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Contributor I
November 30, 2017
Answered

Make Sonos work without internet

I would just like to play the music from my media server over my Sonos speakers without having to have a connection to the internet.
Is that such a hard thing to ask Sonos to provide ?
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biggetjeindewei
Collaborator II
October 8, 2018
I would just like to play the music from my media server over my Sonos speakers without having to have a connection to the internet.
As long as your router is broadcasting IP addresses, you should be fine.
I have a separate modem and router. A few weeks ago I had to switch off the modem for a full day to do some maintenance on my network, meanwhile SONOS was playing my music from the NAS without interruptions, and could be controlled via the iPad and iPhone without any issue.
Maurice

22 replies

jgatie
November 30, 2017
As long as all Sonos units and controllers are on the same software/firmware versions, there is no need to be connected to the internet if you are streaming local music from your own personal library.
MessAuthor
Contributor I
November 30, 2017
Nope! the Sonos program on the Windows 10 PC (media server) just says cannot find Sonos system. As does the app on the android phone. :@
If I set the music playing then disconnect the adsl the music continues to play but I am unable to control it using the PC or the phone which just complain about not finding the Sonos system. :(

And what happens if you don't have any internet connections at all ?
pwt
Virtuoso
November 30, 2017
Nope! the Sonos program on the Windows 10 PC (media server) just says cannot find Sonos system. As does the app on the android phone. :@
If I set the music playing then disconnect the adsl the music continues to play but I am unable to control it using the PC or the phone which just complain about not finding the Sonos system. :(

And what happens if you don't have any internet connections at all ?


You have something else going on. Playback from local network sources works fine for me without Internet access -- was using it this morning during a Virgin Media outage for scheduled maintenance.
4 x P:5 | Sub | 4 x P:1 | 3 x Connect | 2 x Boost | Connect:Amp | 2 x One | Amp | Move | Port | Era 300
Enthusiast II
December 1, 2017
then disconnect the adsl

I will make an assumption that you are using a combined router/modem rather than a separate modem (you would know if you were running seperate). When you say disconnect, do you mean disconnect the phone line or unplug.

If you unplug you are essentially killing the network the PC uses to talk to the sonos, and the same for the wi-fi network the the phone is likely using.
Owner since 2006: Legacy System(8.4):3*CR100:1*ZP80:4*ZP100:1*Play 5. - S1 System:1*ZP100:1*Z120. - S2 System:5*Amp:1*Port:2*Five:1*Arc,1*Move:1*Play Bar:1*Subwoofer:5*Play1 : Long live the CR100!
Lyricist II
October 8, 2018
Nope lost internet today for 6 hours WiFi in home was still active but could not play music via Sonos in fact had music playing when it went off. Only way I could get music playing was via Airplay but ceiling speakers are not Airplay so these wouldn’t work. Basically with no internet Sonos is a defunct piece of equipment in home. There must be a set up to play when offline.
October 8, 2018
I use my holiday home system without an internet connection - it plays fine. Not sure why yours won't but it isn't a generic issue
Airgetlam
October 8, 2018
Airplay works across wifi, to the best of my knowledge. Doesn't need an outside internet connection, just a local wifi connection.....just like Sonos.

Although I think Sonos now needs an outside connection in order to set up new speakers. But certainly not to play local content. When I moved, I was playing music from my NAS to help me unpack long before I had an outside connection.

What source was the music you were attempting to play, Silverfox1? When you were looking in the controller app, could you see your Sonos speakers?
Bruce
Airgetlam
October 8, 2018
I sit corrected. AirPlay does require a network, but it doesn't have to be wifi, it can be bluetooth (or wired) , according to this article:

https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/airplay1.htm
Bruce
AjTrek1
October 8, 2018
Hi @silverfox

You don't need an internet connection to play music that is downloaded (resident) to your device. You only need the internet if you are streaming live from a service (i.e. Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music etc). The only other issues that would prevent you from playing downloaded music are: No WiFi or out-of-date Sonos App.

Cheers!
Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
biggetjeindewei
Collaborator II
October 8, 2018
I would just like to play the music from my media server over my Sonos speakers without having to have a connection to the internet.
As long as your router is broadcasting IP addresses, you should be fine.
I have a separate modem and router. A few weeks ago I had to switch off the modem for a full day to do some maintenance on my network, meanwhile SONOS was playing my music from the NAS without interruptions, and could be controlled via the iPad and iPhone without any issue.
Maurice