Contributor I

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any updates or advice for getting Sonos speakers to consistently connect with Wifi 7

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I have seen several closed threads about connectivity issues with Wifi 7. I have called Sonos support twice about this issue and it seems like the bottom line is my Sonos speakers (including a Play 1, Play 5, and Era models) and the app only inconsistently work with Wifi 7 routers. And more specifically, the Sonos speakers need to stay connected to 2.4 ghz or they won’t consistently work. Is this still correct? if so, this is a huge weakness in an otherwise great sounding system.

A few months ago I had my tech savvy brother in law help me connect all my speakers (the chiming process, which is cumbrous and slow) to my wifi network operating only 2.4ghz. For about a month or so this all worked. But at some point either my router rebooted or something and I woke up one day and all the speakers had disappeared from my system, according to the app, even though I could still see that the speakers were connected to my wifi network. Rebooting the wifi network and reinstalling the Sonos app worked a little --my speakers all reappeared in the app, but they don’t all work consistently, and I get messages from the app saying my wifi network is unstable, which it isn’t, or only is for the Sonos system.

Right now, only a couple of the speakers will stream anything through the app, if they stream at all. I realize that probably having multiple speakers of different makes might be a factor, so I am going to just use one or two speakers. The Sonos tech I called about this couldn’t resolve the issue and suggest I get my internet provider to “turn off” Wifi 7. I am not convinced this will work permanently, but I might try it.

Needless to say I am very annoyed and looking for alternatives to Sonos. If my wifi is working I should be able to stream music without issue.

Kris Friday

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AjTrek1Answer

@fridaykr

I have a Wi-Fi 7 Mesh Network meaning that I have a main router and two satellites spread across my home. Needles to say a single Wi-Fi 7 router will work with Sonos if properly configured.

A Wi-Fi 7 router will typically be Tri-Band meaning it has 2.4Ghz, 5Ghz and a 6Ghz bands. The most important factors for a successful Wi-Fi 7 setup are:

All bands should have the same SSID and Password
All Bands should be active
Do not put Sonos on one band..let the speakers choose their preferred band *
Band Steering (Smart Connect) should be turned off
Airtime Fairness should be turned off
Security should be WPA2/WPA3 Personnel

Below is a link to an article I posted regarding Mesh Network setup mistakes; if yours is such.

* Sonos will ignore the 6Ghz band

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.

Show previous replies

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Joe2042

Lyricist I

My apologies for not being so clear on what devices support Sonosnet, ethernet, etc. This information is easily obtained.

What is dificult is finding “hey I have XXX router config and Sonos is broken”

With any luck, either Sonos or AT&T (and other router providers) will update firmware to support backward compatiblity better.

It’s pretty sad that of my entire home full of smart stuff, Sonos are the ONLY devices that did not work on the new router. Cheap Wi-Fi smart plugs, 3 year old ceiling fans, an old HP laptop that I don’t even think does WiFi 5… all work. Not Sonos. 🙄

Airgetlam

Sonos certainly ‘exercises’ networks in ways many/most other devices don’t, although as near as I’ve been able to research, within specifications for networks.

Bruce

S

SGFF

Lyricist I

I have 10 Sonos products a combination of old S1 products and new S2 products. Just moved to a new location and changed ISP. New modem is Panoramic Gateway Technicolor XB8 (Rev 2.5) from Cox Communications (supports up to 1 Gig). The old modem was also from Cox but had ability to specifically set band to either 2.4 or 5 Ghz. I ran everything on the 2.4 band. The new modem utilizes band steering, but Cox says not to use it. Tried to reinstall all my products and controllers. Only products hardwired via ethernet will connect. No wireless capability at all. The new App now combines both S1 and S2 units, but always defaults to S2. Spent over 5 hours with Sonos trying to resolve issue. They said no viable solution except to hard wire all units. None of my units will register to the new router and my Mac desktop controller for my S1 products will not connect to the new Modem. My only solution is to either wire my come for ethernet or change products. Even upgrading everything to S2 does not solve the problem. Units cannot be updated or registered. Besides looks like Sonos is a sinking ship so why spend more money. After 20 years with Sonos products to be left high and dry is unacceptable. Sonos creates Apps and updates wireless products without user interface or communication with major ISP’s. What is the advantage of wireless products without wireless capability? I can’t be the only person to experience this. BTW the modem from Cox is the exact same model as is used by Xfinity.

Stanley_4

Grand Maestro

Simple solution, set the Cox box to pass through and get a better quality router.

Harder (possible) solution try to figure out why the Cox box won't connect and work around it.

I'd go with the first option, it was quick and painless plus the new router is a lot more usable.

C

craigski

Local Superstar

New modem is Panoramic Gateway Technicolor XB8 (Rev 2.5) from Cox Communications (supports up to 1 Gig).

Have you tried those steps? Your ISP’s XB8 may be blocking the Sonos network traffic.

I can’t be the only person to experience this. BTW the modem from Cox is the exact same model as is used by Xfinity.

Some more solutions here:

https://forums.xfinity.com/conversations/search?q=sonos

S

SGFF

Lyricist I

Thanks for the suggestions.

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