How to Fix 'Solid White Light' Error Sonos PLAY:3

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

Normally by default, all Sonos products are programmed to display a solid white light when they are powered up and functioning properly. However, if your Sonos product is no longer showing up within your Sonos controller, but is displaying a solid white light, something has clearly gone wrong. This guide will help you get your Sonos product back up and running again.

2. Power Cycling

By default, all Sonos products are programmed to display a solid white light when they are powered up and functioning properly. You can toggle the Status Light on and off by clicking on “White Status Light” under “Room Settings” in the app.

If your Sonos product is no longer showing up on your Sonos controller, and it is displaying a solid white light, please follow the steps below:

1. Unplug the product from power and wait 5 seconds before plugging it back into power.
   

1. Wait until the light on the product turns a solid white and check to see if it appears in your Sonos controller. If the product still does not show up in your Sonos controller, but other products are properly showing up on your controller, we will try to re-add the product to your system.

3. Add Speaker

Adding speakers to the Sonos system is similar across all devices. This guide will show you how to do it on smartphones:

1. Open the Sonos Controller app on your mobile device.
   

2. Open the Menu from the top left corner.
   

1. Then go into Settings.
   

1. And select Add a Player or SUB.
   

1. You will be asked to power up your speaker with the provided cord. Once you've done that tap on Next.
   

1. Then look at the light color and pattern. If it matches what it says on the screen tap on Next otherwise tap on I'm unsure about the light.
   

1. Select your speaker type from the drop down menu and tap on Set up this player.
   

1. Based on your selection, you will be shown what button or combination of buttons to press on the speaker. Once you've done that tap on Next.
   

1. When the speaker is recognized it will be added to the system. Tap on Next to continue.
   

1. Choose the location of the speaker then tap on Next.
   

1. And you will get a final confirmation that it was added to the room you selected.
   

1. If you want to add another speaker tap on Add another player otherwise tap on Not now to finish.

4. Factory Reset Check

Our next step is to factory reset your Sonos Speaker.

You will need to re-setup your speaker when done, this guide will walk you through the process.

5. Factory Reset

For PLAY:1, PLAY:3, PLAY:5 (First Generation), CONNECT, CONNECT:AMP, and PLAYBAR TV

1. Unplug the power cord, either from the back of your device, or the wall.
   

1. Press and hold the Play/Pause button.
   

1. While still holding the Play/Pause button, plug in power.

1. Continue to hold the Play/Pause button, till the light begins flashing amber and white.
   

1. Release the Play/Pause button.
2. The light will flash green, letting you know it's ready to be setup again.

For Sonos One, PLAY:5 (Second Generation), BOOST, BRIDGE, SUB, and PLAYBASE

1. Unplug the power cord, either from the back of your device, or the wall.
   

1. Press and hold the Connect button.
   

1. While still holding the Connect button, plug in power.
2. Continue to hold the Connect button, till the light begins flashing amber and white.
3. Release the Connect button.
4. The light will flash green, letting you know it's ready to be setup again.

6. Mobile Device Setup

Setting up the Sonos system is similar on all mobile devices.

1. Launch the Sonos Controller app once it's installed onto your mobile device and select Set up a new Sonos system.
   

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2. Choose Standard Setup.
   

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2. You will be asked to power up the speaker (also called a player), select the type of speaker you have and press a button or combination of buttons on the speaker to initiate the setup.
   

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2. Wait for the speaker to be configured.
   

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2. Your mobile device will have to temporarily disconnect from your current Wi-Fi and connect to the speakers Wi-Fi to continue.
   

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2. Android devices and some Sonos speakers complete this step automatically but you have to do it manually on iOS devices
   

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2. On your iOS device, go back to the main screen then open Settings and go to Wi-Fi.
   

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2. Connect your mobile device to the speakers Wi-Fi named SONOS.
   

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2. Your Wi-Fi networks name will be selected automatically and you'll need to type in its password then tap on Continue. If you will to choose another network tap on Use Another Network.
   

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2. Choose the rooms name where the speaker will be placed in.
   

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2. If you want to Add Another Player to the system you can do so now. You would have to follow the same steps as above. Otherwise tap on Not Now.
   

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2. Make sure you register so you can receive software updates and add streaming services.
   

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2. On iOS devices you will get an extra step to tune your speaker using TruePlay. If you wish to do so, follow the instructions otherwise skip it for now.
3. Your Sonos system is now set up.

7. What's next?

8. Computer Setup

Setting up the Sonos system is similar on Window and Mac computers. This guide will cover a combination of the two while pointing out the differences between them.

1. Launch the the Sonos Controller installer once it's downloaded onto your computer. At certain points during the setup, on Windows you may be prompted to allow it to make changes to your system. Just click Yes to proceed.
   

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2. You might also be prompted to Allow access to the controller through the computer firewall. Go ahead and do so.
   

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2. On a Mac computer you will be asked to type in your password. Do that and click OK.
   

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2. When ready, select Set up a New System.
   

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2. Choose the Standard Setup.
   

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2. If you're computer doesn't have a Wi-Fi connection, then you will have to connect the Sonos speaker to your router with the provided Ethernet cord.
   

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2. Otherwise the Wireless Setup will begin automatically.
   

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2. Next, you'll be asked to power up the speaker (also called a player) and to select the type of speaker you are setting up.
   

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2. Based on your previous selection, you will be asked to press a button or combination of buttons on the speaker.
   

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2. If you're setting up the speaker through a Wi-Fi connection, then your computer will temporarily disconnect from the current Wi-Fi and connect to the speakers Wi-Fi instead.
   

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2. You'll have to select or type in the Wi-Fi network name and password that the speaker will use.
   

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2. Select or type in the rooms name where the speaker will be placed in.
   

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2. Make sure you register so you can receive software updates and add streaming services. If you choose to do it later, you can always register by clicking Manage in the Sonos Controller menu then selecting Check for Software Updates.
   

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2. In the end, you'll be asked if you want to set up your Music Library. You can select I'll set up my music later at this point.
   

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2. Your Sonos system is now set up.