Why does my Sonos Beam (Gen 2) keep needing setting up again?

The short answer

Easy to wire, which is the real fix — but few people think of it. Repeated re-pairing nearly always means the gadget is losing its place on the network, not that it is faulty.

What's happening underneath

Living-room Sonos unit that can be wired, which is the most reliable fix available to a Sonos owner. Splitting speakers from phones needs discovery traffic forwarded between the two networks. Most home routers cannot do it.

Source: Manufacturer documentation

Try these, in this order

• • Run a network cable from the router or a mesh box to the Beam — it is the single best Sonos fix.
• • Keep every speaker on one Wi-Fi name.
• • Remove any extender making a second name.
• • Restart the Beam before the router.
• • Check the signal where the gadget actually lives, not where you're standing.
• • Move the router off the floor and out of any cupboard before buying anything.
• • Put the gadget and your phone on the same Wi-Fi name.

Setting it up again properly

• • Stand next to your router while you set it up, then move the gadget to where it lives.
• • Put your phone on the 2.4 GHz network name for the setup, or use one name for both bands so the phone can follow.
• • If your router splits bands into two names, turn the 5 GHz one off for five minutes rather than fighting it.
• • Turn mobile data off on your phone during setup — some apps quietly use it and never find the gadget.

When it's worth spending money

A £10 cable first. Only then consider a mesh box behind the TV.