Onkyo receivers often lose sound from TV apps through HDMI ARC due to incorrect configuration settings or HDMI board hardware issues. The TX-NR and TX-SR series require specific ARC and CEC settings to properly receive audio from your TV's built-in streaming apps.
Quick Answer
- Enable ARC: Setup → Hardware → HDMI → Audio Return Channel → ON
- Enable CEC: Setup → Hardware → HDMI → CEC → ON
- Use HDMI OUT MAIN only (disconnect HDMI OUT SUB if connected)
- Set TV audio output to Bitstream/Passthrough for surround sound
- Power cycle both devices - unplug for 60 seconds after changes
Symptoms
- No sound from Netflix, Prime Video, or other TV apps
- Receiver displays "ARC" but remains silent
- TV speakers work but receiver doesn't receive audio
- Intermittent audio dropouts during streaming
- Receiver shows input signal but no sound output
Quick Checks
- Verify HDMI cable connects TV's ARC/eARC port to receiver's HDMI OUT MAIN
- Check if TV speakers are muted or set to external audio
- Confirm receiver input is set to "TV/ARC" or "ARC"
- Test with TV's built-in test tone or different streaming app
- Look for "ARC" display on receiver's front panel
Step-by-Step Fix
- Access receiver's setup menu using the remote or front panel
- Navigate to Setup → Hardware → HDMI
- Set Audio Return Channel to ON
- Set CEC (Control) to ON
- Go to Setup → Source/Input → Input Assignment
- Verify HDMI inputs are properly assigned to correct ports
- Navigate to Setup → Audio → Audio Adjust
- Set Lip Sync to Auto (or manual if sync issues persist)
- On your TV, access audio settings
- Set audio output to Bitstream or Passthrough for surround sound (PCM for stereo)
- Ensure TV's ARC/eARC is enabled in HDMI settings
- Power off both devices completely
- Unplug both devices for 60 seconds
- Power on receiver first, then TV
- Select TV/ARC input on receiver
If Sound Still Doesn't Work
Update receiver firmware - Onkyo releases updates that fix ARC compatibility issues. Download from Onkyo's support site using your exact model number.
Try different HDMI cable - Use High Speed HDMI 2.0 or newer. Older cables cause intermittent ARC problems.
Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable (paid link)
Check for HDMI board failure - TX-NR696 and TX-NR797 models have known HDMI board issues. Symptoms include clicking sounds, no video passthrough, and intermittent signals. This requires professional repair or replacement.
Reset receiver to factory defaults - Hold SETUP button while powering on. Reconfigure all settings from scratch.
Test with different TV audio format - Switch between PCM, Bitstream, and Dolby Digital in TV settings.
FAQ
Why does my Onkyo receiver show ARC but no sound comes out? The receiver detects the ARC connection but isn't properly configured to process the audio signal. Enable both ARC and CEC in the HDMI settings, then set your TV's audio output to Bitstream.
Should I use HDMI OUT MAIN or SUB for ARC? Always use HDMI OUT MAIN for ARC connections. The SUB output doesn't support Audio Return Channel and can cause conflicts.
My TX-NR696 has clicking sounds and intermittent ARC - is this fixable? This indicates HDMI board failure, a common issue with this model. Firmware updates provide temporary relief, but the board typically needs replacement.
What TV audio setting works best with Onkyo receivers? Use Bitstream or Passthrough for surround sound formats like Dolby Digital and DTS. Use PCM only if you experience compatibility issues or prefer stereo output.
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