Sonos's update-issues page gives four common fixes before it lists error codes. Retry the update from the Sonos app, or from a different Sonos app if you control Sonos on more than one device. Reboot the router by unplugging it for 10 seconds and update again when the network is back. Reboot every Sonos product by unplugging the power cable for 10 seconds (on a Move or Roam hold the power button for at least five seconds, wait 10 seconds and power on) and check they all appear in the app before updating again.
Move closer to the router, because a weak WiFi signal on the phone or laptop can stall the update. If the app says Update problem, tap More information to see the error code, which may name the product or room, and Sonos has a page for each code from Error 4 to Error 1106. There are also pages for updating the Sonos app on macOS and for the iOS App Store showing Open instead of Update. If you run an S1 and an S2 system, the two are separate and need both apps.
Differential
Likely causes of “Sonos home speakers and soundbars app or firmware update will not complete”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A weak WiFi signal on the phone or laptop
What separates it The update stalls because the wifi signal on the phone or the laptop is weak
How to confirm Move closer to the router, and retry the update
- 2
A network hiccup
What separates it The update fails partway because of a network hiccup
How to confirm Reboot the router, and then retry the update
- 3
A product that did not reboot cleanly
What separates it One product blocks the update because it did not reboot cleanly
How to confirm Reboot every product, check the app lists them all
- 4
An S1 product in the system
What separates it The system will not update as one because an S1 product is in it
How to confirm Use both apps for split S1 and S2
- 5
An app-specific error
What separates it An error code appears because of an app specific error
How to confirm Look up the code in Sonos's list of error codes
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact update error code from More information
- The Sonos product and room named in the error
- The app, phone or computer and its version
- Whether the products are all visible in the app
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedRetry
ReversibleRetry by starting the update again, or by using a different Sonos app, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Reboot the router
ReversibleReboot the router by unplugging it for ten seconds, and wait for the network to return.
Reboot the products
ReversibleReboot the products, by unplugging each Sonos product for ten seconds, and check the app lists them all.
Move closer
ReversibleMove closer, and retry the update with a strong wifi signal on the phone, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Read the error
ReversibleRead the error, by tapping More information to see the code, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Open the code page
ReversibleOpen the code page, and follow Sonos's page for that error, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Contact Sonos
ReversibleContact Sonos if it repeats, giving them the code that the app shows, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Models this page covers
- Arc Ultra, Arc, Beam (Gen 2), Ray, Era 300, Era 100, Sub (Gen 3) and Sub Mini. Sonos writes one article per fault for all of them; the model notes give the differences that matter, such as touch controls, microphones, stereo pairing and surround formats.
- S1 and S2
- Sonos says some older products only work with the S1 Controller app and cannot be grouped with products in the current app.
- Rebooting by model
- Move and Roam reboot by holding the power button; other products reboot by unplugging the power cord for 10 seconds.
- Model name instead of a part number
- No part number is involved for you. Sonos identifies a product by its name and serial number, shown in the Sonos app under Settings, System, About My System, and printed on the product.
- Tools and supplies
- The power cord, a second HDMI or optical cable, your phone with the Sonos app on the same WiFi, and a pen and paper for the product serial number. No screwdriver is needed and the product should not be opened.
- Repair cost
- Rebooting, re-pairing and settings changes cost nothing. An independent flat-rate repairer in Germany and Switzerland, isonatec, lists €249 for an Arc, €149 for a Beam, €109 for an Era 100, €169 for an Era 300, €199 for a Sub and €169 for a Sub Mini including parts and labor, with no estimate fee, and a 12-month guarantee on replaced parts. As a replacement benchmark, deal listings priced a certified-refurbished Era 300 at $359 and a refurbished Beam at $239.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models Arc soundbar, Beam (Gen 2), Ray soundbar, Era 300 speaker, Era 100 speaker, Sub (Gen 3), Sub Mini.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the update repeats the same error after rebooting the router and every product, contact Sonos Support with the error code
- !If only the macOS app errors, use Sonos's macOS update article
- !If the App Store shows Open instead of Update, use Sonos's iOS article
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. Repair figures come from isonatec's published flat-rate list in euros; the current figure is confirmed when you book a repair.
Common solutions and the error code list.
Rebooting products before retrying.
Split systems and the two apps.
Router reboot and interference.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why does my Sonos update fail?+
A weak signal, a network hiccup or a product that needs rebooting are the commonest causes, per Sonos.
How do I see the error code?+
When the app says Update problem, tap More information.
Do I need to reboot every product?+
Sonos says reboot each Sonos product, then check all appear in the app.
What about my Move or Roam?+
Hold the power button for at least five seconds, wait 10 seconds and power on.
Can I use another device?+
Yes, retry the update using a different Sonos app.
Does the phone matter for updates?+
Sonos says a weak WiFi signal on your phone or laptop can stall the update, so move closer to the router and retry.
What if the products differ in version?+
Reboot every product and confirm all appear in the app before retrying, as Sonos advises.
Does the router matter?+
Rebooting it for 10 seconds is a listed fix.
What is an S1 system?+
A split system for older products that only work with the S1 Controller app.
Can S1 and S2 rooms group?+
No, Sonos says the two systems are separate.
What if the App Store shows Open?+
Sonos has a separate iOS article.