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Question

Adding used play:3 to existing system

  • December 24, 2025
  • 7 replies
  • 25 views

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I had 2 play:3s using S2 and ditched the bridge when I updated to S2 (years ago). One of my play 3:s died. I tossed it and purchased a used play 3 on ebay. Just received it, plugged it in and went to the app to add it but it never finds it. The white light flashes for about a minute and then goes solid. Some help I found online says to factory reset it by pressing and holding the button while plugging it in. I tried that but that did not change the behavior. While light flashes then goes solid. Don't know what to do. Please help!

7 replies

Mr. T
  • December 24, 2025

From what you say, the factory reset is not completing successfully.

Are you holding the Play/Pause button when reconnecting power? The button should be held until the led starts flashing orange and white. The app should then find the speaker once the led flashes green. Also try holding Play/Pause and Volume + buttons if previous method does not work.

The 2nd hand Play:3 may also still be running S1 firmware. If you use the S1 app, does it find the speaker?

Also try connecting the Play:3 by ethernet to your router for initial setup.


Stanley_4
  • Lead Maestro
  • December 24, 2025

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  • Contributor II
  • December 25, 2025

So, I have tried pressing play/pause and then plugging it in and play/pause + volume up and then plugging it in. In both cases the light only flashes white (not orange and white) and then goes solid white after about 30 seconds. I haven't tried the S1 app because it never flashes green so I don't think it will work. Am I wrong? 


AjTrek1
  • December 25, 2025

So, I have tried pressing play/pause and then plugging it in and play/pause + volume up and then plugging it in. In both cases the light only flashes white (not orange and white) and then goes solid white after about 30 seconds. I haven't tried the S1 app because it never flashes green so I don't think it will work. Am I wrong? 

If as you say… you didn’t follow the directions given. You don’t hold the play/pause and then plug it in. You must hold play/pause button and simultaneously plug it in and keep holding play/pause until led flashes orange/white. It does take practice and timing.


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  • Author
  • Contributor II
  • December 25, 2025

Sorry! I did not explain myself properly. I hold the button and simultaneously plug it in while still pressing buttons as instructed. I think the only thing remaining to try is plugging it into ethernet cable but I don't have instructions for that. Going to also try holding the buttons pressed for a longer time. So far, I have let go of buttons when flashing started.


Stanley_4
  • Lead Maestro
  • December 25, 2025

Etnernet is dead simple, there is an identical plug on either end of the cable, plug one into your Sonos and the other into your router.


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  • Author
  • Contributor II
  • December 25, 2025

We'll! Thanks everyone for your help. Turns out all I had to do is continue holding down the play/pause button. I was letting go when it started flashing white. I held it a bit longer and it started flashing orange and white and then flashing green. The app then found it immediately and after a few connects and disconnects and firmware updates, I am now listening to it. Thanks again! Now I can enjoy the Christmas music.

 

Merry Christmas!