Why is Sonos Unable to Play Radio Station? Fix Guide

With Sonos unable to play radio station issue, you can’t groove to your music while hosting a party or simply getting things done.

In this article, you will know what causes this and how you can fix it.

The likely reason your Sonos cannot play any radio station is connectivity issues. The speakers may lose their network connection or Bluetooth connection with the Sonos application device. Disconnect and connect the Sonos speakers to your Wi-Fi to fix the problem.

If you notice your Sonos speakers are not playing music from the radio station, there are a few things you can try on your own to fix the issue.

You just need to find out what causes the interference so you can apply the best solution.

Why Sonos Unable to Play Radio Station

If your Sonos app is unable to play songs from the radio station, it can be due to several reasons.

Sometimes, your router may have a hard time processing data packets, or something may be blocking the signal used by your Sonos device.

You can fix the common causes with no advanced skills and knowledge.

Internet Connectivity

The most likely reason your Sonos speakers cannot play radio stations is an unstable internet connection. It can slow things down where it is unable to play music properly.

You may reboot your router and make sure no radio-emitting device is blocking the signal to tackle the issue. 

Compatibility with Sonos App

If you are using the Sonos app to select a radio station, the likely reason your speaker is unable to play is incompatibility. Your device may not support the Sonos app.

The latest Sonos app and operating system are the Sonos S2. It powers the next generation of Sonos products. Update your S1 controller app to S2 once notified.  

Radio Station Outages

If the Sonos app unable to play radio station is the issue, it may be due to an outage.

This was an issue among Sonos devices in the past. If the customer service indicates that there’s an outage, you may need to try an alternative streaming platform like YouTube.

But first, restart your device or reboot the app and see if this fixes the problem.

Software Errors

When your Sonos speakers aren’t playing well, you should check if it’s running the latest software for Sonos.

Update your Sonos regularly as new versions could include bug fixes, newly released features, and security patches.

If you have noticed your Sonos stops playing radio stations, you can also submit a system diagnostic, and the Sonos customer service team will be in touch to help you troubleshoot the problem.

How to Fix Sonos Unable to Play Radio Station

Before you call customer support for further assistance, you can try doing a few things to get your music playing again.

The following steps will help you resolve the most common issues that may prevent your Sonos from playing radio stations.

Solution #1: Check If The Radio Station is Online

The first thing you should do is check if the radio station is online. If your Sonos can’t play it, the radio station may be unreliable or disabled.

It may also be experiencing high volume and is not responding. Moreover, the network could be down, so you may need to try listening again at a later time.

An issue with the DNS settings may also prevent Sonos from searching online radio stations.

Adjust your router DNS settings to enable it to route traffic from and to the correct address on the Internet.

1. You need to tweak your DHCP server settings to change your DNS settings.
2. Go to Network > Services > DHCP.
3. Click the DHCP service to be modified and modify the associated parameters.
4. Change the advanced settings if necessary.
5. Click Apply.

Note: If you are connecting to a DHCP server, make sure it is set to Disabled.  

Solution #2: Use a Different Radio Streaming Service

When you see the error Sonos is unable to get tracks, the problem with why your speakers are not playing any radio station may be due to an outage.

If this is the case, you may need to set aside your current radio streaming service and try another alternative, such as YouTube Music or Amazon Music Unlimited.

Note: You can also use a device with a reliable ad blocker as this could help in resolving this particular issue.

Solution #3: Add Radio Station Manually To Your Streaming Service

Try manually adding it if you can’t find your desired radio station on the alternative streaming service.

Most radio stations have a URL address, and Sonos speakers support AAC, MP3, and WMA audio formats. All you need is a radio station that streams in those formats and its URL.

1. Tap Browse and select your streaming service.
2. Tap My Radio Stations.
3. Tap the Menu button and click Add Radio Station.
4. Enter the streaming URL, add a name, and click OK.
5. Start listening to the radio station you just added.

Note: Radio stations do not list or promote their URLs. You may need to do a bit of Googling to find the one you are looking for.

Solution #4: Reboot Your Router and Speaker

After verifying that your radio station is online, reboot your router if your Sonos has trouble playing a continuous music stream.

Hit the reset button at the back of the router, unplug it, and let it sit for a minute before you plug it back in.

To reboot your Sonos speaker:

1. Remove the power cord at the back of the Speaker or the outlet.
2. Wait for 10 minutes until the speaker has completely powered off.
3. Plug it back in.
4. Give the speaker a minute to power back up.

Note: For most problems, this method should do the trick. If not, you may need to consider a factory reset.

Solution #5: Update Your Sonos Speaker

Keeping your Sonos speakers updated gives you access to bug fixes, security patches, and the new features.

Normally, you will be prompted with a System Update Available message. But, you can also check for updates manually through the Sonos app.

1. Open the Sonos app.
2. Tap More to get to the Options menu.
3. Select Settings > System Updates.
4. Click Check for System Updates.

The app will check for updates. If there are any available, they will prompt you for installation. 

Read Next: Why Does My Sonos Keep Stopping? (Fixed)

Last Thoughts

Thus, if your Sonos speakers are unable to play radio stations, check for connectivity issues. Make sure your device is still connected to your Wi-Fi network and the Sonos App. If there is a lost connection, try disconnecting and reconnecting the devices. If the issue persists, reboot your router and speaker.

If you have a Sonos unable to play radio station problem, it is important to understand the cause of the problem to take the necessary action.

Contact customer support for more troubleshooting methods if you have tried all of the above solutions, but the problem does not go away.

If you think this post is useful but have another difficulty with your Sonos setup, you will find everything you need to know in our blog.