Sonos not connecting, Sonos won’t connect: How to Fix them? Here’s how you can troubleshoot it.
Sonos dominates the high-end wireless speaker segment, with its Arc, One, and Beam being some of the most popular models. Not only do they offer sublime sound, but they also have excellent wireless connectivity and app integration. That makes Sonos undoubtedly the easiest choice for multi-room speaker configuration.
But now and then, you may have trouble connecting to your Sonos speakers for various underlying issues. Troubleshooting such problems can take some time and effort, especially when you’re unable to pinpoint what caused them in the first place.
So to help you fix them, we’ve prepared this guide to some of the most common connectivity problems on Sonos with easy-to-follow troubleshooting steps. Check them out below.
Fix the “Sonos not Connecting” Error
If you happen to encounter this error message, it means that the Sonos app on your device can’t establish a connection to your Sonos speaker. All you have to do is tap the message and follow the in-app instructions to resolve it. Those using the new Sonos (also known as Sonos S2) app can troubleshoot the error via the Settings tab.
If you’re using an iPhone or iPad with the latest version of iOS or iPadOS installed, follow these instructions:
- First, go to the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Privacy.
- Now select Local Network in the following menu.
- Turn on Local Network Access for the Sonos app.
Once you’ve allowed the specific permission for the Sonos app on your Apple device, it should be able to rediscover your Sonos speakers. But if none of the following workarounds solves the issue, try these fixes and see whether the Sonos app reconnects to your speakers.
1. Confirm you’re on the same network
Head over to your device’s Wi-Fi settings and check if it’s connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Sonos speaker. Make sure that your phone, tablet, or computer isn’t on an isolated guest network.
2. Restart your router
Restart your network router from its setup page. Or you can simply unplug it and then plug it back in after a minute or two. Ensure all your devices are on the same Wi-Fi network before relaunching the Sonos app.
3. Check if your Sonos is on
Make sure to plug in your Sonos device to the power outlet securely. When it’s powered up, a solid white light on your Sonos will indicate that’s it ready for use. If it doesn’t turn on, try plugging it into a different outlet or contact Sonos customer support to claim your warranty.
4. Additional fixes
If you’re still facing the same error after following the above fixes, check out these steps too:
- Reset your router’s settings and connect your Sonos speaker to the newly set up network via the Sonos app. Simply launch the Sonos app, go to the Settings tab, and tap the error prompt that appears.
- Turn off VPN on your smartphone, tablet, or computer and check if the Sonos app reestablishes a connection to your smart speaker. Alternatively, allow access to local network devices from VPN client settings.
- If possible, consider connecting your Sonos device to the router with an Ethernet cable. Those already using one should replace it to see if the existing cable is faulty.
Fix issues During Sonos app Wireless Setup
Sonos app not working? The following troubleshooting steps below will help you fix issues that sometimes occur when connecting your Sonos device to Wi-Fi.
1. Incorrect Wi-Fi network
Confirm you’ve selected the correct Wi-Fi network when entering your password. If required, tap the “Use another network” option and try reconnecting.
2. Incorrect Wi-Fi password
When entering the Wi-Fi password, tap Show next to the password field to double-check that you’ve typed it correctly. If you keep seeing the same error message, flip your router and look for a sticker, which should have your default Wi-Fi password. You may need to contact your service provider to find or reset it.
If you ultimately can’t find the Wi-Fi password, tap Alternate setup to opt for a wired setup process, only if your Sonos device has an Ethernet port. Otherwise, you have no choice but to find or reset your home Wi-Fi password to finish the setup.
3. Incompatible Wi-Fi network
There are specific network types that are incompatible with Sonos’ wireless setup. If you’re trying to set up your Sonos speaker on a network that checks one or more of the following points, you will have to go with the wired setup process instead.
- Routers with only the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band
- Guest networks / Cellular hotspots
- Access points with a dedicated login portal page
- Networks with incorrectly-configured Wi-Fi extenders
- Enterprise-authenticated networks
Once again, if you’ve already tried the above fixes and still have no luck connecting your Sonos to the Wi-Fi, the only thing left to do is reboot your router, connect your devices to the network, and redo the setup.
Fix the “Product not found” error during setup
If you’re seeing the “Product not found” error or stuck on the “Searching for nearby products…” screen during setup, go through the troubleshooting steps below.
1. Reboot your Sonos
The most common fix for this particular issue is rebooting your Sonos device. Almost every Sonos device (except the Roam and Move) requires users to unplug the power cable, wait for a few seconds, and plug it back in for a reboot.
For the Roam or Move, take it off of the charging base station or disconnect the charging cable, hold the power button for five seconds until you see the status light turning off, and then press it again to turn the device back on.
Once your Sonos device is powered on, select “Try Again” in the Sonos app.
2. Reduce the distance between your Sonos and router
During the setup, move your Sonos device closer to your Wi-Fi router. Confirm your smartphone or tablet is within ten feet of the Sonos device you’re setting up. If you can successfully connect to it from its new location, the location where you originally placed it is probably too far from the router.
3. Connect it over an Ethernet cable
Another thing you can do is connect your Sonos speaker directly to your router using an Ethernet cable (if supported) for the initial setup. If that works out for you, here’s how you can switch from a wired to a wireless network for your Sonos device(s):
- First, launch the Sonos mobile app.
- Visit the Settings tab, followed by System > Network > Manage Networks.
- Tap the Update Networks option, then go through the in-app instructions to connect your Sonos device to your home Wi-Fi network.
- After you complete the wireless setup, simply disconnect the Ethernet cable from the Sonos device.
4. Factory reset your Sonos
When setting up, make sure the LED indicator on your Sonos device is flashing green. If it isn’t doing that, reset your Sonos device by following the steps below.
- Start with disconnecting the power cord.
- Next, reconnect the power cord while pressing the Join button (check the user manual) on the device.
If your Sonos device doesn’t have a Join button, press and hold the Play/Pause or Mute button instead. - Keep holding the Join or Play/Pause or Mute button until the status LED flashes white and orange. You will know that the reset is complete once the light flashes green.
If you own a Sonos Move, take it off the charging station and power it off by pressing and holding the power button for a few seconds. After that, press the power button while holding the Join button simultaneously. Continue holding it until the LED indicator flashes white and orange. It will flash green when the factory reset is complete.
Upon factory reset, your smart speaker should pop up on the Sonos app after it finishes scanning for devices on the network.
Fix HDMI ARC error with Sonos Arc / Beam
If you have recently purchased a Sonos Arc or a Sonos Beam soundbar but are unable to set it up with your TV or other devices over HDMI ARC, try these steps as follows:
1. Confirm your Sonos is plugged into an HDMI ARC port
Most modern TVs have at least four HDMI ports. But only of them support the ARC (Audio Return Channel) functionality. Hence, you must confirm whether you’ve connected the cable to the correct HDMI port (usually labelled) or not. We recommend checking your TV’s user manual to find the ‘HDMI ARC’ port.
2. Check the connection
A loose connection can cause this particular error during the setup process. Make sure to unplug the HDMI cable from both ends and then firmly reconnect the cable.
If you still face the issue, consider using a different HDMI cable to connect your Sonos home theatre soundbar to your TV.
Bottom line
Sonos has some of the best Hi-Fi smart speakers on the market. Sure, sometimes things don’t go as smooth as they should, given the nearly infinite combination of hardware and network settings out there. But don’t let any of that get in your way, as you can simply follow the troubleshooting steps listed in this guide to fix the Sonos not Connecting issues.
