"network connection speed insufficient to maintain playback buffer"

[Sid - Sonos]

Originally Posted by chrobb

Still not seeing the beta program. Any help?

Hello Chrobb,

You should see the program available. Please be sure to sign out completely and log back in with the same email address you used to register your Sonos. Please post back if this still does not bring the program up, and we will flag your system manually.

Regards,

Sid

[peiyu]

Wonder if it is me only. Owning only one Play:3 and Bridge, after upgrading to 3.7, I constantly have the speed insufficient problem too.

[ninjabob]

This one came back to haunt me once more. The other day I was playing with my iPod Touch Controller and noticed an update was available to 3.7.1 so I updated - strange because this update did not appear to be available on other controllers - anyway this update seemed to only update my four Play 5s and not my Connect (ZP90).

I came home yesterday to find one of my Play 5s had dropped off the system despite being shown as connected in my router diagnostics. I turned the unit off and back on again and it rejoined. Now I was getting the "insufficient blah blah " message coming up all the time. I dropped all zones and just played through one Play 5 - no messages and continuous play. Entered "party mode" and back came all the messages and the break up of playback - jumping tracks etc. In the end I did a "Ratty" and shut everything down and re-started in the "Ratty" order and "party mode" worked again - everything working OK.

Now the way I have my router set up for DHCP is that it recognizes the MAC code of the Sonos equipment and always gives the units the same IP addresses so hopefully avoiding any IP conflicts that the "Ratty" method of restarting hopes to address.

I think this problem is still around and still needs sorting. Maybe 3.8 addresses this issue?

[ratty]

Originally Posted by ninjabob

I think this problem is still around and still needs sorting. Maybe 3.8 addresses this issue?

No Sonos update can eliminate the risk of IP duplication. It's inherent in the way DHCP works and because residential routers don't usually retain IP lease info across reboots.

When Sonos updates occur they reboot the relevant devices and take out new leases. A recently rebooted router could therefore easily give the Sonos unit an IP which is already in use by, say, an iPhone.

The robust solution is indeed to reserve IPs for specific MAC addresess in the router's DHCP server. This configuration info will persist when a router is rebooted.

[ninjabob]

Originally Posted by ratty

The robust solution is indeed to reserve IPs for specific MAC addresess in the router's DHCP server. This configuration info will persist when a router is rebooted.

That is exactly what I have done and why I am saying there still may be a problem. As you say it may not manifest itself again until another upgrade.

[eric_k]

Greetings,

I joined the forum because of this issue. I have had six Sonos units for nearly two years with zero problems - until yesterday. I have updated to 3.8 and done the reboot. The issue persists. The router addressing issue is not the root cause of this - it is a red herring.

This issue affects one of Sonos' fundamental performance claims. I have been a big supporter of the system, investing $1,000s with the expectations that Sonos' can live up to their claims. I believe Sonos claims the system can handle 30+ units? I assume Sonos' upper management is aware of this issue and the significant backlash that could occur if it is not fixed. If I were a Sonos executive, I would be losing sleep over this. Right now my Sonos system "just doesn't work."

I don't care how or why this happened. The issue must be fixed completely. I would appreciate an update from Sonos via this thread. What is the current status? Is the fix still in beta?

[marcdirks]

I also joined this forum because of this issue.

I have this issue now for several weeks. I updated the complete system (3 zone players) to release 3.8 and the problem is still there.

I get the error 'sonos network speed insufficient to maintain playback buffer' but also zone players disappear from the controller list and drop/reconnect randomly. Very frustrating all of this. I rebooted the complete system as suggested but it doesn't solve the issue.

I logged a SR today at Sonos, lets see.

It looks to me that In order to prevent such situations recurring the best solution is to configure the router to reserve fixed IP addresses for the principal network components.

I have a Mac airportextreem router but have no idea how to setup fixed ip addresses for each sonos device?

I wanted to purchase the Sub but better wait until this is solved.

Kind Regards,

Marc

[Gordon - Sonos]

Hello eric_k and marcdirks,

I apologize for the issues you both are having. I have created and incident and sent you both an email in order to set up a time to speak with you both and find out what is causing these problems with your Sonos. Please reply to the ticket or email me directly at Gordon.Mullen@sonos.com

I look forward to speaking with you both and finding a solution to this.

Regards,
Gordon

[B Fraser]

Hi all,

Re the buffer problem, try changing the wireless channel on Sonos, it worked for me and may well work for you too.

[restinbeast]

Hello,

I have been using sonos for 5 years. I have spent thousands on equipment and never had a problem I couldn't resolve on my own, until now. I have had multiple events ruined because of continuous drop outs due to this problem. I have read so many suggestions that my head is spinning.

All I know is that this was not an issue prior to updating. Now my 10 unit system is a total joke.

I have bought new wireless routers (all top of the line), painstakingly rewired my house, tried wireless only conncetions, wired only, shifted bridges to every location I could think of, replaced zone bridge multiple times, upgraded internet to faster speed (now at 60 mbps, still insufficient). Come on this is a JOKE.

I am considering a fire sale on my equipment and find another solution. I have recommended sonos to countless people over the years and never thought it would go DOWN in quality. Someone messed up big here.

I am going to reserve IP addresses for each unit and then if that doesn't work, contact customer support for one final try. After that I am going to have to invest a massive amount in some other system because I refuse to let my 4th of July party be ruined by this!