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GMR
Avid Contributor I
January 16, 2026

Drastic action - Reset and go back to S1 App - Hints/tips appreciated

Ever since the 2024 update I have had issues with my Sonos system, but not a big enough problem to warrant taking drastic action. But the inability of the system to play a nice selection of Christmas music over the holidays has even had my wife saying the Sonos is a waste of time and money.

Hence, it’s time to do something about it.

I have had a good read at the comments about “downgrading from S2 to S1. These articles do appear to be, in some cases nearly 12 months old.

May I ask if it would be possible for someone to verify my understanding of what is required to “drop” back to the original S1 app functionality. All my devices are S1 compatible as they are typically 5+ years old.

All I want is my system to respond as it used to do, play the music I want and not drop speakers for days on end, only to then magically find the speaker again and play some random music.

My understanding is: -

  1. Download the original S1 app to another device to avoid confusion. Not sure if there is a particular version of theS1 App to use.
  2. Ensure the S2 app is up to date OR should I fully delete the S2 app from my mobile & tablet.
  3. Delete any windows PC-based apps/tools for Sonos.
  4. Unplug all Sonos devices from the mains power.
  5. Select one Sonos device and power it up, ensuring the Play & Pause buttons are pressed. Allow it to reset itself and wait until the green light appears.
  6. Now using the S1 app downgrade the device to S1.
  7. Unplug the downgraded device and repeat with next device, Key question, do I do this with all my devices so they are at S1? before moving to the next item (h).
  8. Add units one by one until they are being managed by the S1 app.
  9. Hope and pray its all working again!!

 

Many thanks

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    87 replies

    Jamie A
    Jamie A
    Sonos Staff
    January 19, 2026

    Hi ​@GMR,

    I’m sorry to hear that you’re having trouble getting your system to work.

    Before you look at downgrading your system, I would suggest you look at our support articles for Reducing Wireless Interference and Speakers missing from the app. If they don’t help, then I’d next suggest contacting our support team after you’ve submitted a diagnostics.

    Since your system is having issues with your speakers not playing, dropping out, or going missing from the Sonos app, then an S1 system will likely show the same issues. Support can look into the diagnostics to see what’s going wrong and can provide troubleshooting steps to resolve this.

    If you’re still looking to downgrade your system to S1, then please follow the steps listed in our Downgrade a Sonos product to S1 support article. You’ll need both the new Sonos app and the S1 app to perform the downgrade, you don’t need to delete the Windows app for the downgrade to work, and I would recommend downgrading one device at a time just in case any issues arise.

    If you have any trouble with the downgrade and are certain you want to proceed, our support team can also help guide you through this process.

    I hope this information helps!

      GMRAuthor
      Avid Contributor I
      January 19, 2026

      Hi Jamie

      As an aside, when I first started with Sonos I did hard wire all of my speakers to my LAN to be assured that Wi-Fi could not be causing any problems. The system worked perfectly for years. Only after doing some decorating and having to move my speakers to a temporary location (not hard wired) did I realise that they were all still working. Surprised, yes!

      Once the room updates were done all the speakers were moved back to their original locations, minus the LAN cable. They still all worked, up to the dreaded S2 update.

      Since then its been rather “hit n miss”

      Currently 4 speakers are playing my music, the app says nothing is playing in the queue. The Beam says its playing a Black Sabbath album, I can assure you it’s not.

       

      Would you suggest I connect everything back to the LAN and see what happens?

      Cheers

       

       

      Airgetlam
      Airgetlam
      January 19, 2026

      The challenge is, as always, that WiFi can be troubled by external sources, it never exists ‘in a vacuum’. I’d certainly consider the information in those links that ​@Jamie A provided. 

      Bruce
        GMRAuthor
        Avid Contributor I
        January 19, 2026

        ​@Airgetlam 

        ​@Jamie A 

         

        I will consider/try anything from anybody. I was just thinking I could possibly rule out the Wi-Fi by going back to the LAN.

        Could it be a situation that the speakers are all working as expected, its the app that’s not reporting what is actually going on in the real world?

         

        Stanley_4
        Stanley_4
        Grand Maestro
        January 19, 2026

        Have you looked at the Network section for each speaker?

        What quality link are they showing? What channel(s) are in use? 

         

        Have you set static/reserved IP addresses for all Sonos? Usually from the router's DHCP page.

        Once done power down all Sonos, reboot router and controller and power the Sonos back up. 

         

        I can't imagine going back to S1 is going to solve most connection problems. Some other issues, yes, but not connectivity. 

          GMRAuthor
          Avid Contributor I
          January 19, 2026

          ​@Stanley_4 

          I have had a good physical look at my systems connections:-

          Rightly or wrongly I may be using the Sonosnet style mesh system to connect everything together.

          My Beam is hard wired, I will assume the speakers are using their own mesh network, but I am not sure.

          Could you explain how I view the info you mention:-

          Have you looked at the Network section for each speaker?

          What quality link are they showing? What channel(s) are in use? 

          I am in the dark when it comes to static/reserved IP addresses, I know what you are getting at, but not how to implement it.

          Stanley_4
          Stanley_4
          Grand Maestro
          January 19, 2026

          The Network information: Settings, Room, Product (pick a speaker) and scroll down a bit.

           

          Your router's DHCP Settings page should have instructions on reserving addresses, if it does not the user's manual will. It is normally just a few clicks per speaker and typing in the addresses. 

          GMRAuthor
          Avid Contributor I
          January 19, 2026

          ​@Stanley_4 

          I assume we are on the app?

          I do not see a screen as shown in your message 

          Stanley_4
          Stanley_4
          Grand Maestro
          January 19, 2026

          Stupid forum ate another long post. Short version:

          If you wire a speaker and don't disable wifi you have SonosNet. SonosNet compatible speakers will connect to that, others will use wifi.

          Your profile only shows a Play 1, makes giving a definitive answer impossible.

          Wi-Fi only is usually your best setup with the least issues. Save wired connections for after consulting Support about the need for them.

          Stanley_4
          Stanley_4
          Grand Maestro
          January 19, 2026

          ​@Stanley_4 

          I assume we are on the app?

          I do not see a screen as shown in your message 

          Did you follow the steps I gave to get there?

          You are on S2 software?

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