Can't connect to my music library - solved

I’ve recently looked into seeing what I can do about my relatively new Crucial drive and updating the firmware. There’s an app for Windows machines but, nothing for us Mac users. I’ll have to call Support when I have an extra two or three hours more to spend on this. Frustrating is a mild term at this point. Since I don’t have a “server” so-to-speak, I don’t know if futzing with that will do any good. I’ve enabled about every sharing protocol that I could find so, it’s probably something small that I’m missing. Bottom line: It sure would be nice if Sonos would release an app that could get us hapless saps back to where we were in May. Oh well.

I updated to the latest iOS iPhone app as well as updated the speakers with the latest firmware. I still couldn’t add the Sonos music library; I got “Access Denied, check user name and password.” This is the same error every time. So, I called Crucial tech support since my music resides on their X8 SSD drive. They confirmed that the SMB protocol is dictated by the iMac. I have the latest OS on that iMac so I seriously doubt it’s an SMBV1 issue. My new issue since updating the Firmware is that my S2 controller on the iMac will not open without either updating it or resetting it. Last time I did that, I had to reinstall the old S2 app just to be able to see and manage my music on the desktop.

I have an older Seagate drive that used to connect to my Sonos ecosystem but no longer does.  No matter what I do (phone app, windows app), I get “Sonos was unable to add music folder ...(913)”.  With password, without password, same result.  I can see the folder on the network with the File Explorer, and as far as I can tell, there’s a DLNA server running there.  I’ve tried no user/password and user/password both with and without qualifying the user by group.  I wasted over an hour on the phone yesterday with Sonos support.  I think my next step may be to buy a new drive, but that’s a hassle I’d rather not do if I don’t have to.

Not sure if your drive counts as a NAS or if it's connected to a PC, but did you follow the set up mentioned here? https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/add-your-music-library-to-sonos

Jz… I have a relatively new Crucial 1TB drive for my main Sonos library that’s connected to my wife’s two year old iMac running the latest OS. I called Crucial asking if there was some way to check the SMB version contained on the drive. Just like others that have posted in different threads, they said that - on a MAC - that function is inherent in the operating system and not the drive.  Those with Windows machines can indeed check and adjust SMB versions.

I still don’t have access to my Crucial music library via the iPhone app and it’s ridiculous. I finally updated the Firmware on my speakers and, as a result, my desktop controllers (S2) would not open. I was presented with an option to update the app or reset it. Resetting would not work. So, on my office system, I deleted and reinstalled my old S2 controller (I retained the previous .dmg file) and all things work up here. (I run an older operating system in my office that Sonos no longer supports.)  But, I’ve yet to update the S2 controller on the new iMac to control the main music library.  Why?  I’m beyond paranoid at this point to keep futzing with it and lose control of my ability to use Sonophone. That works perfectly but, isn’t as full featured as the iOS Sonos app.

My next step will be to take the old S2 dmg file to my wife’s iMac, update the controller as per the prompt when opening the Sonos desktop controller and see happens. If all goes to hell in a handbasket - again - I’ll delete the update and reinstall the old S2 app.

Frustrating doesn’t some close to what I feel. Oh, and the video that’s being suggested for Mac users to add their libraries back in… they use back slashes and not forward slashes. My libraries network path all used - and still use - forward slashes and the Sonophone add finds my libraries without a hitch. Are back slashes Windows related?  If someone knows, please chime in. Sonos: Feel free to create an app that, when installed, fixes all of this crap automatically. Remember how things used to work?

I just replied to jz above. My question to you is: Did you use “ // “ or “ \\ “ when setting up your network paths for your libraries.  I’ve seen it posted both ways but…. mine has worked perfectly for years using “//“ prior to the May update and, Sonophone has no issues with “//“.  Thanks

I've tried backslash and forward slash.

The drive is and always has been a NAS.

I, like slamdesi, am beyond frustrated.  I do need to update the NAS anyway, but that's a whole new line of frustration.

Early on I tried putting a music folder onto the iMac’s internal drive but, learned shortly thereafter that ALL hard drives are considered NAS drives.  It appears that anyone NOT streaming are the ones most effected since May.  Speaking of worthless, has anyone ever tried the “Web App.”  I did (again) not too long ago and it’s totally worthless - at least in my experiences with it. I’d like to know if ANYONE uses that thing.

I have tried absolutely every fix, music address, settings, etc.  NOW, I searched:

“No tracks from Mac USB hard drive in Sonos music library”

and found this fix, which obviously was a setting that changed when I updated either my IOS system or my Sonos system.
On your Mac, open System Settings, click on Privacy & Security, then Full Disc Access.  Toggle  next to Sonos Library Server, open Sonos App.  Go to Manage, then Update Music Library Now.  Navigate back to the Music Library menu under Select a Music Sourse section and you will now be able to browse your library.  I hope this helps someone, also.

Jan71… Thanks for posting that. I can’t imagine how the common man is supposed to stumble upon these home remedies but, I’m glad that you did. I’ll have to give this a try. I have given Sonos Full Access and made sure my drive containing the library gives sub-folders access as well. I don’t really have a “server” in the true sense of the word, just a music library on a Crucial X8 SSD drive. Apparently, das ist verboten within the new bowel of the Sonos iOS app.

Kind of a side note:  Above I posted that “I thought” that any drive, internal or external, is considered a NAS.  In another thread, I was told “No.”  A NAS - apparently - is a drive that can contain a number of hard drives and connects to your router via a switch or direct connection.  So, for us knuckle dragging music curators (non-streamers), we need to buy another $200 to $300 more in hardware in order to be made whole again (how things were before the May 2024 launch of the RMS Titanic that IS the Sonos app).  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not in the same boat as those who don’t care for the GUI of the app or upset by the Playlist issues.  I just want to be able to use the app like I/we used to and, like Sonophone can now.

Last thing: By “open Sonos App”, you’re referring to the desktop S2 app, right? As it sits, my Sonos library is not showing up AT ALL (since May) in the My Sources section of the iOS app. Just my TV.

Thanks again, Jan71  Brad

Hello Brad, I’m using Sonos S1 Controller, but I don’t think it matters if you are using S2.  On your Mac, (upper left Apple logo), go to system settings, Privacy & Security, then Full Disc Access.  Toggle next to Sonos Library Server.  Then open your Sonos Controller, go to far upper left of your Mac screen, where it says Sonos S1 or S2 Controller, click on Manage, then Update Music Library Now.  I hope I’ve understood your question correctly.  I hope this helps.  It may also help to have open your music, not sure.  Does your music play OK on your computer?    Here is a pic of my screen:

Yes, from the computer it appears to play although, I’ve been focusing so much on the iOS app not accepting my adding the library that I haven’t tried playing it from the iMac’s desktop controller. When I try to add it, I get “Access Denied - Check User Name and Password.” As I mentioned, the iPhone app Sonophone finds and plays my music perfectly. I just want what I had fixed. Very frustrating. Thanks for the info and the screen shot.

I zoomed in on your Mac Settings and I don’t believe that I see SMB on my list and, I don’t believe Sonos reads as “SonosLibraryServer”. I’ll have to check in the morning as it’s on my wife’s computer. Did you create a server somewhere in your Mac settings and direct the Sonos Desktop Controller to it? Is your music stored on your Mac or on an external drive? I hope this isn’t too many questions. Thank you again.  Brad

I didn’t create a server, that I know of.  My music library is on my Mac under the app “Music”, which was formerly iTunes.  It has all of my iTunes purchases, plus the music I had put on it from CDs.  On the Sonos Controller on my Mac, the list of music from the music app on my Mac was all there, under “now playing”, but when I clicked on “select a music source”, then “music library”, there was no music.  With the fix I stated, I was finally able to get all of the music over to play on Sonos.  I also had messed around with trying to get different paths to be recognized by Sonos, but until the fix, nothing worked, which is why I credit the fix that I found to the problem.  Does your music list show under “now playing” on your Sonos Controller, on your Mac?  I had experienced this issue for a couple of months before I finally came across the fix that worked for me, which is why I am thinking it was my Mac setting after an IOS update, unless Sonos had access to my Mac setting and changed it with the Sonos Controller app update.  
I don’t mind at all trying to answer your questions, as I know how frustrating it was to not be able to play my own music library on my Sonos speakers, but was able to play other sources, like the radio apps, etc.  I hope this helps.

Jan71… Thank you for your willingness to help. This is why I find some comfort in this forum. Yes, I can play from the iMacs desktop controller to my Family Room Sonos speakers. I just can’t get the iOS phone app to recognize the network path to where my music is stored: on the Crucial SSD USB external drive. The difference between our situations is that you’re using the Apple app Music to store and catalog your music files IN your Mac and I’m using an external drive.

Isn’t Apple Music something you have to pay for? How does one get curated music into Apple Music? Is there an easy Import option?

Thanks very much, Jan71 🙏🏼

I use “Music” to store and play my music, whether it be on my iPhone, iPad, or iMac.  I don’t pay for Apple Music because I don’t use the Apple Music service.  I purchase music on iTunes on my iPhone. In order to play that particular music on my speakers through Sonos, I first need to do an iPhone backup to my iMac, and also iPad backup if I want to control the music that plays on my speakers.  After I’ve done the backup and the music appears on “Music” app, I can then go to the Sonos Controller and update the music library on Sonos.  I haven’t pulled Music from my backup external, just from my iMac.  Is what you’re saying, you want to get your music from your external drive in order to take with you?  Any music stays in my iPhone that I have put there with backing up my iPhone.  Not sure if this is what you want to do, or you just want to play your music from what is in your external?  If so, I haven’t tried that. 
Now, you have me wondering if my backup external has all of my music.  
Let me know what your thoughts are.

Jan71

As I think back many months, I went through the procedure that you initially posted where you refreshed the music library after adjusting the Full Access for Sonos and… your music appeared. I had to do that as well when I REinstalled the S2 controller on my wife’s iMac.

My goal is to be able to access and play my music (taken from my CD collection and other downloads) through the Sonos iOS app on my iPhone. That’s the convenience that I enjoy and we all used to enjoy.  The only time I play music via the desktop controller is in my upstairs office that has a separate music library on an older iMac with a much older operating system.

So, I’m assuming that when you transfer the music from your phone to your computer, the music files are stored in the Music folder in your home directory (see attached). Therefore, I’m assuming, the Sonos app doesn’t have to reach out to an external drive to access and play your music. Have you tried playing your music through the Sonos iPhone app?  If so, does it work?  And, last question (for now), IF your music is stored in the Music folder in your home directory on your Mac, how did you set up the Network Path in the Sonos iPhone app?

Thanks again for helping out, Jan.   Brad 

I’m sorry, I don’t remember how I did that.  It’s been at least 10 years, but I did find this phone # for support.  I hope when I upgrade my phone that I’ll have no issue connecting to my system.  If you get help, please let me know what the issue was.
 

Another thing I forgot to answer was that I have always been able to play my music through the Sonos app on my iPhone and iPad, to my Sonos speakers.  This all came back after I did the fix to my iMac.

Good to know, Jan. One of these days I’ll give Support a call, have them do a diagnostic and see what it finds. I’ll let you know if I stumble upon a solution. All the best… Brad

You do the diagnostic from your Controller App.

Best to recreate the problem then submit the diagnostic before you call.

So… I just got off the phone with Sonos Support. It was an hour long conversation with multiple Diagnostic Reports being done and… no answer.  It’s  been sent up the flagpole and is a known issue with the iOS App and people like myself who utilize external drives to store their music.

The young man was capable, nice and patient. He told me that it doesn’t matter that my music is stored on an external USB SSD drive and never brought up the SMB version one time. I was the one who did and he wasn’t concerned about it. He went on to say that selecting the NAS option when adding a music library applies to a external USB drives as well.

We ended the conversation by him saying that “they’re aware of it and are working on it.”  Until then, I’ll use Sonophone to play my stored music from my iPhone.

That’s all I have for now… Brad