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Problems with "network connection speed insufficient to maintain playback buffer" again

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Diagnostic 1206622187

My previously well-behaved Sonos system has been coming up with the “network connection speed insufficient to maintain playback buffer” message every few minutes and nothing I do seems to help.

The system consists of 6 speakers (two stereo pairs and two singles), and I am using a Tenda MW3 Mesh system with the speakers connected by ethernet to the Tenda’s nodes where possible. Other speakers are connected wirelessly. I have a Sonos Boost in the system to help the wireless along.

The Sonos system is set to channel 1 with the Tenda Mesh fixed on channel 6 and my Wyze camera system on channel 11, so they should all be well separated. I am playing FLAC files (so fairly large) supplied from a Cocktail Audio device acting as a hard drive.

All worked well until a week ago, and I’m not aware anything has changed in the setup. I’ve disconnected my 2 Google hubs (no effect) disconnected other potential sources of interference (baby monitor - no effect).

I have a fairly large house, but am using the Sonos only in a fairly small part of it, all located on one floor. however, the house is built of 200 year old stone - 18” thick in places.

Please, if anyone has a clue what is causing this I would be grateful for any help. I’m pulling my hair out!😫

Best answer by Airgetlam

I think you may have misinterpreted what @controlav said. You should wire one device to the root node of your mesh network, and remove the wifi SSID data from the Sonos controller. 

But that’s a pretty boilerplate answer, too, so let’s see what Sonos comes back with on your diagnostic. 

I’m going to guess that there’s something providing enough wifi interference to impact your playback of FLAC files. And it’s possible that the interference is from outside of your home, since it looks like you’ve got your system fairly well isolated in terms of channels. But there’s been at least one instance in my past where a new neighbor set up a router that stomped all over my SonosNet channel….and there was no change on my side, things just went sideways until I figured it out. It’s unfortunate, but wifi is indeed subject to all sorts of influences beyond what we have set up on our own in our homes. 

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7 replies

controlav
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  • controlav
  • Lead Maestro
  • 7602 replies
  • March 22, 2022

With a mesh system you should only hard-wire Sonos gear to the main unit, not the nodes.

Author of the leading independent Sonos apps for Android, iOS, Windows and Xbox.
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  • Snakeplex
  • Author
  • Contributor II
  • 26 replies
  • March 22, 2022

Thank you for the reply. I have disconnected the ethernet cables to the mesh system nodes. Sadly still having the same issue. 😟

Airgetlam
  • Airgetlam
  • 43003 replies
  • Answer
  • March 22, 2022

I think you may have misinterpreted what @controlav said. You should wire one device to the root node of your mesh network, and remove the wifi SSID data from the Sonos controller. 

But that’s a pretty boilerplate answer, too, so let’s see what Sonos comes back with on your diagnostic. 

I’m going to guess that there’s something providing enough wifi interference to impact your playback of FLAC files. And it’s possible that the interference is from outside of your home, since it looks like you’ve got your system fairly well isolated in terms of channels. But there’s been at least one instance in my past where a new neighbor set up a router that stomped all over my SonosNet channel….and there was no change on my side, things just went sideways until I figured it out. It’s unfortunate, but wifi is indeed subject to all sorts of influences beyond what we have set up on our own in our homes. 

Bruce
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  • Snakeplex
  • Author
  • Contributor II
  • 26 replies
  • March 22, 2022

Hi Bruce - thank you for the helpful response. I’m not sure how to “remove the wifi SSID data from the Sonos controller” - can you enlighten me please?

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  • ninjabob
  • Chromatic Producer I
  • 309 replies
  • March 22, 2022

As a starting point I would download WiFi analyser and see what is going on around your area.

A lot of people are having SKY Q multiroom fitted which hogs every non overlapping channel (1/6/11) on the 2.4ghz band and transmits on Channel 36 on 5ghz band. I do not understand how they were allowed to get away with this system as it shows total disregard for neighbouring systems.

I have ten speakers four of which are in two stereo pairs and I had to resort to converting all my Flacs to MP3 to reduce the bandwidth required and get a reliable system.

busy trying to edit the queue
Airgetlam
  • Airgetlam
  • 43003 replies
  • March 22, 2022

Better yet, I’ll let Sonos do it, via the how to remove Wifi data FAQ.

And there’s a lot to commend on @ninjabob’s comment, too. The key thing to remember is any wifi network is always subject to both outside and inside influences. They never live in the proverbial “vacuum” .

Bruce
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  • Snakeplex
  • Author
  • Contributor II
  • 26 replies
  • March 24, 2022

Just wanted to say a big “thank you” to controlav, Airgetlam and ninjabob for all your advice. I didn’t get a response from Sonos to my diagnostic. 

I’ve made changes to the system along the lines you suggested and all seems OK at the moment.

I’m very grateful for all your help!  👍👍👍👍

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