LG TV HDMI ARC Not Working: No Sound From the Soundbar
When a soundbar connected to an LG TV over HDMI ARC stays silent, LG's own checklist starts with volume, mute and the soundbar's function, then the cable between the ARC ports, then the TV's Output Speaker setting. If the soundbar gives no sound with any connected device, LG says it needs repair.
Quick answer
Start with what LG checks first: soundbar and TV volume, mute, and the soundbar's function. Then make sure the HDMI cable runs from the soundbar's HDMI output (TV eARC/ARC) port to the TV's HDMI IN (ARC) port, and that the TV's Output Speaker is set to HDMI ARC instead of the TV speakers.
- 1.On the soundbar, press F (Function) repeatedly until the display shows OPT/HDMI ARC, turn the volume up and, if MUTE appears on the display, press Mute.
- 2.On the TV remote, long press Settings, open Sound and select HDMI ARC in the Output Speaker list. Once connected, the soundbar display shows ARC or E-ARC.
What it means
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) sends the TV's audio back through the HDMI cable to the soundbar's HDMI output (TV eARC/ARC) port. When the link is up, LG notes that you can also turn the soundbar on and off and change its volume with the TV remote.
For sound to reach the soundbar, three things have to line up: the cable must join the ARC ports on both devices, the soundbar must be on its OPT/HDMI ARC function, and the TV's Output Speaker must point to HDMI ARC. The soundbar display confirms the link by showing ARC or E-ARC.
Silence does not automatically mean a faulty soundbar. LG's troubleshooting lists everyday causes first: volume set too low, mute switched on, the wrong source selected, sound still going to the TV speakers, or content left on pause.
Common causes
- Volume too low or mute switched on. The soundbar has its own volume and mute. If MUTE appears on the soundbar's status display, nothing will play until you unmute it.
- Wrong function selected on the soundbar. The soundbar has to be on the OPT/HDMI ARC function to play audio coming from the TV over ARC. Another function leaves it waiting for a different input.
- Sound still going to the TV speakers. If the TV plays sound but the soundbar doesn't, the TV's sound output is still set to its internal speakers instead of the external device.
- Cable in the wrong port or not fully seated. ARC needs the soundbar's HDMI output (TV eARC/ARC) port joined to the TV's HDMI IN (ARC) or ARC port, with both ends pushed in securely.
- Broken or damaged cable. A damaged HDMI cable can cut the audio even when everything else is set correctly. LG's fix is to try a brand new cable or at least a different one.
- A source device with its own volume. If you watch through a set-top box, its own volume or a loose cable between the box and the TV can leave you with no sound.
- Content paused or stopped. It sounds obvious, but LG lists it as a cause: content left on pause produces no audio.
Before you start
- Look for a port labeled ARC on the side or rear of the TV (HDMI IN (ARC) or ARC). LG's guide says the ARC function works on TVs that have this port.
- Check whether the TV's own speakers play sound. Sound from the TV but not from the soundbar points to the TV's sound output setting.
- Try more than one source (an app, the set-top box, another input). If only one device is silent, the problem is with that device.
- Make sure what you're watching is actually playing and not paused.
Fixes, from safest to last resort
Check volume and mute on the soundbar and the TV
No data loss- 1Turn the volume up with the soundbar remote or the volume buttons on the soundbar itself.
- 2If MUTE appears on the soundbar's status display, press the Mute button to unmute it.
- 3Turn the TV volume up with the TV remote or the volume buttons on the TV.
- 4Press Play on the content you're watching to make sure it isn't paused.
Check the set-top box volume and cable
No data loss- 1If you watch through a set-top box, turn its volume up with the set-top box remote.
- 2Check the cable between the TV and the set-top box and make sure both ends are securely plugged into their ports.
Skip this step if you don't use a set-top box.
Connect the cable to the ARC ports on both devices
No data loss- 1Find the HDMI output (TV eARC/ARC) port on the rear of the soundbar and the HDMI IN (ARC) or ARC port on the TV.
- 2Connect the HDMI cable between those two ports.
- 3Make sure both ends of the cable are securely plugged into the TV and the soundbar.
If your soundbar is connected with an optical cable instead, check that both ends of the optical cable are securely plugged in as well.
Select the OPT/HDMI ARC function on the soundbar
No data loss- 1Press the F (Function Selection) button on the soundbar repeatedly.
- 2Stop when the soundbar display shows OPT/HDMI ARC.
- 3Once the TV and soundbar are connected, the display shows ARC or E-ARC.
Try a different HDMI cable
No data loss- 1Replace the HDMI cable with a brand new one, or at least a different one.
- 2Connect it between the same ARC ports on the soundbar and the TV.
- 3Play something and check the soundbar again.
Set the TV's Output Speaker to HDMI ARC
Re-setup needed- 1Long press the Settings button on the TV remote.
- 2Select Sound in the main settings menu.
- 3In the Output Speaker list, select HDMI ARC.
- 4If your soundbar uses an optical cable, select Optical Digital instead. For a wireless speaker, select Bluetooth.
This only changes where the TV sends its audio. Menu names can differ between models, so check your TV's user manual if the list looks different.
Check the LG WOW Dongle, if you use one
Re-setup needed- 1Make sure the WOW Dongle is powered on.
- 2Make sure it's connected to the HDMI ARC port of the TV or projector.
- 3Make sure the TV's output speaker is set to HDMI/ARC.
- 4If there's still no sound, press the RESET button on the dongle.
This only applies if the TV or projector is connected to the soundbar with an LG WOW Dongle. LG's page doesn't say what the dongle reset clears, so after pressing RESET check the dongle's connection and the TV's output speaker setting again.
If a menu doesn't match your TV
- Menu names and setting methods differ between TV models. If you can't find Output Speaker under Sound, check your TV's user manual.
- If you don't see HDMI ARC in the list, choose the wired speaker option that matches your cable: HDMI for an HDMI connection or Optical Digital for an optical one.
- If there's no port labeled ARC on the side or rear of the TV, check the manual to confirm whether the TV supports ARC or eARC before going further.
- If the soundbar button isn't labeled F, look for the Function button: LG's troubleshooting uses it to check that the correct function is selected.
- Using a Samsung TV instead? See our guide on no sound through HDMI ARC on Samsung TVs.
When to contact support
Contact LG if the soundbar gives no sound regardless of which device is connected after you've worked through every step above. LG says that case requires repair at an authorized service center. Have this ready:
- The model and serial number of the soundbar (and of the TV).
- How the two are connected: wireless, HDMI or optical.
- Whether the problem is intermittent, and which troubleshooting steps you've already tried, even if they only helped for a while.
- Whether it happens with one source only or with any content, and whether it affects the soundbar, the subwoofer or both.
Sources
- Official source: LG USA Support: No sound from connected external audio equipment · www.lg.com
- Official source: LG USA Support: LG Sound Bar, How to Connect via ARC · www.lg.com
Frequently asked questions
LG HDMI ARC not working: what should I check first?+
Check the soundbar's volume and mute, then press F (Function) on the soundbar until it shows OPT/HDMI ARC. After that, confirm the cable joins the soundbar's HDMI output (TV eARC/ARC) port to the TV's HDMI IN (ARC) port, and set Output Speaker to HDMI ARC under Settings → Sound.
Why is HDMI ARC not working with my soundbar?+
The soundbar has to be on the right function and connected to the right ports. Select OPT/HDMI ARC with the F button and use the ARC ports on both devices. When the link works, the soundbar display shows ARC or E-ARC; if it doesn't, recheck the cable and the TV's Output Speaker setting.
Why won't my LG TV play sound through the soundbar when the TV speakers work?+
The TV is still sending audio to its internal speakers. Long press Settings on the TV remote, open Sound and select HDMI ARC in the Output Speaker list (or Optical Digital if you use an optical cable).
Why did HDMI ARC suddenly stop working?+
LG's troubleshooting doesn't point to a single cause. Go through the same checks in order: volume and mute, the soundbar's function, both cable ends, the Output Speaker setting, and a different HDMI cable. If you use a set-top box, check its volume and cable too.
Is my soundbar broken if there's no sound over HDMI ARC?+
Not necessarily. If only one connected device is silent, check that device. LG says the soundbar needs repair only when it produces no sound regardless of what's connected, after the other checks have failed.
Can I use an optical cable if HDMI ARC still gives no sound?+
LG's troubleshooting covers optical as a wired connection: plug both ends of the optical cable in securely and select Optical Digital in the TV's speaker settings. The soundbar function is the same OPT/HDMI ARC. For how the two connections compare, see our guide on optical vs HDMI ARC and eARC.
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