TV no longer producing sound – what to do?

If your TV is no longer producing sound, this is either due to a hardware error or incorrect settings.

TV no longer producing sound – what to do

If your TV is no longer producing sound, follow these steps:

• Check the volume, mute setting, and audio mode: First press “Mute” twice, increase the volume using the device button (not the remote control), and then open “Sound → Advanced settings → Automatic volume.” Also check the “Hearing impaired mode” there; some models reduce all levels here. If you have a hidden sound test menu (Samsung: “Support → Self Diagnosis → Sound Test”), start it now.

• Completely disconnect external speakers or soundbar: Unplug all HDMI, TOSLINK, or jack cables, disconnect the soundbar and TV from the power supply, and wait 30 seconds. When you turn it on, this “cold” power separation forces a new HDMI-CEC handshake, which is often sufficient.

• Set the output source in the menu explicitly to “TV speakers”: If a soundbar was previously selected, the device will ignore its own speakers. Open “Sound → Output device” and select “TV speakers.” Save, switch once and then back again; this will overwrite the old CEC commands.

• Switch the digital audio format to “PCM”: An incompatible bitstream format completely blocks playback. Under “Sound → Advanced settings → Digital audio format,” set the format to “PCM.” Although only stereo will be heard, you will immediately know whether the hardware is intact.

• Check the HDMI ARC/eARC cable: Use a cable labeled “Ultra High Speed HDMI” or “eARC Certified,” reconnect it on both sides, and enable ARC in the menu. Avoid using extension cables, adapters, or splitters if possible.

• Delete Bluetooth connections: Open “Connections → Bluetooth devices,” select all paired speakers, and select “Remove.” Some devices secretly forward the sound to a headset that is turned off.

Identify and fix persistent sources of error

If the screen remains silent, the cause is often deeper – ranging from software inconsistencies to minor hardware damage.

• Update the firmware precisely via USB: Download the latest software from the manufacturer’s support site to a FAT-32-formatted stick, do not rename the file, plug the stick into USB 1 and open “Support → Software Update → Via USB”. This will bypass interrupted online downloads.

• Reset streaming apps, check language, install updates: Open Netflix, YouTube, or Disney+, set the audio track to “English – Stereo” under “Audio & Subtitles,” and check the app store for updates. If the sound is still not working, delete the app, restart the TV, and reinstall it. Netflix also recommends completely restarting your device if you see a “black screen with no sound.”

• Check the optical or coaxial digital connection: If the red TOSLINK LED on the output is not lit, the plug is not properly inserted. In the TV menu, select “TOSLINK/Optical → PCM” or “Dolby Digital” to match your AV receiver; many older decoders do not support Dolby Digital Plus.

• Set the soundbar as the main speaker in the TV menu: Navigate to “Sound → Output device” and select “Audio system (HDMI ARC)”. Then make sure that the volume buttons on the TV remote control actually change the soundbar and not the TV speaker. A small speaker icon at the bottom right of the screen shows the active source.

• Visually check the capacitors and audio ICs: Open the rear cover (unplug the power cord!) and look for bulging, slightly brown capacitors in the power supply area. If you find any, replace the entire board or have it repaired by a service center; resoldered “elkos” usually only work stably for a short time.

• Restore factory settings for sound output: Make a note of important picture presets, open “General → Reset → Sound only.” This partial reset only deletes audio parameters but retains channel lists and apps – a quick final test before you initiate a service repair.