A method comprising: periodically transmitting (1005; 1215), from a playback device (102-124; 200-204; 400; 602-604; 700; 802-808; 910, 915, 920; 1110, 1115, 1120) designated as a current root device on a playback network (128; 610), a query message to a router (905; 1105), wherein: the query message is sent from the playback device to the router via a first intermediate device and from the playback device to the router via a second intermediate device, wherein the first and second intermediate devices are between the playback device and the router; the router and the first and second intermediate devices are on the playback network; and the playback network is organized according to a spanning tree protocol; evaluating, by the playback device: a first response received from the first intermediate device indicating a first root path cost associated with the first intermediate device; and a second response received from the second intermediate device indicating a second root path cost associated with the second intermediate device, the first and second intermediate devices having relayed the query message from the playback device to the router; based on a comparison of the first and second root path costs, determining (1020; 1265), by the playback device, a designation of a new root device for the playback network that is different from the playback device; and responsively, exchanging, via the playback device, bridge priority between the playback device and the new root device. periodically transmitting (1005; 1215), from a playback device (102-124; 200-204; 400; 602-604; 700; 802-808; 910, 915, 920; 1110, 1115, 1120) designated as a current root device on a playback network (128; 610), a query message to a router (905; 1105), wherein: the query message is sent from the playback device to the router via a first intermediate device and from the playback device to the router via a second intermediate device, wherein the first and second intermediate devices are between the playback device and the router; the router and the first and second intermediate devices are on the playback network; and the playback network is organized according to a spanning tree protocol; the query message is sent from the playback device to the router via a first intermediate device and from the playback device to the router via a second intermediate device, wherein the first and second intermediate devices are between the playback device and the router; the router and the first and second intermediate devices are on the playback network; and the playback network is organized according to a spanning tree protocol; evaluating, by the playback device: a first response received from the first intermediate device indicating a first root path cost associated with the first intermediate device; and a second response received from the second intermediate device indicating a second root path cost associated with the second intermediate device, the first and second intermediate devices having relayed the query message from the playback device to the router; a first response received from the first intermediate device indicating a first root path cost associated with the first intermediate device; and a second response received from the second intermediate device indicating a second root path cost associated with the second intermediate device, the first and second intermediate devices having relayed the query message from the playback device to the router; based on a comparison of the first and second root path costs, determining (1020; 1265), by the playback device, a designation of a new root device for the playback network that is different from the playback device; and responsively, exchanging, via the playback device, bridge priority between the playback device and the new root device.