Sonos's articles tie dropouts and speakers disappearing from the app to wireless interference and weak signal. To reduce interference, reboot the router by unplugging it for ten seconds so it picks the best channel; if any Sonos product is wired to the router by ethernet it can broadcast its own network on its own channel, and overlapping channels interfere, which Sonos's recommended-settings article addresses. Keep Sonos products at least 18 inches (0.5 m) from other electronics, and turn off cordless or DECT phones,
wireless video transmitters, security cameras, routers, extenders, baby monitors, set-top boxes and smart-home hubs temporarily to test. Microwave ovens and some monitors also interfere. Check obstructions that absorb signal. If the app shows Weak connection, move the product closer to the router, reduce interference, place the router in the open, and consider a mesh system. Remove unsupported network devices such as WiFi extenders, mobile hotspots and LTE routers. For music dropouts check account limits and an internet speed of at least 5 Mbps.
Differential
Likely causes of “Sonos home speakers and soundbars keeps disconnecting”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Wireless interference
What separates it The audio drops out or products vanish because of wireless interference
How to confirm Reboot the router and move other electronics away
- 2
A weak signal
What separates it The app shows Weak connection because the signal is weak
How to confirm Move the product closer to the router, and check the signal again
- 3
Overlapping wired and wireless channels
What separates it A wired product broadcasts its own network because wired and wireless channels overlap
How to confirm Follow Sonos's article about ethernet network settings, to fix the overlap
- 4
Unsupported network devices
What separates it Extenders, hotspots or LTE routers are in use, which Sonos does not support
How to confirm Remove the unsupported devices, as Sonos's system requirements say
- 5
A slow internet connection
What separates it Streaming stops because the internet connection is too slow for the service
How to confirm Aim for a connection of at least 5 Mbps, for streaming to work well
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The product names and where they sit relative to the router
- Whether the app shows Weak connection and the signal strength
- What other wireless devices are nearby
- The router make, whether an extender is used and the internet speed
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedReboot the router
ReversibleReboot the router by unplugging it for ten seconds, and give it a minute or two.
Check signal strength
ReversibleCheck the signal strength, by looking at the wifi signal in Settings in the app.
Move the product
ReversibleMove the product closer to the router, or to the nearest wired product, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Move interferers
ReversibleMove interferers, keeping electronics at least eighteen inches away, and test with them off, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check the network
ReversibleCheck the network, and remove extenders, hotspots and LTE routers from the system, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check the internet
ReversibleCheck the internet, and aim for at least 5 Mbps, for streaming, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Contact Sonos
ReversibleContact Sonos Support if dropouts persist after these steps, giving them the models, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Signal display by model
- Sonos says the signal-strength indicator and network details do not appear for products in a wired setup, surround speakers or subs, or a Move in Bluetooth mode.
- Portable use
- Sonos says dropouts are common with Move and Roam outdoors, where they may be too far from the WiFi network.
- 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 dropouts continue after moving the product, rebooting the router and removing interference, contact Sonos Support
- !If the router cannot cover the house, consider a mesh system
- !If only one product drops, contact Sonos, and give them the model
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.
Router reboot, channels, devices to keep 18 inches away and obstructions.
Weak connection steps, router location and mesh.
Internet speed and unsupported network devices.
Reconnecting the app to the system.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why does my Sonos keep dropping out?+
Wireless interference or a weak signal are the usual causes, per Sonos.
How far should electronics be?+
Sonos recommends at least 18 inches (0.5 m).
Can I use a WiFi extender?+
Sonos lists extenders as unsupported network devices.
What is a Weak connection?+
An app status that means the product's WiFi signal is low.
Do wired products help?+
A wired product can improve the network but can broadcast its own channel.
How fast should internet be?+
At least 5 Mbps for streaming music.
Should I upgrade my router?+
If many devices struggle, Sonos suggests a router with better coverage or mesh.
Does a wired product help?+
Sonos says a wired product can broadcast its own network, so overlapping channels between it and the router can add interference; the recommended settings article covers this.
Can walls cause dropouts?+
Yes. Sonos says certain wall and surface materials absorb wireless signals, so check obstructions between the product and the router.
Does the router location matter?+
Yes, place it centrally and in the open.