Line-in sound cuts out all the time

  • 22 March 2014
  • 37 replies
  • 17787 views

I connected one of my Sonos Play5's to my computer via the line-in headphone jack. I have 2 other Play5's and a bridge. Those other 2 Play5's not connected to the headphone jack very rarely produce sound consistently. This is a really bad problem for me considering that I play all sporting events and video thru my computer. I'll have guests over to watch a game, and 2 of my relatively expensive Sonos speakers constantly flicker in and out so bad that I just have to turn them off and hardwire other speakers. What I've tried: rotating the speakers, disconnecting/reconnecting, removing all components and re-adding all components in the Sonos program. The router is not near any of my Sonos components. I'm not running other programs that take bandwidth, and if I'm streaming something online, the video will continue to work while the sound cuts out. I have a 110mbps connection. Thanks for the help. -Kevin

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37 replies

HOW DO YOU DO THIS?
See screenshot below.
Userlevel 1
Everyone, if intermittent drop-outs are the issue, and changing the channel on SONOSnet or changing the Wi-Fi router channel doesn’t help... and if compression is not an option (due to either sound quality loss or audio/video sync latency), then I would suggest considering getting possibly either a SONOS Boost (rather than just a bridge or home wi-if), or using a wired Ethernet connection to get around the wireless interference issue. In some home constructions, that might be the only practical way. Or getting a Wireline solution, which can turn your power socket into a wired network connection to get a greater range where Wi-Fi isn’t an option (poor signal), and installing Ethernet (possible rental, or solid walls) also isn’t an option.
I was having the same problem with speakers cutting out when playing my turntable connected via line-in. Yes, setting to "compressed" worked, but who wants that when dealing with vinyl?
A solution found mentioned on here somewhere (can't find it to thank the guy) is to switch the line-in device name to "Airplay device". That apparently gives a second more of buffering time (as Sonos thinks its dealing with an airplay device) and since switching I haven't had one drop.
Thank you for posting this! I had multiple brand new vinyl cutting out all the time and it was driving me INSANE. I came on here looking for help and this seems to have done trick (and also increased the volume at which the vinyl plays too). I did also switch from Channel 6 to 11 (after 1 had cut outs too), so perhaps it was a combination of the two things. Anyway, back to enjoying music again, finally.
Userlevel 2
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I was having the same problem with speakers cutting out when playing my turntable connected via line-in. Yes, setting to "compressed" worked, but who wants that when dealing with vinyl?
A solution found mentioned on here somewhere (can't find it to thank the guy) is to switch the line-in device name to "Airplay device". That apparently gives a second more of buffering time (as Sonos thinks its dealing with an airplay device) and since switching I haven't had one drop.


This worked well for me too! I wish Sonos had an official feature for this rather than using the Airplay device mode as a workaround.

Another note for those who don’t know: if one of your Sonos speakers is near your WiFi router or somewhere you can easily run an Ethernet cable, doing so will change your Sonos setup to BOOST mode (same as if you bought a separate BOOST device) which means Sonos is creating its own wireless network. This is another method that worked for me to create a stronger signal and prevent signal skipping.
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Set to compressed & cut-out gone but now a 2-3 sec delay from my Tivo in 7.1 fam rm (hdmi) to Connect Amps grouped or not w/a analog line in to any of 8 zones/Amps in my rack. All devices are hardwired except Playbar 5.1 setup in my mbedrm but not related. What to try next? Digital from Tivo into an Amp? How can I tell if all worked Sonos devices are using hardwired cat6 only? No wifi, sonos net, etc.
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What is odd is that the Amp getting the Tivo singnal (physically wired) does not do so but any grouped Amps down the line cut out.
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Thout I would try digital/coaxial line into... OOPS! Only analog, duh... Connects output digital but Amps only line-level analog in. LAME!
I was having the same problem with speakers cutting out when playing my turntable connected via line-in. Yes, setting to "compressed" worked, but who wants that when dealing with vinyl?
A solution found mentioned on here somewhere (can't find it to thank the guy) is to switch the line-in device name to "Airplay device". That apparently gives a second more of buffering time (as Sonos thinks its dealing with an airplay device) and since switching I haven't had one drop.
Thout I would try digital/coaxial line into... OOPS! Only analog, duh... Connects output digital but Amps only line-level analog in. LAME!

Looking to see what’s up with mine too!

736857705
Hi, I'm having trouble with Line In dropping out repeatedly. Can't understand the options given so far. For example where is 'under Sonus, go to Presferances etc' I can't find any of this. How do you change router channels, is another one. Please explain for the none techy.
On your controller device, open up the Sonos app. Then (usually), click on the three dots at the bottom right, which should say "...more".

Then click on Settings.

Then click on Room Settings

Then click on the room name that you have your line in on.

Then click on Advanced Audio

Then click on Line In.

This will take you to the place that you can change the Source name, the Source Level, and the Autoplay room (the room the line-in source will automatically play in when you start it

Now back up to the "starting" page, and click on Advanced Settings

This is the page where you can change the SonosNet channel you're using. If your using wifi, rather than Sonosnet, you'll need to change the channel that your wifi is using on your router. Since each router is different, you'll need to look that data up in the manual for your particular brand and make of router. You can usually find them online, if you don't have a paper copy.
Brilliant - many thanks for that. All now ok. Thank you.