Skip to main content
hadley220
Contributor I
October 25, 2017
Question

Sonos One Alexa not working correctly

  • October 25, 2017
  • 36 replies
  • 10890 views
Set up new Sonos One. Alexa will start playing when requested but when requested to stop or pause, Alexa responds with "I can change playback mode only when music is playing" despite the fact that music is currently playing. Alexa will respond to other questions like "what's the weather?" but then music resumes. Alexa just won't stop, or play music on another speaker once started.
    This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.

    36 replies

    Show previous replies
    nicg
    Lyricist II
    November 4, 2017
    Can't wait for Sonos/Alexa to sort out this bug - really annoying after having the system working (almost) perfectly albeit awaiting the full Spotify integration. I hope I don't have to wait until 21st December to get this new issue resolved and proper functionality back ?
    Loop
    Lyricist II
    November 4, 2017
    The reason why the commands are not working is because you probably started playing your music thru the app. I noticed if you do so, voice commands Do Not work. You have to stop music thru app. As long as you start your music thru Alexa all commands for playing, pausing, skipping songs will work. Its really annoying. Hope this helps.
      nicg
      Lyricist II
      November 4, 2017
      The commands used to work when started playing via app as mainly listen to Spotify have to start this way.
      Alexa will not start playing music via voice command
        Loop
        Lyricist II
        November 4, 2017
        The commands used to work when started playing via app as mainly listen to Spotify have to start this way.
        Alexa will not start playing music via voice command

        Oh I see. I use Amazon Music. Either way, the voice commands should work regardless of where the music is coming from. I feel your frustration.
        DrRob
        Lyricist I
        November 4, 2017
        I have just developed exactly the same issue with my sonos and Alexa after it had been working perfectly for over a week - have tried all sorts but cannot rectify the problem currently - very frustrating.
        DrRob
        Lyricist I
        November 4, 2017
        This is my second Sonos one to have problem. First one wouldn’t connect to music services despite Alexa saying it was connecting. This time it’s worked for a week and now doesn’t play again. Very frustrated and feel like I’m training their tech support staff.
        jasonrn2000
        Trending Lyricist I
        November 4, 2017
        I am having exact problem. When I start something within the Sonos app, Alexa does not "see" it. I get same response: I can change playback mode only when music is playing

        Really frustrating. I don't recall this happening when I first got it.
        Anonymous
        November 5, 2017
        The reason why the commands are not working is because you probably started playing your music thru the app. I noticed if you do so, voice commands Do Not work. You have to stop music thru app. As long as you start your music thru Alexa all commands for playing, pausing, skipping songs will work. Its really annoying. Hope this helps.

        This is the issue but it worked a week ago. I think an update was pushed server side and functionality has since been diminished.
        UKMedia
        UKMedia
        November 6, 2017
        Can you please try these actions:

        - In the Alexa app, select 'Skills' and disable the Sonos Skill;
        - In the Alexa app (PC version), select 'Smart Home' then 'Devices';
        - Select 'Forget All' at the bottom of the screen;
        - In the Sonos app, select 'Settings' and for each of the Sonos 1's remove 'Voice Recognition';
        - If you have a Connect, Boost or other wired device, please power down and then switch on and wait for it to boot;
        - Power down the Sonos 1's and then switch them back on and wait for them to boot;
        - In the Sonos app, Select 'Manage' and then select 'Add a player or sub' and add the two Sonos 1's again. This will complete the set-up process again;
        - In the Alexa app, select 'Skills' and ensure the Sonos skill is enabled, if not please 'Enable';
        - In the Alexa app (must be PC version), select 'Smart Home' then 'Devices'
        - Select 'Discover' at the bottom of the screen. Ensure that your Sonos 1's are displayed correctly and not shown as 'Off Line'. Also ensure that there are no devices with the same name (To ensure my Sonos devices are not duplicated, I've added Sonos to the end of each of my players within the Sonos App. Remember, if you want to do this, rename before selecting 'Discover';

        Please retest and let me know the result.
        Remember: Sometimes Red Wine helps :)
          UKMedia
          UKMedia
          November 6, 2017
          The reason why the commands are not working is because you probably started playing your music thru the app. I noticed if you do so, voice commands Do Not work. You have to stop music thru app. As long as you start your music thru Alexa all commands for playing, pausing, skipping songs will work. Its really annoying. Hope this helps.

          Starting audio from the app and then controlling via Voice works for me.
          Remember: Sometimes Red Wine helps :)
          Show more replies
          Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement