How to Set Up a Sonos PLAY:3 Speaker

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

Sonos Play:3 speaker

Sonos is a home sound system of Wi-Fi connected speakers, that lets you listen to anything you want, wherever you want.

PLAY:3 is the mid-size speaker with stereo sound from Sonos, and their most versatile player.

2. Speaker Setup

  1. Place the speaker within a good range of the Wi-Fi router. You can check the Wi-Fi signal strength on other Wi-Fi connected devices that have a display by bringing them temporarily next to the Sonos speaker.
  2. The speaker can be oriented either horizontally or vertically to allow flexibility with the placement:
  3. horizontal orientation is recommended for a single speaker to provide the best audio quality and enable stereo sound
  4. vertical orientation may be necessary for certain spaces; stereo playback is disabled in this orientation, however two speakers of the same type can be paired to create a stereo pair.
Possible speaker orientations
  1. Plug one end of the provided power cable into the speaker. Only plug the other end into a power outlet when instructed by the Sonos Controller app during the setup process.
Power cable plugged into speaker

3. Install Controller App

The setup process is similar for all Sonos speakers on any device that you install the Sonos Controller on. It can be installed on Android/iOS smartphones or tablets, or on Windows/Mac computers.

  1. On your mobile device or computer, open your browser and navigate to support.sonos.com then scroll down until you see the Download the Controller button.
  2. The website will detect what type of device you are using and will offer for download the compatible file.
  3. Tap or click on the Download button. If the download doesn't start, check below the button to see if you have additional download options or instructions and continue with them.
Sonos Controller download page on computer


  1. Open the downloaded file and follow the instructions to Install it on the computer.
Sonos Controller installation wizard on computer


  1. Alternately, on mobile devices, you can search for the Sonos Controller app in the appropriate app store or marketplace and install it from there.
Sonos Controller Android installation screen

Sonos Controller iOS installation screen

4. 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.
Sonos setup initiation screen.
  1. Choose Standard Setup.
Setup method selection screen.
  1. 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.
Screen showing which buttons need to be pressed on the speaker.
  1. Wait for the speaker to be configured.
Waiting screen.
  1. Your mobile device will have to temporarily disconnect from your current Wi-Fi and connect to the speakers Wi-Fi to continue.
Wireless setup introductory screen.
  1. Android devices and some Sonos speakers complete this step automatically but you have to do it manually on iOS devices
Wireless setup instructions screen.
  1. On your iOS device, go back to the main screen then open Settings and go to Wi-Fi.
Settings screen on iOS device.
  1. Connect your mobile device to the speakers Wi-Fi named SONOS.
Wi-Fi network list screen on iOS.
  1. 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.
Wireless setup password entry screen.
  1. Choose the rooms name where the speaker will be placed in.
Speaker location selection screen.
  1. 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.
Finishing setup or adding another speaker.
  1. Make sure you register so you can receive software updates and add streaming services.
System registration completion screen.
  1. 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.
  2. Your Sonos system is now set up.

5. Computer Setup

Setting up the Sonos system is similar on Window and Mac computers.

  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.
User Account Control pop-up on Windows
  1. You might also be prompted to Allow access to the controller through the computer firewall. Go ahead and do so.
Windows Security Alert pop-up on Windows
  1. On a Mac computer you will be asked to type in your password. Do that and click OK.
User password entry request pop-up on Mac
  1. When ready, select Set up a New System.
Sonos Setup initiation screen
  1. Choose the Standard Setup.
Sonos Setup method selection screen
  1. 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.
Ethernet connection request screen
  1. Otherwise the Wireless Setup will begin automatically.
Wireless setup introductory screen
  1. 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.
Speaker type selection screen
  1. Based on your previous selection, you will be asked to press a button or combination of buttons on the speaker.
Screen showing which buttons need to be pressed on the speaker
  1. 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.
Waiting for connection to be established
  1. You'll have to select or type in the Wi-Fi network name and password that the speaker will use.
Wi-Fi credentials entry screen
  1. Select or type in the rooms name where the speaker will be placed in.
Speaker location selection screen
  1. 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.
Checking for software updates option in Sonos Controller menu
  1. 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.
Music Library Setup query screen
  1. Your Sonos system is now set up.