When sound comes from only one speaker Sonos points first at how the speakers are bonded. Only Sonos speakers of the same model can be stereo paired, and products with microphones can pair with SL versions of their model; the Era 100, Era 100 Pro, Era 100 SL, Era 300, Move, Move 2 and Roam families support stereo pairing, and the Arc, Beam, Ray and subs are not stereo pairs at all. A pair is one room made in the Sonos app under Settings, My System, Set Up Stereo Pair,
and Sonos recommends spacing the speakers 8 to 10 feet apart with the listening position 8 to 12 feet away; less distance increases bass and more improves stereo imaging. If communication to one speaker of a bonded pair or home theater set is lost, the system can show it as not configured: reboot every product in the bonded set, then unplug the router for 10 seconds and check the app again. For a soundbar with surrounds check that each surround is in the right place and assigned the correct side. Check Balance in the EQ where the product offers it.
Differential
Likely causes of “Sonos home speakers and soundbars plays from only one side or channel”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The pair lost one speaker
What separates it The room shows as not configured because the pair has lost one speaker
How to confirm Reboot every product in the set and the router
- 2
Two different models were paired
What separates it One channel is missing because two different models were paired
How to confirm Only same-model speakers, or an SL version, can pair
- 3
Surround speakers are not assigned
What separates it Only the soundbar plays because the surround speakers are not assigned
How to confirm Check the surround setup in the Sonos app, and assign each surround speaker
- 4
A blocked or misplaced speaker
What separates it One side sounds weak because a speaker is blocked or badly placed
How to confirm Move the speaker to a clear place, and run Trueplay again to retune the room
- 5
Balance is set to one side
What separates it The sound image leans because the balance is set to one side
How to confirm Reset Balance in the EQ where it exists
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The names of the products and how they are bonded
- Which side is silent and whether the app shows a not-configured error
- Whether the speakers are the same model and how far apart
- Whether the issue follows the speaker or the room
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck the room in the app
ReversibleCheck the room in the app, and confirm that both speakers are listed and online.
Reboot the set
ReversibleReboot the set by unplugging each product in the bonded set for ten seconds, then reconnect.
Reboot the router
ReversibleReboot the router by unplugging it for ten seconds, and wait a minute or two.
Check the model match
ReversibleCheck the model match, and confirm that the pair uses the same model, or an SL version.
Check balance
ReversibleCheck the balance in the EQ settings, if your model has that option, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Re-pair
ReversibleRe pair the speakers, by separating them and setting up the stereo pair again in the app.
Contact Sonos
ReversibleContact Sonos Support if one speaker stays silent, 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
- Stereo pairing by model
- Sonos's list of speakers that support stereo pairing includes the Era 100, Era 100 Pro, Era 100 SL and Era 300; the Arc, Arc Ultra, Beam, Ray and Sub are not on that list.
- Surround setups
- A Sonos home theater soundbar can use two same-model speakers as surrounds and a Sub, each assigned in the app.
- 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 one speaker of a bonded set stays offline after rebooting all products and the router, contact Sonos Support
- !If a single speaker has one dead driver, contact Sonos
- !If the pair shows not configured after a reset, contact Sonos
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Which products can pair, placement distances and the app steps.
Rebooting each product in a bonded set.
Where Balance exists and which products offer it.
Group and volume controls that can be mistaken for faults.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Can I pair different Sonos models?+
No. Sonos says only speakers of the same model can be stereo paired, and mic products can pair with SL versions.
Which Sonos speakers pair?+
The Era 100, Era 100 Pro, Era 100 SL, Era 300, Move, Move 2, Roam, One and others in Sonos's list; the Arc, Beam and subs do not.
How far apart should a pair be?+
Sonos recommends 8 to 10 feet apart and 8 to 12 feet from the listening position.
Why does my pair show not configured?+
Communication to one speaker was lost; reboot every product in the set and the router.
Does a soundbar use a pair?+
No. A soundbar can add surround speakers as part of a home theater set.
Is there a Balance control?+
Sonos lists Balance in the EQ for products such as the Five, Port, Amp and Play:5; check your model in the app under Sound, EQ.
Can I ungroup a pair?+
Yes, in the app under the speaker's settings.
Will a reset fix one-sided sound?+
A reset will rarely fix one sided sound, so reboot the products first.
Does a stereo pair need Trueplay?+
Sonos says quick tuning can tune stereo-paired Era speakers.
How do I reboot a Sonos speaker or soundbar?+
Unplug the power cord, wait ten seconds, reconnect it, and then allow about a minute for it to start.
Does a factory reset delete my content?+
A factory reset removes the registration, the My Sonos content and the services from the product, so use it as a last resort.
What is Trueplay?+
Trueplay measures how sound reflects off walls, furniture and other surfaces, and fine tunes the sound for the room.
How do I group a speaker with another room?+
Press and hold Play or Pause on any product, to group it with another room that is playing.
Which speakers can be stereo paired?+
Only Sonos speakers of the same model can be stereo paired, and some models have a separate SL version.