Avid Contributor I

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

87 replies
1023 views

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: -

Download the original S1 app to another device to avoid confusion. Not sure if there is a particular version of theS1 App to use.
Ensure the S2 app is up to date OR should I fully delete the S2 app from my mobile & tablet.
Delete any windows PC-based apps/tools for Sonos.
Unplug all Sonos devices from the mains power.
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.
Now using the S1 app downgrade the device to S1.
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).
Add units one by one until they are being managed by the S1 app.
Hope and pray its all working again!!

Many thanks

This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.

Show previous replies

Airgetlam

My personal ‘take-away’ is that SonosNet is just another version of WiFi. It’s equally a radio signal, on a band, and affected by WiFi interference.

You certainly may see better results (temporarily) from wiring all devices and turning off each device’s radio…but it tends not to be realistic, and is most often more easy to solve the source of the wifi interference. In my two cases, it was replacing a failing microwave (bleeding into radio frequencies when it was on) and changing frequencies in use when I got a new neighbor with a ‘loud’ WiFi device that was using the band I’d been using. Neither particularly hard to do….once identified.

If I were to hazard a guess, and based on the many other threads about an issue, my guess is your BT router. But you’re ’on the ground’.

Bruce

Mr. T

@GMR - as you have older devices and I gather you have at least one device wired to your router, you may find it beneficial to view the Network Matrix which shows how the Sonos devices are communicating with each other.

G

GMRAuthor

Avid Contributor I

@Smilja

The home Hub 3 is very old technology.

We have had the Hub 4, Hub 5, Smart Hub 1 and mine the Smart Hub 2.

I am now looking into changing the SonosNet channel.

G

GMRAuthor

Avid Contributor I

@GMR - as you have older devices and I gather you have at least one device wired to your router, you may find it beneficial to view the Network Matrix which shows how the Sonos devices are communicating with each other.

@Mr. T

That's heavy reading, give me a day or so to digest and I will get back to you.

I

Ian_S

Prodigy III

My take on Sonosnet is that these days you should try and avoid it. The main reason for that is it tries to control network paths, but does so via an older version of the protocol that conflicts with many devices now. The BT Smart Hub is one such device as unlike older WiFi routers, it too can create and manage a WiFi mesh network if you have BT Discs… Another common UK device is Sky Q, which somewhat sneakily will attempt to boost a Sky Broadband signal using the Sky Q box and any Mini’s… The reason I call it sneaky is because unlike most devices which use default settings for the STP protocol which is used to control paths, Sky use a deliberately lower root value to mostly ensure it grabs control… whether you want it to or not…

So, with Sonos now, given that newer speakers don’t support Sonosnet anymore, you can still wire up some speakers, but you need to do it one at a time and make sure that before you power on the next component, you disable the WiFi… If you plug any Sonosnet capable device into your network and leave WiFi on, it will create Sonosnet and wireless Sonosnet speakers will join that. If there’s no Sonosnet they’ll just use your WiFi.

On the BT ‘Smart’ Hub, I think there's a setting in the I think Advanced settings, firewall, configuration for uPnP extended security. If that’s on, you might want to try turning it off.

The other potential problem with the BT device is by default its IP is .254 which means there’s lots of scope for something else to control multi-cast grouping, and if that device doesn’t work well at it, it may cause Sonos issues. So if none of the above works, it might be worth changing the BT Hub to be .1 on your network. This is a full reboot of everything you have … The device chosen to control multicast on a network is usually the one with the lowest IP. My thinking here is that changing the hub to .1 (you may need to tweak DCHP server ranges) means it’s guaranteed to be in charge and may work better.

G

GMRAuthor

Avid Contributor I

@Mr. T

I have got the matrix following your instructions…..what does it all mean?

Not sure how to add a copy of the matrix so you guys can review and comment.

G

GMRAuthor

Avid Contributor I

@Ian_S

Many thanks, I will head your comments

At least I don't have SKY Q, or BT discs. two less things to worry about.

Smilja

@Mr. T

I have got the matrix following your instructions…..what does it all mean?

Not sure how to add a copy of the matrix so you guys can review and comment.

Make a screenshot of the Matrix and upload it here.

»And the world is like an apple whirling silently in space, Like the circles that you find in the windmills of your mind.« (›Windmills Of Your Mind‹ [1967]. Music by Michel Legrand ; English lyrics written by Alan & Marilyn Bergman)

Mr. T

@Mr. T

I have got the matrix following your instructions…..what does it all mean?

Not sure how to add a copy of the matrix so you guys can review and comment.

In very simple terms, if you see either Amber or Red boxes within the columns (excluding the first column as that deals with noise levels) then the communication between your Sonos devices is not ideal.

A screenshot would help, or if you want to learn more about the matrix, I found the following article helpful:

https://freetime.mikeconnelly.com/archives/6050

G

GMRAuthor

Avid Contributor I

@Mr. T

Finally I managed to get a screen shot.

The beam is powered and connected to the LAN.

The two surrounds are powered and are NOT connected to my LAN

I have unplugged all other speakers from the mains power.

On the app for the beam the “connection” option has Enable WiFi ticked.

I have not moved any channels on my router yet.

This is the info I obtained.

In your opinion or anybody else, is this a good or bad start?

Show more replies

Sign up

Login to the community