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Avid Contributor I
December 22, 2023
Answered

setting up Sonos on new computer

  • December 22, 2023
  • 11 replies
  • 1340 views

Hello - hope someone out there can answer this as I’ve tried everything.  I recently purchased a new computer and have reinstalled the Sonos app.  I have also reinstalled my iTunes and re-established the correct music library path.  Even though the legacy path with former computer name has been purged, Sonos is still trying to use this to play music, so I only get an unable to play message.  I have gone rounds with this removed, reinstalled, reset everything including the Sonos app but nothing seems to work.  What gives?

Note:  the music path setting is correct but the error message when trying to play clearly shows the legacy path.

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Best answer by controlav

 

And where do I find this iOS app? 


This is the one.

Thanks but that is my Windows app which can’t import/export playlists. My iOS app is https://apps.apple.com/us/app/phonos-plus/id1511326524

11 replies

Airgetlam
December 22, 2023

Interesting. When you changed the path on the new computer, the Sonos app was open, and connected to your speakers?

That data is stored on the speakers themselves, all of them, and not at all in the app itself. If, when you changed the data, you weren’t connected to the speakers (for any reason, including temporary disconnection) then that data wouldn’t be stored properly. 

Have you submitted a system diagnostic, and called Sonos Support to discuss it?

There may be information included in the diagnostic that will help Sonos pinpoint the issue and help you find a solution.

When you speak directly to the phone folks, they have tools at their disposal that will allow them to give you advice specific to your network and Sonos system.

Bruce
BrendaLCAuthor
Avid Contributor I
December 23, 2023

Thanks Bruce, I’ve tried every possible scenario to make this clear and work -- the system just continues to look for old path even though the old path has been removed in my library settings.  If the data is stored on the speakers themselves, wouldn’t purging all that is in the app and starting over theoretically work?  I have cleared the queue but don’t see how to delete any playlist showing under Sonos Playlists.  Even with the new and legacy path deleted under library settings, the playlists still display in the app.  The system diagnostic is just a running list of it trying to play from legacy path and contacting support directly is my next step.  Just figured this was simpler and a community member like yourself would know.  Also, I found this string

but don’t see ‘My Sonos Tab’ referenced in this portion:  In the Sonos App remove any previously saved  playlists and album/artist/tracks shortcuts to the previous library from the ‘My Sonos Tab’ - is this an older version?

buzz
Grand Maestro
December 23, 2023

SONOS Playlists include the file name for each track. Since the path name has changed, the file names are no longer valid. Sometimes the library indexer figures this out, sometimes not.

I’m not an Apple Music user, I don’t know how Apple Music will react to a path change.

controlav
Lead Maestro
December 24, 2023

You could export broken Sonos playlists using my iOS app (see profile), edit them for the new PC name, then import them back into Sonos. A user did exactly this on here a few months ago.

Author of the leading independent Sonos apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, Windows and Xbox.
BrendaLCAuthor
Avid Contributor I
December 24, 2023

SONOS Playlists include the file name for each track. Since the path name has changed, the file names are no longer valid. Sometimes the library indexer figures this out, sometimes not.

I’m not an Apple Music user, I don’t know how Apple Music will react to a path change.

Thanks Buzz, I’m not either, just happen to have a very old iPod which has since expired on me but all my tunes are in iTunes including ones I burned from old CDs.  I’m just surprised this isn’t easier. 

BrendaLCAuthor
Avid Contributor I
December 24, 2023

You could export broken Sonos playlists using my iOS app (see profile), edit them for the new PC name, then import them back into Sonos. A user did exactly this on here a few months ago.

Thanks controlav!  And where do I find this iOS app?  You say see profile but I’m not following - my profile, your profile?  The only Apple thing I’ve ever had is an old iPod that expired on me recently. 

World-Class Superstar
December 24, 2023

 

And where do I find this iOS app? 


This is the one.

controlav
controlavAnswer
Lead Maestro
December 25, 2023

 

And where do I find this iOS app? 


This is the one.

Thanks but that is my Windows app which can’t import/export playlists. My iOS app is https://apps.apple.com/us/app/phonos-plus/id1511326524

Author of the leading independent Sonos apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, Windows and Xbox.
World-Class Superstar
December 25, 2023

 


This is the one.

Thanks but that is my Windows app which can’t import/export playlists. My iOS app is https://apps.apple.com/us/app/phonos-plus/id1511326524

Sorry, my mistake.

BrendaLCAuthor
Avid Contributor I
January 5, 2024

Thank you again to everyone who replied to this - since my last update I have been on calls with both Apple (to sort out my legacy iTunes) and Sonos (to figure out why the library doesn’t sync properly).  While I’ve been able to get some things working, it’s still a disaster and makes no sense whatsoever.  I matched my iTunes path with the library path for Sonos.  Some things play, most don’t.  Playlists don’t sync, Sonos still tries to play from the old path that has long been purged.  I’ve deleted playlists because of this and tried to recreate them which only created more problems.  Just all around disenchanting and exhausting.  Why is this so hard? Everything is scattered and disorganized now whereas before I had a single resource/location music library and several playlists via iTunes that synced perfectly w Sonos.  Has anyone else started over using existing music files?