the following checks:

Verify Loop Parameter: Ensure that the loop or repeat parameter is correctly set in the service call. Some media players may require specific syntax or boolean values (true or false).
Check Media Player Compatibility: Not all media players support loop functionality. Confirm that the selected media player entity supports this feature.
Restart Home Assistant: After making changes to configurations or scripts, restart Home Assistant to apply updates.

Audio Stops After One Play

If the audio does not repeat despite enabling loop:

Confirm File Format: Some media players may not support looping for certain file types. Try using a different audio format (e.g., MP3 or WAV).
Test with a Different Media Player: If the current media player does not repeat the track, try using another media player entity to verify compatibility.
Use a Custom Automation: If the built-in loop functionality does not work, create an automation that restarts playback when the track ends.

Delays Between Loops

If there is a noticeable delay between track repetitions:

Check Buffering Settings: Some media players introduce buffering time between plays. Adjusting playback settings may reduce delay.
Use a Different Playback Method: Instead of relying on built-in looping, use an automation to trigger playback immediately after the track ends.
Optimize File Size: Large audio files may cause slight delays. Consider using a compressed version of the audio file to improve response time.

Looping Only Works for Certain Media Players

If some media players support looping while others do not:

Review Documentation: Check Home Assistant’s official documentation to confirm which media player integrations support looping.
Test Alternative Media Player Services: Some integrations, such as VLC or MPD, may offer better loop support compared to others.
Use a Workaround: If the preferred media player does not support looping, consider using a script or automation to achieve the same effect.

Automation or Script Not Executing

If an automation or script designed to repeat playback does not work:

Check Logs: View Home Assistant logs (Settings > Logs) for errors related to media playback.
Verify Triggers: Ensure that the automation trigger correctly detects when the track ends. Using the media_player state as a trigger can help restart playback.
Test Manually: Run the automation or script manually from the Developer Tools panel to confirm that it executes correctly.

By following these troubleshooting steps, users can resolve common issues related to implementing loop functionality in their media player service, ensuring seamless and continuous audio playback.

Advanced Configuration

Enabling Loop Playback in Home Assistant

To enable loop playback in Home Assistant using the media_player service, you need to modify the service calls and automate playback control. While Home Assistant does not natively support a built-in repeat function for all media players, you can achieve this functionality using automation, scripts, and custom integrations.

Using Scripts to Enable Repeat

One of the most effective ways to enable looping is by creating a script that triggers the media player to restart the track once it completes. Below is an example of a script that allows a media player entity to continuously repeat a track:

repeat_audio:
  alias: "Repeat Audio"
  sequence:
    - service: media_player.play_media
      target:
        entity_id: media_player.your_media_player
      data:
        media_content_id: "URL_OR_PATH_TO_AUDIO_FILE"
        media_content_type: "music"
    - wait_template: "{{ is_state('media_player.your_media_player', 'idle') }}"
    - delay:
        seconds: 1
    - service: script.turn_on
      target:
        entity_id: script.repeat_audio
  mode: restart

This script works by continuously checking the state of the media player. Once playback completes and the state changes to idle, the script restarts the track.

Automation for Continuous Playback

Instead of using scripts, you can also configure an automation that restarts playback when the media player reaches an idle state:

alias: "Loop Audio Playback"
trigger:
  - platform: state
    entity_id: media_player.your_media_player
    to: "idle"
action:
  - service: media_player.play_media
    target:
      entity_id: media_player.your_media_player
    data:
      media_content_id: "URL_OR_PATH_TO_AUDIO_FILE"
      media_content_type: "music"
mode: restart

This automation ensures that whenever the media player stops playing, it automatically restarts the same track, effectively creating a loop.

Integrating with Music Assistant

If you are using the Music Assistant integration in Home Assistant, you may have additional options for repeat functionality. Music Assistant provides advanced playback control, including queue management and media library integration.

To enable repeat mode using Music Assistant, you may need to adjust the playback settings for a specific media player. Some players support repeat modes directly via service calls:

service: media_player.repeat_set
target:
  entity_id: media_player.your_music_assistant_player
data:
  repeat: "one"

This service call ensures that the currently playing track is repeated indefinitely. However, not all media players support this feature, so testing with your specific setup is recommended.

Custom Components and Workarounds

For users who require more control over playback looping, custom components or third-party integrations may be necessary. Some advanced users create Node-RED flows or use AppDaemon to handle playback logic dynamically.

Another approach is using media_player.shuffle_set in combination with a playlist that contains a single track. While this is not a true looping function, it can sometimes achieve the desired effect depending on the media player used.

Considerations When Configuring Loop Playback

Media Player Compatibility: Not all media players in Home Assistant support repeat functionality. Check your specific media player’s capabilities.
Performance Impact: Continuous playback automation could impact system resources, especially if running on a lower-powered device like a Raspberry Pi.
Error Handling: Ensure that your automation or script includes error handling to prevent infinite loops if the media file is unavailable.
User Experience: Consider adding a toggle helper (input_boolean) to enable or disable looping dynamically within the Home Assistant UI.

By implementing these advanced configurations, users can effectively enable a repeat function within Home Assistant’s media player service, improving the listening experience for background music, ambient sounds, and other audio applications.

By properly configuring Music Assistant in Home Assistant, you can enjoy seamless looping of audio tracks for various use cases, from background music to automated notifications. Whether using built-in services, automation, or advanced scripting, enabling repeat functionality enhances your home’s smart audio experience. Try these methods and optimize playback according to your needs.

how to get music assistant in home assistant to repeat