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Bought a used playbar but it won’t show up

  • June 20, 2025
  • 25 replies
  • 211 views

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I bought a used playbar and Gen 1 sub, got both to flash green, but they won’t show up when I try to find them in with the app. I even plugged an Ethernet cable into the playbar and connected it to the router. Tried rebooting. Just no luck.

If I can’t them to work I’m just going to return them. 

Best answer by AjTrek1

Just heard from the estate sale, and they said they’d give me a refund. I think I’d be better off exploring Sonos investing in something newer. Probably way less of a headache.

That’s a good course of acton. Estate and garage sales are iffy when it comes to electronics. Also, you never know if problems existed with gear before hand or even if the seller was the original owner.

A comparable product to the Playbar using an Optical connection is the Sonos Ray; although not as powerful. A better choice would be the Beam2 that will connect to your TV via HDMI or Optical (requires adapter). The Sonos Sub Mini would work well with either.

Click the links to view the products.

Sonos Beam2     Sonos Ray    Sonos Sub Mini     Optical Adapter

EDIT:

The above recommendations assume you are only wanting a Sonos soundbar and possibly a Sub. If you’re looking to move into Home Theater (HT) they will work as well. All you need do is add a pair of Era 100’s for a full blown HT system.

If you want something beyond Dolby Digital 5.1 there is the Arc Ultra that provides Dolby Atmos * or its predecessor the Arc. For those options you might want to consider a Sub 3 or Sub  4.  

For the ultimate experience you have the Arc Ultra (or Arc) bonded with a Sub 3/Sub 4 and a pair of Era 300’s.  

FYI, Subs and Surrounds can be added at anytime to a Sonos Soundbar.

 

 * The Beam2 will send Dolby Atmos as well although it’s a smaller product with no upward firing drivers.

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25 replies

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  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • 10 replies
  • June 20, 2025

I got the playbar to work, using an optical cord, but it still won’t show up in the app, even when I reset it.  


AjTrek1
  • 7385 replies
  • June 20, 2025

Show-up doesn’t tell us what you did after getting them to flash green. You have to first add them as products in the app by selecting “Add a speaker or component”.


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  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • 10 replies
  • June 20, 2025

But how do you add them as products? Not seeing an option for that.


AjTrek1
  • 7385 replies
  • June 20, 2025

Forum|alt.badge.img
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • 10 replies
  • June 20, 2025

Yes, I’ve followed those steps but it just keeps searching and searching and doesn’t find anything to add.


AjTrek1
  • 7385 replies
  • June 20, 2025

Try moving closer to your router.


AjTrek1
  • 7385 replies
  • June 20, 2025

If that doesn’t work….

Run a diagnostic within 10 minutes of the failure. Record the reference number; but do not post it in here. Call Sonos Tech support to discuss the findings.


AjTrek1
  • 7385 replies
  • June 20, 2025

One more point….

I assume your device and the Sonos app are up-to-date….right?


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  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • 10 replies
  • June 20, 2025

Well, it’s an older device. The app, I just installed today.


Airgetlam
  • 44826 replies
  • June 20, 2025

It’s also possible, since it is a PLAYBAR, that it is still set up in S1, and you’re trying to add it with S2.


Forum|alt.badge.img
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • 10 replies
  • June 20, 2025

Tried with S1 also and no success. From what I understand, it will only work with S1. But nothing shows up. I’m going to return them as it this point, it just seems futile.


Pools-3015
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  • Prodigy I
  • 1274 replies
  • June 20, 2025

Tried with S1 also and no success. From what I understand, it will only work with S1. But nothing shows up. I’m going to return them as it this point, it just seems futile.

Have you done a factory reset on both? If not Factory reset both and use Ethernet with the Playbar to get it setup:

https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/reset-your-sonos-product

Be patient and open the S1 app first waiting up to 10 minutes for the speaker to be recognised. If it dosent, try the S2 app.

If that fails, you will need to contact support.


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  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • 10 replies
  • June 20, 2025

I did factory reset, and got an Ethernet cable too. I don’t think they offer support for that product anymore. 


Pools-3015
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  • Prodigy I
  • 1274 replies
  • June 20, 2025

Sonos supports then Playbar and Sub, but does not offer firmware updates for some of their products any longer.

Doesn’t hurt to try.


buzz
  • 24656 replies
  • June 20, 2025

Do you have any other SONOS products on your network? 


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  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • 10 replies
  • June 20, 2025

No, none.


buzz
  • 24656 replies
  • June 20, 2025

Describe your network for us. What model router are you using? Are there any WiFi mesh points?

Obviously, we cannot rule out hardware issues yet, but it seems a little odd that you would have hardware issues with both units.


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  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • 10 replies
  • June 20, 2025

Arris TG3452 router. It’s literally less than a foot away from the unit.


buzz
  • 24656 replies
  • June 20, 2025

Sometimes a foot is too close, but this will not corrupt the wired connection. I’m not familiar with that router. Are you able to interrogate the router to see if it is aware of the SONOS units? 


buzz
  • 24656 replies
  • June 20, 2025

There may be a router setting that blocks WiFi clients from communicating with each other and wired clients. (Very similar to a “Guest” setup). I don’t know why this would the default setup, but it’s something to keep in mind.

Also make sure that the 2.4 and 5GHz segments can communicate. Your phone/pad will probably prefer 5GHz. Here are some WiFi details to consider.


AjTrek1
  • 7385 replies
  • June 20, 2025

Researched your router and it may have Band Steering enabled. That’s where the router decides which band a Wi-Fi client should use. If so it needs to be disabled.

Prior to having Sonos on your network having Band Steering enabled is typically not an issue for your cell, tablet etc. It can be for Sonos especially older products as you have.


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  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • 10 replies
  • June 20, 2025

Hmm…is it easy to disable band steering? I’m still hoping I can return the equipment and get my money back as it’s been such a hassle. But if that’s an easy fix, maybe I could see if that works.


Mr. T
  • 2107 replies
  • June 20, 2025

Hmm…is it easy to disable band steering? I’m still hoping I can return the equipment and get my money back as it’s been such a hassle. But if that’s an easy fix, maybe I could see if that works.


Band steering would just be a router setting that can be enabled/disabled.

The Playbar can only connect to 2.4GHz as it uses it’s 5GHz radio for communicating with bonded Sub(s)/surrounds.

Although that shouldn’t have been an issue when you had the Playbar wired to your router.

Also see https://support.sonos.com/en-gb/article/supported-wifi-modes-and-security-standards-for-sonos-products


Forum|alt.badge.img
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • 10 replies
  • June 20, 2025

Just heard from the estate sale, and they said they’d give me a refund. I think I’d be better off exploring Sonos investing in something newer. Probably way less of a headache.


AjTrek1
  • 7385 replies
  • Answer
  • June 20, 2025

Just heard from the estate sale, and they said they’d give me a refund. I think I’d be better off exploring Sonos investing in something newer. Probably way less of a headache.

That’s a good course of acton. Estate and garage sales are iffy when it comes to electronics. Also, you never know if problems existed with gear before hand or even if the seller was the original owner.

A comparable product to the Playbar using an Optical connection is the Sonos Ray; although not as powerful. A better choice would be the Beam2 that will connect to your TV via HDMI or Optical (requires adapter). The Sonos Sub Mini would work well with either.

Click the links to view the products.

Sonos Beam2     Sonos Ray    Sonos Sub Mini     Optical Adapter

EDIT:

The above recommendations assume you are only wanting a Sonos soundbar and possibly a Sub. If you’re looking to move into Home Theater (HT) they will work as well. All you need do is add a pair of Era 100’s for a full blown HT system.

If you want something beyond Dolby Digital 5.1 there is the Arc Ultra that provides Dolby Atmos * or its predecessor the Arc. For those options you might want to consider a Sub 3 or Sub  4.  

For the ultimate experience you have the Arc Ultra (or Arc) bonded with a Sub 3/Sub 4 and a pair of Era 300’s.  

FYI, Subs and Surrounds can be added at anytime to a Sonos Soundbar.

 

 * The Beam2 will send Dolby Atmos as well although it’s a smaller product with no upward firing drivers.