2026 PLAY PORTABLE Alexa Issue on SONOS 27

Get the problem to happen, submit a diagnostic and call Sonos support, they can see internal data we users can't. 

It’s supposed to, when used as a surround speaker, cancel all Alexa functions. It shouldn’t, to my knowledge, be ‘some times’, it shouldn’t be connecting all the time the Play (not PLAY:1) is used as a surround speaker. The Alexa feature, however, would continue to work on the enabled soundbar, if you have one.

I’m trying to find the FAQ that tells you this, the first three I’ve found don’t. Maybe someone else has a link. 

Probably because the mic is not disabled anymore when added as surrounds, so the limitation you are thinking of no longer applies.

You have been able to use a voice assistant on a surround for a while now.

I’ll admit I have voice control (the mics) turned off on all my Sonos. ;)

Sorry didnt make it clear.. It is a problem when I take them away from being used as surrounds, it then has lost the Alexa function. Not always but some times.  

Huh. Most interesting. I hope they’ve tested that, but I’d certainly suggest following ​@Stanley_4 ‘s suggestion. 

Yes already have a call in to support, more hoping to find others with same issues to help raise the issue better with SONOS 

 If time permits I can test this on one of my systems since I have two Plays. When I first tested the feature for surround use VA was not on my list.

Do the PLAY’s still have their WiFi connections when portable?

Yes this is happening in my house while on wifi in usual base locations. 

​​@Liam Lawyer 

To the best of my knowledge after testing; Alexa remains active on the Play to which it was originally added when selecting “Stop Using Surrounds”…..with a caveat. 

• There is approximately a 30 second delay (+/-) before Alexa reconnects to its cloud server

Test Parameters

• Alexa previously setup on left Play when used as stereo pair
• Stereo pair was removed as per procedure to use as surrounds

The following test was performed three (3) times with same results:

• Setup Plays as surrounds with Arc Ultra
• Verified they were properly setup as surrounds using cable AV source and Apple Music via Sonos app.
• Alexa works (responds)  on the “Left” Play speaker
• Stopped the source material 
• In the app selected “Stop Using Surrounds”
• Used wake word “Alexa”
• Visually verified via LED flash on speaker that wake word was heard/recognized 
• No response 
• Repeated wake word several times with no response
• My SWAG is that after approximately 30 seconds Alexa verbally responds *

Conclusion

• The above behavior would appear to be normal; but requires verification by Sonos as to its design/coding validity

Interesting Fact 😡

• Global announcements (via Alexa) still cannot be made originating from a Play as can be done via Move 2 or Roam 2. Sonos needs to petition Amazon to complete its vetting process to allow the feature on the Play (assuming that’s the reason).

 * SWAG = Scientific Wild Ass Guess

While the diagnostic/support desk is still the best approach, it might be interesting to see if the same issue occurs with Sonos Voice Control, or limited to Alexa.  If it occurs on both, than it’s logically going to be a Sonos issue to resolve.