Yamaha YAS-109 soundbar wifi problems
Discussion
I've been trying to set up mum's new soundbar for her today. Optical connection to the TV, basic functions working OK.
To access the settings, you need to use the Yamaha app. It also has Alexa built in, which obviously needs a wifi connection to work. This is where it all started going wrong!
Loaded the app on mum's iPad. The app sees the soundbar, and asks for the wifi password for her BT Hub (latest model). After a minute, it fails to connect with "password incorrect".
I loaded the app on my Samsung phone, and had the same problem.
Saw a message flash up, warning that the soundbar can't connect to 5ghz wifi, only 2.4ghz.
I tried to connect directly to the soundbar's wifi. Connects OK using the phone's wifi settings, but fails again when it tries to switch to the BT Hub.
I went into the BT Hub's admin page using a browser, and it's showing that the 2.4 and 5ghz wifi bands are using the same wifi password (the default one, as printed on the back of the router), and the soundbar is listed as a device on the 2.4ghz band, but "not connected".
I changed the 2.4ghz channel from "smart" to "1", and tried again. Still fails with "incorrect password".
At this point, I gave up.
Any ideas on what's going on here?
To access the settings, you need to use the Yamaha app. It also has Alexa built in, which obviously needs a wifi connection to work. This is where it all started going wrong!
Loaded the app on mum's iPad. The app sees the soundbar, and asks for the wifi password for her BT Hub (latest model). After a minute, it fails to connect with "password incorrect".
I loaded the app on my Samsung phone, and had the same problem.
Saw a message flash up, warning that the soundbar can't connect to 5ghz wifi, only 2.4ghz.
I tried to connect directly to the soundbar's wifi. Connects OK using the phone's wifi settings, but fails again when it tries to switch to the BT Hub.
I went into the BT Hub's admin page using a browser, and it's showing that the 2.4 and 5ghz wifi bands are using the same wifi password (the default one, as printed on the back of the router), and the soundbar is listed as a device on the 2.4ghz band, but "not connected".
I changed the 2.4ghz channel from "smart" to "1", and tried again. Still fails with "incorrect password".
At this point, I gave up.
Any ideas on what's going on here?
I have a similar yamaha amp. Firstly, don't connect to the TV using the optical, use the hdmi ARC, if the TV has one. Optical doesn't usually pass through dolby 5.1 etc from the TV otherwise. With regards to the WiFi, I had the option of choosing the ssid of the WiFi I wanted to connect to. Make sure the 2.4ghz and 5ghz are different and choose the 2.4ghz. It should then work fine. If they are not different ssid it is possible to change them in the router. Or....if none of your devices use the 5ghz, just turn it off...again, in the router.
Road2Ruin said:
I have a similar yamaha amp. Firstly, don't connect to the TV using the optical, use the hdmi ARC, if the TV has one. Optical doesn't usually pass through dolby 5.1 etc from the TV otherwise. With regards to the WiFi, I had the option of choosing the ssid of the WiFi I wanted to connect to. Make sure the 2.4ghz and 5ghz are different and choose the 2.4ghz. It should then work fine. If they are not different ssid it is possible to change them in the router. Or....if none of your devices use the 5ghz, just turn it off...again, in the router.
Thanks for the responseI think the TV has HDMI ARC, but just on the first port, which is currently being used for a BT TV box. I could swap that to a different port, and "retrain" mum to select HDMI2 for the BT TV box I suppose, although I'm not sure if the TV would then switch on automatically when the BT TV box is powered on? I'm trying to keep it as simple as possible for her.
If I do connect it to HDMI ARC, would the TV's volume control alter the volume of the soundbar? Obviously the optical output is fixed level, so I've told her to leave the TV's own speakers turned right down, and use the soundbar's remote to control the volume.
As for the SSID, it's currently the same for both 2.4 and 5ghz. I'll try setting the 2.4ghz to a different name the next time I visit her, and see if I can connect to that. All the other wifi devices were showing as being connected to the 5ghz wifi, so best if I leave that switched on.
It would be good to get Alexa working, as she can then turn the volume up and down by talking to it. I guess Alexa needs an internet connection, even for "internal" commands? The soundbar responds to "Alexa" (a light comes on), but it won't actually do any commands.
Are you sure it had alexa? Mine works with alexa, but doesn't have it built in. This means you need an alexa device, like an echo dot, to control it. Depending on the TV, the BT box should automatically change to the correct hdmi port when powered on. My Samsung TV will change inputs automatically when something is turned on. Sometimes a setting in the TV needs turning on for this to happen, although I can't remember what it is called. My remote control for the TV does indeed alter the amp too by default.
Yes, it has Alexa built-in.
If I say "Alexa", a light comes on on the the soundbar, but it doesn't actually do what I say. The light just goes off again after a couple of seconds. The manual says you can control the volume etc. with Alexa, but I guess it needs to be set up online with the app before it'll work.
If I say "Alexa", a light comes on on the the soundbar, but it doesn't actually do what I say. The light just goes off again after a couple of seconds. The manual says you can control the volume etc. with Alexa, but I guess it needs to be set up online with the app before it'll work.
Reading the manual (exciting day today!) https://europe.yamaha.com/files/download/other_ass... page 17, is it worth trying HDMI from the BT box to the sound bar and thence to the TV's HDMI 1?
There's an ethernet port - no chance the router is in a location that allows an easy cabling run?
There's also a recent firmware update https://uk.yamaha.com/en/support/updates/index.htm... , which is probably worth installing to see if it helps with the WiFi ?
There's an ethernet port - no chance the router is in a location that allows an easy cabling run?
There's also a recent firmware update https://uk.yamaha.com/en/support/updates/index.htm... , which is probably worth installing to see if it helps with the WiFi ?
xeny said:
Reading the manual (exciting day today!) https://europe.yamaha.com/files/download/other_ass... page 17, is it worth trying HDMI from the BT box to the sound bar and thence to the TV's HDMI 1?
There's an ethernet port - no chance the router is in a location that allows an easy cabling run?
There's also a recent firmware update https://uk.yamaha.com/en/support/updates/index.htm... , which is probably worth installing to see if it helps with the WiFi ?
I didn't notice that it an HDMI output port. I'll give that a go.There's an ethernet port - no chance the router is in a location that allows an easy cabling run?
There's also a recent firmware update https://uk.yamaha.com/en/support/updates/index.htm... , which is probably worth installing to see if it helps with the WiFi ?
Unfortunately the router is on the other side of the room. Cable would have to go around a doorway.
I think it'll check online for any updates - once we get wifi to work via the app. If that fails, I guess it'll be worth trying to update via USB, then retrying the wifi.
Edited by clockworks on Saturday 29th May 13:15
The router probably has band steering enabled which I’ve often found doesn’t play nice with 2.4 only devices for some reason.
Anyway, change the 2.4 SSID on the router and keep channel on auto, and that should fix that WiFi issue.
On the soundbar connect the BT box to the hdmi in, the tv to the hdmi out(arc), and on the tv, whichever hdmi is labeled ARC.
Make sure the hdmi control or CEC, or similar is enabled on all devices, then it will all worth together, including power on/off sync, volume, etc.
Anyway, change the 2.4 SSID on the router and keep channel on auto, and that should fix that WiFi issue.
On the soundbar connect the BT box to the hdmi in, the tv to the hdmi out(arc), and on the tv, whichever hdmi is labeled ARC.
Make sure the hdmi control or CEC, or similar is enabled on all devices, then it will all worth together, including power on/off sync, volume, etc.
Edited by dvs_dave on Monday 31st May 01:03
Been through similar this weekend with a Yamaha streamer.
My issue turned out to be weak Wi-fi signal although other devices could connect in the same place.
Also had better luck setting the device up by plugging a network cable into it and then configuring the Wi-fi from the advanced settings homepage rather than the music cast app.
My issue turned out to be weak Wi-fi signal although other devices could connect in the same place.
Also had better luck setting the device up by plugging a network cable into it and then configuring the Wi-fi from the advanced settings homepage rather than the music cast app.
dvs_dave said:
The router probably has band steering enabled which I’ve often found doesn’t play nice with 2.4 only devices for some reason.
Anyway, change the 2.4 SSID on the router and keep channel on auto, and that should fix that WiFi issue.
On the soundbar connect the BT box to the hdmi in, the tv to the hdmi out(arc), and on the tv, whichever hdmi is labeled ARC.
Make sure the hdmi control or CEC, or similar is enabled on all devices, then it will all worth together, including power on/off sync, volume, etc.
Thanks. I'll give this a try when I see mum at the weekendAnyway, change the 2.4 SSID on the router and keep channel on auto, and that should fix that WiFi issue.
On the soundbar connect the BT box to the hdmi in, the tv to the hdmi out(arc), and on the tv, whichever hdmi is labeled ARC.
Make sure the hdmi control or CEC, or similar is enabled on all devices, then it will all worth together, including power on/off sync, volume, etc.
Edited by dvs_dave on Monday 31st May 01:03
Update:
Mum's BT Smart Hub 2 doesn't allow separate network IDs for 2.4 and 5ghz, so I just disabled 5ghz. Soundbar connected with no problems.
I connected everything up with HDMI cables, and the soundbar now switches on and off with the TV, and the BT TV remote controls the soundbar volume.
One happy mother!
Mum's BT Smart Hub 2 doesn't allow separate network IDs for 2.4 and 5ghz, so I just disabled 5ghz. Soundbar connected with no problems.
I connected everything up with HDMI cables, and the soundbar now switches on and off with the TV, and the BT TV remote controls the soundbar volume.
One happy mother!
clockworks said:
Update:
Mum's BT Smart Hub 2 doesn't allow separate network IDs for 2.4 and 5ghz, so I just disabled 5ghz. Soundbar connected with no problems.
I connected everything up with HDMI cables, and the soundbar now switches on and off with the TV, and the BT TV remote controls the soundbar volume.
One happy mother!
Result, thanks for the update.Mum's BT Smart Hub 2 doesn't allow separate network IDs for 2.4 and 5ghz, so I just disabled 5ghz. Soundbar connected with no problems.
I connected everything up with HDMI cables, and the soundbar now switches on and off with the TV, and the BT TV remote controls the soundbar volume.
One happy mother!
Glad the soundbar recommendation (on the other thread in the HiFi section) and the troubleshooting here worked out well.Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff