Portable speakers drop off in two ways, and Sonos treats them separately. Over WiFi, the Sonos app shows a weak connection when the speaker is too far from the network, which Sonos says is common outdoors, so move it closer to the router or nearest access point, reduce wireless interference, place the router centrally and in the open and consider a mesh system if the house is large. Over Bluetooth, keep the device within 30 feet and away from microwaves, cordless phones, metal and concrete.
A Roam disconnects from Bluetooth when it goes to sleep or powers off and comes back in WiFi mode, and has an Idle Auto-Disconnect setting; a Move in Bluetooth mode disappears from the Sonos app and stops grouping. If a portable that has traveled joins a different system, it will show in the app but will not group with the original system's rooms until it is reset and re-added. The signal-strength indicator does not appear for a Move in Bluetooth mode. After changing router or password, reconnect Sonos to the new network.
Differential
Likely causes of “Sonos portable speakers (Move 2 and Roam 2) keeps disconnecting”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Too far from the router outdoors
What separates it The app shows Weak connection because the speaker is too far from the router outdoors
How to confirm Move the speaker closer to the router, and check the connection again
- 2
Bluetooth range or interference
What separates it The sound skips over Bluetooth because of range or interference
How to confirm Stay within thirty feet of the source, and avoid metal objects in between
- 3
The Roam went to sleep
What separates it Bluetooth disconnects and wifi returns because the Roam went to sleep
How to confirm Wake the speaker, and reconnect it to the source
- 4
Bluetooth mode on a Move
What separates it The Move is missing from the app because it is in Bluetooth mode
How to confirm Switch the Move back to wifi mode, and check that it appears in the app
- 5
The speaker joined another system
What separates it The speaker will not group because it joined another system
How to confirm Reset the speaker, and add it to this system again
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The product and whether it drops on WiFi or Bluetooth
- Where it drops and how far from the router or phone
- The signal strength shown in the app
- Whether the speaker traveled to another system
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck the mode
ReversibleCheck the mode, and note whether the speaker is on wifi or on Bluetooth, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Move closer
ReversibleMove closer, bringing the speaker nearer to the router or the device, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Reduce interference
ReversibleReduce interference, by moving away from microwaves, metal and cordless phones, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check the router
ReversibleCheck the router, and reboot it by unplugging it for ten seconds, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Switch back to WiFi
ReversibleSwitch back to wifi, on a Move, by pressing the Bluetooth button, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Reboot
ReversibleReboot the speaker, by holding power for five seconds, and restarting it, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Contact Sonos
ReversibleContact Sonos Support if it keeps dropping after these steps, giving them the model, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Signal display
- Sonos says the signal-strength indicator does not appear for a Move in Bluetooth mode, or for products in a wired setup or used as surrounds.
- Portable systems
- A Move or Roam on another system needs a factory reset to group with the original one.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the Roam 2 speaker.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If a speaker at close range still drops on both WiFi and Bluetooth after rebooting, contact Sonos Support
- !If the router covers the area poorly, consider a mesh system
- !If a portable is stuck on another system, reset it
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Weak connection steps and the portable outdoor note.
30 feet and interference.
Disconnect on sleep and returning to WiFi.
Portables on a different system.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why does my Move keep disconnecting?+
Usually distance to the router outdoors or Bluetooth interference.
Why does the Roam drop Bluetooth?+
It disconnects when it sleeps or powers off.
What is Idle Auto-Disconnect?+
A Roam setting for disconnecting an idle Bluetooth device.
Does the signal indicator show in Bluetooth mode?+
No, it does not appear for a Move in Bluetooth mode.
What is weak connection?+
The app's low WiFi signal status.
Should I use mesh?+
Sonos suggests it for larger spaces.
Can I travel with it?+
Yes, but on another system it must be reset to group.
How far can Bluetooth reach?+
Within 30 feet, varying with the environment.