Does the issue happen with local library music, streaming service music, or both?
· *Both streaming and local* *library* music are affected.
Do you encounter any playback errors with the "System Output" Zone?
· The System Output has the same problem as my other Zone.
Do you have a complex network setup?
· Both the device and RoonServer are connecting to a *single router*
Please try rebooting your router.
· No, I'm still having trouble
Do you have an approximate timestamp of when the issue last occurred?
· 7:30 AM (GMT +2)
What are the make and model of the affected audio device(s) and the connection type?
· Audio Devices are PS Audio DS Jr DAC and Bridge. I also connect via i2s on the PS Audio via Zen Streamer
Describe the issue
When I have an album open and click "Start Radio" from the Play Now button, i am told a) Starting Roon Radio, b) Nothing Similar to Play and then Roon stops. This happens to Albums imported from Tidal, Qubuz and from my SSD library.
Describe your network setup
Simple - Roon Core on PC. PC linked to ethernet. Roon Ready streamer linked to ethernet.
It might be helpful to have the file(s) from your local library and a few album examples from the streaming services for testing on our end as well. Can you please upload them here and let us know?
I have uploaded some pics of files that i tried this AM, but did not work. Please let me know if the pics are sufficient, or if you need something different.
Thanks for sharing the screenshots! The first thing to check - within your queue screen, do you have your Roon radio settings enabled to only filter library content?
We’re also seeing some network bandwidth related issues that is causing audio to stop:
Trace: [Lounge + Is2 Living RM] [zoneplayer/raat] too many dropouts. stopping stream
With that, we’re seeing the buffer of the track at 100% before the stoppage, so your Roon Server connection to upstream services seems to be solid. It’s the bandwidth within your local network, between your server and audio endpoints / zones.
You mention you have a direct ethernet connection already - is this directly to your primary router? Perhaps reviewing your router settings and seeing if your able to allocate network priorty to your audio device may be helpful here.
We’re also seeing a server side buffer overrun when attempting playback:
Error: while sending frames for iFi ZEN Stream (SONORE USB AUDIO): serverside buffer overrun
This means your Roon Server was producing audio data faster than the receiving RAAT endpoint (in this case, the iFi ZEN Stream) could accept it — and the server-side buffer filled up before the data could be transmitted. A few next steps in troubleshooting here are:
Power-cycle the iFi ZEN Stream and your Roon Server. This clears stuck buffers and resets RAAT state.
Try a wired connection for the endpoint
If the ZEN Stream is on Wi-Fi, try Ethernet — or test with a different endpoint.
Reduce resolution temporarily
Test with standard 16/44.1 FLAC to see if it's a bandwidth or decoding issue.
Disable DSP temporarily
If you're upsampling or using headroom management, disable them to reduce processing load.
Update firmware and software
Make sure your iFi ZEN Stream and Roon Core are fully up to date.
iFi firmware can sometimes fix USB and streaming bugs.
I am impressed by the timeliness of reply and depth of analysis, thank you!
I do wonder if the network issues you identify have any impact on the issue: “Roon Radio: Nothing Similar to Play.” Do you think so or are you addressing another issue you have discovered. I am grateful to address all issues - i use Roon ALL the time.
Let’s get to your advice with regard to network bandwidth related discovery:
Limit to Roon Radio was NOT selected.
Ethernet Connection goes through a switch (POE) from the PC with Roon Core.
I have not reviewed router settings for network priority allocation yet. If this is the likely issue i can try to address. I am not totally clear on how to make this prioritization.
I power-cycled ROON and Zen Stream.
Connection is wired, but also tried to initiate “Start Radio” in another zone and have the same message.
Used 16/44 file. Not sure if .flac or .alac. and it plays fine, but Start Radio gives the same message.
No DSP had been applied to the zone.
The iFI Zen did need a firmware update. Roon Core is up to date. I have restarted with the firmware update and same issue occurs.
So, using a Miles Davis 16/44 local album, I selected from the Play Now button, “Start Radio” and i get the eventual message that there is Nothing Similar to Play.
Thank you for the update. I just tested Roon Radio on my end using several Miles Davis compositions and was able to receive upcoming playback suggestions as expected.
To help us investigate further, could you kindly zip your local album and upload it using the link I previously shared? This will allow us to check the metadata in your files and compare the behavior with our environment.
Will do, but in the mean time, would it help to explore the Tidal/Qubuz Albums that i shared pictures of that were demonstrating the same behavior? Also, please note that Start Radio mainly doesn’t work at all - for any album. At least not in recent memory.
File shared in .zip via link. An oldie but a goodie. Tried the “Start Radio” from the Album “Play Now” button and received “Nothing Similar to Play.” I do have a robust Jazz library - both on my hard drives and imported via Tidal and Qobuz.
Thanks for including all of the above! Could you test out temporarily changing your DNS settings on your Roon Server machine, as well as router?
We have seen users have a better experience in the past if they change their Router’s DNS servers from the ISP provided ones to Cloudflare DNS, Quad9 or Google DNS. Can you please give this a try and let me know if it helps?
I have been trying to change the DNS settings on my modem, but with no success. Seems it would be a simple fix but it is not. Maybe i need to buy a new modem?
In any case, what is your sense of probability that a DNS address of 8888 or other suggested will fix the issue?
This has made no difference - i get the error “Nothing Similar to Play” from the Album Play Now button. Also, Roon Search is not working: I search Miles and get the message “Cannot connect to Roon Search.” Other web functionality might also be affected, but am not sure as i just made the change.
I played the Miles Davis, Birth of Cool. It is the one i shared above. But really, it impacts every album i try, whether they on my HDD or pulled in from Tidal / Qobuz.
