You changed your WiFi network…
So, it took 5 seconds to connect your phone to it.
Then, 10 seconds to link Alexa using the new wireless info.
Now, it’s time for me to teach you how to connect your Sonos device to the WiFi in 17 seconds.
Keep reading to learn:
- 11 hassle-free steps to change WiFi on Sonos.
- Why your Sonos isn’t connecting to your new WiFi.
- 5 simple fixes to try when this happens (#3 is super effective).
- And many more…
How to change WiFi on Sonos – 11 steps
Before you proceed to the 11 simple steps…
You must know that you can set up your Sonos device on the Internet in 2 ways.
First is the standard setup. It’s when your Sonos device is connected to the Internet wirelessly. Now, the steps below apply to this scenario.
On the other hand, there’s the boost setup. You can connect it to the Internet via Sonos Boost. However, the ways to reconnect your Sonos device using this option differ.
But if you would like to also try that type of connection…
Check the bonus section at the end of the article.
For now, here are the instructions on how to change your WiFi in your Sonos device.
#1: Check your device’s network connection
Before you work on connecting your Sonos device to your new WiFi…
Ensure that the device you’re using to control it is connected to a WiFi network. And it should be the one you’re trying to connect your Sonos to.
So using your device, whether it’s a phone or a tablet/iPad…
Check the WiFi Connection by following these steps:
For iPhone/iPad:
- Go to Settings.
- Select Wi-Fi.
- Check the network that you’re connected to.
- If you’re not connected to any yet, find your network under “Choose a network” and tap it.
- Enter your password.
For Android:
- Open Settings.
- Press Network & Internet.
- Select Internet.
- Check the network that your device is connected to.
- If you’re not connected to any yet, navigate through the list of networks to find yours.
- Tap the name of your network and enter the password.
You might also be interested in: Is Alexa Compatible With Sonos? 3 Things You Can Do
#2: Connect your Sonos device to the router
Even though you’re setting a wireless connection…
You’d still need an Ethernet cable to change the WiFi on your Sonos device.
And why is this necessary?
Look at it this way:
Your Sonos device and new WiFi don’t know each other yet…
Now, the ethernet cable acts like a bridge which carries broadband signals.
And while your Sonos device is waiting for a wireless setup…
The ethernet cable is there to be the means of connection.
So once you have the cable, connect one end of it to your router. Then, your Sonos device should receive the other end of the cable.
#3: Access the Sonos app
After connecting the Sonos device to a router…
Open the Sonos app (iOS or Android) on your device that you’re using to control it.
There, the Sonos device should reappear once you open it.
However, you’re not finished setting up the wireless connection yet. So proceed to the next step, which is…
#4: Select Settings
You need to select the Settings tab, which looks like a gear icon. And it’s located in the lower right corner of your device’s screen.
#5: Choose System
Usually, you’d find “System” as the 2nd option on the listing. And it’s appearing next to an icon of a house in the menu.
#6: Tap Network
Slightly at the bottom of the menu lies Network. You have to tap it.
#7: Choose Wireless Setup
The first one on the list beside a gear icon is Wireless Setup. Click it.
#8: Press Continue
By pressing Continue, your Sonos app will start scanning for available WiFi networks.
#9: Select your network
Once the scan is done, the app will show you a list of WiFi networks available for connection.
Find yours and select it.
And since we did Step #1, which is ensuring your device is connected to the network…
You won’t have to input your network’s password on the Sonos app.
But if it asks for a password, simply type it in the intended section.
#10: Press Done
Wait for the Sonos app to confirm your connection to the network.
And once it’s verified, press Done. It’ll appear in the top right corner of your device’s screen.
#11: Disconnect your Sonos device from the router
Once the process is all finished…
It’s good to disconnect the Ethernet cable from your Sonos device and router. The former will no longer need it as it’s wirelessly connected now.
BONUS: Boost setup
The Boost setup is a wired way to connect your Sonos device to the Internet.
It uses the Sonos Boost, which is another gadget. And it aims to provide an exclusive WiFi network to your other Sonos device.
Simply put, it acts as a bridge between your WiFi and your speaker. With it comes the promise of uninterrupted listening.
So I recommend that you try the setup.
For that, you’d have to buy the Sonos Boost. Which is available for as low as $115.
Once it’s in your hands…
Here’s how to set up your Sonos Boost
Step 1: Connect the power cable to your Sonos Boost
The device comes with a supplied power cable. Which you need to plug into your Sonos Boost, specifically the round port.
Step 2: Connect the other end of the cable to the router
With this, you officially created a bridge from your Internet to your Sonos devices.
Step 3: Open the Sonos app
You can download it on both iOS and Android devices.
Step 4: Choose Set up a New Sonos System
From this, you’d just have to follow the in-app prompts.
Step 5: Select Boost
After a while, a prompt will show, and it’ll let you pick between:
- Boost setup.
- Standard setup.
Of course, choose the Boost setup. Then, follow the prompts again.
Why isn’t my Sonos connecting to my new WiFi?
Your Sonos won’t connect to your new WiFi because it still stores information about the old one. With that, it’s still trying to connect to your former WiFi, which no longer exists.
So, did you recently change your WiFi network?
Whether it’s the password that you altered…
Or you changed the router…
Your Sonos will have trouble connecting to your new WiFi network.
With that, once you open your Sonos app, you’ll see a prompt that says:
“Unable to Connect to Sonos”
But for a quick fix, just tap that prompt. Then, follow the in-app process. After that, you should be connected to a WiFi network.
And if for some reason that didn’t work…
Opt for these 5 quick fixes to get your Sonos device connected to a network again:
#1: Ensure the Sonus device is connected to a power source
Check your Sonos devices’ power cord. This is to ensure it’s on and ready for use.
So inspect both ends: one on the outlet, the other on your Sonos device.
Moreover, you should see a solid white light on your Sonos device. It’s a default indication that your device is up and working.
#2: Ensure you’re connected to the right WiFi network
Your Sonos device and your controller should match networks.
And by controller, I mean the device you’re using to access the Sonos app. It can be your phone or tablet.
So go ahead and check your controller device. See if it’s linked to the network you’re connecting the Sonos device, too.
If not, proceed to Step #1 of the section “How to change WiFi on Sonos – 11 steps.”
#3: Perform a power cycle
The act of power cycling is one of the best bets in solving lots of devices issues…
For example, when your television won’t connect to the WiFi…
A power cycle can always help.
How so?
Well, it’s a technique that drains the electrical charge from your device. This resets your gadget. Once done, it eliminates any electrical process that causes it to glitch.
So, you’d have to…
Perform a power cycle on your Sonos device:
Step 1: Disconnect the device from the power source
Note: You can do this either from the power outlet itself. Or you can disconnect the power from the Sonos device.
So, take the power cord of your Sonos device and remove it from the power source.
Step 2: Wait for 10 seconds
Doing so lets your device power off completely. Moreover, this drains any residual energy.
Step 3: Plug it back in
After plugging it back, wait for the speaker to power on.
A solid white light should indicate that the speaker is now ready to use.
And after performing this power cycle, check the Sonos app again. See whether it’s connected to the Internet or not. If it’s the latter, perform the next fix.
#4: Reconnect your Sonos device to a new WiFi network
As I mentioned above, your Sonos device might be trying to connect to your old network.
So it’s not yet connected to the right one.
And since you tried following the prompt “Unable to Connect to Sonos,” which didn’t work…
It’s time to introduce your new WiFi network to your Sonos device.
To do that, follow the quick 11-step process above.
#5: Turn off your VPN connection
You might know Virtual Private Network as VPN.
Are you using one to provide you with an encrypted server?
After all, a VPN can ensure your IP address doesn’t fall into other people’s hands.
However helpful, VPNs also cause your device to disconnect from the Internet. And it can happen regularly.
That’s due to lost or blocked ping packets. Apparently, your device can’t receive it from the server. When this happens, it causes frequent disconnections on your end.
And the causes for this situation are:
- Unstable internet connection.
- Software or hardware issues of your router.
But regardless of what the reason is…
It’s best to turn off your VPN to avoid it causing any more disruptions to your device.
In this case, turn your VPN off on your controller device. Then, using your WiFi network, reconnect your Sonos device to the Internet.
If this one didn’t work or any of those mentioned above…
It’s not the end. There’s always the next option:
#BONUS: Contact Sonos Customer Care
As your Sonos device remains disconnected to your new WiFi…
It’s time to get help from the big guys at Sonos Customer Care.
You can try chatting with the Sonos Digital Assistant. Just go to this website and click “Chat With Us.”
But if you want to speak with a Sonos agent, call +31 85 888 4334.
Note: Charges may apply when you reach out through a call. That’s regardless of being a toll-free number. So best to contact your provider to find out more about calling toll-free numbers.