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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
  • 24859 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 III
June 13, 2023

Well, I did a 30-minute web chat, and was told to call the tech support phone number.  I waited on hold for 45 minutes, and was told this is a known issue and Sonos is working with Apple on a fix.  No ETA.  Frustrating, but at least it seems like it’s documented as a known issue.

Contributor I
June 15, 2023

I’m experiencing the same issue. Come on, Sonos…this has been going on for too long

Avid Contributor I
June 21, 2023

15.5 is out.  Doesn’t address the Apple Music “improperly encoded” issue.  Crap. 

Lyricist III
June 21, 2023

15.5 is out.  Doesn’t address the Apple Music “improperly encoded” issue.  Crap. 

Confirming.  First thing I tried out, and nope, issue still exists.

Avid Contributor I
June 21, 2023

If you use the “My Music” to shuffle your music it seems to work, but that doesn’t solve the playlist issue. 

Lyricist III
June 22, 2023

This is unacceptable. Sonos clearly claims to support Apple Music and I have a huge investment in both Apple Music and Sonos. This became a problem recently. MOST or nearly most of my music library now gives this error.  

Lyricist I
June 22, 2023

I have the same issue. I am using a workaround from above to use airplay. 

Lyricist I
June 24, 2023

I updated to version 15.5 a day ago (06-22-2023) and I am am the same issues with encoded issues. Hopefully this is corrected soon. Wondering if there is a way to down grade to previous versions to avoid the error's message?

Lyricist III
June 26, 2023

yawn this is getting really embarrassing - please sonos get this issue sorted been months and months now

Lyricist III
June 27, 2023

I am having the same issue. Random songs or batches of songs here and there in my VERY extensive Apple Music library. I cannot go through the entire library and delete and reload these songs. It’s simply too much work.