Skip to main content
All-about-sound-dk
Trending Lyricist I
February 27, 2022
Answered

Sonos unstable to the point of useless - even after adding a Boost

  • February 27, 2022
  • 40 replies
  • 811 views

Hi all, 

I have two Sonos One SL and two IKEA Symphony bookshelf speakers running in my current, limited setup. Recently, I began experiencing problems with sound falling off some speakers for a few seconds, then coming back - and then falling off again randomly. 

As I expected that this was due to distance / walls etc. giving the network a hard time, I went out and purchased a Boost. This is now connected with a cable to my main access point (that is again cabled to my main router in the attic). 

I tried the tools available for troubleshooting - e.g. the network matrix at something like this address: http://192.168.0.207:1400/support/review 
From my Boost, connections to all speakers is green -  which I presume means that the Sonos network-coverage and communication is fine. 

However, many times during the day, speakers will still be falling off. Sometimes one of the Symfonisk will play, while the Ones are still - then they come back randomly, and then one of the Symfonisk speakers fall out, to return again a bit later. 

It’s incredibly frustrating and renders the system virtually useless! Also, I don’t assume that this is due to a bad internet connection, as Spotify keeps playing - just only on some of the speakers. 

I tried changing network channels many times, but it doesn’t seem to make any difference. 

Does anyone have an idea of what can be done for more stability?

Thanks in advance, 
/Bo

    This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.
    Best answer by AjTrek1

    @All-about-sound-dk

    No problem...these networking issues can be confusing :relaxed:

    Thanks for the clarification about your ISP provided equipment. If you look at the suggested Mesh package I recommended here (and scroll through the pictures) you’ll see that the Main node is a Router with a port in yellow called a WAN (Wide Area Network) for your ISP’s modem.

    The other ports on the Main node (Router) are called LAN’s (Local Area Network). Those can accept the Ethernet cables running from your switch in the Attic. You might be able to eliminate the switch altogether depending upon how many rooms are connected via a wall port. In any event you can leave the switch as is and connect it to the Main node (Router) via one of the LAN’s; if you wish.

    All that need be done if you purchase a Mesh similar to the one I suggested is to have your ISP place the router portion of their equipment into “bridge mode” to stop it’s Wi-Fi. Then connect the remianing modem portion to the port on the Main node reserved for “existing modem”. From there you can start setting up your Mesh satellites to expand your WiFi coverage. FYI, the Sonos Boost would be plugged into one of the LAN’s on the Main node (Router).

    In the end you would have the following equipment/connections:

    1. ISP Router/Modem with router portion in Bridge mode
    2. The Mesh Main Node (router) connected to the ISP modem
    3. Your switch connected to a LAN port on the Main node (router)
    4. Sonos Boost connected to a LAN port on the Main node (Router)
    5. One, two, three or four satellites distributed throughout your home to complete the Mesh setup

    I hope this explains things. If not let us know . We’re here to help! :slight_smile:

    EDIT: Here’s an alternative solution by the same company specifically designed for home use vs business. The setup principle is the same. Click here.

    40 replies

    John B
    February 27, 2022

    Hi.  Would you be able to post the network matrix please?  You may wish to obscure the MAC addresses.

    Other than your router (please state make and model) what other network devices are there?  You refer to an access point.

     

    John B
    February 27, 2022

    Whatever the matrix shows, i suggest you wire the Boost to the router instead, allow system to reconfigure for a couple of minutes.  Then rerun the matrix and post it.

    All-about-sound-dkAuthor
    Trending Lyricist I
    February 27, 2022

    Hi again, 

    Sure thing - the matrix is attached below. The main router (which I don’t remember the make of - probably Linksys) is cabled to an Apple Time capsule that creates the main Wifi for my home. The Boost is then connected via cable to one of the outgoing RJ45-ports on the Time capsule. 

    There are other devices on the network (my son’s PS4, my daugters’ iPads, phones, an Apple TV occasionally), but as I understand it, the Boost will create a dedicated Sonos Wifi for the speakers only?

    If I listen to e.g. Spotify - or even Qobuz in Hi-res - directly on my phone, my connection never drops. This only happens when I play through Sonos (and it doesn’t seem that the connection drops - rather, speakers drop off). 
     

     

    All-about-sound-dkAuthor
    Trending Lyricist I
    February 27, 2022

    Still wired to the Time capsule, and not directly to the router (which is in the attic). I can try that, but this would require me to split the signal between the Boost and the Time Capsule (and I would need a switch or similar for that). 

    All-about-sound-dkAuthor
    Trending Lyricist I
    February 27, 2022

    I could put the Boost in the attic, but that would add a lot to the distance to speakers?

    All-about-sound-dkAuthor
    Trending Lyricist I
    February 27, 2022

    Hmm - just updated the network matrix, and now the Boost turned red. What could that mean?
     

     

    John B
    February 27, 2022

    For the moment pls ignore my suggestion to wire to router.

    Is the wifi switched on on both the Linksys and ATC?  Which of these devices acts as DHCP server?

    Is anything other than the ATC wired to the Linksys?

    Is the ATC in Bridge mode (if that is possible)?

    John B
    February 27, 2022

    Hmm - just updated the network matrix, and now the Boost turned red. What could that mean?
     

     

    Wireless interference.  The Boost may be too close to the ATC, or there may be another source of interference nearby.  Any other wireless systems or significant electrical gear?

    The matrix is just a snapshot.  Intermittent interference is a possible candidate.

    All-about-sound-dkAuthor
    Trending Lyricist I
    February 27, 2022

    For the moment pls ignore my suggestion to wire to router.

    Is the wifi switched on on both the Linksys and ATC?  Which of these devices acts as DHCP server?

    Is anything other than the ATC wired to the Linksys?

    Is the ATC in Bridge mode (if that is possible)?

    Nothing else is wired to the Linksys, but the Wifi is turned on there - for which reason, there’s several Wifis available in the house. I guess the Linksys acts as DHCP, but I’m not sure of that. 

    I had one of the One SLs right next to the ATC - and I had the Boost right in between them. This may be the cause of the interference - but I’ve moved them now, and it’s still very, very unstable. 

    All-about-sound-dkAuthor
    Trending Lyricist I
    February 27, 2022

    I have a Phillips Hue-bridge running as well - I don’t know if that could cause any interference?

    Show more replies
    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement