LG TV Sound Not Working With HDMI? Fixes

If your LG TV sound is not working with HDMI, the fix is usually a simple setting change: press the gear button on your remote, go to All Settings > Sound > Sound Out, and select the correct audio output (TV Speaker, Optical, or HDMI ARC). If that doesn’t restore audio, the issue is often the HDMI cable, the connected device’s output settings, or a handshake failure between the TV and the device.

Why HDMI Audio Fails on LG TVs

HDMI carries both video and audio in one cable, but the TV has to be told which audio format to expect and where to send it. LG TVs (especially models running webOS) have a setting called Sound Out that determines whether audio goes to the TV speakers, a soundbar, or an AV receiver. If this is set to the wrong output, you get silence even though the picture is fine. Another common cause is the HDMI Deep Color or HDMI Ultra HD Deep Color feature, which can cause a handshake issue with certain devices, dropping audio entirely.

Quick Fixes to Try First

1. Check the cable: Unplug the HDMI cable and plug it back in firmly. Try a different HDMI port on the TV (ports are often labeled HDMI 1, 2, 3, or 4). A damaged or low-quality cable is a leading cause of audio dropouts.
2. Restart the TV and the source device: Turn off both, unplug the TV from power for 60 seconds, then plug it back in. This clears the HDMI handshake.
3. Change the Sound Out setting: Press the Settings (gear) button on your LG remote, go to All Settings > Sound > Sound Out, and select TV Speaker. If you have a soundbar or receiver, select HDMI ARC or Optical instead.
4. Test with another device: Connect a different HDMI source (like a Blu-ray player or game console) to see if the problem follows the device or the TV.

HDMI ARC and eARC: What They Are and Why They Matter

HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) and eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) let audio travel from the TV to a soundbar or receiver over the same HDMI cable that carries video from the soundbar to the TV. If you have a soundbar connected to an ARC-labeled HDMI port and the TV’s Sound Out is set to HDMI ARC, but no sound comes out, the ARC handshake may have failed. To fix this, turn off the TV and soundbar, unplug both for a minute, then reconnect. Also make sure the soundbar is plugged into the port labeled ARC (or eARC) on the TV—not just any HDMI port. On many LG TVs, only one port supports ARC, and it’s usually HDMI 2 or HDMI 3, depending on the model.

Device-Specific Audio Settings

The problem often isn’t the TV at all—it’s the device sending the signal. For example, a cable box, streaming stick, or game console may be set to output audio in a format the TV doesn’t support (like Dolby Atmos or DTS). If you hear no sound, go into the device’s audio settings and change the output to PCM or Bitstream (try both). On a PlayStation or Xbox, look for HDMI Audio and set it to Bitstream Out or Linear PCM. On a Fire TV Stick, go to Settings > Display & Sounds > Audio and change Dolby Digital to Off (which forces PCM). These settings are often under “Audio Format� or “Sound Output.�

Common Misconception: “HDMI Cable Version�

Many people think they need a “high-speed� or “premium� HDMI cable for audio to work. That’s not true—any standard HDMI cable carries audio. What matters is the cable’s ability to handle the bandwidth for high-resolution video (like 4K at 60Hz) and audio formats like Dolby Atmos. If your cable is old or damaged, it may cause intermittent audio drops, but it won’t completely prevent sound. If you’re using a very long cable (over 25 feet), signal degradation can cause issues—try a shorter cable or an active repeater.

When to Check for Software Updates

LG periodically releases firmware updates for its TVs that fix HDMI audio bugs. To check for an update, press Settings > All Settings > General > About This TV > Check for Updates. If an update is available, install it and restart the TV. Also update the firmware on your connected devices (soundbar, streaming stick, etc.)—a mismatched firmware version can cause handshake failures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my LG TV have no sound on HDMI but works on TV channels?

This usually means the TV’s internal tuner works fine, but the HDMI input is not receiving audio or the TV is not decoding it. Check the Sound Out setting (it might be set to a non-existent device), try a different HDMI port, and verify the source device is actually sending audio (test with headphones or another TV).

How do I reset the HDMI handshake on my LG TV?

Unplug the TV and the source device (like a cable box or game console) from power for at least 60 seconds. Plug the TV back in, then the source. This forces a fresh handshake. You can also try changing the HDMI input to another port and back.

Is there a way to force LG TV to use HDMI audio?

Yes, go to Settings > Sound > Sound Out and choose HDMI ARC (if using a soundbar) or TV Speaker (if you want the TV’s own speakers). If you want to use the TV’s speakers while a soundbar is connected, you may need to disable SIMPLINK (HDMI-CEC) in the General settings.

Why does my LG TV sound cut out every few seconds on HDMI?

This is often a cable bandwidth issue or an audio format mismatch. Try a different HDMI cable (shorter, certified for the bandwidth you need). Also change the source device’s audio output from Bitstream to PCM—this often resolves intermittent dropouts.

Does LG TV support Dolby Atmos over HDMI?

Yes, most LG OLED and NanoCell TVs from 2019 onward support Dolby Atmos, but only through the built-in speakers (with a firmware update) or via HDMI eARC to a compatible soundbar. If you’re not getting Atmos, make sure the source device is set to Bitstream, the TV’s Sound Out is set to eARC, and the soundbar supports Atmos.

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