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Question

ZP90 cracking up sound when Play5 linked up

  • May 3, 2026
  • 5 replies
  • 28 views
R

Hi all.
I have a Sonos ZP90 zone player that works fine in our bar - outhouse, also linked play5 1st generation that I use sometimes outside in summer months.

The ZP90 works fine in the bar, but when the Play5 is connected, it also works fine and audio is stable, but then the ZP90 in the bar starts cracking up – intermittent – hiccup sound like a lose wire like on a microphone eg, the play 5 outside (only 6 meters away from the ZP90) works perfectly and audio is stable with no issues.

The Zone player ZP90 is connected to the routed via ethernet cable, the Play 5 is working via wifi.

This problem occurs both from my laptop and also same thing from my iPhone.
I wondered if anyone could suggest a reason for this, or a solution to this issue as it is now doing my head in!

5 replies

MoPac
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  • MoPac
  • Headliner III
  • May 3, 2026

What happens if you put them both on WiFi?

    Stanley_4
    • Stanley_4
    • Grand Maestro
    • May 3, 2026

    Please confirm that the wired ZP has wifi disabled on the internal settings.

    If it isn't it will create a 2.4 gHz Sonosnet and pull your Play 5 off your home Wi-Fi. 

      Schlumpf
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      • Schlumpf
      • Virtuoso
      • May 3, 2026

      Please confirm that the wired ZP has wifi disabled on the internal settings.

      If it isn't it will create a 2.4 gHz Sonosnet and pull your Play 5 off your home Wi-Fi. 

      On the other hand a disabled wifi on the zp90 could cause the issue, because the play5 has bad router wifi connection and SonosNet to the just 6 meters away zp90 can’t work. 
      Another reason (if wifi is enabled on both devices) could be the zp90 lan connection, if the zp90 isn’t connected directly to the router but to an ethernet switch that doesn’t support igmp snooping. 

      Ralf
      Stanley_4
      • Stanley_4
      • Grand Maestro
      • May 3, 2026

      Please confirm that the wired ZP has wifi disabled on the internal settings.

      If it isn't it will create a 2.4 gHz Sonosnet and pull your Play 5 off your home Wi-Fi. 

      On the other hand a disabled wifi on the zp90 could cause the issue, because the play5 has bad router wifi connection and SonosNet to the just 6 meters away zp90 can’t work. 
      Another reason (if wifi is enabled on both devices) could be the zp90 lan connection, if the zp90 isn’t connected directly to the router but to an ethernet switch that doesn’t support igmp snooping. 

      Yes lots of possible guesses - all depending on the disable-wifi setting.

      Rather than speculating on the multiple possibilities I was trying to narrow the field.

      I'll leave this topic to you to avoid confusing the OP.

      Schlumpf
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      • Schlumpf
      • Virtuoso
      • May 3, 2026

      ​@Stanley_4 

      I‘m sorry if my post might be confusing… I just tried to show some additional possible reasons. So please don’t leave me alone. 😘

      Ralf
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