I love Sonos products and have a few in my home. Last year, a close friend got me the Sonos Roam speaker; it has been my favorite since then.
Unfortunately, it would not turn on barely a year after I got the speaker. Amid the panicking, I researched what could have been the problem. I realized it is a common issue with the Sonos Roam.
There were several complaints, and Sonos has yet to offer a lasting solution to this problem. Therefore, I tried all the suggested solutions from various sources, and some worked briefly, while others did not.
This article addresses the problem and solutions that will get your speaker working.
Key Takeaways
- Usually, when the Sonos Roam does not turn on, it is an issue with the battery. It could be that the battery is drained, damaged, or too hot.
- Another problem could be that the speaker is not charging because of a dirty charging port or a faulty charger.
- You can tell the battery status of your Sonos Roam through the Sonos S2 app or the LED in front of the speaker. The battery LED is on the wireless charging magnetized end of the speaker.
- If the LED flashes orange when you try turning on the speaker, it means the battery is low, and you should let the speaker charge for an hour before turning it on.
- The LED will briefly be solid orange to show the speaker is charging.
- If the LED is red, the speaker has a problem that requires a technician.
- If the LED next to the Sonos Logo is flashing orange, the speaker is overheating, hence why it is not turning on.
- The speaker will also not turn on if its operating system is malfunctioning.
- Faulty hardware within the speaker can also stop it from charging.
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Why Is My Sonos Roam Not Turning On?
Various circumstances can lead to your Sonos speaker not turning on. These circumstances include:
- The battery has run out, and it needs some time to recharge.
- The speaker has no power because there is a problem with its charging system, i.e., the charger or charging port.
- The battery is overheating, thus preventing the speaker from turning on.
- The speaker’s operating system is malfunctioning due to a bug.
- If the battery is damaged and cannot store any power, the speaker will not power on.
- Some components within the speaker could be damaged, making it hard for the speaker to power on.
Although these issues can be infuriating, some solutions can get you Roam functioning correctly.
Also, if the speaker stops working, you can get Sonos to send a replacement or discount for the next Sonos product you purchase.
What to Do If My Sonos Roam Is Not Turning On?
Below are solutions to the above problems. Ensure you try these solutions before contacting Sonos, as they will likely suggest the exact solutions.
Leave the Speaker Charging for a While
Sometimes, the speaker is not defective; the problem is that it has no power and thus cannot turn on. Although these circumstances are rare, they happen, especially if you have been using the speaker unplugged from the power outlet.
When you try turning the Sonos Roam on and it does not power on, connect it to a working charger and power outlet.
Leave the speaker connected for one to two hours before trying to power it back on.
Constantly observe the LEDs while the speaker is connected to the charger since they can help you identify the problem.
If leaving the speaker connected to a power outlet brings it back to life, prevent the re-occurrence of this issue by ensuring the speaker is connected to a charger whenever possible.
Additionally, always power off your speaker correctly by pressing and holding the power button for five seconds.
The power button is located at the back, above the USB-C charging port.
If you press and release the power button without holding it, the speaker will just go to sleep and not power off.
This is because the Sonos Roam is primarily meant to be a Wi-Fi speaker, not a Bluetooth speaker. So, using it as a Bluetooth speaker could result in problems, such as the speaker not turning on.
Charging a Sonos Roam Speaker
Check the LED Status of the Roam
The battery LED on the front of the speaker can help you identify what is wrong with the speaker. The LED is on the magnetized end of the speaker, right at the bottom.
If the LED flashes orange when you turn on the speaker, the battery is low, i.e., below fifteen percent.
Battery LED flashing orange – battery is below 15%.
Sometimes, the battery can be too low to power the speaker, so you should charge it first.
Once you connect the speaker to a charger, the LED should light solid orange instead of flashing. That indicates that the speaker is charging without any problems.
Do not worry if the LED goes off after ten seconds; the speaker is still charging, and you can check the battery percentage on the S2 app.
Use the SONOS app to check your speaker’s battery and charging status.
You can also use the app to check whether the speaker is charging. To do this, open the app and navigate to the Systems tab, and you will see the percentage next to the battery icon.
The icon will also have an ‘A’ with a lightning bolt icon to show that the speaker is charging.
Sometimes, the battery LED might stay orange for longer than ten seconds if the battery is discharged and is not at a level that can support the speaker yet.
However, if the battery LED remains orange for longer than two hours, it means there is a problem with either the Roam’s charger or the battery. In such cases, try the other troubleshooting measures in the article.
On the other hand, if the battery LED is flashing red, that indicates a fault with the speaker, most likely the battery. In these circumstances, Sonos suggests you contact them.
Apart from the battery LED, the status LED can tell you what is wrong with the speaker. The LED is found on the top end of the speaker near the Sonos label, and it can tell you whether the speaker is on, the connection status, and if the speaker is overheating.
If this LED is solid orange, the speaker is overheating, which can stop it from powering on.
Status LED flashing orange – SONOS Roam is overheating
Alternatively, the speaker is powered on and working properly if the LED is solid white. The issue could be different in this instance since the speaker indicates it is powered on.
The light is usually off when the speaker is off or having trouble powering on.
Try Recharging the Sonos Roam with a Different Charger
If your Sonos Roam won’t power on and shows no signs of life after trying the suggestions above, the problem could be the charger.
A Roam charger should have a 5V/2A (10W) output power rating. Anything lower will charge the speaker very slowly or will not charge the speaker at all.
Hence, it is vital that you use the power adapter and a USB-C cable that comes with the speaker. And if you have a replacement, ensure it has an appropriate rating for the Sonos Roam.
Also, change from using the wireless charger, if you are using one, to using a USB-C charger. This will help you determine if the charger is the issue since most users tend to leave the speaker docked on the wireless charger.
Alternatively, try the wireless charger if you use a USB-C to recharge the speaker.
If using different chargers does not bring the speaker to life, then the problem could be something else.
It would be best if you could use the original SONOS power adapter and SONOS wireless charger.
Check the Speakers’ Charging Port
If alternating chargers do not get the speaker to power on, check whether the speaker’s charging port is in good condition.
The port should not have any foreign material within it. If the Roam’s port has debris, clean it using a soft brush or compressed air can, then try charging it.
Check the charging port and clean it if necessary.
If you use a wireless charger, clean the charging pad and mount the speaker to observe if it recharges.
If the speaker’s issue was the charging port being dirty, it should seamlessly recharge now and power on after the battery has some power.
Check the warranty terms if you find the charging port damaged, and if the speaker is still covered, you might get a replacement. Alternatively, you can visit a credible technician to help you fix it.
Remember, attempting to fix the speaker on your own will void the warranty. So always check the warranty terms before opening up the speaker.
If the charging port is damaged, don’t try to fix it on your own. Instead, contact SONOS support (image credit – SONOS Community Forum).
Relocate the Speaker
If the speaker is in a place with extreme temperatures, it will likely malfunction. For instance, if it overheats, the status LED will light solid orange, and a tone will play from the speaker.
The ideal operating temperatures for the Sonos Roam are 41° to 95°F (5° to 35°C) while those of the charger are 32° F to 104° F (0°C to 40° C)
If the temperature is significantly higher or lower than the recommended operating temperatures, your SONOS Roam might refuse to turn on.
Therefore, if the speaker is in an environment that exceeds the recommended operating temperatures, relocate it to a more conducive area.
Once you relocate the speaker, allow it to acclimate to the new environment before turning it on or charging.
Force the Speaker to Reboot
Sometimes, the speaker needs a system reboot to run the necessary processes properly. However, pressing and releasing the power button will not work since there is a specific way of rebooting Sonos Roam speakers.
You can reboot the Sonos Roam by ensuring it is unplugged from the charger, then press and hold the power button for ten to fifteen seconds, sometimes thirty seconds.
You will know the reboot is successful if the status LED on the speaker lights up and the speaker plays a tone.
How to Force-Reboot a SONOS Roam
Factory Reset the Speaker
A system malfunction can prevent the speaker from turning on. Such malfunctions result from the defective speaker operating system.
To resolve such issues, you will reset the speaker so that it has a fresh start.
Follow the steps below to reset your Sonos Roam:
- First, ensure the speaker is powered off and disconnected from the charger. Press and hold the power button for five seconds if any LEDs are on.
- Then press and hold the Play/Pause button on the speaker’s top side.
The PLAY/PAUSE button is located on the top of your SONOS Roam.
- While holding the Play button, press the power button on the back of the speaker near the USB-C charging port.
- Keep pressing the Play/Pause button until the status LED flashes orange and white.
When the status LED begins flashing white and orange, release the PLAY/PAUSE button.
- You will know the reset is complete once the status LED flashes green.
When the status LED starts flashing green, the reset is complete. You can set up your SONOS Roam afresh.
Try the reset procedure two to three times if it does not work the first time.
Resetting SONOS Roam
If there is no change in the speaker even after resetting, the problem could be more severe than expected, and requires a professional’s attention.
Replace the Sonos Roam Battery
The speaker might still not work even after trying the above solutions. In such cases, the issue is most likely the battery.
Unfortunately, Sonos does not provide a replacement service for the battery or sell replacement batteries. But that does not mean you are doomed; you can still get a replacement battery from the various online stores.
Ensure you check the specs of the replacement to confirm they are the same as those of the original Roam battery. Also, read the reviews on the replacement battery so you do not purchase a battery that will die after a few months.
Original SONOS Roam Battery (3.6V DC, 5.000mAh, 18Wh)
Before you get the battery, you must contact Sonos and notify them of your problem, even if the speaker’s warranty has expired.
How to Take SONOS Roam Apart?
Contact Sonos Support
Sonos has a functional support team that will listen to your grievances and suggest solutions. So, contact them if the speaker refuses to turn on and none of the suggested fixes help.
Remember to inform them of the troubleshooting solutions you have already tried to avoid wasting time repeating solutions that do not work.
You should always contact Sonos support even if the speaker is out of warranty, as Sonos will replace some units at no extra cost, even if the warranty has expired.
Alternatively, you can post your problem on the Sonos forum, and a fellow Sonos user will provide solutions that work for them. You will also find older posts that address your specific issue, and you can try the suggested solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: My Sonos Roam is not turning on. Why is this happening?
- Answer: Your speaker could be refusing to turn off because of any of the following reasons;
- The battery is drained and should be recharged.
- There is an issue with the speaker’s charging system; thus, it has no power to turn on.
- A system bug that can be solved by factory resetting the speaker.
- The battery is defective, and you should contact Sonos support.
- Question: Why is there no light on my Sonos speaker?
- Answer: This could be because the speaker has no power and requires recharging. Alternatively, the speaker may be damaged. In this case, you should contact Sonos for the way forward.
- Question: How do you get Sonos Roam to turn on?
- Answer: You can turn on your Sonos Roam speaker by pressing the power button on the back of the speaker. The button is just above the USB-C charging port.
- Question: Is there a reset button on Sonos Roam?
- Answer: The Sonos Roam does not have a dedicated reset button. If you want to reset the speaker, you will use a combination of the Play/Pause and power buttons.
Conclusion
Sonos products are a marvel, especially since they can be integrated to work together. They are easy to control using the Sonos app and offer a variety of valuable features.
Like any other product, the Sonos Roam speaker malfunctions, but that is nothing to worry about. The steps above will help you turn your speaker on and keep using it as if nothing happened.
Always take care of your SONOS Roam and avoid splashing water on it unnecessarily to extend its life.
