I think I've made an expensive mistake.

why is it not affecting other devices?
Other uses like browsing do not need the stability needed for continuous music streaming in a multi room environment: if your browser stutters, you won't even notice it the way you will if music does.

Not to rain on someone’s parade…but I guess I am.

Reference to Firewall’s specs set by Norton. Norton is a SOFTWARE running on a computer. All of the Norton settings made are resident to that one piece of hardware and affects only how it (the computer) will interact with traffic over one’s network.

Conversely, Sonos performance relative to Norton are only affected when using the Sonos App resident on that computer. If using the Sonos App on an iPhone or compatible tablet the settings made to the Norton software on the computer have no influence over how Sonos performs.

The only configuration that would globally affect Sonos performance (using a computer, iPhone or tablet) with respect to a firewall or port settings would be those made at the HARDWARE level or more specifically at the ROUTER.

I have an Asus AC5300 Router Tri-Band router and it’s locked down tighter than a melted engine block. I have no problems streaming on any of my Wi-Fi enabled devices. I also run BitDefender on my computers with Windows Defender adjusted down to a secondary periodic background scan. My point being that having an understanding of how Wi-Fi works (or router configuration) solves/prevents a multitude of issues. I might also add that I use a Boost Component (not a speaker) setup with my Sonos which is what I always recommend. Some will use a Sonos speaker to accomplish the Boost but I prefer the dedicated Boost component.

What I have been leading up to is….

This is a great forum to get help and learn about Sonos. However, a lot of the finger pointing at Sonos IMO is unwarranted. The majority of the issues by my observation always come back to two things:

Lack of user knowledge which is one reason why this forum exists (we all have learn); and the biggest one IMO_NETWORK issues.

Network issues are always going to be the prime suspect. However, blaming Sonos is not going to resolve the problem. Sonos cannot possibly in a million years anticipate the multiplicity of network setups that consumers will have in their homes. The UPnP (Universal Plug n’ Play) touted by manufacturers of networking equipment is the biggest misnomer since it was believed that the Sun revolved around the Earth. The Sonos speaker is a relatively simple setup it’s the networks that cause the issues.

To be fair I will allow that Sonos has made a few missteps with the Sonos App upgrades. People don’t like change…but guess what…change is inevitable. It’s the price we pay for improvements and progress.

Bottom-line…understanding networking is key. If you don’t understand it that’s OK…get help from a friend or the neighbors kid down the street. Remember, you can always call Sonos if you don’t mind the wait. Cheers!

One last comment on networking....I am not referring to browsing, I am referring to streaming apps. I have no issue streaming on my phone or computer and they go in and out of the network regularly, no delays or studdars on either.

One last comment on networking…

Two of the biggest so-called consumer networking conveniences are WPS and UPnP. They are in reality vulnerabilities and can lead to other problems within a network.

I have both of those so-called conveniences blocked at the Hardware Level via my Router Settings. Nothing gets on my network via WPS or UPnP Protocol. You might consider checking to see if your network allows them and if so I recommend disabling the features. Doing so may cause certain devices to disconnect but they can be added back to your network the old-fashion way (i.e. SSID and Passphrase).

View the links for more info on WPS and UPnP.

WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi_Protected_Setup

UPnP (Universal Plug n Play)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Plug_and_Play

Well, you certainly have not provided much information to us to help in rectifying this issue. Are you interested in assistance, or did you just want to vent?

Sonos with Alexa needs a lot of work. I am sorry I bought 2 new speakers. Waste of money. I went back to the Echo. I will give up a little sound quality for something that actually works.

90% of all problems can be corrected by assigning fixed IP addresses to your network devices. IP addresses - problem for routers in the 90s and problem today. Sonos can't fix issues with routers assigning the same number twice.

I update my Sonos and other network devices consistently and have absolutely no troubles. No matter how many times people want to act like its a Sonos issue it almost always is not. Fix your router. Fix your IP addresses. Troubles gone.

Chris, here is my issue with the fix you suggest: I should not have to do this. Every single product I have that connects to my Wi-Fi network works seamlessly, with the exception of the Playbar. Fixing my router is not something I should have to go through because I purchased a Sonos product. It is absolutely unacceptable, even if it works, for a user to have to spend time diagnosing issues, wait half an hour on hold, then adjust their router when other products using Wi-Fi and the exact same applications have no issue. That is an inherent problem in how the product connects to the Wi-Fi network on its own, and you cannot expect people with very little IT experience to start messing with router configurations.

I don't agree abear33. Many times the Sonos issue is not Sonos but those other devices that are holding on to IP addresses they shouldn't have to.

About every single time my iphone gets a firmware it will corrupt its IP address. That's a fact.

When a Sonos unit boots and gets an IP address from the router that is already being used by another device that is not the fault of Sonos (but the reboot sure made the issue happen). The issue is the router not knowing another device is still holding on to that lease (so in most circumstances it is the other device that is the issue).

I know when I first had the problem with my Sonos years ago it was an older slingbox that was holding on to an IP address that my router assigned to my Connect:Amp.

Saying it doesn't happen is just ignoring the facts for your own narrative. Facts are the more network devices you have the more issues you have. Getting help and fixing properly actually isn't difficult but you also can't be stubborn enough to just say "I shouldn't have to deal with it because well I shouldn't"

product works as advertised ... a few hundred people asking for help vs. millions units sold does not equal a Sonos issue. It equals people needing help with their network issues because inherently networks will develop issues. Be in as much denial as you want but I'm sure your problems can be easily remedied with a little troubleshooting.

ok disagree then. I will go back to listening to my 13 troublefree Sonos Zones.

Still playing....:)