Quick Summary Sonos Arc audio cutting out is caused by one of three issues: weak SonosNet signal between the Arc and your router (RSSI below -70 dBm), interfer…
Quick Summary
Sonos Arc audio cutting out is caused by one of three issues: weak SonosNet signal between the Arc and your router (RSSI below -70 dBm), interference from nearby Wi-Fi networks on the same 2.4GHz channel, or a TV HDMI handshake issue causing the Arc to lose sync with the TV. Most dropouts are fixable by changing the SonosNet channel, moving the Arc closer to the router, or updating firmware. Complete loss of audio requires checking the HDMI connection and TV settings.
Symptom Diagnosis
Step 1: Check SonosNet Signal Strength Sonos app → Settings → System → About My System → select the Arc. Look for Network Strength or Signal Strength (RSSI). Target: -30 to -50 dBm. Acceptable: -51 to -70 dBm. Problematic: -71 dBm or worse. If signal is weak, move the Arc closer to your router or add a Sonos Move/Roam as a SonosNet repeater.
Step 2: Change SonosNet Channel to Reduce Interference Sonos app → Settings → System → Network → SonosNet Channel. Change from the current channel to a different one (1, 6, or 11 are the only valid channels). After changing, all Sonos speakers will reboot briefly. Allow 2 minutes for the network to stabilize. Optimal pairing: if your router's 2.4GHz is on channel 6, set SonosNet to channel 1 or 11 to avoid overlap.
Step 3: Fix HDMI Handshake Issues Check that the HDMI cable is firmly connected to both the Arc and the TV. Try a different HDMI port on your TV (preferably the eARC or ARC port). In your TV settings, enable eARC or ARC (depending on your TV model). Restart the Arc: unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug back in. Test by playing audio from the TV — dropouts should stop.
Step 4: Optimize Wi-Fi Channel Selection Use a Wi-Fi analyzer app (e.g., WiFi Analyzer on Android) to see which 2.4GHz channels are least congested in your area. Log in to your router admin panel and set the 2.4GHz channel to 1, 6, or 11 (whichever is least congested). Set SonosNet to a different channel (e.g., if router is on 6, set SonosNet to 1). Save router settings and restart the router.
Step 5: Verify HDMI Cable and TV Settings Replace the HDMI cable with a high-quality, certified eARC cable (not a standard HDMI cable). In your TV settings, look for HDMI Audio Output or Audio Format and set it to PCM or Auto. Disable any advanced audio formats (Dolby Atmos, DTS) temporarily to test if they're causing dropouts. Restart the TV and Arc.