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CWTL
Contributor I
July 14, 2023

Windows 10 computer can't find my existing Sonos system, in order to play music library

  • July 14, 2023
  • 21 replies
  • 1508 views

This seems to be a common problem but the common suggestions won’t fix mine. I had to re-install Windows 10 recently, along with all programs. I downloaded and installed the Sonos application in order to play my music library from the computer, properly set all firewall exceptions, etc., and my computer cannot find my “Sonos product”. The computer is directly connected to the internet/wireless router and my connect:amp and components are connected via wifi. All music streaming services are working properly, after some excellent expertise from Sonos support. Before I bother them again on this problem I’d like to try to resolve it myself, if that’s possible. Can anyone offer a suggestion?

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21 replies

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controlav
controlav
Lead Maestro
July 15, 2023

@CWTL,
Check that the library shared folders containing your music are actually shared over the LAN. Here’s some information on sharing files/folders in Windows-10:

https://www.itechguides.com/share-folder-windows-10/

That is not necessary if the Sonos app is installed on the same PC as the files. No sharing required, thanks to the SonosLibraryService.

That surprises me @controlav as it infers my Wife, for example, can log onto our ‘shared’ PC under her user profile/login and still share the music library stored under my profile/login, if she knows the path to the folder. I thought permissions needed to be set?

No permissions necessary. The SonosLibraryService reads the files directly (it runs as Local System so can read anything on your machine) and shares them via an https service. There is a “secret” to ensure only your Sonos speakers can read them, and nothing else on your local network.

Author of the leading independent Sonos apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, Windows and Xbox.
    Ken_Griffiths
    Ken_Griffiths
    July 15, 2023

    That surprises me @controlav as it infers my Wife, for example, can log onto our ‘shared’ PC under her user profile/login and still share the music library stored under my profile/login, if she knows the path to the folder. I thought permissions needed to be set?

    No permissions necessary. The SonosLibraryService reads the files directly (it runs as Local System so can read anything on your machine) and shares them via an https service. There is a “secret” to ensure only your Sonos speakers can read them, and nothing else on your local network.

    Thanks @controlav I didn’t realise that was the case. 👍

    CWTLAuthor
    Contributor I
    July 15, 2023

    I followed Ken’s instructions and the Sonos app on my phone could not find the computer or it would give me the usual 1002 error message. I tried it for the folder where my music resides and also for the iTunes library with no luck in either case. I also downloaded the Phonos Universal app (free trial) and that app could not find it either. I also followed controlav’s instruction to click “Help” and I sent the e-mail which popped up. At this point I’m considering simply buying a digital music player to hook up to the Sonos system directly, something I’ve been thinking about for some time anyway, if for no other reason than to be done with the frustration of iTunes, (e.g., substituting different versions of music that I’ve purchased and ripped to that app), and other issues with streaming services and Big Tech generally. Let me know if there are any other suggestions in the meantime, and I do appreciate your efforts very much. Thanks!

    controlav
    controlav
    Lead Maestro
    July 16, 2023

    I followed Ken’s instructions and the Sonos app on my phone could not find the computer or it would give me the usual 1002 error message. I tried it for the folder where my music resides and also for the iTunes library with no luck in either case. I also downloaded the Phonos Universal app (free trial) and that app could not find it either. I also followed controlav’s instruction to click “Help” and I sent the e-mail which popped up. At this point I’m considering simply buying a digital music player to hook up to the Sonos system directly, something I’ve been thinking about for some time anyway, if for no other reason than to be done with the frustration of iTunes, (e.g., substituting different versions of music that I’ve purchased and ripped to that app), and other issues with streaming services and Big Tech generally. Let me know if there are any other suggestions in the meantime, and I do appreciate your efforts very much. Thanks!

    I didn’t get your “help” email, can you please try again? Also please share the exact time you did it, and I can look up the diagnostics by time instead.

    Author of the leading independent Sonos apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, Windows and Xbox.
    CWTLAuthor
    Contributor I
    July 16, 2023

    I sent the e-mail from the message that popped up in the program after clicking ‘Help’ yesterday, 7/15/2023 at 5:36 p.m. and again just now, 7/16/2023 at 10:06 a.m. Thanks

    controlav
    controlav
    Lead Maestro
    July 16, 2023

    I sent the e-mail from the message that popped up in the program after clicking ‘Help’ yesterday, 7/15/2023 at 5:36 p.m. and again just now, 7/16/2023 at 10:06 a.m. Thanks

    I got the second one, thanks. The log is pretty sparse, it scanned your Ethernet-connected network and nothing was found. The connection is not marked as Public, so its not that. Although rare, I would check this setting (under the Private section):

     

    Author of the leading independent Sonos apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, Windows and Xbox.
    CWTLAuthor
    Contributor I
    July 16, 2023

    Yes, that is how it is set on my machine

    controlav
    controlav
    Lead Maestro
    July 16, 2023

    Yes, that is how it is set on my machine

    Assuming File & Printer sharing below it are also enabled, try this:

    In File Explorer, what do you see under Network? You should see Media Devices:

     

    Author of the leading independent Sonos apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, Windows and Xbox.
    CWTLAuthor
    Contributor I
    July 16, 2023

    No media devices, only the computer is shown.

    controlav
    controlav
    Lead Maestro
    July 16, 2023

    No media devices, only the computer is shown.

    Well that is the crux of the issue, until Media Devices show there, neither the official Sonos app nor mine will work. Something major is blocking it from communicating with other devices on your network, and I’m out of ideas.

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