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smartandee
Contributor I
July 18, 2018
Answered

Sonos Beam short IR range with TV remote

same here. I tried 2 remotes. they do work but I have to point super close. hopefully a software update will help. I am using alexa now for volume control
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    Ryan S
    Ryan SAnswer
    Retired Sonos Staff
    August 16, 2018
    Hi everyone, to keep things clean, I've moved the posts from the duplicate thread for this issue over here. Pardon the dust as a few comments might not make sense. In short, this is the main thread.

    The IR sensor on the Beam is pretty low on the device, so if there's a lip on your table or something that could be blocking the bottom part of the Beam, make sure to move that. If you'd tried out a few locations and still have trouble with the IR range, I'd suggest that you give us a call on our support line and a technician can help out. Though it's possible an individual unit could have a bad sensor, it's always best not to make that assumption right away as it could be a number of other environmental concerns.
    Mark good posts by pressing the like button, and select the best answer on questions you've asked to help others find solutions.
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    48 replies

    Dynamike
    Trending Lyricist I
    July 17, 2018
    I bought the Sonos Beam today and connected it via optical with the adapter.
    I went into the settings and did the short remote setup.
    It does respond to the remote but only at around 2 or 3 feet!
    When further away it doesn't respond! I tried replacing the batteries, used other remotes witch also function only arround 2 or 3 ft.
    I have also placed the Beam elsewhere in my house, still the same problem!
    Is my IR sensor busted or what?
      Dynamike
      Trending Lyricist I
      July 18, 2018
      @smartandee i traded in my Beam for a new one and still does the same thing! It's either a software bug or a very stupid design flaw. Can someone from Sonos please respond?
      GrothDK
      Lyricist I
      July 18, 2018
      I’m adding up to this one- same issue here
      stempy
      Lyricist I
      July 19, 2018
      Add me to the list. I've been working with their support team and I've tried multiple remotes, multiple rooms, different TVs, ARC vs optical, and switched out with a Playbar that works fine with every combination. Currently waiting on their Tier 2 support team for anything new. Was thinking of running out to the local retailer to pick up another one instead of waiting, but after seeing above response, doesn't sound like a slam dunk.
      Dynamike
      Trending Lyricist I
      July 20, 2018
      @stempy my second Beam does exactly the same thing as the first one. I'm really beginning to think this is a design flaw, or that they cheaped out on the IR receiver, thinking most people will connect via HDMI ARC anyway.
      I'm sure when you hooked it up via HDMI ARC, that you didn't have that problem like me, But that's only because your remote then talks to your TV first and sends out instructions to the Beam via HDMI CEC. Optical talks directly to the weak IR receiver of the Beam!
      Look at this YouTube film: https://youtu.be/kaLwqyIIA2M
      Anyway i'm also in contact with Sonos and i told them to duplicate our problem. They said they would call me yesterday but didn't receive a phone call so far.
      Ryan S
      Ryan S
      Retired Sonos Staff
      July 20, 2018
      Thanks for your feedback everyone. If you don't mind, can you post what model TV and if your remote has a special model, that too?

      Also, though it may not be the case here, I've seen plasma TVs cause interference on the IR in some cases.
      Mark good posts by pressing the like button, and select the best answer on questions you've asked to help others find solutions.
      Dynamike
      Trending Lyricist I
      July 20, 2018
      Hi Ryan, thanks for your response, but i already knew this TV response was coming.
      I have a Samsung KS8000 ( KS9000 in the US ) it's one of the highest model TV's from Samsung in 2016.
      But it really doesn't matter as the problem is with the Beam itself! I also placed the Beam somewhere far away from all my other devices, ( TV included) but still has the same issue.
      I ask with urgency that your higher tech guys at Sonos replicate this problem!? You'll see.
      PS. If you try to replicate the problem do not use HDMI ARC to connect the Beam! Just use it by itself or connect it via Optical!
      smartandeeAuthor
      Contributor I
      July 20, 2018
      My TV is a 2011' LG 37 LV4500 using optical out. There is no ARC in this LG oldie. I used the original remote and a Logitech Harmony 650.
      But I am with Dynamike - it is a problem with the Beam, not a TV thing
      GSTERK
      Contributor I
      July 20, 2018
      Same here, the distance from remote to Beam seems to be less than 1m ( 2-3feet?). Which is pretty short. Hope Sonos can fix it. Sound is great though.
      Dynamike
      Trending Lyricist I
      July 20, 2018
      I just uploaded a video to my YouTube channel about this issue.

      https://youtu.be/dmra-ifCtOE
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