A problem with a sonar soundbar not working can be frustrating but it is not without hope. There are several fixes, including some that can be done within a matter of minutes.
When a Sonos soundbar is not working, it’s often due to connectivity issues. Ensuring the soundbar is properly connected to the power source and your TV or media device is the first step. Check and secure all physical connections, including power cables and HDMI or optical cables.
Another reason for a Sonos soundbar not working could be related to Wi-Fi connectivity. Since Sonos systems rely heavily on a stable Wi-Fi connection, any disruptions can affect performance. Restarting your Wi-Fi router can often solve this. Turn off the router, wait for about a minute, and then turn it back on. This action can refresh your network, potentially resolving any minor connectivity glitches affecting your sound bar.
Software issues can also lead to a non-functional Sonos soundbar. Outdated software may cause compatibility or performance issues. To fix this, update the Sonos app on your mobile device and then check for any available updates for your soundbar through the app. Regularly updating the software ensures that your soundbar is running the latest version, which often includes bug fixes and performance improvements.
More specific issues may call for additional diagnosis and repair. Many of those can also be done easily and by most homeowners.
Sonos Soundbar Not Working
Consider the following possibilities when your Sonos soundbar is not working. You will be back up and running in no time.
Power Issues
One obvious issue is a problem with the power supply. This issue may actually take on many forms, so check the following in order:
Breaker Box
Check the breaker box to see if there is a tripped breaker. Don’t simply rely on other device’s status, because they may be on a different circuit.
A tripped breaker will be slightly out of line with the other breakers in the panel. You may also see a red line on one side of the breaker that indicates it was tripped.
Flip the breaker entirely to the off position and then back to the on position again. That should restore the power.
If the breaker continues to trip, it may be an issue with the soundbar or something else on the circuit. Unplug one device at a time to see if the breaker continues to trip.
If the breaker continues to trip, contact an electrician.
Check the receptacle
Although receptacles tend to last for many years, they do fail from time to time. Even half of the receptacle may fail, so something plugged into the same receptacle may be working.
The easiest way to check the receptacle is to plug a lamp or another electronic device into it. If it powers on, the problem is elsewhere. If you don’t get power, contact an electrician to replace the receptacle.
Power strip
In most homes, power strips are used to the full. Every slot will be utilized, and that can be too much energy going out.
Bypass the power strip and plug the Sonos soundbar directly into a receptacle. If that solves the problem, your power strip is overloaded.
Cords
If any of the cords are bad, the soundbar will not operate. Check electrical cords by inspecting them visually and looking for cuts or if the plug looks burnt.
Other cords may also have an impact on the soundbar. If the HDMI cable is bad, for example, the soundbar will not work properly.
Remote Control
If you are trying to turn the power on to the Sonos soundbar using a remote control, it may be that the remote control is bad. Try pushing the power button directly on the soundbar and replace the batteries in the remote if necessary.
Network Issues
In order for your Sonos soundbar to operate properly, it must be on your home network. Do not operate the soundbar on your guest network or a hotspot.
Multiple Sonos Speakers
Only one Sonos speaker should be plugged into the router with an ethernet cable. The other speakers will be connected through Wi-Fi.
If you have multiple speakers plugged into the router, unplug all of them except the primary speaker.
Network Updates
If there have been any updates to the network, including a new IP address, new network name, or new password, the soundbar needs to be updated.
Sonos Sound Bar Not Connecting
If your soundbar is not connecting, nothing will happen. The primary reason why this occurs is because of an issue with the Wi-Fi.
Consider these possible issues and solutions when checking the Wi-Fi.
Problems with Wi-Fi Channels
Not all routers support the connection of all devices through Wi-Fi. In order for your Sonos soundbar to work, the router must be operating on 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.
Wi-Fi Connectivity Issues
There may be times when the network goes down and it is only noticed with the Sonos soundbar. Check the Wi-Fi using a laptop or another Wi-Fi-enabled device.
Slow Hotspot Data Speeds
Connecting to your cell phone hotspot will not typically provide enough data to operate your soundbar. You should be connected to your home Wi-Fi network.
Restrictions on Guest Network
You may have multiple networks in your home on the same router. In some households, a guest network is established for visitors to limit access to all connected devices.
You should be connecting your Sonos soundbar to the home network and not the guest network. Make sure you have the soundbar set as a trusted device.
Updated Login Credentials Required
Any updates to your Wi-Fi network, including passwords and network names will disconnect the Sonos soundbar. You can check this through the Sonos app and reconnect if changes have been made.
Sonos Soundbar Won’t Turn On
A Sonos soundbar may not turn on for many different reasons. There may also be times when it seems like it isn’t turning on but it actually is just not working properly.
Check the soundbar for lights. If there are lights, you can then try the remote control or try pressing the power button directly.
Sometimes, the soundbar is turning on but it is not connecting to the Wi-Fi network. This will keep the soundbar from operating as expected. A soft reset done by unplugging the soundbar and plugging it back in 60 seconds later will sometimes solve the problem.
Finally, you may have a problem with your soundbar not operating because it is not receiving any power. This can either be due to a tripped breaker, a bad receptacle, or a bad power cord. You can also check the surge protector or if the soundbar is plugged into a power strip.
If all else fails and the soundbar is still not working, you can contact customer support for help. If it is under warranty, you may also want to take it back to the store.
Sonos Soundbar Not Playing Audio
Although the Sonos soundbar may do a number of things, playing audio is what it does best. That is why any problem with playing audio makes the device useless.
Here are a couple things to check if your Sonos soundbar is not playing audio:
Audio from TV
The problem can often be traced to the audio coming from the TV. This would include issues with the cables as well as the audio settings.
When dealing with a Sonos soundbar, it is important to have the TV audio settings set on Dolby Digital. Other settings are likely to cause problems.
You must also ensure that the TV is set to external speakers. If they are not, it will try to play through the internal speaker and skip the soundbar.
Alexa
If Alexa seems to be causing problems, you can disable Sonos skills on the app. Go on the Amazon.com website to deregister the soundbar.
After the soundbar has been turned off on Amazon, go to the app and navigate to: settings >> services >> voice. Choose the voice-enabled speaker. You can then remove Alexa.
At that point, log out of your Amazon account, and don’t forget to log out of the mobile app. Log back in and set up Alexa from scratch.
Sonos Soundbar Not Found Problem
This issue is typically associated with the app not seeing the speaker. Restarting the soundbar by unplugging it and plugging it back in will solve the problem.
You may also, in some cases, have to delete the app from your mobile device and download it again. Once you establish communication, the error will go away.
Wi-Fi may also be a problem that causes a soundbar not to be found. Here are a few things to check:
Router Placement
Are you within range of the router? Being too far away from the router, along with objects between the soundbar and router can cause problems.
Network Testing With Other Devices
You can use another device to test the network. This could include a laptop or another mobile device.
Prioritize Home Network Over Guest Network and Hotspot
Ensure that the Sonos soundbar is on your home network and that the other devices are also on your home network. Do not use a mobile hotspot on the guest network.
Update Login Credentials
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on September 27, 2021.
Have you recently adjusted the settings or password for your mobile network? You will have to re-establish the connection.
Troubleshoot With Ethernet Cable
If you are still having problems, try connecting the soundbar directly to your router with an ethernet cable. If you are already hardwired, check the cable with another device.
Sonos Soundbar Keeps Cutting/dropping Out
If you are having a problem with the soundbar dropping connection frequently, or if the sound is cutting out, it is likely associated with the Internet connection speed.
Although the soundbar can work on a slow connection speed, if you are under 10 Mbs, you might want to consider upgrading.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on September 27, 2021.
The speed of your network can also be affected by the number of devices that are operating on it. Something similar can happen in some cases when you are connecting during a busy time of the day and many others are also connecting to the Internet.
Try running the soundbar with ethernet or do a speed check with a wireless device.
The router may also be a problem. Although most new routers do well at focusing the needed Wi-Fi in the right direction, distance and objects in the way can make a difference. Try running the speed check from different locations and move the router and soundbar closer together if necessary.
Resetting the router may also help. This is done by unplugging all wires and the power cord for a few minutes. Plug it back in and the signal should be fresh.
If all else fails, buy a new router because the newer routers do offer more speed, distance, and ability.
Resetting your Sonos soundbar is the best way to fix the problem if it is not working. It can help in a wide variety of issues, from power problems to Wi-Fi and even Bluetooth. Unplug the soundbar and all cables for 60 seconds and plug them back in. After the soundbar reboots, it should be working again.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on September 27, 2021.