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Fix a TV that has optical that will not work

We'll check the cable, TV audio output, device input, and power-cycle—or tell you when to call a technician.

Troubleshooting · Home electronics
5–15 min
What you'll need
  • TV remote
  • Soundbar or receiver remote
  • Optical (Toslink) cable
Step 1 of 7

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Steps

Goal: Confirm cable connection, TV output, and device input.

  • Check the optical audio cable is firmly connected at both ends—TV optical out to soundbar or receiver optical in.
  • Good: Cable snug at both ends. Proceed to Check cable connection.
  • Bad: Loose—reseat the cable, then test.

Check cable connection

Goal: Confirm the Toslink cable is seated and not faulty.

  • Reseat the cable at both ends. Check for a red light at the TV end when audio plays—confirms the TV is sending.
  • Try a different optical cable if you have one.
  • Good: Cable good, red light visible. Proceed to Check TV and device settings.
  • Bad: No light or cable faulty—replace cable or check TV output.

Check TV and device settings

Goal: Confirm the TV sends audio to optical and the device is on the optical input.

  • Open TV Settings > Audio. Set output to Optical, Digital audio out, or External speaker.
  • Set the soundbar or receiver to the optical input (Optical, Digital, or TV).
  • Good: Both correct. Proceed to Power-cycle.
  • Bad: Wrong setting—fix, then test.

Power-cycle

Goal: Reset the audio handshake between TV and device.

  • Unplug the TV and the soundbar or receiver from power. Wait 30 seconds. Plug the device in first, then the TV. Turn both on. Set the device to optical input.
  • Good: Power-cycle fixes the issue. Sound from optical. Done.
  • Bad: Still no sound—call a technician.

When to get help

Call a TV or audio technician if:

  • You have checked cable, TV output, device input, and power-cycle and optical still does not work.

Verification

  • The optical cable is firmly connected at both ends.
  • TV audio output is set to optical or external speaker.
  • The soundbar or receiver is set to the optical input.
  • Sound plays from the TV through the soundbar or receiver (built-in apps, antenna, other sources).
  • Red light is visible at the cable end when the TV sends audio.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Cable connection Confirm cable at both ends; reseat; try different cable.
  2. TV audio output Set TV to optical or external speaker.
  3. Device input Set soundbar or receiver to optical input.
  4. Power-cycle Unplug TV and device for 30 seconds; plug back in.
  5. Call a pro Optical does not work after all checks.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • TV model
  • Soundbar or receiver model
  • Steps already tried

Is the optical cable firmly connected at both ends?

TV optical out to soundbar or receiver optical in.

Check both ends of the optical audio cable. Push firmly into the port. Firmly connected: check TV output. Loose: reseat, then test.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Reseat cable

Unplug at both ends. Plug back in firmly. Try a different Toslink cable if available. If sound appears, done. If not, check TV output and device input.

Done

Is TV audio output set to optical or external?

TV must send audio to the optical port.

Open TV Settings > Audio. Select Optical, Digital audio out, or External speaker. Optical selected: check device input. TV speakers: change to optical, then test.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Set TV to optical output

Set TV audio to optical or external. Power-cycle TV and device. If sound appears, done. If not, try different cable or call a technician.

Done

Is the soundbar or receiver set to optical input?

Device must be on the correct input.

Use device remote. Select Optical, Digital, or TV input. Optical selected: power-cycle. Wrong input: change to optical, then test. If still no sound, try different cable or call a technician.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Set device to optical input

Select optical input on soundbar or receiver. Power-cycle TV and device. If sound appears, done. If not, call a technician.

Done

Power-cycle and test

Unplug TV and device for 30 seconds. Plug device first, then TV. Set device to optical input. If sound appears, done. If not, try different cable or call a technician.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would TV optical audio not work?
Loose cable, wrong TV audio output (TV speakers instead of optical), wrong input on soundbar or receiver, faulty cable, or bent fiber inside the connector. Optical uses light—bent or damaged cable blocks the signal.
Can I fix optical that will not work myself?
Yes. Check cable connection, TV audio output, and device input. Most issues are connection or settings related.
When should I call a technician for optical that will not work?
If you have checked cable, TV output, device input, and power-cycle and optical still does not work. The TV optical port or device may need repair.

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