Need help from this group (and Sonos): I was on the phone with tech support yesterday trying to solve this problem: I have an Arc Ultra, 8 Architectral ceiling speakers in Family Room, plus two more in Kitchen (separate amps for each). If I watch TV, sound bar comes on when tv is on via hdmi, as intended. Volume is often too low while watching HBO, for instance, so I use the Sonos app to add the ceiling speakers while using the soundbar. That way, volume and sound is improved.
Here’s the problem: if I turn off the tv, and then turn it on later, the group I made by adding the ceiling speakers is “remembered”, so the volume is quite loud on YouTube TV, for instance, when I select that app with the tv remote.
The goal: when the tv gets turned on, the only speaker that comes on should be the soundbar. Sonos support advised to turn off “tv auto play” for the ceiling speakers and also turn on “tv autoplay” and “ungroup on autoplay” in the sound bar settings. The idea is that the ceiling speakers would no longer be grouped when the tv was turned on that second time ( they would default to “no content” or “Spotify“), for instance.
The problem: it doesn’t work! Sonos tech could not figure out why, thinking there may be a bug in the app. We reset the app, reset all the speakers, but it still would not work. He took my diagnostics and said their team would have to work on it.
Any one else having the same issue? Solution? The obvious one is to manually remove the ceiling speakers from the group each time I get ready to turn off the tv, or remove them when I turn on the tv, but I want it to be done automatically, which the tech claimed was the purpose of the “ungroup on autoplay”, but it doesn’t work!!
We just want the control of the soundbar (using tv remote) when the tv is first turned on. That way, the volume is not super loud from the ceiling speakers also always coming on. To have to go to the app and either lower their volume, or uncheck them and “apply” is a hassle which is why the “ungroup on autoplay” feature would be great (if it actually worked).
Hoping Sonos users can boost this app fix request by posting here…..
Note: not interested in making the ceiling speakers part of a “home theater” set up as I realize the tv remote can do a global lowering of the volume. The architectural speakers operate at about 25% of their capabilities in home theater environment and sound pretty bad. Tried that and you still have to open the app to adjust individual speaker volumes.
I am ok with having to add the ceiling speakers, if needed , to the soundbar, just don’t want them to auto join first thing in the morning.
I could be wrong, but I thought the Ungroup on Autoplay was only applicable when you were playing a music stream and the ungrouping would then occur when you switched back to a TV source. But if you were listening to TV audio and just turned off the TV and turned it back on again, the grouping would remain as the “source” hasn’t changed.
If you use Sonos Voice Control on Arc Ultra, a simple command of “Hey Sonos, ungroup everywhere” as you turn on the TV will mean only the soundbar will play audio.
I could be wrong, but I thought the Ungroup on Autoplay was only applicable when you were playing a music stream and the ungrouping would then occur when you switched back to a TV source. But if you were listening to TV audio and just turned off the TV and turned it back on again, the grouping would remain as the “source” hasn’t changed.
Not sure……support did not address this
I could be wrong, but I thought the Ungroup on Autoplay was only applicable when you were playing a music stream and the ungrouping would then occur when you switched back to a TV source. But if you were listening to TV audio and just turned off the TV and turned it back on again, the grouping would remain as the “source” hasn’t changed.
Not sure……support did not address this
Ungroup on Autoplay definitely works when you switch from a music source back to TV audio when the television remains on throughout.
Can’t even find a support page for the Ungroup on Autoplay function to see what is detailed there.
Last night, just before I turned TV off, I grouped a pair of Era 100s with the Arc Ultra. This morning, when I turned on the TV, only the Arc Ultra played TV audio as the “group” separated. Therefore, Ungroup on Autoplay was successful on my system.
On a further test, I regrouped the 2 rooms playing TV audio. I turned off the TV and after roughly 10-12mins (likely when the speakers go into idle mode as no audio is being received) looking at the Sonos app, I can see that the “source” for the group has automatically switched to Music . Consequently, when I turn on the TV again, TV Autoplay kicks in on Arc Ultra and the Era 100s are ungrouped as Ungroup on Autoplay is also enabled.
Hopefully, the diagnostics you have already provided support will show why Ungroup on Autoplay is not working for you.
I have a vague recollection that someone found the toggle switches for something or other in their app was reversed. Try toggling the switches off and on, and if that doesn’t work try the combinations of on and off for the two options.
Last night, just before I turned TV off, I grouped a pair of Era 100s with the Arc Ultra. This morning, when I turned on the TV, only the Arc Ultra played TV audio as the “group” separated. Therefore, Ungroup on Autoplay was successful on my system.
On a further test, I regrouped the 2 rooms playing TV audio. I turned off the TV and after roughly 10-12mins (likely when the speakers go into idle mode as no audio is being received) looking at the Sonos app, I can see that the “source” for the group has automatically switched to Music . Consequently, when I turn on the TV again, TV Autoplay kicks in on Arc Ultra and the Era 100s are ungrouped as Ungroup on Autoplay is also enabled.
Hopefully, the diagnostics you have already provided support will show why Ungroup on Autoplay is not working for you.
I did not wait that long as support was in the phone with me, but will give it a try…thanks!
Last night, just before I turned TV off, I grouped a pair of Era 100s with the Arc Ultra. This morning, when I turned on the TV, only the Arc Ultra played TV audio as the “group” separated. Therefore, Ungroup on Autoplay was successful on my system.
On a further test, I regrouped the 2 rooms playing TV audio. I turned off the TV and after roughly 10-12mins (likely when the speakers go into idle mode as no audio is being received) looking at the Sonos app, I can see that the “source” for the group has automatically switched to Music . Consequently, when I turn on the TV again, TV Autoplay kicks in on Arc Ultra and the Era 100s are ungrouped as Ungroup on Autoplay is also enabled.
Hopefully, the diagnostics you have already provided support will show why Ungroup on Autoplay is not working for you.
I did not wait that long as support was in the phone with me, but will give it a try…thanks!
Follow up: I turned the tv on this morning and all were still grouped. Frustrated! Not sure what to do. I checked my tv power options, and the tv is not in any kind of sleep mode.
Follow up: I turned the tv on this morning and all were still grouped. Frustrated! Not sure what to do. I checked my tv power options, and the tv is not in any kind of sleep mode.
First, I’d take a diagnostic and keep a record of the number.
There could be a specific issue with the Amp being grouped that causes something in the process to break. I don’t have an Amp so can’t test with that device grouped. Maybe someone else here would be able to check on that from their system.
For the Amp that you group, is there music in the queue showing in the Sonos app prior to grouping to play TV audio? You could see what happens on your system if you group the Arc Ultra and your Amp, play music to the group, then turn the TV on.
I have a vague recollection that someone found the toggle switches for something or other in their app was reversed. Try toggling the switches off and on, and if that doesn’t work try the combinations of on and off for the two options.
Just tried this…..still not working like it should.thanks for the suggestion, but not sure why it won’t work?
Follow up: I turned the tv on this morning and all were still grouped. Frustrated! Not sure what to do. I checked my tv power options, and the tv is not in any kind of sleep mode.
First, I’d take a diagnostic and keep a record of the number.
There could be a specific issue with the Amp being grouped that causes something in the process to break. I don’t have an Amp so can’t test with that device grouped. Maybe someone else here would be able to check on that from their system.
For the Amp that you group, is there music in the queue showing in the Sonos app prior to grouping to play TV audio? You could see what happens on your system if you group the Arc Ultra and your Amp, play music to the group, then turn the TV on.
Ok, so I tried that, and YES, if I play music on the system, then switch to TV, only the soundbar remains as the output, and the other two amps remain on the music. (This is with the soundbar slider in Home Theater set to autoplay and ungroup—the amps are not set to either these options) Hopefully Sonos can figure out a solution to ungroup TV when watching from the previous evening and then turning it on the next morning ungrouped.
Follow up: I turned the tv on this morning and all were still grouped. Frustrated! Not sure what to do. I checked my tv power options, and the tv is not in any kind of sleep mode.
First, I’d take a diagnostic and keep a record of the number.
There could be a specific issue with the Amp being grouped that causes something in the process to break. I don’t have an Amp so can’t test with that device grouped. Maybe someone else here would be able to check on that from their system.
For the Amp that you group, is there music in the queue showing in the Sonos app prior to grouping to play TV audio? You could see what happens on your system if you group the Arc Ultra and your Amp, play music to the group, then turn the TV on.
Ok, so I tried that, and YES, if I play music on the system, then switch to TV, only the soundbar remains as the output, and the other two amps remain on the music. (This is with the soundbar slider in Home Theater set to autoplay and ungroup—the amps are not set to eitof these options) Hopefully Sonos can figure out a solution to ungroup TV when watching from the previous evening and then turning it on the next morning ungrouped.
That’s good, the TV Autoplay and Ungroup on Autoplay is working in that scenario.
As I say, I don’t have an Amp, but if you are not using the Amps in a Home Theatre setup, I wouldn’t have thought the options for TV Autoplay and Ungroup on Autoplay would be visible under the respective Amp’s room settings.
When you say “the amps are not set to either of these options” I can’t tell if you mean the settings aren’t visible or they do show and are disabled.
In your original post you also stated “Sonos support advised to turn off “tv auto play” for the ceiling speakers” which confused me as I didn’t think TV Autoplay would be a visible option for the Amp.
Follow up: I turned the tv on this morning and all were still grouped. Frustrated! Not sure what to do. I checked my tv power options, and the tv is not in any kind of sleep mode.
First, I’d take a diagnostic and keep a record of the number.
There could be a specific issue with the Amp being grouped that causes something in the process to break. I don’t have an Amp so can’t test with that device grouped. Maybe someone else here would be able to check on that from their system.
For the Amp that you group, is there music in the queue showing in the Sonos app prior to grouping to play TV audio? You could see what happens on your system if you group the Arc Ultra and your Amp, play music to the group, then turn the TV on.
Ok, so I tried that, and YES, if I play music on the system, then switch to TV, only the soundbar remains as the output, and the other two amps remain on the music. (This is with the soundbar slider in Home Theater set to autoplay and ungroup—the amps are not set to eitof these options) Hopefully Sonos can figure out a solution to ungroup TV when watching from the previous evening and then turning it on the next morning ungrouped.
That’s good, the TV Autoplay and Ungroup on Autoplay is working in that scenario.
As I say, I don’t have an Amp, but if you are not using the Amps in a Home Theatre setup, I wouldn’t have thought the options for TV Autoplay and Ungroup on Autoplay would be visible under the respective Amp’s room settings.
When you say “the amps are not set to either of these options” I can’t tell if you mean the settings aren’t visible or they do show and are disabled.
In your original post you also stated “Sonos support advised to turn off “tv auto play” for the ceiling speakers” which confused me as I didn’t think TV Autoplay would be a visible option for the Amp.
Regarding the amp settings, they are visible, but toggled off (I also tried toggling them on, but no luck, so left them off). The option for tv autoplay is always visible on the amps, but the ungroup option is only visible (normally greyed out) once you toggle on tv autoplay.
Regarding the amp settings, they are visible, but toggled off (I also tried toggling them on, but no luck, so left them off). The option for tv autoplay is always visible on the amps, but the ungroup option is only visible (normally greyed out) once you toggle on tv autoplay.
I’d guess this is where the issue you are having stems from.
If you just have the Amps connected to the ceiling speakers, the TV Autoplay settings are irrelevant as you are not using the Amps HDMI connection, so there is no need for the Home Theatre options to appear for the Amp and the applicable settings for the Arc Ultra should take precedence.
I’d point Sonos Support in this direction and get them to test with a grouped Amp to see if they can replicate your issue.
Regarding the amp settings, they are visible, but toggled off (I also tried toggling them on, but no luck, so left them off). The option for tv autoplay is always visible on the amps, but the ungroup option is only visible (normally greyed out) once you toggle on tv autoplay.
I’d guess this is where the issue you are having stems from.
If you just have the Amps connected to the ceiling speakers, the TV Autoplay settings are irrelevant as you are not using the Amps HDMI connection, so there is no need for the Home Theatre options to appear for the Amp and the applicable settings for the Arc Ultra should take precedence.
I’d point Sonos Support in this direction and get them to test with a grouped Amp to see if they can replicate your issue.
Interesting idea. I would think that since they’re all on the same network and the sound bar is not connected via ethernet, and all our wireless that they would still communicate with each other, but you may be right.
FWIW I started the thread below over 9 months ago involving the Amp although for a different reason. The issue has now been fixed.
If you have other Sonos such as @Mr. T you might try testing with them to see if the Auto Ungroup works properly. If so then the root cause is the Amp.
Then relay your findings to Sonos Tech support to start investigating the Amp.
https://en.community.sonos.com/components%2Dand%2Darchitectural%2D228999/balance%2Dslider%2Dnot%2Dworking%2Don%2Dsonos%2Damp%2D6899374?tid=6899374&fid=228999
I had meant to look at your profile to see if you owned other Sonos devices.
If you group another Sonos device with your Arc Ultra, instead of the Amps, then you will see if Ungroup on Autoplay works. If successful, that will highlight the root cause as the Amps, as @AjTrek1 mentions.
Your Sonos devices are communicating wirelessly as they are successfully playing grouped audio, but there does potentially appear to be a specific bug with grouped Amps which I hinted at earlier.
FWIW I started the thread below over 9 months ago involving the Amp although for a different reason. The issue has now been fixed.
If you have other Sonos such as @Mr. T you might try testing with them to see if the Auto Ungroup works properly. If so then the root cause is the Amp.
Then relay your findings to Sonos Tech support to start investigating the Amp.
https://en.community.sonos.com/components%2Dand%2Darchitectural%2D228999/balance%2Dslider%2Dnot%2Dworking%2Don%2Dsonos%2Damp%2D6899374?tid=6899374&fid=228999
Sounds like you went through a lot of hoops! I will try another product (as I have 8 more of their speakers in one form or another) and see if that changes things. Thanks!
Latest update: it is now working as intended. Here are the steps that I followed.:
1) I updated the app as I noticed there was an update either this morning or yesterday afternoon.
2) while the sound bar was on, I added the ceiling speaker amps as well as a non-amp speaker: my SL one
3) I let the TV stay off for more than an hour before turning it back on and the only speaker that was active with the TV was, in fact, the sound bar
4) to confirm it worked I added only the ceiling amp speakers to the sound bar and turned off the TV again. Waited approximately an hour and then turned the TV on and the sound bar was the only speaker connected.
Not sure if it was the app update that fixed it, but prior to updating the app simply waiting overnight was not enough to have the speakers ungroup. Not sure if adding a non amp speaker helped or not, but at this point, it is working as intended.
my feedback for Sonos would be that the tech told me to turn the TV off and then turn it back on right away, which evidently is not enough time for the speakers to ungroup in my opinion.
Think some gremlin was at work previously.
Difficult to determine confidently what resulted in the Ungroup on Autoplay to start working again for you, but happy you’ve managed to resolve the issue. Hopefully it remains that way!
