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Moved - Now I cannot add Sonos Devices - Says Login as System Owner... I am!


I moved and now I cannot access any of my devices. When I hard reset them to add them it says I have to do a software update but I have to sign in as the system owner. I am the system owner?! This has been a very frustrating experience and based on messaged I have found online no one has an answer. Not sure why such a hefty price tag if the app is so difficult, especially for moving to a new house.

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108 replies

I’ve just got off a live chat with Sonos and managed to get my speakers connected after several reset and app install/uninstalls with the same device owner message. Here is what I had to do.

  1. Reset the speaker (it was flashing green when I managed to connect it.)
  2. Open the sonos app
  3. Go to the user account (little person icon, top right)
  4. Click app preferences
  5. Click Reset App (this is what I hadn’t done previously)
  6. App reset and you get the option to add Add speaker or component
  7. Find your speaker
  8. Accept t’s & c’s
  9. Add it to your Wifi
  10. Speaker connected.

That worked!!!

Even after deleting the app multiple times and re-downloading I was having the same result but by resetting the app it seemed to fix the problem.

I tried this and it did not work for me. Tried 3 times

I’m having the same “Owner” problem as everyone else.  It is strange that the app recognizes my play bar but not the rest of my speakers.

***********SOLUTION***********

Go in order:

  1. delete the app entirely (and all other apps) on phone/tablet
  2. reset phone
  3. reset router
  4. download sonos app
  5. factory reset sonos product
  6. open sonos app and signin to account
  7. add sonos product as new setup with existing/new wifi connection

 

repeat step 5 and 7 (not including 6) if you have multiple products.

This worked great for 5 days. Woke up today and same old crap again. 

This fix does not solve what the original user posted about. The “sign in as system owner” loop is persistent regardless of network resets. 

I moved and now I cannot access any of my devices. When I hard reset them to add them it says I have to do a software update but I have to sign in as the system owner. I am the system owner?! This has been a very frustrating experience and based on messaged I have found online no one has an answer. Not sure why such a hefty price tag if the app is so difficult, especially for moving to a new house.


***FOR THOSE STUCK IN THE “system owner” LOGIN LOOP OF DEATH****
 

after weeks of frustration- the windows app works! download the windows app and continue with the software update of the speakers there, when you go back to your Sonos app, all will be working! 
 

Same problem. Seriously annoying. Can’t use my speakers at all at this point. 

Same problem. Seriously annoying. Can’t use my speakers at all at this point. 

Seriously, try the windows app. I’m telling you, I was ready to throw these things out. We’re good to go now. 
 

and to all others… clearly this is an app issue. I do believe it’ll be resolved soon if you don’t want to fiddle with the windows app. But it was 5 mins of my time to solve 2 weeks of heartache 

The chat support is clearly not working, one persons fobbed me off with an unworkable solution and asked me to log off. 

After a third attempt to get a chat help, waiting for 40 min, i was connected to William. He got the case ID and then said „allow me to help“ , and then disconnected me ! 

This is incredible! I have about $2000 worth of bricked Sonos products sitting here. 

 

 

Seriously, try the windows app. I’m telling you, I was ready to throw these things out. We’re good to go now. 
 

and to all others… clearly this is an app issue. I do believe it’ll be resolved soon if you don’t want to fiddle with the windows app. But it was 5 mins of my time to solve 2 weeks of heartache 

I have tried the web app on a windows PC - does not find the system.  I downloaded the Windows app - it does offer any method to log device into Wifi or set up a new device.  

I eventually got it to work on the iOS APP, but no idea why. Was spending ages getting through to chat people, but they proved useless in the end. 

Admitted a „known issue“ , but no further details. Complete mess .

same issue - tried to get my Moves reconnected to a wifi network, then was asked to update software, then tried to login - then repeatedly received message:  “the system owner must be logged in.  Please log out and have the owner login.”.  I am the owner and using the same email address and password.  just gives me the same message over and over again on app.

 

On line chat was not helpful at all….

 

Sonos or community, please respond ahd support your customers

 

I saw others able to resolve this issue by following these steps

  1. Uninstall Sonos App
  2. Go to your default browser in phone and try logging out from sonos.com
  3. Reboot phone
  4. Unplug all speakers
  5. Factory reset one speaker and keep other unplug for now
  6. Install sonos app
  7. set up new system with the one you’ve factory reset
  8. Try to add remaining speakers one by one

It may or may not work with you but there’s a chance at the very least

This worked for me, but added a step between 6 and 7, which is to login to the app after reinstall, and before trying to add the speaker. Thanks Tsumaa !! :)

Same exact issue. Wtf Sonos? You all didn’t have the foresight that people move homes? Paid all this money for your useless products, really regretting it now. 

I feel you, so frustrating. At this stage I feel like I’m going to throw this speaker out the window and go get a HomePod or something. Smh. 

***********SOLUTION***********

Go in order:

  1. delete the app entirely (and all other apps) on phone/tablet
  2. reset phone
  3. reset router
  4. download sonos app
  5. factory reset sonos product
  6. open sonos app and signin to account
  7. add sonos product as new setup with existing/new wifi connection

 

repeat step 5 and 7 (not including 6) if you have multiple products.

reset my phone? JFC - fix this trash app SONOS!

I agree with Minuteman -- I downloaded the Windows app and was able to log in and “Check for Updates” the update will pop up and I was able to install from my Windows machine and it worked to get the Sonos updated and my phone app now works and dont’ have to use the windows app at all anymore.  Annoying, but it worked.

 

 

me 57?  this new app has made just listening to music impossible.  but it’s even more frustrating when it says you won’t own the system I obviously own

same crap as everyone here.  just piss poor costumer support and app.  whoever came up with this “update” needs to be FIRED!!!! NOW!!!

I am so f-* frustrated!!! updated the app to version
80.02.04 - and now nothing works! I have been askes to log in as admin, but it won’t work - I am logged in, but the question is coming again and again. And when I tried to connect my devices it’s not working! 

This worked for me:

  • Uninstall Sonos App
  • Reboot router
  • Reboot phone
  • Reset all speakers
  • Unplug from tv
  • Install sonos app
  • set up new system 

Ok, I Will try tjat. Thank you 

Same problem, app is unsable. Good luck with support, I’ve been trying to get my amps returned for 4+ months, support is absolutely terrible.

This worked for me:

  • Uninstall Sonos App
  • Reboot router
  • Reboot phone
  • Reset all speakers
  • Unplug from tv
  • Install sonos app
  • set up new system 

I had the same problem and Johnewa’s solution worked for me.

The issue is as simple as the network protocol you are using.

Sonos is not working well with 5 Ghz networks. Just connect your mobile device to a 2,4 Ghz and add your Sonos devices to the 2,4 Ghz networks. It will work perfectly.

I am actually running a separate 2,4 Ghz hotspot connected to the main router to operate the Sonos system. Only for that.

Had the same issues after changing wifi services and then trying to reset from my iphone.

 

I then logged on from the clunky Windows app and completed all updates. Solved the update issue also allowed connection to IOS.

I have the same issue  It's typical "all fur coat and bo knickers" from sonos