How to Set Up and Connect Sonos to WiFi

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

Sonos offers a wide range of speakers from the compact One that can fit into small places to the Playbase soundbar that can double as a stand for your television. While there are a good number of them, they all connect to the same app for control.

This guide will walk you through setting up the Sonos Play:1, Play:3, Play:5, One, and Move speakers as well as the Sonos Beam, Playbar, and Playbase soundbars. We'll show you how to set up the speaker from plugging it in, getting the Sonos Controller App, and connecting the app and speaker together. 

Tools You'll Need:

• A paperclip
• iPhone charging cable
• Access to a computer with iTunes installed
• Any other non-consumable tools needed
• Comment out tools section if no tools are necessary

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Supplies You'll Need:

• Zip ties
• Any other consumable supplies
• Comment out supplies section if no supplies are necessary

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Before You Begin:

• You must have access to a computer with iTunes installed.
• You must have that thing for the other thing so you can do the thing.

You must have this thing before you whatever.

• Title of GP User Should Do First
• Title of GP User Should Do First
• Each individual prereq should have its own box like this. Not all will contain multiple links.
• Comment out prerequisites section if no prereqs are necessary

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Which Sonos Devices Are Included in This Guide?

• The Sonos One speaker is specially made to fit in small areas like desks, counters, and even bathrooms due to its humidity resistance. The Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are built right in so you can play music, check news, set alarms, get your questions answered, and more, with just your voice.
• Move is the durable, battery-powered smart speaker for outdoor and indoor listening that can use bluetooth if no Wifi is available.
• Play:1 speaker is specially made to fit in small areas like desks, counters, and even bathrooms due to its humidity resistance.
• Play:3 is the mid-size speaker with stereo sound from Sonos, and their most versatile player.
• Play:5 is a a powerful speaker with built-in subwoofers.
• Beam soundbar is specially made to compliment your Smart TV. The Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are built right in so you can play music, check news, set alarms, get your questions answered, and more, completely hands free. With the Sonos Beam you can go from the box to listening in no time with just two cables and automatic remote detection. 
• Playbar is a soundbar that dramatically improves the sound coming from your TV and seamlessly integrates with the Sonos sound system.
• Playbase soundbar practically disappears under your television with its sleek design allowing you to stream music from your Apple or Android devices.

2. Set Up Your Sonos Speaker

Setting Up Your Speaker

1. Place the speaker within a good range of the WiFi router. You can check the WiFi signal strength on other Wi-Fi connected devices that have a display by bringing them temporarily next to the Sonos speaker.
2. Plug one end of the provided power cable into the speaker. Plug the other end into an outlet. In the case of the Sonos Move, you'll be plugging in the charging base.
   

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2. Your Sonos speaker has a single LED on the top and it will flash green when it is ready to be set up.
   
3. Sonos Play:1

1. The LED for the Play:1 speaker is on the very top of the speaker between the buttons.
2. Sonos One

1. 
   The Sonos One LED is located above the play and pause button.
2. Sonos Move

1. 
   The Sonos Move's LED is above the play and pause button as well.
2. Sonos Play:5

1. 
   The LED on the Play:5 speaker is on the top above the logo.
2. Check your LED for the flashing green light.
   
3. Flashing Green Light

1. Your Sonos One is powered up and is ready to be set up, or added to an existing Sonos system.

Setting Up Your Soundbar

Because the soundbar will be hooking up to your television, there are a few additional steps involved.

 

Set Up Your Beam

1. Set your soundbar in an open area, centered with your television. The connector panel should be facing toward your television or the wall.
   

1. Do not place the Beam vertically on its side.
   Both ends of the Beam should be at least 1 foot from a wall or other obstruction.

Now that you've placed the soundbar, you can connect it.

1. Disconnect existing home theater or surround sound equipment from your TV.
2. Connect any external devices, like a cable box or DVD player, directly to your TV.
3. Insert the power cord firmly into Beam’s AC power port until it is fully connected. Don’t twist or bend the cable.
   

1. Fully insert the HDMI cable into Beam’s HDMI port. Push the power cord firmly into the Beam until it is flush with the surface.
   

1. Connect the HDMI cable to your TV using the HDMI ARC port. HDMI ARC is a special port that looks like a standard HDMI port. Although they look the same, if you connect to a standard HDMI port, you won’t hear sound. If you don't have an HDMI ARC port there is an adapter supplied with the Beam.
   

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Set Up Your Playbar

Prior to setting up the Playbar with the Sonos Controller app, you have to find a proper place for it and make all the required connections:

1. Place the Playbar in an open area, centered with your television. The connector panel should be facing toward your television or the wall.
   

1. A few things to consider when placing the Playbar:
2. For the best listening experience, place it at the same level your ears will be at while watching TV.
3. Do not place it vertically on its side.
4. Do not place it in a cabinet or on a walled shelf.
5. Both of its ends should be at least 1 foot from a wall or other obstruction.
6. Connect one end of the optical cable to the rear of your television, and the other end to the rear of the Playbar.
   

1. Connect one end of the power cable to the rear of the Playbar, and the other end to an electrical outlet.
   

1. The Playbar will begin powering up.

 

Set Up Your Playbase

1. Set your soundbar in an open area, centered with your television. The connector panel should be facing toward your television or the wall.
2. You can use your soundbar as a television stand as long as the television is not over 75 lbs.
   

1. If your TV has a split foot stand, you can place the soundbar beneath it.
   

1. Or you can place your soundbar on a shelf.
   

Do not place the Playbase vertically on its side.
Both ends of the Playbase should be at least 1 foot from a wall or other obstruction.

Now that you've placed the soundbar, you can connect it.

1. Connect the optical audio cable from your TV’s digital audio OUT to the Playbase’s digital audio IN. Don’t twist or bend the cable.
2. Attach the power cord and plug in the Playbase. Push the power cord firmly into the Playbase until it is flush with the surface.

 

Setting Up Your Subwoofer

The Sonos Sub is designed for use with most Sonos speakers, except Sonos Connect, Port and Move. Make sure you set up at least one speaker before adding the Sub.

The Sub contains strong magnets. Don’t place the Sub near equipment that is sensitive to magnetic fields. 

1. Use the top of the Acoustic Slot to lift your Sub out of the box.
   

1. You can place the Sub either horizontally or vertically but make sure at least one side of the acoustic slot is unobstructed.
   

1. The Sub comes with four felt feet to attach to the bottom, depending on your configuration. These feet will not come off once placed.
2. Connect the power by inserting the supplied plug firmly into the power slot on the bottom.
   

3. Connect to the Sonos App

Install the Sonos Controller AppBefore connecting your Sonos devices to the app, you need to, well, download the app!

iOS Devices

Sonos Controller App
If you are viewing this guide on your iOS device this link will allow you to jump directly to Sonos Controller App in the App Store and install it immediately.

• Sonos Controller App

1. Open the App Store.
   

1. Type in "Sonos Controller" in the search bar.
2. Find Sonos Controller in the search results and tap on GET.
   

1. Tap on Install to start download.
   

Android Devices

Sonos Controller App on Google Play
If you are viewing this guide on your Android device, or have your Google account linked on your Android device and your browser, this link will allow you to jump directly to the Sonos Controller in the Google Play Store and install it immediately.

• Sonos Controller App

1. Open Play Store.
   

1. Search for "Sonos Controller for Android" and tap on the app.
   

1. Tap Install to start downloading the app.
   

1. Once installed, tap Open.
   

Connect to the Sonos App

1. Open the Sonos app.
   

1. Select Set up a new Sonos system.
   

1. Sign into your existing Sonos account, or select Create account to create a new one.
   

1. Select Continue to proceed with the setup process.
   

1. Select Standard setup for your Sonos speaker to continue.
   

1. Select Next to proceed with Standard setup.
   

1. Your Sonos should already be powered on. Ensure that it is, and select Next to proceed.
   

1. You should eventually see a green flashing light on your speaker. Once you do, select Continue to proceed.
   

1. The Sonos Controller app will begin searching for your speaker.
2. The Sonos Controller app should have determined you are attempting to setup a Sonos speaker.
3. The Sonos Controller app will then begin configuring your speaker.
   

1. The Sonos speaker is now ready to begin its network setup process. Select Next for instructions on how to proceed.
   

1. You will be asked to connect your mobile device to a temporary network called SONOS in order to proceed with the setup process.
   

1. Open your Wi-Fi settings, and select the Sonos network.
   
2. Select Settings.
   

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2. Select WiFi.
   

1. Select Sonos from the list.
   

1. Return to the Sonos app.
   

1. The Sonos speaker is now connected to your home network.

4. Make Sure the Speaker Works

Now that your apeaker is all hooked up and in the case of your soundbar, your television has it selected instead of its usual speakers, let's test it. Go ahead and turn everything on and make sure you have some sound.

You can also use the Sonos Controller App to test some music. The following is a demonstration of how to play and control your music using the Sonos Controller app no matter which Sonos speakers you have in your home.

1. Begin by selecting the speaker you wish to play music on. You'll need to select the Beam if you have more than one speaker. Tap on the room (speaker) name at the top of the screen then select the speaker you wish to play music from using the drop down menu.
   

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2. Using the Sonos Controller app on a computer, just click on the speaker you wish to control from the ROOMS column.
   

1. To find what you want to play, you can select an available source to browse through them, or use the search feature.
   

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2. Using the Sonos Controller app on a computer, simply select a source from the source browser on the right side of the screen, or use the search feature.
   

1. Once you've found what you want to listen to, tap on its name and select Play Now from the drop down menu. If you like what you're listening to, you can also select Add to Sonos Favorites from the drop down menu for future listening.
   

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2. Using the Sonos Controller app on a computer, multiple songs can be selected by placing a check in the box next to their name. Click the downward-facing arrow to open the menu for all the songs you've selected.
   

If Your Soundbar Isn't Playing Properly and You Hear Your Television Speakers

Disable Your Television Speakers

• How to Disable Your Television Speakers