The Sonos Ace reset method is straightforward once you know it, but it's not like other headphones. Instead of a dedicated reset button or a menu option in the app, you reset the Ace by holding the Power/Bluetooth button while plugging the USB-C cable in. That single trick clears the headphones back to factory settings.
You'll want to reset your Sonos Ace if you're having connection problems that won't clear, if the headphones aren't appearing in the Sonos app, or if you're handing them off to someone else. The reset takes about 10 seconds and wipes all paired devices and stored settings.
How the Reset Actually Works
Get the USB-C cable that came with the Ace. Connect one end to a power source, any USB-C charger will do. Hold the Power/Bluetooth button on the right earcup, that's the button above the volume rocker. While holding it, plug the USB-C cable into the left earcup. Keep holding the button for about 5 seconds after plugging in.
You'll know the reset is happening because the LED indicator on the right earcup turns solid white for a moment, then blinks. After it stops blinking, release the button. The headphones are now at factory settings.
If the LED doesn't respond or just stays off, the cable or charger might be the problem. I've found the cable is the most common culprit when the reset doesn't take. Try a different USB-C cable and a different power adapter. The Ace accepts standard 5W input, so any USB-A to USB-C or USB-C to USB-C cable that can deliver power should work.
The App Connection Struggle
The Sonos app has been through a rough patch since its 2024 redesign, and that affects setup for the Ace. You might find the app can't discover the headphones, or it gets stuck on "Searching" during initial pairing. This is a known issue across all Sonos products, not just the Ace.
If the app won't find the Ace after a reset, close it completely and reopen it. If that doesn't work, force-quit the app and toggle Bluetooth off and on on your phone. On iOS, this means swiping up from the bottom and swiping the Sonos app away. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Sonos and tap Force Stop.
Make sure your phone is running a compatible OS version. iOS 17 or later is required for full features, the app runs in unsupported mode on iOS 16, which means you can't configure anything. Android needs at least Android 10.
TV Audio Swap Won't Connect
The TV Audio Swap feature lets you shift audio from a Sonos soundbar to the Ace, but it only works with specific soundbars. You need a Sonos Arc, Beam Gen 2, or Ray. If you have an older soundbar or a different brand, the Swap button in the app will stay grayed out.
Assuming you have a compatible soundbar, make sure the Ace and the soundbar are on the same Wi-Fi network. The Swap feature routes audio from the soundbar to the Ace over your home network, so both devices need a stable connection. If the Swap button appears but doesn't do anything, try moving closer to your router and retry.
You can also check that both devices have the latest firmware. The Swap feature was added in a firmware update, so if your soundbar hasn't updated recently, that might be the blocker.
USB-C Audio Mode Isn't Working
The Sonos Ace supports lossless audio over USB-C, which is one of its best features. But it requires firmware version 1.2 or later. If you plug in the included USB-C cable and the headphones don't show up as an audio device, go check the firmware version in the Sonos app.
Open the Sonos app, tap the Ace in your device list, then look under Settings > About for the firmware version. If it's older than 1.2, check for an update. The update should install automatically if the headphones are connected to Wi-Fi, but sometimes you need to force it by checking for updates in the app.
When USB-C audio mode is active, the Ace acts as a wired headphone set. You can use it with a laptop, a tablet, or any device that supports USB audio. The sound quality is noticeably better than Bluetooth, especially with high-bitrate lossless files.
Spatial Audio Isn't Playing
Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos works on the Ace, but it's limited to specific tracks. Apple Music and Tidal both support Dolby Atmos, and the Ace handles it well. If you're expecting spatial audio on every song, that's not how it works, the track needs to be mixed in Atmos.
In the Sonos app, you can check the Head Tracking settings. Head tracking uses the accelerometer and head-detection sensor to keep the sound anchored as you move your head. If head tracking feels off, make sure the sensors aren't covered by hair or a hat. The capacitive touch sensors on the earcups also play a role in detecting when you're wearing the headphones.
Re-Pair the Sonos Ace After a Reset
After a factory reset, the Ace boots up in pairing mode. Open the Sonos app and tap Add Product. The app should discover the Ace within a few seconds. Follow the on-screen prompts to connect to Bluetooth and sign into your Sonos account.
If the app doesn't discover the Ace, put the headphones back into pairing mode by holding the Power/Bluetooth button for about 3 seconds until the LED starts blinking. Then try again from the app. This usually resolves any discovery issues.
Once paired, you'll need to re-configure any settings you had before the reset. TV Audio Swap preferences, EQ settings, and head tracking all reset to defaults. Take a minute to go through the settings in the app and set things up the way you like them again.
