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Beam gen2 stopped working with laptop via SPDIF all of a sudden; No stereo sound but Netflix apps and Dolby Digital testing works

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For the past year or so I've been using my Beam gen 2 with my win11 laptop through an external 5.1 audio card that can output SPDIF (one of these cheap cards CMedia CM6206LX ). It had been working perfectly fine as a PC speaker for all PC audio. I had this set this up using this very helpful post.

This was until today when I booted my laptop after a couple weeks away and the beam didn't even detect it. I'm not getting audio from my PC onto the beam. It's only when I use the Netflix app or the test the Dolby Digital signal in the control panel that I get a sound.

Previously the app would show the source as SPDIF + Stereo PCM on most sounds and SPDIF + Dolby Digital 5.1 on Netflix. On stereo sounds, the app just shows SPDIF but no Stereo PCM and no sound.

I've reinstalled the driver and windows and the issue still persists which leads me to belive this could be a firmware issue. I also tested this on my Ray and still got no sound.

Any potential ideas for a fix or anyone facing something similar?

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Corry PAnswer

Sonos Staff

Hi @xdraghav et al

In case anyone has not tried this functionality in a while, all Sonos products should now be able to play from an optical input.

If you are still having this problem, please ensure your Sonos system is up to date: Settings icon » Manage » System Updates » Check for Updates

I hope this helps.

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein

Show previous replies

F

fuzzyfacts

Lyricist I

oddly enough I can play audio from windows media player ONLY and i can only change audio using the sonos app - not build in windows volume slider… VERY frustrating.

C

ChrisSchan

The windows updates in the last 2 weeks have fixed the driver compatibility issue. It's now working again for me in Windows 10 & 11. No more restrictions and so far no more crashes.

H

HPU

Trending Lyricist I

@ChrisSchan

Thank you for your good information. I immediately checked it on my system, and it worked!
You were always convinced that MS was at fault, and you were right.
As I mentioned, I had set up a Bluetooth alternative in the meantime and had actually gotten used to it. But I have now gone back to the old configuration.
The whole process puts a spotlight on the questionable experts, both at Sonos and at MS. Of course, I don't expect them to identify every rare coincidence, but overall I felt very alone.