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Fix a TV that has speaker that has no sound

We'll check volume, speaker input, TV audio output, and connection—or tell you when to call a technician.

Troubleshooting · Home electronics
5–15 min
What you'll need
  • TV remote
  • Speaker remote or controls
  • HDMI, optical, or 3.5mm cable (depending on connection)
Step 1 of 11

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Steps

Goal: Confirm the symptom, check volume and input, then rule out TV output and connection.

Check volume and speaker input

Goal: Rule out mute, low volume, and wrong speaker input.

  • Press mute on both the TV and speaker remotes or controls to turn mute off. Raise volume on both.
  • Check the speaker input—HDMI, optical, AUX, 3.5mm, or Bluetooth—not a different source. Use the speaker remote or buttons.
  • Good: Volume up and correct input. Sound appears. Done.
  • Bad: Still no sound—proceed to Check TV output and connection.

Check TV output and connection

Goal: Confirm the TV sends audio to the speakers and the connection is good.

  • Open TV Settings > Audio. Select HDMI ARC, optical, headphone/line out, or external speaker—not TV speakers.
  • If HDMI: confirm the cable goes to the TV port labeled ARC. Enable HDMI-CEC on TV and speakers.
  • If optical or 3.5mm: unplug the cable at both ends and plug back in firmly.
  • Good: Output fixed or connection good. Sound appears. Done.
  • Bad: Still no sound—proceed to HDMI path or Optical/AUX path.

HDMI path

Goal: Confirm the HDMI ARC port and HDMI-CEC for HDMI-connected speakers.

  • Check the speaker HDMI cable goes to the TV port labeled ARC.
  • Enable HDMI-CEC in TV Settings. Enable it on the speakers too.
  • Reseat the HDMI cable at both ends. Try a High Speed HDMI cable if the current one is old.
  • Good: ARC port and CEC enabled. Sound appears. Done.
  • Bad: Still no sound—proceed to Power-cycle.

Optical/AUX path

Goal: Confirm the optical or 3.5mm cable is firmly seated.

  • Unplug the cable at both ends—TV and speakers. Optical plugs use a red light; check that each end is fully seated. For 3.5mm, check the plug is fully inserted.
  • Plug back in firmly. A loose connection drops audio.
  • Good: Cable reseated. Sound appears. Done.
  • Bad: Still no sound—proceed to Power-cycle.

Power-cycle

Goal: Reset the audio handshake between TV and speakers.

  • Unplug the TV and the speakers from power. Wait 30 seconds. Plug both back in. Turn on the speakers first, then the TV.
  • Good: Power-cycle fixes the issue. Sound appears. Done.
  • Bad: Still no sound—call a technician.

When to get help

Call a TV or audio technician if:

  • You have checked volume, input, output settings, cables, and power-cycle and the speakers still have no sound.

Verification

  • The speakers play sound from the TV (built-in apps, antenna, HDMI sources).
  • Volume is at a normal level on both TV and speakers.
  • The speakers are on the correct input (HDMI, optical, AUX, or Bluetooth).
  • The TV audio output is set to HDMI ARC, optical, or external.
  • The cable is firmly connected at both ends.

Escalation ladder

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

  1. Volume and input Turn off mute; raise volume on TV and speakers; check speaker input.
  2. TV audio output Set TV to HDMI ARC, optical, or external—not TV speakers.
  3. Connection HDMI—use ARC port, enable CEC. Optical/3.5mm—reseat cable.
  4. Power-cycle Unplug TV and speakers for 30 seconds; plug back in.
  5. Call a pro No sound 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
  • Speaker model
  • Connection type (HDMI, optical, 3.5mm, Bluetooth)
  • Steps already tried

Does the TV show a picture but the speakers have no sound?

Picture but no sound from speakers is speaker-specific. No picture is a different problem.

Turn on the TV and source. Check for picture. Picture, speakers no sound: proceed to volume and input. No picture: see fix-tv-has-no-signal or fix-tv-will-not-turn-on.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Is volume up and speakers on correct input?

Mute and wrong input are common causes.

Turn off mute on TV and speakers. Raise volume on both. Check speaker input—HDMI, optical, AUX, or Bluetooth. Volume up, correct input: check TV output. Wrong input: fix input, then test.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Adjust volume and input

Turn off mute. Raise volume on TV and speakers. Set speakers to HDMI, optical, AUX, or Bluetooth input. If sound appears, done. If not, check TV audio output.

Done

Is TV audio output set to external (HDMI ARC, optical, or line out)?

TV must send audio to the speakers.

Open TV Settings > Audio. Select HDMI ARC, optical, headphone/line out, or external speaker—not TV speakers. Correct: check connection type. Wrong: fix setting, then test.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Fix TV output and test

Select HDMI ARC, optical, or line out in TV Settings > Audio. If sound appears, done. If not, check connection (ARC port, cable, CEC).

Done

How are the speakers connected?

HDMI and optical/3.5mm need different checks.

Check the cable from the speakers to the TV. HDMI: proceed to ARC port and CEC. Optical or 3.5mm: proceed to reseat cable.

HDMI Optical or 3.5mm

You can change your answer later.

Are the speakers on the TV ARC port and CEC enabled?

ARC only works on the designated port. CEC is often required.

Check the HDMI cable goes to the TV port labeled ARC. Enable HDMI-CEC on TV and speakers. Reseat cable. Power-cycle TV and speakers. Done: if sound appears. Still no sound: call a technician.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Fix HDMI connection

Move cable to TV port labeled ARC. Enable CEC on TV and speakers. Set TV audio output to HDMI ARC. Power-cycle: unplug both for 30 seconds, plug back in. If sound appears, done. If not, call a technician.

Done

Reseat optical or 3.5mm cable and power-cycle

Cables must be fully seated.

Unplug the cable at both ends. Plug back in firmly. Power-cycle TV and speakers. If sound appears, done. If not, call a technician.

Done

Power-cycle and test

Unplug TV and speakers for 30 seconds. Plug back in. Turn on speakers first, then TV. If sound appears, done. If not, call a technician.

Done

Call a technician

No picture: see fix-tv-has-no-signal or fix-tv-will-not-turn-on. Picture but speakers have no sound after all checks: call a TV or audio technician.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would external speakers have no sound when connected to a TV?
Wrong speaker input, TV audio output set to TV speakers instead of external, wrong HDMI port (must use ARC for HDMI), CEC disabled, loose cable, or volume/mute on TV or speakers.
Can I fix external speakers with no sound myself?
Yes. Check volume, speaker input, TV audio output, and connection. Most issues are input selection or settings related.
When should I call a technician for speakers with no sound?
If you have checked volume, input, output settings, cables, and power-cycle and the speakers still have no sound. The speakers or TV audio circuit may need repair.

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