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craigtib
Contributor I
March 27, 2026
Answered

Still no resolution with Amazon Music and S1

  • 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.

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    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.

    26 replies

    Show previous replies
    jaidank
    Lyricist III
    April 29, 2026

     

    You can setup your echo device so that it automatically plays music requests on the Sonos room of your choice, without specifically naming it.

    I tried to do this but have not figured out how. I will keep trying.

    MoPac
    MoPac
    Headliner III
    April 29, 2026

    I don’t use Alexa to play from Sonos speakers.  Instead I use Sonos Voice Control.  Just for kicks though I activated the Sonos skill in the Alexa app and was able to ask Alexa to play on one of the Sonos speakers.  That worked fine.  For this test I did not have Alexa active on the Sonos speaker.  I used an Echo speaker to ask for music to play on the Sonos speaker.  The request was “Alexa.  Play Jazz on the TV Room”.

      bovardc
      Lyricist I
      May 9, 2026

      I have been experiencing the same problem on my Sonos system for months.  Amazon Stations throw an encoding error in Sonos S1 but the tracks and playlists from Amazon Unlimited play fine. 

       

      My system is made up mostly of older Connect Amps and one zone that uses Sonos One speakers.  To experiment, I tried to play an Amazon Station JUST in the Sonos One zone.  It played!  I then paused that music and started up a new Amazon station in a single zone that uses a Connect Amp.  The music played!  It was as if playing it on the newer speakers undid whatever confusion with “encoding” the system had.  That’s just a wild theory but worth testing if you have the ability to try it. 

      caseyhunt
      Trending Lyricist I
      May 11, 2026

      I’ve seen a few users mention similar issues after recent updates. If Amazon Music works through Alexa but not properly inside the Sonos app, it does seem more like an S1 compatibility or integration issue rather than a network problem.
      Hopefully Sonos releases a fix for older S1 systems bcz many users still rely on them.

      craigtibAuthor
      Contributor I
      May 11, 2026

      Yes, this is currently still broken,  and I am still not clear if this is Sonos or an Amazon Music issue.

       

      jaidank
      Lyricist III
      May 12, 2026

      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.

      Ahhh, I finally got the default speaker (Sonos Playbase on S1) working, but on Amazon Music app, not Alexa app. When I ask for a playlist on Alexa, it still plays on the Echo.
      Not a big deal. First time using the Amazon Music app, has some nice features, including default speaker.

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