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I have a playbar on one tv and a playbase on another tv, also several other play:1 play:3 and connect:Amp.

When I use my phone or laptop as a source and switch to 'party mode', everything is perfect - always.

When I watch either TV with only it's playbase or playbar - it works flawlessly.

If, however, I attempt to group any other speakers to either the playbase or playbar sourced by TV sound - the audio cuts out every few seconds. This just started fairly recently - I recall watching some football this way (party mode) with no issues the entire evening - but by the time playoffs rolled around - it's not usable in that way. I'm unable to think of any significant changes that have been made since I recall this working - maybe the playbase is that new - it arrived on christmas day. :)



Another interesting thing to note is that the source playbase or playbar (depending on which tv I want to broadcast) never cuts out - only the satellite grouped speakers cut out - and they all cut out together.



This occurs with 'smart app' sourced audio as well as DTV sourced audio - I'm quite confident it's not a tv/receiver audio output issue in that the two setups are completely different but are behaving identically - also - the 'main' speaker never cuts out.



I tried switching between BOOST and home wifi - no change.

Only a single play:1 is not hardwired to the Gigabit Cat6e LAN.

I tried disabling the wificontrol - no change.

External interference is unlikely - I don't have many neighbors nearby.



I ran the diagnostics: 8505842

Currently playing Netflix Smart TV App in Master Bedroom - grouped in party mode and cutting out everywhere but MasterBedroom Playbar.



Associated ZP: 192.168.5.235

---------------------------------

PLAY:3: Bathroom

Serial Number: B8-E9-37-D0-90-8A:1

Version: 8.3 (build 40549090)

Hardware Version: 1.8.1.3-1

IP Address: 192.168.5.172

WM: 0

OTP:

---------------------------------

PLAY:1: Kitchen (L)

Serial Number: 5C-AA-FD-4D-FE-A2:F

Version: 8.3 (build 40549090)

Hardware Version: 1.8.3.7-1

IP Address: 192.168.5.235

WM: 0

OTP:

---------------------------------

PLAY:1: Kitchen (R)

Serial Number: 5C-AA-FD-4E-01-F2:D

Version: 8.3 (build 40549090)

Hardware Version: 1.8.3.7-1

IP Address: 192.168.5.243

WM: 0

OTP:

---------------------------------

PLAYBASE: Living Room

Serial Number: 5C-AA-FD-32-F1-5D:8

Version: 8.3 (build 40549090)

Hardware Version: 1.14.1.11-1

IP Address: 192.168.5.196

Audio In:

WM: 0

---------------------------------

PLAYBAR: Master Bedroom

Serial Number: 5C-AA-FD-17-9A-19:D

Version: 8.3 (build 40549090)

Hardware Version: 1.9.1.10-1

IP Address: 192.168.5.241

Audio In: Dolby Digital 2.0

WM: 0

OTP:

---------------------------------

PLAY:3: Office

Serial Number: B8-E9-37-DC-5C-42:8

Version: 8.3 (build 40549090)

Hardware Version: 1.8.1.3-1

IP Address: 192.168.5.208

WM: 0

OTP:

---------------------------------

CONNECT:AMP: Patio

Serial Number: 5C-AA-FD-EA-20-AE:D

Version: 8.3 (build 40549090)

Hardware Version: 1.17.3.1-1

IP Address: 192.168.5.60

WM: 0

OTP: 1.1.1(1-17-3-2.1)
Are others able to replicate this issue when grouping other speakers with a playbase/bar tv source audio or is it just me?



I think I may try unplugging them all and see if maybe if all I have is a playbar and a play3 online - will it work, then if that works, bring one more online, etc... I just joined the beta program - maybe there's hope inside that...
I have the same issue with TV sound and just posted a message. Two surrounds and any grouped speakers cut out but Playbase works fine. I am pretty sure it is since the latest app/firmware update. Never had issues before.

Hopefully a solution will be forthcoming.
Update:

I unplugged everything except for 1 playbar and 1 playbase.

I grouped playbar to playbase - no audio cutouts.

I grouped playbase to playbar - no audio cutouts.



Diagnostic (success): 8511677



Plan: I'll add in the connect:amp and see what happens, run diagnostic, post here.

Repeat with one more speaker until audio cuts out, then see if it's a quantity of sonos issue or a specific speakerset that's to blame.



K
Update2:

So far so good, I added the connect:Amp to the mix.

If anyone's following: playbase is sharing audio from direcTv - olympics; playbar is sharing audio from smartTv Netflix app - guardians of galaxy 2.



playbase(wired) + playbar(wired) + connect:amp(wired) = no audio cutouts when grouped to either playbase or playbar.



Diagnostic (success): 8511789



On Deck: Adding in a Play:3 (wired)...
Update3:



That broke it - I didn't even have to group it, simply bringing the Play:3 online resulted in audio cutting out on the grouped speakers.



playbase(wired) + playbar(wired) + connect:amp(wired) + play:3(wired) = audio cut outs - did not even have to add play:3 to group.



Diagnostic (fail): 8511869



Plan: I'll unplug just the play:3 and see if it gets back to good.
Update4:

With the Play:3 unplugged, the system did not roll back to perfect - however the frequency of the cut-outs appears to have diminished from every 5 or so seconds to maybe every 45 sec or minute...



Diagnostic (fail): 8511977

This Diagnostic should align with Update2 diagnostic above where the sound (allegedly) did not cut out.



Possibly I was not patient enough to notice actual skipping previously during update2 above.



Plan: I'll drop the connect:amp out of the set up, wait 5 minutes and then see if it can go a full 5 minutes with no cutout.
Update5:



Regressing back to only the PlayBar and PlayBase - I was able to make it through over 5 minutes without any noticeable audio cut outs.



Diagnostic (success): 8512149



Plan: I'll keep the connect:Amp out of the mix and add just the same Play:3 as earlier back in and see what happens.
Update6:



Adding in the Play:3 does not appear to have broken anything - I was able to enjoy audio for over 5 minutes without any cut-out.



Diagnostic (success): 8512225



For this round, I'm only leaving the playbar/playbase grouped and simply bringing the other units online.



Plan: Adding an additional Play:3(wired) to the mix and will give it a listen, keeping the connect:amp out of the mix for now to see how far I can get. My theory is that adding this 4th component will result in the noticeable audio cut-out issue.
Update7:



Interesting - no audio cutouts in over 5 minutes with



playbar + playbase + play:3 + play:3



Diagnostics (success): 8512324



Plan: For this next test, I'm going to keep everything as-is and simply group both play:3 components and see if it holds.
Update8:

As expected, I don't believe that grouping/ungrouping has any significant impact on this issue. It's been over 5 minutes with no audio cut out.



Diagnostics (success): 8512385



The issue I'm having appears related to either a quantity of devices or a combination of devices (or some specific faulty device). Possibly different components have different 'weights' where eventually the total component weight is too much for whatever the problem is - if that theory is accurate, the connect:Amp is the heavyweight in my setup.



I only have a pair of Play:1's and the connect:Amp left to test with.

I think I should fully expect it to fail if I add the connect:Amp - since it failed previously with that component and just one of the play:3 components.



Plan: I think I'll learn more with this next test if I add one Play:1(wired)
Update9:



Still going strong after 5 minutes of bringing a Play:1 (wired) to the party. Certainly is making a strong case for giving my Connect:Amp the stink-eye.



Diagnostic (success): 8512430



Plan: I'm going to bring in the other Play:1 (wireless) and at this point I'm kind of expecting it to work fine and pin the tail on that Connect:Amp. If that holds, then the Q is there a specific problem with *my* connect:AMP, or is it something wrong with all of them - or something else entirely 🙂.
Update10:



No issues after adding the second Play:1(wireless) - I'm going to add them (everything) to the group and let it ride a bit longer.



Diagnostic (success): 8512483
Update11:



I hope all of this is helpful.



It's a full on party mode, all components except the connect:AMP are enabled and grouped and playing audio from the direcTV signal sourced from the playBase. No audio cutouts during the last 10 or so minutes.



Diagnostic (success): 8512532



I'm convinced now that when I add the connect:Amp, I'll start hearing a lot of audio cut-outs.

Further, I expect the cut-outs to disappear after unplugging the connect:Amp...



I'll let you know in a few minutes! I'm certain you are all on the edges of your seats by now.
Yep - it's cutting out within seconds of the connect:Amp coming on line...
Diagnostic (fail) - 8512560
Update12:

Pulling the plug on the connect:Amp put the system back to good (no audio skips).



One thing to recall - broadcasting music sourced from an iPhone or MacBook is OK with the connect:Amp enabled.

Only when the audio is sourced from either the PlayBase or the PlayBar does the audio cut-out occur.



Help me Sonos Support - you're my only hope!



CONNECT:AMP: Patio

Serial Number: 5C-AA-FD-EA-20-AE:D

Version: 8.3 (build 40549090)

Hardware Version: 1.17.3.1-1

IP Address: 192.168.5.60

WM: 0

OTP: 1.1.1(1-17-3-2.1)
Update13:

On phone with tech support - they're pretty great btw. Thanks John.



They had me relocate the AMP, so I dropped one of the Play:3 and leveraged the network cable and powercable and switch for that component to take those potential faulty connections out of the mix also.



Next step is I need to review my router configuration with regards to 'Spanning Tree Protocol' before we get to the next level.
Hi there, kphagen. Thanks for posting and welcome to the Community. From what you've posted so far, it seems the best course of action would be to give our support technicians a call to troubleshoot this with you in real time. They are able to work with you in real time through a remote session and get a closer look at what is happening with the CONNECT:AMP.



I see you are working with a Luxul Router, what is the make and model of that router and the switch you are using? Thanks!
Glad to see you are on the phone with support! Feel free to reach out should you run into any other problems.
Update: I'm still struggling with my router support to review recommended settings - but I've done some more isolation.



I have an AC3100 (xwr-3100) Luxul router and two High Power AC1900 Dual-Band Wireless Access Points (xap-1510).

Also included is a switch that runs most of the home LAN connections: Netgear ProSAFE GS748T



In my media closet is another switch, CISCO sg100-16 (v2). This is the switch that the AMP was using to get on the network. I'm still working to get access to this switch but - here's the update.



When I moved the connect:AMP off of this switch - the problem persisted. However, I then turned the switch off and I'm not getting the audio cut-out. There appears to be some angry talk between the CISCO and the AMP which brings things down.



Here's a diagnostic (success) without the CISCO but with the AMP: 8513952
Update: That's it, once I powered up the Cisco - the cut-outs kicked back on. I'll work to gain access to the admin of the Cisco and make the suggested modifications - or I'll replace this component with something else - i think i was trying to make use of some spare parts I had lying around...



I think you guys have this scenario in your diagnostic lib already: 8513004
Rather than burn any more of my time on it (President's Day is over) - I saw this on sale and will just get the Cisco off my network for good. https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Ethernet-Unmanaged-Lifetime-Protection/dp/B01AX8XHRQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1519143619&sr=8-3&keywords=16+port+gigabit+switch



It is supposed to arrive tomorrow - so maybe I'll have new news to report by the weekend.
Update: Well, that was a bust. Maybe it's one of my downstream media components that's not playing nice with the connect:AMP. I probably should have tried pulled those unessential connections before buying a new switch...
Not sure how many times in my life I need to learn this lesson, but clearly it was at least one more time.

I paid someone to set up my network for me and I think I just invested the same amount of time in unraveling it and understanding it enough to know they did some dumb stuff - but it sure does look neat, tidy and tight! :)



So, to recap, the skipping kept coming back anytime I enabled my unmanaged media closet switch - which in turn would bring the two WAPs online. If I disconnected the two WAPs, all was well - but when either one or both of them were plugged in - I'd start to get cut outs. I'm still baffled as to why this only occurred when audio was sourced from the playbar/playbase AND when a connect:AMP was online.



Anyway, I was unable to gain access to my main router and wap manager (sigh - they make "support" sound so good when they're selling it and you're tired of messing with it). But, what I could get into was my managed Netgear GS748T. After reading this thread, https://en.community.sonos.com/troubleshooting-228999/sonos-and-netgear-managed-switch-6761940/index1.html#post16199215 , I decided to give it a try.



It appears to be in direct conflict with the guidance being offered by Sonos documentation which writes a fairly confusing novel as to how one should Enable STP. This guy very clearly lists it out in a few steps.

Boom! No cut outs, WAPs back online - everything is on.



My initial settings on the Netgear 748T (when it was not working):

Spanning Tree State: Enable

STP Operation Mode: RSTP

Forward BPDU while STP Disabled: Disable



After making only the following changes - my issue was resolved.

Spanning Tree State: Disable

STP Operation Mode: STP

Forward BPDU while STP Disabled: Enable



I know I don't fully understand STP even though I've read enough that I probably should - so I probably don't know what I'm missing out on - but it doesn't seem to have any side effects at this time.



@Support : Here's my current diagnostic: 1796207156



Kevin
It's been a week and no issues!

#closed