In an era where smart gadgets are the way to go, smart speakers are one of my favorite inventions. That is why I have a whole ecosystem of Sonos speakers; most of the time, they work as intended.
Unfortunately, some other times the speakers will malfunction, and one of the most common problems is that they refuse to connect to the home Wi-Fi or the app. This has been a constant issue, especially after slightly changing the home network.
After deciding I had enough, I compiled all the solutions that have worked and put them in this article. Hopefully, they will help other Sonos enthusiasts use their speakers without unnecessary interruptions.
Key Takeaways
- Whenever the Sonos speakers have a problem connecting to the app, it is usually a Wi-Fi issue. When trying to connect without success, the status light will be flashing white.
- However, sometimes, it could be a mild bug that can be solved by rebooting the speaker and router.
- Always ensure the app you use to connect the speaker is compatible with the speaker.
- Also, confirm that the speaker is powered on because it is easy to overlook, considering the dim LEDs on the speakers.
- You can also alternate the speakers between the wired and wireless setup. That will help narrow down the troubleshooting steps that you should take.
- Note that the speakers are incompatible with some Wi-Fi networks like guest networks and those that use WPA/WPA2 Enterprise protocols.
- If you have a VPN or Firewall encryption on the network, it can prevent the speaker and the app from connecting.
- Never shy away from contacting Sonos to help solve the situation.
Troubleshooting SONOS Wi-Fi Issues
Recommended Reading :
Solving Issues with the Sonos Speaker Not Connecting
Various factors can result in the Sonos speaker not connecting to the home network or the Sonos app. The best way to solve this issue is to try different troubleshooting measures so you can find out what the matter is.
When troubleshooting the speaker, start with the simple solutions before trying the more complex ones that take more time and disrupt the speaker’s connection.
Below are some solutions for the Sonos speakers not connecting to the home network or the Sonos app.
SONOS Connection Issues – Best Fixes
Ensure the Sonos Speaker Is Powered On
The first step should be to ensure that the speaker is powered on. Therefore, check if the LED on the speaker is powered on and what color it is.
If the LED is flashing green, the speaker is powered on but not connected to any Sonos system. It has to be configured and connected to Wi-Fi.
However, should the LED be flashing white, and the light won’t go away, it means the speaker can’t connect to Wi-Fi.
If that is the case, factory reset the speaker and start the setup procedure afresh.
How to Reset a SONOS Speaker?
If you notice that the LED on the speaker is off, it means there is a problem with the power supply to the speaker. Confirm that the power cable is connected correctly and the power source is turned on.
If the speaker’s LED is still off, a component on the speaker is damaged, and a professional should look at it.
Restart the Router and the Speaker
If the speaker LED indicates it is in the correct state but still will not connect, consider restarting the speaker and your router.
This simple gesture will help the devices start their processes afresh and clear any bugs that might have been preventing successful connections.
Suppose you have the Sonos Move speaker – restart it by removing it from the charging base. Then press and hold the power button until you see its LEDs go off. This will take approximately five seconds. Finally, wait ten seconds before powering the speaker back on.
Restarting your SONOS could fix minor glitches and issues
You can restart the Sonos Roam and Roam SL by removing them from the charging systems and pressing the button on the back of the speaker for five seconds.
Release the button once you hear the speaker play a tone and the LEDs go off. Next, wait ten seconds before powering the speaker back on.
All other Sonos speaker models can be restarted by disconnecting the power cable and waiting ten seconds before reconnecting it.
After restarting the speakers, temporarily move them closer to the router and each other in case the devices are too far apart to establish stable wireless connections.
Once the speakers are powered back on, give them some time to fully restart, then check whether they are still refusing to connect.
Ensure Your Phone and Sonos Speakers Are Connected to the Same Wi-Fi Network
The Sonos speakers should all be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your phone to communicate with the app.
If your router has more than one Wi-Fi SSID, the speakers and your phone should be connected to the same SSID. Additionally, the SSID should not be a guest network.
If your phone and your SONOS speaker are not connected to the same Wi-Fi, they won’t be able to communicate with each other.
The Sonos apps (S1 or S2) will notify you once they notice that the phone and Sonos speakers are on different networks. The apps will inform you if you change any information about your wireless network, like the SSID or the password.
Suppose you open the S1 app and see a notification stating ‘Unable to connect to Sonos Learn more‘ or one saying ‘Unable to connect to Sonos Let’s fix it’ on the S2 app. In that case, the speakers and phone are connected to different networks, or the network information is changed.
Simply tap Learn More or Let’s Fix it, and the app will guide you on updating the network information for your Sonos system. If you have changed your Wi-Fi name or password recently, read my step-by-step guide for instructions on how to connect your SONOS to the new Wi-Fi
Once the speakers are connected to the same network, ensure all speakers appear on the rooms list, and if a few do not appear, locate and restart them.
Connecting SONOS to a New Router or New Wi-Fi Network
Check the Ethernet Connection
For those who use the Sonos speakers in a wired setup, a damaged or poorly connected ethernet cable will result in connection issues.
Therefore, keenly observe the current cable and ensure it is in good condition and firmly connected to the Sonos device and the router.
If you’re using a wired setup, replace damaged Ethernet cables.
If this does not help, switch to using a wireless connection, and see if the speaker starts connecting.
Disable Any VPN or Firewall on Your Network
We often use VPNs and Firewalls to maintain anonymity and protect our devices from malicious programs and attackers who might want to access our data.
The services of a VPN or Firewall are essential. However, they can sometimes stop devices like the Sonos speakers from accessing the home network.
So, consider disabling your VPN if you have one and any firewalls installed on the router.
If you notice that the speakers connect after turning off the Firewall, you can adjust it to be compatible with the Sonos speaker as suggested by Sonos.
For instance, they suggest setting the Network/Profile type to Private, Home, or Trusted.
Also, if your firewall needs to be manually configured, here are the firewall ports used by Sonos. You can add exceptions for these ports in your firewall settings.
Most Firewall programs are compatible with Sonos speakers, but they might misbehave from time to time.
If you notice that disabling the VPN gets the speakers to connect, you will have to do without it whenever you use the Sonos speakers.
Is Your Sonos Speaker Compatible with Your Wireless Network and App?
The Sonos speakers are also picky on the types of networks they can connect to and what apps are compatible with what speakers.
Therefore, ensure compatibility before attempting to connect the speakers to your phone through the app.
All Sonos products are compatible with 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g Wi-Fi. The speakers can also connect to unsecured Wi-Fi networks or networks that use WPA1 and WPA2 Personal security protocols.
However, the speakers are incompatible with networks that use WPA/WPA2 Enterprise security protocols and connections from range extenders.
If you have a mesh network, ensure you connect the speaker and your phone to the primary node, whether it is a wired or wireless connection.
The speakers cannot connect to guest networks, mobile hotspots, satellites, or LTE routers. Also, if your network requires the user to log in through a portal or it requires a certificate, it will be incompatible with the speakers, which can lead to the speakers not connecting as intended.
Not all Sonos speakers are compatible with 5GHz Wi-Fi networks, but some of those that run the S2 software are
Also, check whether your speaker is compatible with the Sonos app you are trying to connect to. This is because some speakers, like the Era 100, are only compatible with the Sonos 2 app.
SONOS Speaker/App Compatibility Details (source – SONOS)
Reduce the Wireless Signal Interference
There is bound to be some wireless interference when you have too many wireless products connected to your router. The devices will fight for the limited Wi-Fi space, which can result in the speaker not connecting to the app or constantly disappearing from the app.
You can reduce wireless signal interference by switching off devices that use the 2.4GHz frequency. Such devices include baby monitors, cordless phones, set-top boxes, and wireless security cameras.
Ways to Reduce Wi-Fi Interference
If you notice that the speakers connect after switching off these devices, move them at least half a meter away from the Sonos products.
Another option is to change the Sonos speakers and your router’s wireless channels.
You can change your router’s channels by logging into the router’s settings and following the manufacturer’s instructions. Sonos recommends changing the channel selection from automatic to manual and selecting channels 1, 6, or 11.
If you are using the wired setup and at least one Sonos speaker has connected to the app, you can also change the SonosNet channels.
Open the app on your Android or iOS device and select the settings tab. Go to System, select Network > SonosNet Channel, and change the channel to 1,6 or 11.
How to Change a Wi-Fi Channel on Your Router and a SONOSNet Channel?
You should choose different channels for the SonosNet and your router to reduce signal interference.
Finally, ensure there are few physical barriers between the phone, speakers, and routers since these can also weaken your wireless signal strength.
Contact Sonos
If the speakers are still not connecting, your problem could be unique and require a Sonos representative to address it. This is common with Sonos products, as various users report similar problems that are solved using different methods.
It is important to contact Sonos, especially if the speaker has already established a connection but keeps losing it. The representative will access the diagnostic information from your Sonos account, and it will help them identify where things went wrong.
As a final resort, you should factory reset the speakers, which will erase all the data saved on your Sonos system. So hold off resetting until you talk to the representative, and they advise you to do it.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: How do I reset my Sonos speaker?
- Answer: To reset the Sonos Era 100 and Era 300 speakers by disconnecting them from the power source. Then reconnect them to the power source after approximately ten seconds.
- Press and hold the Bluetooth button while reconnecting the power source, and only release it once the LED on the speakers lights green.
- Other models follow different resetting procedures, as stated by Sonos.
- Question: How do I reconnect my Sonos speaker?
- Answer: If the speaker disconnects from the Wi-Fi, the Sonos app will notify you when you open it. Select the prompt requesting you to fix the issue, and the app will guide you through the procedure.
Conclusion
Sonos speakers have spectacular audio and are very efficient for someone who is always on the move. So, it becomes an inconvenience whenever they malfunction, considering the hurdles you must go through to troubleshoot.
The suggestions above will help you have a strategy that will make it easier to identify the problem.
