Sonos has acknowledged a problem that leads to its portable Roam speakers overheating and melting while charging. Users are recommended to unplug them when not in operation.

According to Bloomberg, multiple Reddit users have reported their Sonos Roam speakers overheating, creating a fire hazard by melting the charging cable and the area surrounding the USB-C port. This situation primarily impacts the first-generation Sonos Roam, which launched in 2021. The updated Roam 2 debuted in 2024, and the original model is no longer for sale.

The overheating concern was brought to light by a Reddit post from user u/jssumm, who posted images of their speaker’s melted USB-C port and charging cable. They mentioned that the Roam was two years old and had not been used for a month, utilizing the provided Sonos cable and an Apple USB adapter.

Other Roam owners have reported comparable issues. Previous complaints on Reddit and the Sonos forum indicate that the problem has been ongoing for years.

Responses from Sonos’ customer support have varied, with some users receiving replacements while others were offered discounts. At least one individual was informed that the damage resulted from user error.

Sonos has recognized the overheating concern and is taking measures to rectify it. In a statement to Mashable, Sonos conveyed pride in their product quality and safety history, mentioning a limited number of overheating reports involving first-generation Roam speakers. They have enacted software updates and accessory enhancements to minimize the chance of this issue.

Sonos has been striving to rebuild user trust following a troublesome app launch last year that affected its reputation. The company has laid off around 300 employees, and former CEO Patrick Spence stepped down in January.

The Roam’s overheating challenge precedes the current difficulties, but the renewed attention on it poses a hurdle in Sonos’ recovery initiatives. Nonetheless, Sonos users remain hopeful about new CEO Tom Conrad, who appears cognizant of the efforts required to regain consumer confidence.