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Contributor I
October 21, 2022
Answered

Sonos PC app can't individual speaker volumes in a group

I have the Sonos app installed on a Windows 11 PC.  I have a group of three rooms that are almost always grouped together.  On the Windows app I can control the group’s volume as a whole, but the individual room volume sliders don’t work, and the icon to mute/unmute is darkened out and can’t be clicked.

 

For reference I can control individual room volumes on my phone app.

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Airgetlam
AirgetlamAnswer
October 22, 2022

There are already several threads about this. In at least one of them, it was reported that Sonos is aware of the issue, and working on it.

Bruce

41 replies

Lyricist III
November 5, 2022

What’s taking them so long?  I have been using a Microsoft Store app called Phonos to control volume from the desktop.  It has a 30 day trial.  It can’t do Sonos setup like adding services, but the individual volume controls work for grouped speakers.

Lyricist I
November 5, 2022

Folks, there is a workaround while we see if Sonos does or does not commit to their Win OS Desktop support.

  1. Start SONOS and whatever rooms you select or have playing.
  2. Individually turn each room back off then
  3. Reactivate each room and you will note the volume slider control will now be active/available for each of those rooms that you have off/on cycled.

Insultingly kludgey for the amount of dough you have to shell out for this kit and poor professional form if this sticks as SONOS’ definition of a fix but it works until they real and understand the size of the installed base that happens to have both IoS/Droid and desktop form factors running on the same system.

controlav
Lead Maestro
November 5, 2022

What’s taking them so long?  I have been using a Microsoft Store app called Phonos to control volume from the desktop.  It has a 30 day trial.  It can’t do Sonos setup like adding services, but the individual volume controls work for grouped speakers.

My name is controlav and I support this message :-)

Author of the leading independent Sonos apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, Windows and Xbox.
Lyricist I
November 8, 2022

Please, please fix this ASAP, I use the Windows 11 controller all the time, this is lame.  

Lyricist I
November 10, 2022

Same problem here on Windows 10. Using Windows Desktop app version 14.18 (build 70134112) 

Collaborator II
November 12, 2022

I’ll just add my voice to the list. Fortunately I don’t use the desktop software that often, nevertheless its an irritation I could do without. C’mon Sonos get your finger out and get it sorted. Yet another “upgrade”.

Anthony
ChadB
Trending Lyricist I
November 12, 2022

No. I'm afraid not. It was about 5 years ago. It was when Sonos removed almost all the system management functionality from the desktop controller.

Edit - I found the announcement. I am not sure that it contains the words "development of the desktop controller has stopped" but the message is pretty clear

 

This is not at all my experience. I’ve used the desktop app for years, almost exlusively with grouped speakers for which I’ve always been able to adjust the volume individually. This is a recent issue.

Lyricist III
November 13, 2022

I am also experiencing this lack of functionality, not able to individually adjust volume when grouped.

Does work correctly in the iOS app.

Lyricist III
November 15, 2022

Not sure I understand that statement. The location of the data being played has no impact. Nor does the location of the controller.

The actual ‘computer’ and ‘program’ running Sonos exists on Sonos devices, and not your own devices. Where the music is stored is merely a location that you tell the Sonos computer to reach out to to get the music. To Sonos, it makes no difference if it’s on a local hard drive, an NAS, a mobile device (android only), or an internet stream.

The controller is merely a remote control to access that program running on the Sonos, and display what’s going on there. 

You are Correct.  I think the original poster was saying that they use it in the SAME ROOM as the rest of their gear; through a WINDOWS PC.  But its broken and SONOS needs to update and FIX the issue that THEY broke..  I for one was a person that purchased all my sonos speakers with the knowledge that PC control would work.  They neutered it about 4 years ago……. but now to make it NON FUNCTIONAL  is just STUPID!!!!! 

Lyricist II
November 17, 2022

Hey Sonos, Same problem.  I have over $4,800 worth of your equipment and substantial stock investment.  Keep me happy!  Unlike your recent stock trend.