Symptoms
- TV apps play sound through TV speakers instead of the receiver
- No sound when using ARC connection
- Sound works from other sources but not the TV via ARC
- TV shows an 'ARC' or eARC error
Likely causes
- CommonTV's ARC setting turned offMost TVs require enabling 'HDMI-CEC' or a specifically labeled ARC/audio return setting.
- CommonCable plugged into the wrong HDMI portARC only works on the port specifically labeled ARC or eARC on both devices.
- CommonTV's internal speakers still selected as outputThe TV's audio output menu may need to be manually switched to 'ARC' or 'external speakers'.
- PossibleNon-ARC-capable HDMI cableVery old or low-quality cables can fail to carry the ARC audio channel reliably.
- PossibleHDMI-CEC naming conflicts between brandsCEC features have different marketing names per brand and sometimes don't interoperate smoothly.
What to do
- Confirm the HDMI cable connects the TV's ARC/eARC-labeled port to the receiver's ARC/eARC-labeled port.
- On the TV, enable HDMI-CEC (may be called Anynet+, Bravia Sync, SimpLink, etc.) and any specific 'ARC' toggle in sound settings.
- In the TV's audio output settings, select 'ARC', 'eARC', or 'external speakers/receiver' instead of 'TV speakers'.
- On the receiver, select the correct ARC/TV input.
- Swap in a newer high-speed HDMI cable if the current one is old or unbranded.
- Restart both the TV and receiver after changing settings, since CEC negotiation often needs a fresh handshake.
- As a fallback, use an optical audio cable from the TV to the receiver, which works independently of ARC/CEC.
Tools and parts
- Spare HDMI cable
- Optical audio cable (fallback)
When to call a pro
Not typically needed; ARC issues are almost always resolved through settings, cables, or a fallback optical connection.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.