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Alexa 'Scratch' Sound

  • May 15, 2026
  • 29 replies
  • 324 views
S

I have a new (~3 weeks) Sonos Era 100 that has developed a digital ‘scratch’ sound when waking up the voice assistant. Whenever I say “Alexa…” I’ll get the chime and what sounds like a short scratch/static sound. The rest of audio playback is fine, music is unaffected, and I’ve not heard this same sound aside from using the wake word.

Restarting the speaker didn’t do anything and I’m not sure if this is something I should initiate a return for, or if its a known issue with a fix.

Ideas are welcome.

 

Best answer by AjTrek1

If you are in this thread please read through the solutions that have worked thus far. Some require a bit more than others but all appear to be resolved without running a diagnostic and having to call Sonos Tech support. That’s not to say that a diagnostic and consulting Sonos Tech support will not be required in some extreme instances.

First and foremost DO NOT FACTORY RESET YOUR SPEAKER(S).

29 replies

Airgetlam
  • Airgetlam
  • May 15, 2026

No useful thought, other than you probably should call Sonos Support to discuss it. Depends on whether the scratch sound is coming from the Sonos connection (perhaps some sort of wifi interference  or requiring a simple disconnect / reconnect of the voice control in the controller) or if the signal is coming from the Alexa servers. Sonos should be able to tell, I’d think. 

Bruce
    AjTrek1
    • AjTrek1
    • May 15, 2026

    Try removing Alexa from the speaker and re-adding it.

    If that doesn’t resolve the problem run a diagnostic within 10 minutes of the occurrence. Make note of the reference ID (don’t publish it in the community) and call Sonos Tech support to review the data. Be sure to speak to a live person.

    Edit

    ​@Airgetlam types faster than me regarding calling Sonos Tech Support. 😊

    Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
      J
      • Jawkdna
      • Lyricist I
      • May 16, 2026

      I have this exact issue.  I think it started after the last firmware update. 

        Airgetlam
        • Airgetlam
        • May 16, 2026

        What did Sonos Support say, when you called in? 

        Bruce
        D
        • Dakers
        • Lyricist I
        • May 16, 2026

        Ditto, same issue only developed after the most recent firmware update. 

        AjTrek1
        • AjTrek1
        • May 16, 2026

        Not getting such on my Era 100 in stereo pair. Alexa is only enabled on one speaker.

        Did anyone try the suggestions mentioned? Beyond those suggestions there’s no more that can be done in the community.

        Although you can unplug all Sonos and reboot your router and then plug in your Sonos again to see if the issue is network related.

        Do not factory reset your speakers.

        Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
          L
          • loki980
          • Lyricist I
          • May 17, 2026

          Same issue here. Just started today. 

            C
            • Cbeez23
            • Lyricist I
            • May 17, 2026

            Same issue here, just started on 16th May, yesterday. Surely it must be an update issue?

            T

            Same on two out my three Alexa enabled speakers. Tried unplugging them both and removing Alexa from them both but the sound continues. Massively annoying!

            P
            • Preston_1
            • Lyricist I
            • May 17, 2026

            Same on my living room Arc. Massively annoying. 

            Stanley_4
            • Stanley_4
            • Grand Maestro
            • May 17, 2026

            Until folks start calling support this isn't going to be a priority fix.

            A mod may tag the topic but with no calls and and no user diagnostics that carries little weight.

            The squeaky wheel gets the grease . . . But only if it squeaks where the guy with the grease bucket hears it.

              J
              • jpijpi
              • Lyricist I
              • May 18, 2026

              Also experiencing this with 1 out of 4 of my Sonos Ones. 

              F
              Forum|alt.badge.img
              • fercho74
              • Trending Lyricist I
              • May 18, 2026

              Same issue on numerous speakers. Will open support ticket tomorrow.  Recent issue, after latest update as well.

                J
                • Jeh2026
                • Lyricist I
                • May 20, 2026

                Exact same problem here

                I have a Beam and a One- it started happening suddenly and out of nowhere overnight 

                Absolutely ridiculous and very annoying 

                  J
                  • Jawkdna
                  • Lyricist I
                  • May 20, 2026

                  Chatted with support and my issue was fixed after removing Alexa and re-adding the service.

                  Annoying but fixed.

                    F
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                    • fercho74
                    • Trending Lyricist I
                    • May 20, 2026

                    Chatted with support and my issue was fixed after removing Alexa and re-adding the service.

                    Annoying but fixed.

                    Did you remove on all affected speakers or just one?

                    AjTrek1
                    • AjTrek1
                    • May 20, 2026

                    Chatted with support and my issue was fixed after removing Alexa and re-adding the service.

                    Annoying but fixed.

                    Wow…l suggested that same solution 4 days ago. Oh ye of little faith…hmmm 😂😂😂

                    Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
                      C
                      • crocks
                      • Contributor I
                      • May 20, 2026

                      Same issue on my Sonos one. Removing and re adding did nothing.

                      AjTrek1
                      • AjTrek1
                      • May 20, 2026

                      Same issue on my Sonos one. Removing and re adding did nothing.

                      Sorry to hear that. Sometimes a seemingly similar issue may not be the same after all. You may do well to contact Sonos support.

                      Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
                        C
                        • crocks
                        • Contributor I
                        • May 20, 2026

                        Same issue on my Sonos one. Removing and re adding did nothing.

                        Sorry to hear that. Sometimes a seemingly similar issue may not be the same after all. You may do well to contact Sonos support.

                        Went through, removed every Sonos device from Alexa and Alexa from every Sonos device. After I added it again it fixed the popping noise. 

                          AjTrek1
                          • AjTrek1
                          • May 20, 2026

                          Same issue on my Sonos one. Removing and re adding did nothing.

                          Sorry to hear that. Sometimes a seemingly similar issue may not be the same after all. You may do well to contact Sonos support.

                          Went through, removed every Sonos device from Alexa and Alexa from every Sonos device. After I added it again it fixed the popping noise. 

                          Same issue on my Sonos one. Removing and re adding did nothing.

                          Sorry to hear that. Sometimes a seemingly similar issue may not be the same after all. You may do well to contact Sonos support.

                          Went through, removed every Sonos device from Alexa and Alexa from every Sonos device. After I added it again it fixed the popping noise. 

                          Great! Sometimes a deeper dive is required 😊

                          Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
                            T

                            Same on two out my three Alexa enabled speakers. Tried unplugging them both and removing Alexa from them both but the sound continues. Massively annoying!

                            Tuned off the chime option and turned it back on again and it fixed the issue for me

                              AjTrek1
                              • AjTrek1
                              • Answer
                              • May 20, 2026

                              If you are in this thread please read through the solutions that have worked thus far. Some require a bit more than others but all appear to be resolved without running a diagnostic and having to call Sonos Tech support. That’s not to say that a diagnostic and consulting Sonos Tech support will not be required in some extreme instances.

                              First and foremost DO NOT FACTORY RESET YOUR SPEAKER(S).

                              Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
                              F
                              Forum|alt.badge.img
                              • fercho74
                              • Trending Lyricist I
                              • May 20, 2026

                              So I turned off “Start of Request” and “End of Request” toggles for the Sonos speaker IN THE ALEXA APP, that worked while it was toggled off.  If I toggled back on, popping noise came back.

                              Toggling the “Wake Word Chime” in the Sonos app did nothing.

                              AjTrek1
                              • AjTrek1
                              • May 20, 2026

                              ​@fercho74 

                              Did you try the other suggested solutions?

                              Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
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