For HDMI ARC with no sound, check the ARC/eARC ports first, set the TV to external audio and the soundbar to its TV/ARC input, then enable HDMI-CEC. If silence remains, power both devices off at the wall, reconnect only the TV and soundbar, and test PCM audio. This sequence separates port, setting, handshake and format problems before you replace the cable.
For a related connector and cable-specification path, see HDMI Surround Sound Guide: ARC, eARC and Audio Formats.
Quick Recovery Sequence
- Connect TV HDMI ARC/eARC to the soundbar’s HDMI OUT (ARC/eARC).
- Choose External Speakers, Audio System, Receiver or HDMI ARC in the TV audio menu.
- Select TV, ARC or eARC on the soundbar.
- Enable HDMI-CEC on the TV.
- Unplug TV and soundbar for one minute; reconnect the HDMI cable, power the TV first, then the soundbar.
- Temporarily set digital audio output to PCM.
Find the ARC and CEC Settings by Brand
| TV brand | CEC name | Audio setting to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) | Sound Output set to Receiver/HDMI ARC |
| LG | SIMPLINK (HDMI-CEC) | Sound Out set to HDMI ARC |
| Sony | BRAVIA Sync | Speakers set to Audio System |
| TCL | T-Link or HDMI-CEC, depending on platform | Audio Output set to ARC/eARC or external audio |
Menu wording and paths change by model year and TV platform. Treat the table as a locator, then follow the support page or manual for the exact model rather than forcing a menu path from another television.
Use the Symptom to Choose the Next Test
| Symptom | Most useful next test |
|---|---|
| TV apps and external devices are silent | Recheck ARC ports, TV output and soundbar input |
| TV apps work; console/box is silent | Set the external device to PCM, then inspect its audio-format path |
| Optical works; ARC does not | Focus on CEC/ARC enablement and HDMI handshake |
| Sound drops after adding another HDMI device | Disconnect other HDMI devices and rebuild the CEC chain one at a time |
| eARC works only sometimes | Update firmware and test a known-good cable at the required mode |
Separate TV-App Audio from an External HDMI Device
- Play a TV internal app through ARC in PCM.
- Connect one console or streaming box to the TV and keep that device in PCM.
- If the TV app works but the external device is silent, inspect that input’s audio format and the TV’s passthrough setting.
- If both are silent, return to the ARC ports, TV output, soundbar input and CEC chain.
This two-source test prevents a source-device format problem from being misdiagnosed as a failed ARC cable. Change one setting or connection at a time so the first returning sound identifies the failed branch.
If PCM Works but Bitstream Does Not
PCM success confirms that basic audio return is working. Re-enable Auto/Bitstream only after checking that the TV can pass the selected format and the soundbar can decode it. External devices may need their own output setting. ARC and eARC differ in supported bandwidth and formats, so a format that works when a player connects directly to a soundbar may fail when routed through an older TV.
- Test TV internal app audio in PCM.
- Test one external device in PCM.
- Enable the desired compressed format on one device at a time.
- Stop when silence returns; the last format/path change identifies the branch to inspect.
CEC Brand Names and the PCM Test
CEC may appear as Anynet+ (Samsung), BRAVIA Sync (Sony), Simplink (LG) or T-Link (TCL). PCM is a diagnostic step: if PCM works but Bitstream/Auto does not, the connection is present and the remaining problem is likely format support or device settings.
When to Use Optical or a Factory Reset
Optical audio can confirm that the TV and soundbar audio hardware still work, but it usually loses HDMI control and some higher-bandwidth formats. Treat a factory reset as the last step because it removes room correction, network settings and custom audio choices. Record settings and reset one device at a time.
If the cable itself is suspect, use the mode selector in the TCL HDMI cable guide.