Skip to main content
Answered

Access Points via Powerline

  • November 27, 2025
  • 12 replies
  • 94 views
S
Forum|alt.badge.img+1

Looking for a 2025 response - I have managed to use an extender to have one room in my kitchen while the rest connect to the router.  For a variety of reasons I am considering trying a Powerline Extender (Netgear to be the same as my other devices).  I would switch the extender into Access Point mode.  I should then have the same single network SSIDs (not new ones from the Extender).  I am thinking this should help if the Powerline works.  Live in a cement house so can add ethernet easily.  

 

I read many posts from years ago and wondering if anything has change or any views on this in today’s world with the current S2 app etc.    

 

 

Thanks in advance.

Best answer by Stinsonddog

Update for those who are following.  After extensive research on this here was my solution.  If this is not solid I will report back.  

First I acknowledge ​@AjTrek1 for his link on mesh for Sonos.  To anyone from Sonos watching.  Take the reference out of a footnote and really it’s 2026 almost, put a whole page on this.  

Second for me I switched my Netgear extender from having the same SSID’s that I set up to using their One Wifi.  This has provided a more stable extender and quicker switching.  I have one of four rooms on this extender.

The big difference though.  Instead of using the Powerline for the extender I put the Arc Ultra on it.  In case you aren’t aware, the Ultra doesn’t support the Sonos Zip network.  The rest of my products are on it including the one off the extender.  I was surprised how easy it was to set up.  I got the TP Link AV2000.  What I am seeing is there is no more struggling on my Mac to see the system, and no more complaints about the firewall or updating.  I think this will solve my particular problem which arises because of my layout where the Ultra would switch from the router to the extender and then the problems would arise.  This seems to have solved this.  

UPDATE - literally - just did an Ultra update from my Mac.  Use to fail if on the extender.  When the update started the Ultra and the room on the extender were grouped.  With this wired set up it updated the Ultra, finished and regrouped them.  no issues.  

 

If it doesn’t I will report back.  Thanks to everyone for helping expand my understanding of everything.

 

Postscript for those that are from Network experts like me.  What I learned is the Extender in Extender Mode switches quicker than in Access Point mode, even with the same SSIDs set up in AP mode.  Since we have things besides Sonos that wasn’t great.  My set up is a router and extender, not a current system advertised as MESH.  Mine was sort of the latest before the current mesh systems.  I am glad that Sonos is working better with the current mesh systems.   

 

12 replies

AjTrek1
  • AjTrek1
  • November 27, 2025

Powerline extenders/adapters are still not officially supported by Sonos. You can try it to see what happens.

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
Stanley_4
Airgetlam
AlwaysJammin
Stanley_4
  • Stanley_4
  • Lead Maestro
  • November 28, 2025

Maybe consider a mesh wifi system, Sonos supports them.

Wireless links between mesh nodes should work. Worst case it is easy to run Ethernet in the attic and connect ceiling mounted APs to that. Power over Ethernet makes that option even easier.

S
Forum|alt.badge.img+1
  • Stinsonddog
  • Author
  • Avid Contributor I
  • November 28, 2025

Maybe consider a mesh wifi system, Sonos supports them.

Wireless links between mesh nodes should work. Worst case it is easy to run Ethernet in the attic and connect ceiling mounted APs to that. Power over Ethernet makes that option even easier.

Thanks but not so easy in a stucco house.  Also my understanding is mesh is a true problem based on Sonos articles and access point is preferred.  

S
Forum|alt.badge.img+1
  • Stinsonddog
  • Author
  • Avid Contributor I
  • November 28, 2025

Powerline extenders/adapters are still not officially supported by Sonos. You can try it to see what happens.

Theory is correct though with an access point there is only one unified network for each SSID, so if the powerline works should be an improvement.  I will try it when I get time.  

AjTrek1
  • AjTrek1
  • November 28, 2025

Maybe consider a mesh wifi system, Sonos supports them.

Wireless links between mesh nodes should work. Worst case it is easy to run Ethernet in the attic and connect ceiling mounted APs to that. Power over Ethernet makes that option even easier.

Thanks but not so easy in a stucco house.  Also my understanding is mesh is a true problem based on Sonos articles and access point is preferred.  

Regarding mesh networks and Sonos. Click the link as Mesh networks are recommended especially with the new WiFi standards. I have a Wi-FI 7 mesh with 31 Sonos units. There is also a secondary link with a sub note (2) that recommends Mesh. To be fair some homes with thick walls may require a wired setup.

https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/sonos-system-requirements
 

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
Stanley_4
Airgetlam
S
Forum|alt.badge.img+1
  • Stinsonddog
  • Author
  • Avid Contributor I
  • November 28, 2025

OK buried in the footnotes.  I had to search for the word mesh.  Interesting why they do that.  Thanks for this link though and for your own experience its good to hear.  Mesh might create other issues for me, not to mention the cost, especially if looking for one with a third SSID for IOT things.   Trying AP this way is $100 so I may try that first.  

ONE BIG BIG thing about wired set up that is not well documented.  ARC ULTRA does not support Sonos.Net.  My system is wired so that helps with some rooms.  

Maybe consider a mesh wifi system, Sonos supports them.

Wireless links between mesh nodes should work. Worst case it is easy to run Ethernet in the attic and connect ceiling mounted APs to that. Power over Ethernet makes that option even easier.

Thanks but not so easy in a stucco house.  Also my understanding is mesh is a true problem based on Sonos articles and access point is preferred.  

Regarding mesh networks and Sonos. Click the link as Mesh networks are recommended especially with the new WiFi standards. I have a Wi-FI 7 mesh with 31 Sonos units. There is also a secondary link with a sub note (2) that recommends Mesh. To be fair some homes with thick walls may require a wired setup.

https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/sonos-system-requirements
 

 

AjTrek1
  • AjTrek1
  • November 28, 2025

Just FYI

i built my own Mesh using three (3) Asus routers with a wired backhaul. My system allows for separate SSID’s for primary, guest and IoT  networks. Although, I don’t need the IoT as I resolved that issue by not assigning separate SSID’s for 2.4 GHz. 5Ghz and 6Ghz.  There is no ban steering of devices. I let everything attach to the nearest node in the Mesh and select the most suitable band including Sonos. The 31 Sonos units I mentioned are in addition to the other 30 or so devices. There can be as many as 60 -65 clients on my mesh at any given time. BTW… my ISP is providing 3GB incoming.

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
Stanley_4
  • Stanley_4
  • Lead Maestro
  • November 28, 2025

Forr my suggestion stucco or other outside walls isn't an issue as all wiring can be run inside the house or attic. My home is stucco but I placed my wiring in inside walls. I did do initial testing by running Ethernet blue painter's taped to the sheet rock to make sure my plan was going to work. Moving the wires into the walls and attic wasn't difficult, the hardest part was the connection from the router to attic and that required fishing a single cable and adding an Ethernet port wall plate.

Usually stucco homes have sheetrock Interror walls, they aren't often a problem for Wi-Fi, stone or concrete can be.

S
Forum|alt.badge.img+1
  • Stinsonddog
  • Author
  • Avid Contributor I
  • November 28, 2025

Forr my suggestion stucco or other outside walls isn't an issue as all wiring can be run inside the house or attic. My home is stucco but I placed my wiring in inside walls. I did do initial testing by running Ethernet blue painter's taped to the sheet rock to make sure my plan was going to work. Moving the wires into the walls and attic wasn't difficult, the hardest part was the connection from the router to attic and that required fishing a single cable and adding an Ethernet port wall plate.

Usually stucco homes have sheetrock Interror walls, they aren't often a problem for Wi-Fi, stone or concrete can be.

I wish it were that simple but my walls are concrete and I have no attic. Thanks for the suggestion though

Stanley_4
S
Forum|alt.badge.img+1
  • Stinsonddog
  • Author
  • Avid Contributor I
  • November 28, 2025

Just FYI

i built my own Mesh using three (3) Asus routers with a wired backhaul. My system allows for separate SSID’s for primary, guest and IoT  networks. Although, I don’t need the IoT as I resolved that issue by not assigning separate SSID’s for 2.4 GHz. 5Ghz and 6Ghz.  There is no ban steering of devices. I let everything attach to the nearest node in the Mesh and select the most suitable band including Sonos. The 31 Sonos units I mentioned are in addition to the other 30 or so devices. There can be as many as 60 -65 clients on my mesh at any given time. BTW… my ISP is providing 3GB incoming.

 

I like your TEAM statement btw.  That’s great that this worked but as I mentioned in the just prior post hardwiring is not easy for us.  And we have limited wifi bandwidth here only 50mbps incoming.  

What’s interesting about your post is I kinda want to know how Sonos got from all the posts here about mesh not working to it working now but as a footnote on their help page.  Why can’t they be very specific as it's a common problem in many houses.  

 

 

Stanley_4
  • Stanley_4
  • Lead Maestro
  • November 28, 2025

That is a worst case situation! I can't think of any easy, not ugly solution.

S
S
Forum|alt.badge.img+1
  • Stinsonddog
  • Author
  • Avid Contributor I
  • Answer
  • December 7, 2025

Update for those who are following.  After extensive research on this here was my solution.  If this is not solid I will report back.  

First I acknowledge ​@AjTrek1 for his link on mesh for Sonos.  To anyone from Sonos watching.  Take the reference out of a footnote and really it’s 2026 almost, put a whole page on this.  

Second for me I switched my Netgear extender from having the same SSID’s that I set up to using their One Wifi.  This has provided a more stable extender and quicker switching.  I have one of four rooms on this extender.

The big difference though.  Instead of using the Powerline for the extender I put the Arc Ultra on it.  In case you aren’t aware, the Ultra doesn’t support the Sonos Zip network.  The rest of my products are on it including the one off the extender.  I was surprised how easy it was to set up.  I got the TP Link AV2000.  What I am seeing is there is no more struggling on my Mac to see the system, and no more complaints about the firewall or updating.  I think this will solve my particular problem which arises because of my layout where the Ultra would switch from the router to the extender and then the problems would arise.  This seems to have solved this.  

UPDATE - literally - just did an Ultra update from my Mac.  Use to fail if on the extender.  When the update started the Ultra and the room on the extender were grouped.  With this wired set up it updated the Ultra, finished and regrouped them.  no issues.  

 

If it doesn’t I will report back.  Thanks to everyone for helping expand my understanding of everything.

 

Postscript for those that are from Network experts like me.  What I learned is the Extender in Extender Mode switches quicker than in Access Point mode, even with the same SSIDs set up in AP mode.  Since we have things besides Sonos that wasn’t great.  My set up is a router and extender, not a current system advertised as MESH.  Mine was sort of the latest before the current mesh systems.  I am glad that Sonos is working better with the current mesh systems.   

 

Terms & ConditionsCookie settingsAccessibility statement