Contributor I

Answered

Still no resolution with Amazon Music and S1

Forum|Forum|6 months ago
March 27, 2026
26 replies
810 views

For several months, I have been experiencing persistent issues with the S1 controller and Amazon Music. Despite reaching out to support for help, the problem remains unresolved. I have been a longtime user of both Amazon Music and the S1 controller, but ever since the most recent S1 software update on iOS, I can no longer use control Amazon music without constantly receiving the error message: "This song is not encoded correctly."

I have already tried all standard troubleshooting steps, such as rebooting the devices, restarting the router, ensuring all software is up to date, and reinstalling the Amazon service within the app—none of which has resolved the issue. It's clear that Amazon Music itself isn't the problem, as the service works perfectly when accessed through Alexa (to control Sonos) or outside the Sonos app. Additionally, other music services, such as Spotify and Radio Paradise, continue to function normally with the S1 controller. This suggests the issue is unique to the combination of S1 and Amazon Music.

While I suspect the recommended solution would be to upgrade to S2, I have significant investments in hybrid legacy equipment and am not ready to make that transition. Has anyone else encountered this problem? I have been a loyal Sonos customer for over a decade, and until recently, everything worked seamlessly. This appears to be a new issue specific to the S1 App.

This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.

Best answer by Corry P

Hi @craigtib

Welcome to the Sonos Community!

I am sorry to hear of this issue you are having with playing Amazon Music content on your S1 Sonos system.

We are aware of this issue when trying to play Amazon Music Unlimited content on S1 Sonos systems that results in a “not encoded correctly” error and are investigating. I will update this thread when I hear of a fix in place.

In the meantime, you can play Amazon Music Unlimited content by initiating playback via Alexa or Direct Control (from the Amazon Music app) instead of through the Sonos app.

I hope this helps.

Show previous replies

MoPac

Headliner III

Is S1 still only able to play 16/44.1? Maybe Amazon Music Unlimited is trying to play something with a higher sample rate.

H

haloquasar

Lyricist I

just another me too post.

S1 and Amazon Music Stations broken, yet playlists work fine.

Called support and they eventually determined this was a known issue, no ETA. Only later did I find this post.

V

viridis

Lyricist III

I can confirm this problem with my setup (S1 controller, Sonos Port and Play:1), and have been noticing this annoying issue for several months.

Another observation: On my side, the problem occurs only with Amazon Music Unlimited. After a downgrade to Amazon Music Prime, the radio stations worked fine with my Sonos equipment. That is why I seriously consider to use only the Prime version in the future until the problem has been fixed.

T

tuliogasperini

Lyricist I

In case you missed it posted above:

”In the meantime, you can play Amazon Music Unlimited content by initiating playback via Alexa or Direct Control (from the Amazon Music app) instead of through the Sonos app.”

Thanks for the hint! However, streaming from my Apple devices (using the Amazon Music App) to Sonos Play:1 is not an option since the Play:1 does not support Airplay...

Corry P

Sonos Staff

Hi @viridis

Thanks for the hint! However, streaming from my Apple devices (using the Amazon Music App) to Sonos Play:1 is not an option since the Play:1 does not support Airplay...

You don’t need AirPlay - you can use the Amazon Music app itself to play directly to your Sonos system!

I hope this helps.

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein

V

viridis

Lyricist III

Hi @viridis

Thanks for the hint! However, streaming from my Apple devices (using the Amazon Music App) to Sonos Play:1 is not an option since the Play:1 does not support Airplay...

You don’t need AirPlay - you can use the Amazon Music app itself to play directly to your Sonos system!

I hope this helps.

Interesting - I was not aware of that.

Very simple question: How is this done? When tapping the button

the Play:1 does not show on the list:

So is there another way to stream to the Play:1 from the Amazon Music App without Airplay?

Corry P

Sonos Staff

Hi @viridis

I am not familiar with the Amazon Music app, so I just installed it. It saw all my devices including an Amp that I have not used in quite a while, so it seems it takes the list of speakers it can use from the Sonos skill for Alexa.

This is also mentioned on our Stream audio to Sonos from another app help pages briefly.

So, it seems you would need to install the Alexa app and add the Sonos skill to your Alexa setup in order for the Amazon Music app to see your Play:1 as a playback option.

Apologies - I did not realise it would be quite this complicated, but it should only take about 3 minutes or so to complete.

I hope this helps.

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein

J

jaidank

Lyricist III

As @Corry P says.

I have the ‘Prime’ version of Amazon Music.
I have installed the Sonos skill on my Alexa and authorised it.
I then say:
“Alexa, play soft rock on Extension”

(Where Extension is the Sonos room that I need. You need to get in the ‘on Extension’ quickly, or it will play on the Alexa device).

I have not tried doing this via the Alexa app (yet) or tried via the S1 app.

melvimbe

As @Corry P says.

I have the ‘Prime’ version of Amazon Music.
I have installed the Sonos skill on my Alexa and authorised it.
I then say:
“Alexa, play soft rock on Extension”

(Where Extension is the Sonos room that I need. You need to get in the ‘on Extension’ quickly, or it will play on the Alexa device).

I have not tried doing this via the Alexa app (yet) or tried via the S1 app.

You can setup your echo device so that it automatically plays music requests on the Sonos room of your choice, without specifically naming it. It’s been years since I’ve done this though, so can’t tell you the exact steps.

Also, the recommendation was to request audio via the Amazon Music app, not through the Alexa or S1 Sonos app, as a work around.

Danny

Show more replies

Sign up

Login to the community