Thanks for writing in, and I’m sorry to hear about your device issues! To confirm, you see the devices in your Audio settings, but are not able to enable them? Do you see a specific error message?
If you havent yet, I would reboot the endpoints, your router, as well as your Roon Server machine and see if the same issues persist. We’ll be on standby for your reply!
Thanks for the reply, I see the devices from the menu and I can activate and deactivate them, increase the single volume level but unfortunately I can’t hear anything.
The song, locally or via Qobuz, starts on the Roon server (Grimm Audio Mu1) but nothing can be heard from the speakers.
Unfortunately it is nothing new and occasionally, perhaps a couple of years ago it already happened after some Roon updates.
Instead, the DAC connected directly to the music server always works without problems with the main speakers.
I have always used the 2 zones at the same time even with 2 different songs. On one area only 2 speakers and on the other area a bunch of 5 speakers which now no longer work…
Just to confirm were you able to try the steps that @benjamin recommended?
In the meantime, I was able to activate diagnostics on the MU1 server. We’re seeing a number of short read traces, which usually indicate that the buffer isn’t loading fast enough to keep up with playback.
In your original post, you mentioned a Fastweb router, Zyxel switch, ethernet cable, and in some cases Wi-Fi.
Would it be possible to temporarily switch any Wi-Fi-connected parts of the setup to ethernet to see if that improves stability? Additionally is it possible to test a direct ethernet connection without the switch?
Thanks for the reply, sorry for the delay in mine.
I can’t go through everyone with ethernet but I can deactivate the wi-fi ones and the situation doesn’t improve for those in the group connected via ethernet.
The problem persists.
Yes, I tried turning everything off and on again but it didn’t help.
It’s like there was something in the last 2 Roon updates that led to this situation…
It had already happened in the past, many versions ago and then it was resolved with the next update.
It must be said that the direct connection with the main diffusers works perfectly. I love Roon
Thanks for giving that a try and for the additional information! Sorry to hear your issues persist. I can say that our recent updates didn’t touch anything related to our endpoint functionality or RAATServer connectivity, so it’s likely a coincidence timing-wise.
Can you provide a bit more information around this? If you temporarily hook up your issue endpoints to this same setup, are you able to get proper playback?
We’re also seeing multiple Roon Servers across your account, are you seeing the same issue no matter the machine you’re running Roon Server on?
Thanks.
So now I’ll give you some more information, I’ve partly discovered what the problem is.
In the group that stopped working I have an Airport Time Capsule (802.11ac) from Apple which creates a new network for me at home by extending the Wi-Fi capacity.
Leaving the 2 B&W devices connected via LAN and the one connected via Wi-fi under the Time Capsule directly, the system now works.
The problem arises when I also connect 2 other devices via Wi-Fi in the sleeping area.
They are under an Apple extender called Airport Express 802.11n (2nd generation) which cascades the signal.
This setup has worked for me for years.
I believe that with the new update something has put this system in crisis.
I don’t know if it’s a problem of limited bandwidth from the extension.
In any case, now it is certain that with the devices connected via LAN from the first Fastwerb Router, through the Zyxel switch and via Wi-Fi from the first Apple Time Capsule, Roon works, otherwise it doesn’t.
The device updates are the latest available but it must be said that they are not exactly new.
Thanks for the update! Just to clarify, there’s nothing in Roon’s updates that would impact the overall strength or performance of your home network.
That said, the Airport Express (802.11n) does have some limitations, especially with today’s higher network demands. When zones are grouped across multiple wireless “hops” (like from your Time Capsule to the Express to a device), even small delays or drops can cause issues like syncing problems or zones disappearing.
If you need to keep using the Express, we recommend connecting it to your Time Capsule with an Ethernet cable if possible — this helps avoid the instability that comes with wireless-to-wireless repeating.
In general, older Wi-Fi extenders like the Express can struggle with more demanding applications like Roon. For a more reliable setup, a modern mesh system (such as Eero, TP-Link Deco, or Ubiquiti) can offer better coverage and a smoother experience.
We just wanted to check in to keep the thread from closing automatically and to see if you’ve had a chance to try what my colleague @benjamin suggested. Let us know when you get a moment. We’ll be standing by to assist further if needed.
