Sonos speakers are among the best available in the market. I specifically love the Sonos Roam because it is convenient for use in the shower. I have had the speaker for two years, which recently disappointed me.
The speaker would not charge despite me using a charger I got from Sonos. A few minutes of research revealed I shared this experience with multiple Roam users.
Therefore, I compiled the solutions that worked for other users and me. There are also solutions suggested by Sonos support, which helped me get the speaker charging again.
Key Takeaways
- If the speaker’s battery is completely drained, it will take time to indicate it’s charging. Therefore, leave it charging for one to two hours, then check if it’s charging.
- You should use a charger compatible with the Sonos Roam speakers, so check the current charger’s specifications. Alternatively, try a different charger. Shift between the wired and wireless chargers and see which one works. Low-rated chargers can recharge the Sonos Roam but at a slower rate. Some might not recharge the speakers.
- Force reboot the speaker in case of a problem with the charging system.
- Also, check the charging port on the speaker and ensure it is clean and has no sign of physical damage.
- The speaker will not recharge if the temperatures are extremely high or low.
- The battery could also be the problem. A damaged battery will not hold any charge and can stop recharging.
- The speaker’s internal circuitry could also be damaged, causing the charging issue. If the speaker is damaged, contact Sonos, and they will advise on the way forward.
Recommended Reading :
Why Is My Sonos Roam Not Charging?
Various aspects can stop the Sonos Roam from charging. These factors include:
- The battery is drained and needs time before it can show its charging.
- You are using a charger incompatible with the Sonos Roam.
- The charging method (wired or wireless) you are using is affected.
- The charger is damaged and thus cannot charge the speaker correctly.
- The speaker is overheating.
- The speaker’s charging port is dirty or damaged.
- The speaker’s charging system is malfunctioning.
- The battery will also not charge if it is damaged.
- The speaker’s internal components could also be worn out, preventing the speaker from charging.
Fortunately, you can solve most of these problems at home without spending money. If the issue is severe, you can also contact Sonos. Depending on the circumstances and type of issue, you may get a replacement for free.
How to Charge SONOS Roam – Wired and Wireless Charging
Below is an in-depth breakdown of what you should do to get your Sonos Roam charging.
Leave the Roam Charging for a While
The Roam’s battery is not meant to stay discharged for long periods. If the speaker is stored without recharging the battery, that shortens the battery’s life significantly.
Also, if you have been using the speaker while it is disconnected from the charger for a long, it might take some time to show that it is charging.
So, connect the speaker to a working charger and leave it charging for one to two hours. After the time has elapsed, check whether there are any changes.
Leave your SONOS Roam charging even if there is no indication of charging.
You can tell it is charging by observing the battery LED on the front of the speaker.
The LED will be solid orange (or red) to show the speaker is charging. If this LED is flashing instead of showing solid orange, it means the battery is below fifteen percent.
When you connect the speaker to a charger, the LED will be solid orange. It will go off after a while, but this does not mean the speaker is not charging. The LED goes off, but the speaker will continue charging.
The battery LED is located at the bottom. When you connect a charger to your SONOS Roam, this LED will glow orange (steady light). The light will quickly go off, but that doesn’t mean your speaker is fully charged.
You can check the battery status on the Sonos app by going to the Systems tab, and the battery percentage will be next to the battery icon.
You can tell if the speaker is charging through the app by checking if there is an ‘A’ and a lightning bolt icon. If they are present, the speaker is charging.
You can check the battery and charging status of your SONOS Roam through the SONOS app.
The battery LED should be solid orange for ten seconds, then go off when the speaker is charging. Sometimes, the LED will stay orange for longer and only go off when the speaker has enough power in the battery.
If this LED is flashing red, there is something wrong with the speaker, and you should contact Sonos for further assistance.
Ensure You Are Using a Compatible Charger
The Sonos Roam is compatible with a few chargers, but not all.
Sometimes, the speaker will not charge when using a third-party charger, even if the charger has the same rating as the one you would get from the Sonos online store.
Sonos Roam speakers use a 5V/2A (10W) USB power adapter. However, the speaker can still charge with a 5V/1.5A (7.5W) adapter.
If you use a 7.5W charger, the speaker will recharge slower, and any lower-rated one like 5W will be inefficient.
So, if you have a replacement charger, ensure it meets the rating suggested by Sonos.
The Sonos Roam is also picky with the wireless chargers that work on it. Sometimes, a charger will be the correct rating but will not charge or will charge the speaker very slowly.
It is, therefore, vital that you get the replacements from Sonos.
When the speaker will not charge wirelessly, use the USB-C charger, which will probably work. Also, try the wireless charger if the USB-C one does not work.
If possible, use the original SONOS charging adapter and wireless charger.
Check If the Charger Is in Good Condition
If the chargers are compatible with the speaker but will not charge, you might be dealing with a faulty charger. The fastest way is to observe if the USB cable or the adapter is in good condition.
Using damaged USB-C charging cables or adapters could cause charging issues.
Check for any breakages or anything out of place. You should also try to use the charger on a different device. If the charger does not work, it is a problem.
If the speaker does not charge even after alternating between the wired and wireless charging methods, ensure the adapter is in good condition.
Ensure the Power Outlet Works
If you have confirmed that your charger and speaker’s charging system are OK, it could be that there is no power on the outlet.
It could also be that the outlet you are using is damaged and will not work.
So try different outlets in the home, preferably those that are in other sections of the house. For instance, if the one in the dining room won’t work, try the one in the bedroom.
Additionally, try connecting the charger directly to the power outlet without any surge protector, just in case the protector limits power going to the speaker.
Use an outlet tester to check whether the outlet is working. Don’t use damaged outlets to charge SONOS Roam.
Is the Charging Port Clean?
The Sonos Roam is a portable speaker, so you and your loved ones will likely go with it outside.
When using the speaker outdoors, dirt and other sorts of debris can get into the charging port. The dirt will coat the pins in the charging port, preventing them from connecting to those on the charger. This will result in the speaker not charging.
Inspect closely the charging port on your SONOS Roam. If it’s dirty or corroded, try cleaning it.
Luckily, the charging port is easy to clean with the correct tools.
You will need a compressed air can, a soft-bristled brush, and a microfiber cloth. Use the air can to blow off any films of dust or loosely attached debris in the port. The brush will work for stubborn particles.
Once the port is clean, wipe it with the dry microfiber cloth, removing any dirt outside the speaker waiting to get in.
Check if there is damage to the speaker’s charging port. If there is, contact Sonos, and they will advise you on what you should do.
Do not try to fix the speaker on your own.
If the charging port is damaged, don’t try to fix it on your own. Instead, contact SONOS and ask for their help.
Force the Sonos Roam to Reboot
The above solutions might still not get your Sonos Roam to recharge. In such cases, the speaker’s problem could be that the software controlling its charging is malfunctioning.
You can fix this by forcing the speaker to reboot; the reboot procedure is not the same thing as powering the speaker off and on.
Ensure the speaker is disconnected from the charger. Then, hold the power button for five seconds to turn off the speaker.
You will know it is off when it plays a tone and the LEDs go out.
Next, press and hold the power button for ten to thirty seconds. Release it when the speaker plays a tone, and the LEDs light up.
Connect the speaker to a charger once it powers on and observe if it rechargers.
How to Force-Reboot a SONOS Roam
Move the Speaker to a Different Location
Extreme temperatures, hot or cold, will affect the battery’s performance. The ideal temperature for the Sonos Roam is between 41° to 95°F (5° to 35°C).
Do not use your SONOS Roam in extreme temperatures.
The charger also has an ideal operating temperature range of 32° F to 104° F (0°C to 40° C), and if these temperatures are exceeded, the speaker will have issues like not charging.
The status LED will light solid orange, and the speaker will play a tone whenever it is overheating.
If the speaker is in direct contact with sunlight or if you suspect it is overheating, move it to a cooler environment and allow the battery’s temperature to come down.
If the speaker is in a freezing environment, take it to a place at room temperature and let its temperature rise.
Then, connect the speaker to a charger and leave it for a while before you check if it is charging.
Factory Reset the Speaker
Sonos advises users not to factory reset their speakers as a troubleshooting measure, so avoid it if you can.
But if you are desperate for a solution, reset the speaker because customer support will suggest it as one of the troubleshooting procedures.
The reset will clear any system bugs, especially those that cannot be cleared by a reboot, preventing the speaker from charging.
Follow the steps below to reset your Sonos Roam correctly:
- Power off the speaker by pressing the power button for five seconds.
Press the power button for 5 seconds to turn your SONOS Roam off.
- Then disconnect it from the charger if it is still connected.
- Press and hold the Play/Pause button on the top of the speaker.
SONOS Roam Play/Pause button.
- Press the power button on the back of the speaker while still holding the Pause/Play button.
- Release the Pause/Play button when the status LED starts flashing white and orange.
When the status LED starts flashing orange and white, release the PLAY/PAUSE button.
- After a few seconds, the status LED should start flashing green, indicating the procedure was successful. If the LED doesn’t flash green, repeat the procedure.
The status LED flashing green indicates the reset was successful.
Resetting SONOS Roam to Factory Default Settings
The Battery Could Be Damaged
If the speaker does not charge even after resetting, it could mean the battery has a problem.
A damaged battery will not hold any power, let alone charge.
Sonos does not provide a replacement battery for the Roam or offer battery replacement services.
Luckily, you can still purchase a battery from any dealer, provided the battery’s specs match those of the battery in the speaker. Read the reviews of the battery before purchasing so you are not stuck with another dead battery.
Battery inside SONOS Roam – look for the replacement battery with the same ratings.
Once you have the battery, you can follow the teardown video to replace it or let a qualified technician do it.
Whatever option you choose, do so after going through the Sonos warranty agreement and contacting Sonos.
If you take the speaker apart to replace the battery, you void the warranty, so Sonos will not offer a free or discounted replacement.
SONOS Roam Teardown
Something Else Within the Speaker Could Be Damaged
Apart from the battery, the other components within the speaker could also be damaged.
This could be because of the speaker falling from high heights or overexposure to moisture.
The solution for this is to contact Sonos and notify them.
You can get a technician to look at the speaker, but that will void your warranty, and you will not be certain that replacement parts are available.
Contact Sonos Support
After realizing the speaker will not charge, the best option is to contact Sonos. The Roam speaker can sometimes malfunction without you doing anything to them. Fortunately, such circumstances are covered by the warranty.
Sonos might even replace the speaker if the warranty is expired, as they are known to make exceptions.
Another option is to post your problem in the Sonos community forum, and other users will provide solutions that work for them.
If Sonos accepts to replace your speaker, they will ask you to return the defective one.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: Why is my Sonos Roam not charging?
- Answer: The following reasons could be preventing your Sonos from charging:
- The battery is completely drained, so it needs time before it can indicate it is charging.
- The charger is damaged or incompatible with the speaker.
- The speaker’s charging port is damaged or dirty.
- There is no power coming from the outlet.
- The speaker’s battery or an internal component is damaged.
- Question: Is it OK to keep Sonos Roam on the charger?
- Answer: Yes, you can keep the Sonos Roam connected to a charger, and it will not affect the battery’s lifespan. The battery will stop recharging once it is complete, so do not worry about overcharging.
- Question: How long does a Sonos Roam battery last?
- Answer: It should last up to ten hours if it is fully charged. However, this duration is conditional and depends on various factors like the type of content playing through the speaker, the volume, etc.,
Conclusion
Always take care of your Roam speaker to avoid unnecessary damage to the unit. Also, ensure it is constantly charged because leaving it discharged for days/months could cause problems.
Sonos Roam is a good speaker and can work for years. However, the speaker not charging is a common issue and should be expected.
Follow the above suggestions to get it back to life.
