Considering leaving Sonos entirely?!

Describe your network in detail for us, with makes/models. Presumably the speaker is on the WiFi? What model/OS is the phone? Does it have any kind of VPN installed?

Hi

Sorry to hear that you are having issues with your Sonos. I know you’ve heard this before but...Looking at your graphic there is something going on with your network.

Unlike most devices that connect to your network Sonos is a very “chatty” system that relies heavily on your networks back and forth communication.

• Internally, If there are access points, POE’s and/or improperly configured Mesh networks; or your Sonos and your network are on the same channel there can be issues. Learn how to check and/or change the Sonos channel by clicking  here.
• Externally, other networks and/or power lines in the area can cause interference to name a few.

Here are two more options

• Tell us more about your network OR
• Run a diagnostic (click here), post the reference ID in this thread and call Sonos Tech Support

Let us know….we’re here to help!

This appears to be a basic player discovery issue. I’d rather not get into wild speculation until we have more details, but it could be that the speaker (or phone) is periodically flipping between two WiFis, on either side of a router. Or perhaps there are simply two WiFi bands which don’t intercommunicate.

You didn’t mention a call to tech support, so I would assume you have not done that.  It your system and you can do what you want with it, but odds are that there is something that can be fixed on your network to stop these recurring issues. 

My question is not to fix connectivity. My question is why to stay with a company with this UI / UX . The fact that the trouble shooting leads to a dead end is a primary qualm. 

ratty mentioned a VPN. If you have one, shut it off when you use Sonos. Hopefully, it’s a fixable problem.

no VPN, 

The Sonos app’s troubleshooting maybe leaves something to be desired. Basically it’s lost until it can contact the players.

All the screenshots in your OP suggest a connectivity issue, albeit an intermittent one apparently. The network configuration is therefore a crucial detail if we’re to assist. One can envisage a number of scenarios which could give rise to the problems you’ve experienced. Most can be readily resolved. 

If you’re not looking to ask how to fix, what initially appears to be a basic network SSDP multicast discovery issue, that’s ‘possibly’ causing the connectivity issue between your iDevice controller App and speaker, then the answer is you’re probably best to just step away from a company that makes computerised wireless network speakers that use that discovery protocol and maybe look for something that you may know how to troubleshoot yourself.

Personally, I would have first asked for the help being offered here by @ratty and others, to troubleshoot your issue, but clearly that’s not what you seem to be looking for. However, if you do change your mind, you really need to detail your network, with makes, models, wireless AP details, channels & switches in use etc.

Because once you resolve the connectivity issue, the apps troubleshooting feature will be unused and irrelevant.  If you’re unwilling to take steps, outside of the app troubleshooting steps, by creating a diagnostic, calling tech support, or getting advice from these forums, then no, you probably should not stick with Sonos.

To be clear, I’m not saying every Sonos customer needs to be willing to do take these steps, as the vast majority of users will not have connectivity issues and/or be able to resolve issues through the troubleshooting, as you pointed out already.