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Compatibility WiFi 6 (802.11ax) mode

  • 25 January 2021
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41 replies

J

OK.  In that case I would like to understand better (if you wouldn’t mind clarifying) what the relationships are between the modem, switch and router that you have mentioned.  What is connected to what and how?  If you can easily provided makes and models of the devices that would be helpful.

Are you sure that what you have referred to as a modem is indeed a pure modem, not a modem/router?

B
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I would like to go back to a comment in your first post:

“UNLESS I turn off Wifi 6 mode and go into a compatibility mode… Then everything is fine. “

What exactly does that mean?  Does it mean that 5GHz band is turned off, or does it simply mean that the router is happy to deal with older protocols using 2.4GHz.  If the latter, then you don’t really have a problem.

Yes, what I believed I had initially discovered was placing the router into “WiFi 5 mode” solved the problem, however following further testing, this did not seem to be correct and with either setting I’ve subsequently experienced issues... 

J

I would like to go back to a comment in your first post:

“UNLESS I turn off Wifi 6 mode and go into a compatibility mode… Then everything is fine. “

What exactly does that mean?  Does it mean that 5GHz band is turned off, or does it simply mean that the router is happy to deal with older protocols using 2.4GHz.  If the latter, then you don’t really have a problem.

B
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The only thing I see missing is trying static/reserved IP addresses once you sort the issues following that post’s question out.

Thanks for replying.

Sadly, I have done this too.

Last night I went back to basics, going through a process of resetting each part, starting with the modem… I’ll test this again today and see if I can weed out the issue....

Stanley_4
Userlevel 7
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The only thing I see missing is trying static/reserved IP addresses once you sort the issues following that post’s question out.

Smilja

By temporarily connecting to the WiFi, would then being able to change the Sonos settings enable me to revert to using the modem and the sonosnet network?

 

No. You mentioned a dumb network switch. If it supports IGMP Snooping cable the Playbar to the switch (provided that the switch is connected to the WiFi router).

»And the world is like an apple whirling silently in space, Like the circles that you find in the windmills of your mind.« (›Windmills Of Your Mind‹ [1967]. Music by Michel Legrand ; English lyrics written by Alan & Marilyn Bergman)
B
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No, I wasn’t referring to the modem. You should wire the Playbar to the WiFi router otherwise you won’t see it since its most likely on a different subnet.

Ok. My challenge is that the WiFi router isn’t really accessible to the playbar, certainly not permanently. The modem, however, is another thing and can be permanently connected to at least one unit (the playbar).

By temporarily connecting to the WiFi, would then being able to change the Sonos settings enable me to revert to using the modem and the sonosnet network?

Smilja

No, I wasn’t referring to the modem. You should wire the Playbar to the WiFi router otherwise you won’t see it as it’s most likely on a different subnet.

»And the world is like an apple whirling silently in space, Like the circles that you find in the windmills of your mind.« (›Windmills Of Your Mind‹ [1967]. Music by Michel Legrand ; English lyrics written by Alan & Marilyn Bergman)
B
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@BunkMuffin, You didn’t disable the wireless radio on the wired unit, did you? If so re-enable it for “Disable WiFi” is disabling SonosNet.

 

Afterwards remove the WiFi details as follows: On iOS or Android: From the Settings tab, tap System > Network > Networks. Select the WiFi network you'd like to remove, and tap Remove. Subsequently wait about 10 min, then go to 'Settings → System → About my Sonos System' and see if WM:0 is being displayed next to each unit.

So the modem (which is where the Ethernet cable running into the playbar) has its WiFi disabled. This is so it doesn’t interfere with my wireless router (the sky modem is crap for wireless, hence linking it via wan to a better WiFi router) which has its WiFi radio set as on.
 

Are you suggesting that the modem should have wireless radio turned on, because it is where the Ethernet signal is passing into the playbar?

Smilja

@BunkMuffin, You didn’t disable the wireless radio on the wired unit, did you? If so re-enable it for “Disable WiFi” is disabling SonosNet.

 

Afterwards remove the WiFi details as follows: On iOS or Android: From the Settings tab, tap System > Network > Networks. Select the WiFi network you'd like to remove, and tap Remove. Subsequently wait about 10 min, then go to 'Settings → System → About my Sonos System' and see if WM:0 is being displayed next to each unit.

»And the world is like an apple whirling silently in space, Like the circles that you find in the windmills of your mind.« (›Windmills Of Your Mind‹ [1967]. Music by Michel Legrand ; English lyrics written by Alan & Marilyn Bergman)
B
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In SonosNet mode you are advised to turn IGMP Snooping ON in order to avoid network loops.

If your network switch is managed configure it as follows Configure STP settings to work with Sonos. Finally Remove the WiFi details from Sonos system.

 

Wire either the Playbar or the left unit in a stereo pair to the WiFi router, do not use the Sub or speakers that are set up as surrounds as the solely wired items.

Unfortunately I can’t seem to remove the WiFi settings from the system. The option is either greyed out or, it just hangs. Any way to force the system to forget the settings?

I think I you’ve answered my query to say I must connect to the WiFi router rather than just the modem via an unmanaged (dumb) network switch?

Smilja

In SonosNet mode you are advised to turn IGMP Snooping ON in order to prevent network loops.

If your network switch is managed configure it as follows Configure STP settings to work with Sonos. Finally Remove the WiFi details from Sonos system.

 

Wire either the Playbar or the left unit in a stereo pair to the WiFi router, do not use the Sub or speakers that are set up as surrounds as the solely wired items.

»And the world is like an apple whirling silently in space, Like the circles that you find in the windmills of your mind.« (›Windmills Of Your Mind‹ [1967]. Music by Michel Legrand ; English lyrics written by Alan & Marilyn Bergman)
B
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So, 4 days on and the plot thickens. 

It looks like the entire system just times out of the network every now and then. I’ve found this in Wifi 6 mode of the compatibility mode as mentioned above. 

Because of the way my modem and router are physically located in the house, using the SonosNet network is a little tricky. As I think I need the Sonos device linked to my wireless router, rather than directly to the modem (via a small network switch). 

I’ve also found that Asus routers did cause some issues unless “AirTime Fairness” and “IGMP Snooping” was turned off. So I’ve done that now. 

I’ve therefore 531957540 submitted a diagnostics directly to Sonos to see if they can find anything…!

In the meantime, am I right that connecting, via my modem (not WiFi router) also via a Network Switch might explain why I cannot seem to activate the SonoNet (it just drops off the app never to be found again if I plug in an ethernet cable (note I’ve tried 3 different cables into either ethernet slot of my Playbar so ruled out a hardware issue)..!

I’ll update as and when I hear more… but if anyone else can spot an obvious thing I should try, please post a reply. 

Thanks

Ben

 

 

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Grand.

Thanks for the advice. I suspect that I hadn’t removed all the WiFi credentials properly hence the app was looking in the wrong place. 

I’ll give that a crack once I can get the family to stop using the blasted kit ;) Update to follow...

 

Stanley_4
Userlevel 7
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Sonos  requires some old WiFi tech to work and has issues with some new tech if it is turned on. I got tired of trying to keep the rules straight and of living with my newer gear not working as well as it could.

The solution is as was suggested, wire one or more Sonos main speakers (not sub or surounds) and remove the WiFi credentials from the controller. A Boost is handy if you can’t wire another Sonos not needed.

 

Not always necessary but a lot of folks find that assigning static/reserved IP addresses for their Sonos devices increases system stability, particularly at updates and power failures.

J

Hi. You should be able to get rid of the WiFi band issues by wiring a speaker to your router. Then go into Settings, System, Network and remove all WiFi credentials. If necessary power cycle all speakers

Please then post back.

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