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A soundbar is a compact audio device that provides the user with a home theater system-like experience. When there is no sound coming from the soundbar, then there may be a problem.
What is the best way to fix your soundbar not making any sound? Your soundbar might not be turning on. If that doesn’t work, then there could be a problem with the input. If that still doesn’t work, it could be a problem with the TV remote.
Read this introduction to the issue. It will explain Why is there no sound coming from my soundbar? And How to fix it.
Contents
Double-Check Your Inputs and Cables
Although it may seem obvious, make sure you turn up the volume and set the soundbar to the correct input.
Make sure that your soundbar has HDMI 1 enabled if your TV is connected to the soundbar’s HDMI jack. Look for an Optical In or Digital In option if your TV is plugged into the soundbar’s HDMI 1 port (also known as TOSLINK).
You may find that the companion app for your soundbar is more reliable than the remote. Make sure that the TV volume is up.
Also, make sure that your power cord is correctly plugged into the ports you believe they are. You’re causing a lot of frustration if you think your TV section is securely connected to HDMI 1, but it’s HDMI 2.
To rule out the possibility of an issue, you might try a different cable. Keep in mind that some cables are required for specific consoles. It is possible to use a different streaming box if you have one.
Make sure to remove the plastic cover at the ends of your cables. This is particularly important for optical cables as the plastic is microscopic.
Next, go to your TV menus and select the audio settings. Make sure that your TV audio output setting is set to Audio System. Next, switch the audio output destination setting from TV Speakers to home Audio systems. For more information, consult your TV manual.
Instead of TV speakers, you may need to select the appropriate setting for the cable you are using, such as HDMI Output, Digital Out, or something similar.
HDMI ARC Problems
There are several ways to connect your soundbar to your TV.
- Source box > TV > Soundbar > HDMI
- Source box > TV > Soundbar > Optical
- Source box > Soundbar> TV over HDMI
If you don’t use a separate source box and are only using the built-in apps of your TV, it will be one of the first two options. The cable box will be removed from the chain.
First, you will need equipment capable of sending audio over HDMI cables to the soundbar. This is called HDMI ARC. This is a complicated process, so make sure you read the instructions carefully before you start.
You may need to run your HDMI cable down to the soundbar from HDMI 3. Before you continue, double-check that your HDMI cable is connected directly to ARC or eARC ports.
You will also need to enable the HDMI-CEC feature on your TV and soundbar. This allows your TV remote to control your soundbar and vice versa. It’s often required to allow ARC to function correctly.
This is confusingly called Something Different on Every TV. Samsung calls it AnyNet+, Sony calls Bravia Sync, LG calls SimpLink, and LG calls it SimpLink. For more information, please consult your manual and then turn it on in the settings.
A TV’s optical audio cable is an alternative if it doesn’t work. This is a better option, but it might not be able to send all audio formats.
Look Up Compatible Audio Formats
The audio encoded in a variety of formats is used when watching TV and movies. Streaming content is usually encoded in Dolby Digital, Dolby Plus, and Blu-rays can use Dolby formats.
Some devices can also decode audio and send it as raw MP3 as well. The problem is that not all TVs or most soundbars can decode every audio format. For example, some TVs may not decode DTS audio from Blu-ray discs, but they can decode output Dolby Digital.
Your connection may also be a bottleneck. Although optical cables are more accessible to set up than ARC, they don’t have enough capacity or capacity to transmit Dolby Atmos signals.
TV doesn’t support compressed audio, it won’t receive any audio. To see what audio formats your TV has, you can search Rtings.
Also, you will need to go to the TV’s audio settings to select the correct sound format to make it work. You will find an option to switch the quality sound format between bitstream and Dolby Digital. You can play with this setting to find the right one.
Stereo sound should be easy to set in the right setting. However, surround sound can become complicated if you want to use it. You’ll need to play around with the settings.
It might be the only choice depending on what audio system you are sending. It has greater bandwidth and can handle high-fidelity audio formats.
Plug Your Source Directly Into the Soundbar
These are the three connections I have already mentioned. You might find that your sound bar has enough ports. If so, your connection is more reliable by plugging your correct source box first into the sound bar and then into your TV.
This eliminates the hassle of HDMI ARCs, the bandwidth limitations of optical cable connections, and reduces audio delay.
There are two downsides to this: your sound bar may have a limited model number of HDMI inputs. This means that your TV won’t be able to use your built-in apps and antenna tuner.
You will need HDMI ARC or optical. If you have problems with one Blu-ray player or game console, plug it into the sound bar.
Turn Off the Sleep Timer
Many TVs and sound bars come with built-in functions that automatically turn them off after inactivity. This may happen automatically. If this happens, check your manual.
It can also be turned on or off. You might have set a Sleep Timer setting that you forgot to check your TV or settings. To save energy, you can turn off eco settings which might affect the Tv audio output destination.
Re-Pair the Subwoofer and Surround Speakers
You might be hearing audio from the main sound bar but not from any surround speakers or subwoofers. These add-ons communicate wirelessly with the sound bar and can sometimes cause audio to cut out. You can try unplugging your subwoofer or rear speakers from the wall and then plug them back in.
To re-connect the wireless subwoofer and rear speakers to your main soundbar, you may need to push the pair button. This procedure can vary from one model to the next. Check your TV and audio device manual for more information.
Ì you don’t exactly how to connect the soundbar to the subwoofer, please read our article.
Update Firmware or Perform a Factory Reset
If none of these options work, you can search the settings on your tv software or sound bar for an option to update the firmware. This is in case there was a bug that a new release has addressed.
Try a power reset for one or the audio device connected if all else fails. Update your audio device software to the latest version, visit the Sony Support website
FAQs
How do I get sound from my soundbar to my TV?
The high-speed HDMI cable is sold separately. Connect the other end to the HDMI Input port of your TV.
Connect the other end of the TV-OUT port (ARC) to your sound bar.
Connect an optical audio cable to the TV’s Optical Digital Audio to OPTICAL IN on the sound bar. This is essential to hear the TV’s audio with high quality. If you can’t connect with optical Digital cable use an Audio Analog cable instead.
How do I connect my Samsung TV to my soundbar?
Navigate to Settings on your TV sound. Next, select Expert Settings. Finally, select Bluetooth Audio Devices. Choose your soundbar from this list. Once the TV is connected to the soundbar, the [TV Name] – BT display will appear on the front display.
How can you tell if your TV has HDMI ARC?
How do I know if my TV is ARC (Audio Return Channel) capable? ARC-compliant HDMI ports are typically labeled with the letters ARC for easy identification.
Check your TV’s HDMI ports and see if ARC is printed on any of these connectors. Note: Most TVs only have one HDMI-ARC port.
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Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed some common problems with no sound from sound bars. We have also described the best way to troubleshoot them.
The most common cause of the soundbar is not making any sound is hardware problems. Depending on the part, it might need replacement, but, in most cases, the home audio system itself is working fine.
Hooke Audio hopes this article has been helpful. It was pretty long and might be a bit overwhelming at first, but you should understand the basics of how your soundbar and surround sound system work and why one may not be working.
