How to Fix Sound Issues on Smart TV Apps

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

If you've got a smart TV and a home theater system with nice speakers, chances are you want to get the audio from the TV's apps through those speakers. If you've not been having any luck getting the audio from your smart TV's apps to play through your system, this guide will take you through some troubleshooting steps that may help resolve this issue.

Tools You'll Need:

• A paperclip
• iPhone charging cable
• Access to a computer with iTunes installed
• Any other non-consumable tools needed
• Comment out tools section if no tools are necessary

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Supplies You'll Need:

• Zip ties
• Any other consumable supplies
• Comment out supplies section if no supplies are necessary

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Before You Begin:

• You must have access to a computer with iTunes installed.
• You must have that thing for the other thing so you can do the thing.

You must have this thing before you whatever.

• Title of GP User Should Do First
• Title of GP User Should Do First
• Each individual prereq should have its own box like this. Not all will contain multiple links.
• Comment out prerequisites section if no prereqs are necessary

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2. Check Your Volume Settings

Make sure the sound on your TV isn't muted.

1. Push the Mute button on your TV remote. A display on screen should show if the TV is now muted, or not. You want to be sure the TV is not muted.
   

If you are using a separate home theater, surround sound, or sound bar with your television, be sure to check the volume and mute on that device, as well.

Check Your Volume Levels

1. On your TV remote, use the Volume Up/Down buttons.
   

1. Most TVs will show you the volume level on the screen.
   

If you are using a separate home theater, surround sound, or sound bar with your television, be sure to check the volume levels and settings on that device as well.

If none of these work your app may have its own volume settings. Navigate to those settings, like the Youtube volume bar, and make sure they aren't muted.

3. Check Audio Cabling

Make sure all of your cabling is correct. Your Smart TV needs to send its audio signal to your AV receiver in order for you to properly hear the sound coming from your Smart TV's apps. Without proper cabling, you'll see your Smart TV apps on-screen, but you'll have no sound coming from your Home Theater System. Your TV may be getting picture, but it won't be sending sound to your receiver. Double check your cabling.

The type of cabling used to send audio from your Smart TV to your AV receiver will vary depending on what connection options each offer.

To use Optical (Digital) Audio:

1. Plug an optical cable into your television's digital audio out port.
   

1. Plug the other end of the optical cable into the receiver.
   

To use an RCA Jack (Analog Audio):

1. Connect analog audio cables into your television's audio output jacks.
   

1. Plug the other end of the analog audio cables into the analog inputs on your receiver.
   

To use Coaxial Digital Audio:

1. Connect a coaxial audio cable into your television's digital audio out port.
   

1. Plug the other end of the coaxial audio cable into the coaxial input on the rear of your receiver.
   

4. Check Input Settings

Your TV and A/V Receiver components may need to be using different "input" or "source" settings in order to be able to find sound or picture properly. This will be different in every home theater setup depending on the cables that are being used, and the different components that you have installed. These steps will touch upon how you can check and adjust the input settings of your components to make sure they're correct.

Seeing a "No Signal" image on your TV like the one above, means your TV is likely looking for picture on the wrong "Source" or "Input."

In order to check and change sources on your TV:

1. Locate the Input or Source button on your TV remote.
   

1. Aim the remote at the TV and press the Input or Source button to begin cycling through the available inputs on the screen.
2. When you've reached the input option you'd like to test, just stop pressing the input button. The TV will switch to the input option you've landed on automatically after a few seconds.
3. Repeat this process to try all available inputs on your TV.

To check and change sources on your A/V Receiver:

1. Some A/V Receivers will have knobs dedicated to changing the input or source it is using.
   

1. Others will have physical buttons for specific inputs rather than a knob.
   

1. Alternatively, most A/V Receivers will have Input or Source buttons on their remote controls.
   

1. Simply turn the knob or press the button of the Input or Source you would like to select.

5. Test Another App

Switch to another app and test the sound.

6. Try Again Later

The problem is likely temporary and we should try again later.

7. Sound Menu

Push the Menu button on your TV Remote.

Select Sound using the up and down keys, then push the center OK button.

You can make adjustments to the Bass, Treble, Balance, and such here. Features such as "A.I. Sound" and "Auto Volume Leveling" are also here; they try to make soft and loud sounds the same volume, but can cause problems. Try turning them on or off for the program you're watching.

8. Power Cycle Component

This is a general guide for rebooting Home Theater or Surround Sound components. This can be any component within your Home Theater system including your TV, A/V Receiver, Cable Box, DVD or Blu-Ray player, etc. Most devices can be power cycled by using their remote controls. However, certain unresponsive devices may need to be unplugged from power if the remote does nothing or does not completely shut the component off.

To power cycle a component using its remote control:

1. Press the power button on the remote control of the component you need to power cycle.
   

1. The component should turn off and can then be turned back on at any time using the same button on the remote control.

If power cycling via the component's remote control does not work:

1. First, attempt to turn off the component normally by pressing it's power button.
   

2. Next, unplug the component from power.
   

1. Wait at least 30 seconds.
2. Plug the component back into power and attempt to power it back on.

9. Restart

1. Turn it off by pressing the Power button on the unit itself or on the remote.
   

1. Then unplug it from the power outlet.
   

1. Wait for 10 seconds.
2. Plug it back in then turn the TV back on from the Power button.
   

10. What's next?