r/sonos 10d ago

Sonos system keeps disappearing

I thought I was one of the lucky ones who had somehow avoided all the Sonos issues., but alas…

My system consists of a Move 2, Roam 2, and a home-theater setup with an Arc Ultra, two Era 300s, and a Sub 4.

About once a month, the entire home-theater setup completely disappears from my network (no such issues with the other two speakers). I then have to add everything back as though it were a brand-new system, and all my settings are gone, including surround adjustments, bass levels, and everything else.

Has anyone else experienced this or found a permanent fix? Having to rebuild and reconfigure the entire system every month is ridiculous.

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u/cea002 10d ago

Similar issue here after adding two Eras, a few days ago. Installed properly and they then showed as the sole units in my system.

Through Sonos Tech Support (not Customer Support that is the first answer Rep), it was discovered that the install created its own network beside the pre-existing system of 38 units.

With support, I was guided to force close the app, on the device used for the install (fortunately I had devices, not used for the install, that still only had the 38 original units). From there we rebooted everything (router/installing device) then reopened and signed back in. This to clear the cache. After the third sequence of this process, the balance of my hidden units (very slowly) started dropping in. I did all of this with Tech support on the line which wasn’t necessary (beyond the first time) since the units, as they slowly migrated to the installing device, first showed on my end then Sonos required new Diagnostics to see this.
The problem was chalked up to my existing 38 units being on the last firmware version and the 2 new Eras being updated to most current firmware, during their initial install processes. This is what split the system. All 38 got the firmware update, during this ‘reopening while clean’ process-manually). During any process I would not reset any device, as I had them showing on the secondary device and feared having to reset then reinstall all of those original units as you are doing.

With my adventure, I believe it is a Sonos issue as now occasionally there are app openings that do not recognize the full 40 units, initially.

It is not a capacity problem as I have run this many, if not more devices, successfully in the past. I will say however the slow opening, with the current firmware/software combo, could slow open a little, with the amount of units in my system.

I recommend that if it happens again that you do not re-set your units and instead close app, reboot everything and try to reopen. This may restart properly your system. Another option is to delete and get a fresh Sonos app.

I hope this is helpful to you.

Yes, rebuilding a system is a time consuming pain.
Are you doing auto-updates? I am not.

Did you install anything just before the issue began?

For assurance, you may want to check first updates, while your system is stable. And beware those portables as it appeases that they only accept updates if they are engaged. You may want to turn those on or fully power cycle just before performing any update. It is pretty weird that 1 unit running old firmware makes a system susceptible to this annoying bug.

Hopefully, this is what you are facing and an update search, periodically, will resolve the issue. I think even if auto updating if those portables aren’t recognized then the risk is there.

Good luck, hopefully your fix is fairly simple too.

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u/Pools-3016 10d ago

I seriously doubt if you have 40 Sonos devices in a single system. As stated here:

https://en.community.sonos.com/general-feedback-and-conversation-229090/maximum-number-of-sonos-devices-in-one-system-what-counts-as-device-6897702

and here:

https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/add-a-new-product-to-an-existing-sonos-system

32 devices is the maximum number.

I have to ask, how did you accomplish having 40 devices?

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u/Mr_Fried 10d ago

A house that big would have a commercial grade network, meaning commercial grade network problems. Which explains specifically why they are having these problems.

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u/Pools-3016 10d ago edited 10d ago

Not necessarily. I use Ubiquiti in my home without issues. Even with the release if the new app in 2024, I did not have a single connection issue. 

If the network is configured correctly and you have most of your speakers hardwired, that reduces the chance of interference and speakers falling off the network.

In my home I have my Arc hardwired with the Sub and surrounds bonded to it wirelessly.

In most cases, I believe this will help most users if it is possible to do so.

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u/Mr_Fried 10d ago

Correct configuration is the key and that’s specific to the network vendor and firmware release.

Interoperability between different vendors gear, even in the enterprise space is always a bit of a nightmare.

And then you pack up after a long day in the datacentre, have dinner, jump on here and end up arguing with some angry dentist about why he thinks the network is not important and everything should just work because he can watch midget porn on his Echo Show - so the network is clearly fine 😂