In this guide
No sound through HDMI ARC is almost always caused by a wrong port, disabled CEC or ARC setting, incorrect audio output selection, or a loose/incompatible cable — fix these in order and audio returns in minutes.
- Both TV and soundbar/receiver support HDMI ARC or eARC
- Cable is plugged into the port labeled ARC on both devices
- CEC is enabled (e.g., BRAVIA Sync, Simplink) and TV audio output is set to Audio System or HDMI ARC
- TV is powered on before the audio device
- One device does not support ARC at all
- Cable is in the wrong HDMI port or is a non-ARC cable
- CEC or ARC is turned off in TV settings
- TV speakers are still set as the primary audio output
The Most Common Reasons — and How to Fix Them
HDMI ARC sends audio from your TV back to a soundbar or receiver over a single HDMI cable. When it stops working, one of four things is usually wrong: the wrong port, a disabled setting, a bad cable, or mismatched device support.
Step-by-Step Fix
- Check the port label. Only the port marked “ARC” (or “eARC”) on both your TV and audio device will pass return audio. Any other port will not work for this purpose.
- Enable CEC. Go into your TV’s settings menu and turn on CEC — Sony calls it BRAVIA Sync, LG calls it Simplink, Samsung calls it Anynet+. ARC relies on CEC to negotiate the connection.
- Set TV audio output to HDMI ARC. In your TV’s sound or audio settings, switch the output from TV Speakers to Audio System, External Speaker, or HDMI ARC depending on your TV brand.
- Select ARC input on the audio device. Your soundbar or receiver also needs to be set to its ARC/HDMI input, not an optical or analogue input.
- Power cycle everything. Unplug both devices from power for 1–2 minutes, reconnect, then power on the TV first followed by the audio device.
- Swap the cable. Use a High Speed or Premium High Speed HDMI cable. Older or cheap cables sometimes lack the wiring needed for ARC signalling.
For a full step-by-step walkthrough from the manufacturer, the Sony official HDMI ARC troubleshooting guide covers these fixes in detail and applies broadly to most TV brands.
Quick Reference Table
| Setup | Works? | Need | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| TV ARC port → Soundbar ARC port, CEC on | Yes | High Speed HDMI cable | Set TV output to Audio System |
| TV non-ARC port → Soundbar ARC port | No | Correct port on TV | ARC only works on the labeled port |
| TV ARC, CEC disabled | No | Enable CEC in TV settings | ARC negotiation requires CEC |
| One device has no ARC support | No | Optical cable as alternative | ARC cannot be added via cable |
When ARC Is Not the Right Connection
If your TV or audio device does not support ARC, you will need a different audio output. A digital optical (TOSLINK) cable is the most common alternative. If you are working with a laptop or newer device and need a video+audio connection, check our guide on why USB-C to HDMI is not working for related signal issues. For users sourcing audio from a USB-C device, our article on whether USB-C supports video explains how audio and video travel together over that connection.
Bottom line: No sound through HDMI ARC is almost always a settings or port issue, not a hardware fault. Enable CEC, confirm you are using the ARC-labeled port, set the TV audio output away from built-in speakers, and power cycle — those four steps resolve the vast majority of cases.