Quick Fix: The most likely cause is that your TV's audio output is still set to 'TV Speaker' instead of HDMI ARC or Optical. Go to your TV's Sound settings, change the audio output to match your cable type, and enable HDMI-CEC (Anynet+/SimpLink/Bravia Sync) if you are using ARC — this single change resolves the issue for most users within two minutes.

Why This Happens

When a soundbar is connected to a TV via HDMI ARC or an optical cable but produces no sound, it is almost never a fault with the soundbar itself. The three most common causes are: the TV's audio output setting has not been changed from the default 'TV Speaker', HDMI-CEC is disabled on the TV which prevents the ARC handshake from completing, or the TV's digital audio format is set to Dolby Digital or Bitstream which some soundbars cannot decode. A simple wrong input selection on the soundbar remote is also surprisingly common and worth checking first.

Step-by-Step Fix

  1. Check the Physical Cable Connection — Unplug and firmly re-seat the HDMI or optical cable at both ends. If using optical, confirm the small protective plastic cap has been removed from both the TV end and the soundbar end — this cap is easy to miss and will block all audio. For HDMI ARC, ensure the cable is in the port specifically labelled 'ARC' on your TV, not any other HDMI port.
  2. Select the Correct Input on the Soundbar — Press the Input or Source button on your soundbar remote or the unit itself and manually select 'HDMI ARC' or 'Optical' to match your cable. Most soundbars do not auto-switch inputs and will remain silent on the wrong source even if the cable is connected perfectly. Cycle through until the correct input is confirmed on the soundbar's display.
  3. Set TV Audio Output to the Correct Option — Navigate to your TV's Settings menu and find the Sound or Audio Output section. Change the output from 'TV Speaker' to 'HDMI ARC' or 'Optical/SPDIF'. On Samsung TVs: Settings > Sound > Sound Output > HDMI ARC. On Sony TVs: Settings > Display and Sound > Audio Output > HDMI ARC. On LG TVs: Settings > Sound > Sound Out > HDMI ARC or Optical.
  4. Enable HDMI-CEC and ARC on the TV — HDMI ARC requires HDMI-CEC to be active. Search your TV settings for the CEC option: Samsung calls it 'Anynet+', LG calls it 'SimpLink', Sony calls it 'Bravia Sync', and Vu, TCL, or OnePlus TVs may label it 'HDMI CEC'. Enable it and also toggle on 'ARC' if it appears separately. After enabling, power both devices off completely and restart them.
  5. Set Audio Format to PCM — In your TV's audio settings, find 'Digital Audio Out', 'Audio Format', or 'HDMI Audio Format' and change it to 'PCM' or 'Stereo PCM'. Many budget and mid-range soundbars available in India in the ₹5,000–₹20,000 price range do not support Dolby Digital bitstream, so when the TV sends that format the soundbar outputs complete silence. PCM works universally with every soundbar.
  6. Restart and Re-pair Both Devices Completely — Turn off both the TV and soundbar and unplug them from the wall socket entirely — do not use standby. Wait a full 60 seconds. Plug the soundbar back in first, then the TV. Power on both and test audio. This clears the HDMI ARC digital handshake cache and is a more thorough reset than using the remote power button.
  7. Update Firmware on TV and Soundbar — On your TV go to Settings > Support or About > Software Update. On your soundbar open the companion app (Samsung SmartThings, Sony Music Center, Boat App, etc.) and check for updates. Firmware bugs causing ARC failures are documented across many 2024–2026 TV models and manufacturers regularly release patches. Install all available updates and retest.
  8. Test with the Alternate Connection Type — If HDMI ARC is not working after all steps above, swap to an optical cable temporarily, and vice versa. If sound works on the alternate cable, you have identified a fault with the specific port or the HDMI cable itself rather than a settings issue. Try a different certified HDMI 2.0 or 2.1 cable before concluding the port is damaged.

Still Not Working? Advanced Fixes

If the standard steps above have not resolved the issue, try these advanced troubleshooting methods:

  • Factory Reset the Soundbar — Most soundbars have a factory reset option either in the settings menu or via a button combination (commonly holding the power and volume-down buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds). Consult your soundbar's manual for the exact method. A factory reset clears any corrupted pairing data and has resolved persistent ARC issues on many Samsung, Sony, and Boat soundbars sold in India.
  • Disable Dolby Atmos or DTS Pass-Through on the TV — On newer 2025–2026 smart TVs, there is often a dedicated Dolby Atmos or DTS:X pass-through toggle in the audio settings. If your soundbar does not support these formats, the TV sending them via ARC causes silence. Disable Atmos pass-through and set audio format to PCM stereo as an additional measure beyond the basic format change in Step 5.
  • Try a Different HDMI Cable Rated for ARC — Not all HDMI cables support ARC reliably. Older or low-quality cables may carry video correctly but fail the ARC audio return channel. Replace with a new HDMI 2.0 or 2.1 certified cable from a reputable brand. iTechArena stocks genuine certified HDMI cables with warranty at SCO-1072-73, Sec-22B, Chandigarh, starting at affordable prices for Indian buyers.
  • Check for TV and Soundbar Compatibility Notes — Some specific TV and soundbar brand combinations have known incompatibilities. Search the manufacturer's support page using your TV model number and soundbar model number together. For example, certain Vu and TCL TV models shipped in India with CEC implementations that conflict with third-party soundbars and required a firmware patch released in early 2026.

When to Contact Support

If you have completed every step in this guide and audio still does not work on either HDMI ARC or optical connection, it is likely that one of the physical ports — either on the TV or the soundbar — is damaged or defective. Signs of a hardware fault include: the soundbar ARC or optical input not being recognised at all by the TV, the optical port showing no red light when a cable is inserted, burnt or bent pins inside the HDMI ARC port, or the soundbar working perfectly via Bluetooth but failing on every wired connection. iTechArena offers a 7-day return policy on all genuine soundbars and electronics sold at our store. All products are brand-new with valid manufacturer warranty, so you are protected. Visit us at SCO-1072-73, Sec-22B, Chandigarh, reach us instantly on WhatsApp at +91 9023252627, or browse our full range at itecharena.com. Our team can help you identify whether the fault lies with the soundbar or the TV before you make any decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my soundbar show no sound even though it is connected via HDMI ARC?

The most common reason is that HDMI-CEC — called Anynet+ on Samsung, SimpLink on LG, and Bravia Sync on Sony — is disabled in the TV settings, or the TV's audio output is still set to 'TV Speaker' instead of 'HDMI ARC'. Enable CEC in your TV settings, change the audio output to HDMI ARC, and do a full power cycle of both devices by unplugging them from the wall for 60 seconds. This resolves the majority of cases without any hardware replacement needed.

My optical cable is connected but the soundbar still has no sound — what should I check?

First, confirm the optical cable's protective plastic cap has been removed from both ends — this is an extremely common oversight that blocks all signal. Next, make sure the TV's digital audio output is set to 'Optical' or 'SPDIF' rather than 'TV Speaker'. Finally, set the TV's audio format to PCM rather than Dolby Digital, as many soundbars in the ₹5,000–₹25,000 range sold in India cannot decode Dolby Digital over optical and will output complete silence rather than distorted audio.

Does HDMI ARC work on any HDMI port on the TV?

No — HDMI ARC only works on the specific port labelled 'ARC' or 'HDMI ARC' on your TV, which is usually HDMI 1 or HDMI 2 depending on the brand. Plugging the soundbar into any other HDMI port will carry no audio return signal regardless of how well the cable is seated. Check the label printed next to each HDMI port on the back of your TV before assuming the port or cable is faulty.

What is the difference between HDMI ARC and HDMI eARC, and does it matter?

HDMI ARC supports standard audio like PCM stereo and Dolby Digital 5.1. HDMI eARC, found on higher-end 2024–2026 TVs and premium soundbars, additionally supports uncompressed Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and high-bitrate audio without any loss. If you own a premium soundbar (typically priced above ₹30,000) that supports Dolby Atmos, connecting via eARC will give you the full audio experience. For standard stereo or 5.1 use, regular ARC is completely sufficient and performs identically.

I bought my soundbar from iTechArena but it is not working with my TV — can I return or exchange it?

Yes. iTechArena offers a 7-day return and exchange policy on all genuine products. Every soundbar we sell is brand-new, sourced from authorised distributors, and carries a valid manufacturer warranty — so you are never at risk buying from us. Visit our store at SCO-1072-73, Sec-22B, Chandigarh, message us on WhatsApp at +91 9023252627 for instant support, or visit itecharena.com. Our team is happy to test the soundbar with your TV in-store before you decide on a return or exchange.

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