Sonos Roam Orange Light

I’ve installed each/every Sonos update and the two Roans here are still okay, so maybe it’s a hardware issue. You’re probably best to contact Sonos Support via this link:

https://support.sonos.com/s/contact

Hi - another one with the exact same issue.

My Roam has spent all it’s days on the Sonos-supplied charging pad.  Suddenly it started manifesting this same issue about 2 weeks ago: when taken off the power, it is 100% dead.  On the charging pad - 100% dead.  On USB, the orange light at the bottom comes on, otherwise dead.  The orange light will change from solid to flashing sometimes.  This is after 4 days of being charged via the USB cable.

As a software engineer with a very dogged attitude towards troubleshooting, I’ve been very persistent at trying to get the Roam to connect.  After a LOT of messing around, I think the issue is that a software update might have bricked the Roam. 

On my PC, the Roam does not show up at all.  On my iPhone, the Roam shows up as ‘Not Connected’. After multiple attempts, I can get the Roam to very briefly connect - and it shows that the battery is 100% charged. It also tells me that the Roam requires a software update. A second later it falls off my system again, and the software update is not able to take place. I do the process again, and it shows ‘not connected’ for the next 10 times, then it will connect briefly, request an update, and drop off again. When the Roam drops off, my remaining Sonos system (7 speakers) say the system is up to date.  So I think there was an update about 2 weeks ago or so where the rest of the system got updated but the Roam didn’t and now it is non-functional.

Although the battery shows as 100% (and earlier showed at 97% so seems to be reading something),  the unit is totally dead and unresponsive when removed from the USB cable. 

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EDIT: After 40 minutes with chat support, they have confirmed that my unit is faulty and they will be sending me a replacement.

@User482341,

It maybe best to submit a Sonos system diagnostic report from within the Sonos App and either note/post it’s reference back here and then contact/chat with Sonos Support Staff via this LINK  and see what the Staff can suggest to resolve the matter.

After charging for a while, remove the charger and hold the power button for 15 seconds. If you slip off the button, restart the interval. If the unit starts, fully charge the unit.

We cannot rule out hardware failure, probably the battery.

Not sure where you guys are based but don't forget your consumer rights may well be longer than the 12m you (or Sonos) may believe.  EU (inc. Norway and some others) is 2 years I believe and UK much longer.  The device needs to last a ‘reasonable’ length of time.  I'd ask Sonos to confirm that they believe that 14 months is reasonable for one of their items to last and take it from there…

I'd like to think Sonos would respond favourably and use some discretion and common sense in such a case, especially if you make your case calmly and constructively..

No way would I accept having to buy a replacement (even at ‘only’ 70% price) for something only that old.

Thanks for the suggestion.  When I remove the unit from the charger, it is 100% dead, so holding the power button doesn’t appear to do anything.

Support have just confirmed my unit is defective.

Same issue here for the last week or so. Sonos Roam stamped with "model S27" on the base. Stopped wireless charging, and would continuously show orange light at base when plugged into USB-C charger (Anker 511 Nano 3). Orange light never turns off. Original purchase date was November 2021.

Support had me go through all the troubleshooting steps - hold power button for 20s, press and hold play/pause + volume up, attempt factory reset with play/pause and power button, etc. Then charge overnight and repeat the process. Apparently there's a known issue for Roams manufactured before Aug 24, 2021, and mine doesn't match that so I have a 30% off coupon now and a decision to make about whether to buy another one that might fail in less than two years. 🤷‍♂️

Yup, mine’s ‘bricked’ too.  Bought the roam shortly after launch.  Love my other Sonos stuff, but the roam has not been great.  Always had short battery life and glitchy connections.

I think the culprit (no real evidence, though) might be the Sonos wireless charging base for the Roam.  I picked that up right when they offered it.

After several months of sitting on it (and using the speaker a few times each week) and removing it rarely, it started to ‘sleep’ and/or disconnect.  I had to 5sec Hold or 20sec hold or all of the other tricks to get it back.  Eventually, I had to stop using the wireless charging pad, as it never seemed to provide enough of a charge.  (yes, I swapped the plug portion a couple times).  

USBC charging worked well for a few weeks, but then the same problems started. 

Now, it is orange light full time when plugged in, bricked when unplugged.  swapped several USBC cables and power sources.  I think the battery is prob shot now.

I’ve had to go back to my Bose Soundlink Micro (several years old) when I’m mobile.  That battery is still a champ.  Of course, it’s a Bose - so it doesn’t mesh with the good Sonos stuff.

The concept of Roam was good, but never really worked for me.  I may consider the Move, but that’s moving to a much bulkier size (not to mention cost).

I had the same thing going on with my Sonos Roam… Right on the 12 month mark it stated dying a slow death. First up I noticed that the battery was barely lasting me an hour if that, this continued for a week or so, after that I was just stuck with a solid amber light at the bottom of the unit and not responsive to anything else I’d try including those 20 second press and holds where my finger would turn pale due to lack of circulation… lol.

So yeah, 13 months in and it was completely dead, I’m glad I got it at Costco so was able to return and get a full refund. No longer a current item in Costco stores any more so I decided to order online this time and received it yesterday. Let’s see how long this one lasts, I’m just breathing easier that I can just return it at Costco when it dies again (yeah, I used ‘when’ because I know it will seeing all these messages on this forum here). I’m even saving the box this time to make the return easier.

Different experience here - have two x 3-year old Roams from when they were first launched and both are still going strong. I mostly leave them on their Qi charger when not in use/out & about with them and use both regularly. No battery issues seen. I use the battery saving features.

Bluetooth and WiFi playback have been excellent. No complaints. Have even dropped them a couple of times and they just bounced.😀