'FRUSTRATION'..........interrupted playback

Oh yes, Iforgot to give the router info……..it’s called a ‘Hitron’, Model name - CODA-4582, it’s my own router (what’s the diff. between a modem and a router, I never understood that terminology??) I’ve only got this router, it’s stands about 10” high and is about 4”x 4”

That’s what I did at first,I gave you the Version, Sonos OS, the Build number my sonos id #-117081851

A “Modem” is the interface between the street, satellite dish, or whatever to the local network. This connection will support a single device -- not very useful in a modern context.

A “Router” splits this single connection in to multiple “local connections” (sometimes called the “LAN” -- local area network)

If WiFi is required, one or more “Access Points” will be connected to the LAN to support wireless WiFi clients.

A “Gateway” will incorporate all three of these functions into a single box. Typically the “ISP” (Internet Service Provider) supplies a Gateway because it’s a one box solution for their installation technicians. 

Here’s where it becomes confusing because we commonly call the Gateway a “router” or a “router” might include the router function and an access point.

Unfortunately, when someone in the community refers to their “router” we are often not exactly sure what they have. If the user gives a model number we can look it up and provide better advice. Some Gateway/Router/Access points have a known history of flustering SONOS or require a special configuration. Sometimes we are aware of this, sometimes not. There are thousands of potential combinations.

Ahhhh, OK, I think I understand you, I’ve heard the term ‘LAN before’….so what makes you believe that the problem with my system ‘cutting-out’ lies within my network??

Because it's always the network.  I've helped hundreds, if not thousands, of Sonos owners since 2008.  I can count on one hand the times problems like yours were not solved by fixing a wonky network.

SONOS requires more robust network support because the players must continuously chat with each other. A webpage or email only communicates with an external site in a one to one connection. If there is a delay of a few milliseconds, or even tens of milliseconds, no one will notice. A break in an audio stream between SONOS players of a few milliseconds is catastrophic. The feature of tightly synchronized play between stereo pairs or throughout the whole house requires constant sharing of data between players. All of the players must be aware of and react to packet transit times across the network and this is constantly changing.

With a Group of players, any player in the Group or any controller (up to 32 simultaneous controllers are supported) can issue commands, such as “skip to the next track”. These commands must be immediately sent to all members of the Group or the user will become frustrated. Imagine your frustration if the right speaker of a stereo pair responds to a Volume or Pause command several seconds after its mate.

Many users assume that their network is “perfect” if they can view web sites, send email, or watch videos. Another assumption is that a very fast connection to the Internet makes their network “perfect”. If packets are lost or delayed on the local network, the Gigabit connection to the external world is useless to SONOS.

There are a few configuration settings on the local network components that can impede or support a SONOS system. Sometimes these are the default settings for network components from manufacturer ‘A’ but not for manufacturer ‘B’. One setting in particular cannot be a default. We have helped many, many hundreds of users through this setting — rescuing their somewhat chaotic SONOS system.

I went through this in 2005, fixed my network, and it’s been smooth sailing since.

Keep a log of events. Back then I was having major issues. My logging showed that afternoons and some evenings were perfect. Sunday afternoon was nearly impossible. I slipped a copy of my log, along with a polite note, under my neighbor’s door. A couple days later the note returned with annotations. She sometimes traveled overnight for business and called Mom on Sundays. She was using a cordless telephone known to cause major issues for WiFi. I was as able to work through this by avoiding placing wireless players near her base station.

Conditions change, you could be the victim of a neighbor’s newly updated network. My current situation is scary. I’m in an urban setting and a scan can show 70 nearby WiFi access points. Ten or twenty year old WiFi cannot deal with such a situation as well as current technology.

Well, thank you for the very detailed and thorough explanation of the possibilities of technical issues I’m experiencing. Although my comprehension in the field of computers/technology/networks is limited I think I’ve received the gist of your point.

When listening to my stions now on my Sonos I still finding the system does still ‘cut-out’ but much less. I’m wondering if the system will slowly correct itself???? 

Thank you for your time and efforts.

Probably not significantly, without intervention of some type. I’d recommend that you submit a system diagnostic within 10 minutes of experiencing this problem, and call Sonos Support to discuss it.

There may be information included in the diagnostic that will help Sonos pinpoint the issue and help you find a solution.

When you speak directly to the phone folks, they have tools at their disposal that will allow them to give you advice specific to your network and Sonos system.

I’d also recommend a network refresh, to eliminate the possibility of IP conflicts.  These often show up after a power outage or an update because a reboot requires the device to request a new IP, and the router, having lost track of prior IP assignments, issues a new IP that is in use by another device.  To cure this, do the following:

Reboot/power cycle your devices in the following order:

Modem
Router
Switches or hubs
Wired Sonos units
Wireless Sonos units
Computers/printers
Wireless devices - phones/tablets etc.

Allow each device to come back up before proceeding to the next.  Note that you can permanently prevent duplicate IP addresses by assigning an IP to each device's MAC address in the router setup.  See your router manual for details.

OK, I’ll do that, thanx a bunch for your expertise advice concerning this issue.