Skip to main content
Question

Unable to add Music Library on new Windows 11 PC

  • December 22, 2025
  • 5 replies
  • 38 views
O

Hi

I have Sonos since around 2017. Since two weeks I have a new computer with Windows 11 and now I am unable to use the Sonos Music Library on the Windows App (Sonos Controller for PC). Error messages:
Sonos was unable to add the music folder. Please check that the path to the folder, and the username and password if needed, are correct. Reason: Access to the shared folder "\\XY" is denied.

or

"\\XY" is no longer available. The device where the music files are stored may not be powered on, or the path may have changed.

What I would like to achieve is to incorporate two folders in my Sonos Music Library (as was before):
C:\Music\01-Music
C:\Music\02-MusicNew

The folders are 121 GB and 210 GB in size respectively and shared with a dedicated local Windows user account (no microsoft online account).

I am able to access the paths via UNC (e.g. \\MyComputer\01-Music) in Windows Explorer locally as well as from a different computer in the network.

The cable-based network is set to private. The firewall has all the specified ports forwarded:
UDP:
136-139, 1900, 1901, 2869, 10243, 10280-10284, 5353, 6969

TCP:
80, 443, 445, 3445, 1400, 1410, 1443, 1843, 3400, 3401, 3500, 4070, 4444, 7000

Anything else I am missing? I have spent hours on this already and it is quite frustrating to get some simple mp3s running in 2025...

Any help would be appreciated.

5 replies

bockersjv
Forum|alt.badge.img+21
  • bockersjv
  • Local Superstar
  • December 22, 2025

You’re the second person to report this today.  It looks like it’s cause by the latest Windows 11 update.  Not seen a fix for it yet but someone from Sonos might suggest how to resolve or raise a ticket for it.

 

But have you considered a Network Attached Storage Device (NAS)?   Far more efficient than leaving your PC on all the time as well as divorcing you from Microsoft's latest whim!  

    Stanley_4
    • Stanley_4
    • Lead Maestro
    • December 22, 2025

    Are you sure any of the ports you are forwarding aren't interfering with Sonos? 

    I have no ports forwarded and mine works fine, I do use a SMB server, not Windows though.

    I went the NAS route to avoid the constant Windows update related issues, much less frustrating.

      Pools-3015
      Forum|alt.badge.img+17
      • Pools-3015
      • Prodigy I
      • December 22, 2025

      As ​@bockersjv has stated, a NAS would be the best solution. 
       

      A lot of users have had issues Sonos getting disconnected or simply not being able to connect to a shared folder on Macs and Windows PCs. With so many security updates being pushed out by both Microsoft and Apple, things will break. 
       

      I have a Synology NAS where I store all my media. But you can choose any NAS that is available to you. I would stay away from WD MY Cloud devices though.

        O
        • Obsidiann6
        • Author
        • Contributor I
        • December 22, 2025

        Thanks for the input. I won’t buy a NAS though since it has worked before on my PC, my PC is on most of the time (due to work, video games etc.) and the file sharing works fine and is accessible from other computers on the network.

        Could it have something to do with the total size of the library? I have read something like there is a meta data file limit in Sonos.

        ​@Stanley_4 The ports should be fine. They are specified by Sonos in their official documentation:
        https://support.sonos.com/en/article/configure-your-firewall-to-work-with-sonos

        Stanley_4
        • Stanley_4
        • Lead Maestro
        • December 22, 2025

        Got confused by your "forwarded" where Sonos says "open." 

        Curiosity question, what firewall are you running that needed the added configuration?

         

        Terms & ConditionsCookie settingsAccessibility statement