How to Fix It When Sonos Keeps Stopping

There are multiple reasons why Sonos speakers can keep stopping, including a weak wireless connection, power source issues, wireless interference, or an issue with connected apps. Most of these issues have an easy fix. 

I’m Donovan, a lifelong musician, and all-around audio enthusiast. I’ve set up many home theaters and studios over the years and have worked with several Sonos systems. I know how to troubleshoot issues with Sonos through first-hand experience. 

This post will examine the issues of Sonos stopping. I’ll provide you with several common reasons why this happens and give you a quick fix for each of them. I aim to help you get your Sonos system running normally without any problems. 

Let’s get after it. 

Key Takeaways

• The most common reason for Sonos to keep stopping is wireless signal issues. A weak WiFi connection from the router or other connected Sonos speakers can result in audio stopping. 
• Another common cause of stopping and cutting is a bug or glitch with your Sonos speakers or control device. A quick restart of your speaker or phone can resolve these. 
• Restarting your WiFi router is another quick fix that can resolve stopping problems that don’t seem to have an obvious cause. 
• If you use a wired Sonos setup, you might need to replace the ethernet cable from your router to your speakers if it gets damaged. 

9 Reasons Why Sonos Keeps Stopping and How to Fix It

To get the most out of your Sonos setup, you need the entire system to run properly. Dealing with issues such as the audio stopping or cutting out can quickly and negatively affect your listening experience. 

Even though it’s relatively common to deal with some audio-stopping issues with a Sonos system, it’s typically easy to figure out the cause and fix the problem. And there are several potential causes to know about when dealing with this issue. 

I’ve set up a few Sonos speaker setups for myself and several for friends and family. Most of the time, they will work for years without any issues. But every once in a while, I’ve had to deal with the audio stopping. 

Through this experience, I’ve learned how to troubleshoot the problem successfully. And I wanted to write this post to help others fix the problem quicker and easier than I did. So I’ve assembled all of the common causes and quick fixes here. 

The reasons and fixes in this section are in a loose ascending order from the most common (with a super easy fix) to the less common (with a somewhat more complicated fix). 

Start with reason #1 below and work through it until your Sonos system is working properly. I can’t guarantee that one of these fixes will work, but I’m 90% certain you will have a common issue for stopping that you can fix on your own. 

Reason #1: WiFi Issues

The most common reason a Sonos system keeps stopping is because of WiFi issues. Sonos relies on a solid wireless connection to work properly (for wireless setups) or a strong wireless signal (for wired setups). 

If there is even a minor hiccup with your WiFi signal, it can cause your entire system to stop. This could be because of how strong your signal is or the state of your WiFi router. It can also be because of a service interruption from your internet provider. 

How to Fix It: 

The first step to this fix is ensuring you have a solid WiFi signal. Check your router to ensure you have signal, and then attempt to visit a web page on your phone or computer near your Sonos systems to ensure the signal reaches their location. 

You can try restarting your router if you don’t have a signal. Unplug the router, wait about ten seconds, and then plug it back in. It will take a few minutes for the reset to complete and the connection to come back strong. 

If you are dealing with a service interruption from your internet provider, there isn’t much you can do except sit and wait for things to resolve. You should contact the provider to let them know your service is out. 

Reason #2: Bug or Glitch with Speakers or Control Device

Another common reason your Sonos system might be stopping is a bug or glitch with your speakers or control device. These bugs can appear from time to time without an exact reason or cause. 

And it’s important to know that the issue could be with your Sonos speaker or other product or with your control devices like your phone or computer. Bugs and glitches can affect any connected electronic device you use in your audio setup. 

How to Fix It: 

A reset of your speakers or control device with almost always fix a bug or glitch. Unplug any or all of your Sonos speakers, wait about ten seconds, and then plug them back in for a soft reset of the device. 

You can also try restarting your phone or computer, as that may be the source of the problem. The steps for doing this can vary from device to device, but it’s often as simple as turning the device off and back on again. 

Reason #3: Software or App Issues

Software and app issues can also affect Sonos’s performance and result in the audio stopping. This can be because you are using an outdated version of the Sonos app or whatever app you use to stream music to Sonos. 

The problem can also be caused by outdated software on your phone or computer that you use to control Sonos or the streaming app. Even if you have the current versions of the apps, outdated operating systems can be an issue. 

How to Fix It: 

Be sure to update the Sonos app and any other streaming apps you use with Sonos (like Spotify, Audible, Pandora, Amazon Music, etc.). You’ll want to run the latest version of the app for the best performance. 

Also, check that the software on your phone or computer you use to control Sonos is current. Download and install any available updates, then attempt to run Sonos as usual to see if the stopping problem is resolved. 

Reason #4: Speakers Too Far From Router or Other Speakers

All of your Sonos speakers must be within range of your WiFi router or other connected Sonos speaker or product to work properly. If the speakers are too far from the router or other speakers in your setup, you won’t get a signal, and the audio will stop. 

This can also happen because of thick walls or having Sonos speakers in your house’s basement or other rooms. If the wireless signal can’t get through the wall, or at least get a solid signal, you can have stopping and cutting issues. 

How to Fix It: 

You’ll need to move your speakers closer to the router or one another to resolve this problem. You might need to rethink where your home theater, stereo, or WiFi router is located if this happens when you first set things up. 

Remember that wireless Sonos speakers also send signals to one another to connect in a room or chain. If there are large furniture items or walls between them, you can rearrange things to get an improved signal. 

Reason #5: Power Saving Feature 

A less common reason for Sonos to keep stopping is because of the power-saving feature turning on. Many Sonos products now have this feature that prevents the devices from using power when audio isn’t running. 

This is designed to work by shutting down the speakers when not in use, but it can sometimes turn on even when you have audio coming through. You can check on the power-saving settings in the Sonos app and make any adjustments if needed. 

Reason #6: Wireless Interference 

Wireless interference is another potential cause of Sonos stopping issues. Many types of electronic, radio, and magnetic devices can cause interference, not just other devices connected to the internet. 

Having other equipment or devices in the line or nearby of your Sonos system or WiFi router can cause interference. This could be another internet-connected device, an amplifier, or even a microwave. 

How to Fix It: 

You’ll need to move or remove the source of the interference to get rid of this problem. I once had a guitar amplifier stored nearby speakers and had to move it to another room to fix things. So move any potential source of interference away from your setup as best you can. 

If you notice any piece of equipment, audio gear, or internet-connected device in line between your router and Sonos speakers, that could be the cause. Move any of these to a new location to see if that resolves the problem. 

Reason #7: Cable/Connection Issues

Cables and connection ports can get damaged or dislodged, potentially resulting in Sonos stopping. If you are running a wired setup and see any damage to the ethernet cord from the router to your speakers, this can be the cause. 

The power cords and inputs on your speakers might also get damaged. You can inspect for any visible signs of damage, like exposed wires or bent and broken inputs. 

How to Fix It: 

Replacing the cables or cords is the only real way to address this issue. You’ll want to replace any cords with visible damage right away. These should be easy to find at an electronics store. Just make sure you get the proper cable in the correct length. 

Cables and cords can also get damaged without any visible signs, so this can be hard to diagnose. You can try switching out a known good cable for a suspect bad one to see if that helps before purchasing new ones. 

Reason #8: Sonos Bridge Problems

If you are using the Sonos Bridge product in your setup, that can also cause several problems because this is an outdated device that Sonos no longer recommends using. The more modern Sonos Boost has replaced it. 

The Bridge was designed to help boost WiFi signal, but it’s an older product that doesn’t perform well with modern equipment. There is no need to use this device with your Sonos system, and it typically causes more problems than benefits. 

How To Fix It: 

You need to remove the Sonos Bridge from your Sonos setup to fix this problem. You can replace your Bridge with the Boost if you need a signal booster. Most newer Sonos speakers won’t need the benefits that the Bridge provides. 

If you are concerned about how removing the Bridge might affect your setup, you can find some additional resources from Sonos about Bridge removal here. It’s a pretty straightforward process, but a little extra insight can help. 

Reason #9: Bad or Broken Speaker 

In a worst-case scenario, you might be dealing with a bad or broken speaker causing the stopping problems. This can be easier to diagnose if you are only running a single Sonos speaker. It’s not likely that all speakers in your setup will go bad at once. 

If you only have one speaker in your setup that keeps cutting out or stopping while the rest work fine, it could be broken. If all of you speakers stop at once, it’s likely another problem I already explained in the above sections. 

How to Fix It: 

You can’t really repair a broken Sonos speaker on your own. They aren’t designed to be repaired by the average consumer, and they might not be able to be fixed at all. You’ll likely need to buy a new speaker if you are dealing with this problem. 

But before you spend money on a new Sonos speaker, be sure to contact Sonos customer service to see if your product is under warranty or if they can offer additional assistance. You might be able to get a new speaker for free if the broken one is under coverage. 

FAQs

Here are a few quick answers to some of the most commonly asked questions related to why Sonos keeps stopping and how to fix it. 

How do I fix my Sonos problem? 

The most common reason a Sonos speaker has problems is because of WiFi connectivity issues. Ensuring that you have a solid wireless signal and restarting your WiFi router will fix many problems with Sonos. 

How do you reboot Sonos? 

You can do a soft reset of your Sonos speaker by unplugging it from its power source, waiting about ten seconds, and then plugging it back in. You can also do a factory reset by pressing the Bluetooth button when you plug the speaker back in. 

Why has my Sonos suddenly stopped working? 

The most likely cause of your Sonos system suddenly stopping working is a WiFi signal loss. Sonos runs on WiFi, and if the internet goes out or gets unplugged, your system won’t function normally or at all. 

Why is my Sonos connected but not playing? 

You might be experiencing issues with your WiFi router if it appears that your Sonos speakers are connected, but they aren’t playing. Ensure you have an internet connection and reset your router to fix this issue. 

Why is my Sonos sound not working? 

Always start with the minor and easy fixes before assuming something more significant is wrong when dealing with the sound on a Sonos system not working. Make sure that the volume is turned up and you have a solid WiFi connection before exploring other fixes. 

Final Thoughts

Dealing with a stopping Sonos system isn’t fun, but usually, there’s a direct cause and a quick fix to the problem. Always remember to start with the small troubleshooting steps, like ensuring you have a solid WiFi signal to all of your Sonos speakers. 

It’s not that difficult to diagnose the stopping problem, and all of the causes and fixes in this post should help you resolve things quickly. But you can always contact Sonos customer service if you want additional help or resources to get your system running correctly. 

Have you ever dealt with your Sonos speakers stopping? How did you fix it? Let me know in the comments below.