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Enthusiast I
April 9, 2023

Unable to play song ‘song’ - the song is not encoded correctly. Issue since 15.2

  • April 9, 2023
  • 144 replies
  • 24857 views

Since the 15.2 release there is quite a few songs that display this error when trying to play them.  These seem to be mainly songs that are not lossless.  They were purchased over time from Apple Music.  They will still play if I use the Apple Music app, but they will no longer play from Sonos app.  I suspect some lossy codex broke with latest release. Occurs with all my Sonos products.

Is this a known issue? 

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Pinned Reply By Corry P

Hi @The Etron 

Thank you for reporting the issue with TuneIn Podcasts - we were able to replicate the problem and are now investigating.

 

For everyone else, please note that there are multiple reasons for the “not encoded correctly” error occurring:

  • Apple Music used to (years ago) provide music tracks with Digital Rights Management (DRM), which results in Sonos being unable to play them. Re-downloading those specific tracks would be the only way to fix this. Other sources may have done the same.
  • Failed WiFi transmissions can also cause this error. Our support team can identify if/where this is happening and assist.
  • Actual errors in the files themselves can also cause this error - if this is the case, the same files will produce the error each time, and probably at the same point. Again, replacing the files will be the only way to resolve. Most likely to be seen with Music Library rather than with music services.

I recommend each of you get in touch with our technical support team who have tools at their disposal that will allow them to give you advice specific to your Sonos system and what it reports.

I hope this helps.

Edit: I should add that if there were an issue with our software rather than encoding/transmission issues, we would also need to you get in touch to have the issue documented and investigated.

144 replies

Lyricist I
January 23, 2024

I have the same problem playing via YouTube Music. Please fix this, Sonos!

Lyricist III
January 24, 2024

I’m not convinced that this is just due to the DRM problem. I have music that has played fine for months that now recently won’t play and gives the same ‘not encoded properly’ error. Very frustrating. 

Airgetlam
January 24, 2024

Where does this music live? 

Bruce
Lyricist I
January 27, 2024

Welp, it’s be at least 9 months and we are all still in hell

Lyricist I
February 18, 2024

Wow, I’m still having the same issues. SO frustrating!  Thanks to those here that gave the Play 1 work around. It really does work. Shouldn’t still have to be doing that though!!

February 22, 2024

I have Play 3 and I just have my library of MP3s on OneDrive. Only a handful of songs work. Has there been any overall update on this?

Airgetlam
February 22, 2024

Sonos has never been able to play music stored on the OneDrive cloud system. 

Bruce
Lyricist I
March 30, 2024

Really annoying this. Half the songs on my Apple Music playlists won't play due to this error.

I'm moving from Sonos, too many issues. Disappointed.

controlav
Lead Maestro
March 30, 2024

Sonos has never been able to play music stored on the OneDrive cloud system. 

Not remotely true: Microsoft supported this with the Groove service, until they didn’t. There is a third-party integration available somewhere as well.

Author of the leading independent Sonos apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, Windows and Xbox.
Airgetlam
March 31, 2024

Interesting. Thanks for the correction. 

Bruce