Hisense TV HDMI ARC No Sound: Fix for VIDAA & Google TV

Hisense TV HDMI ARC not working is one of the most common audio complaints across the U6N, U7N, U8N, and U8K series. The fix is almost always a settings issue — not a hardware fault. This guide covers verified steps for both VIDAA OS and Google TV models, with the one CEC detection step that most guides skip and that resolves the majority of cases.

Quick Answer

• Connect HDMI cable to the port labeled ARC or eARC on your TV's back panel — the port number varies by model (see table below)
• Enable CEC on VIDAA: Settings → System → HDMI & CEC Functions → CEC Control → ON
• Enable CEC on Google TV: Settings → System → HDMI-CEC → HDMI-CEC Control → ON
• Run CEC Device Detection (critical step): Settings → System → HDMI & CEC Functions → CEC Device List → Detect
• Set audio output to ARC:
  • VIDAA OS: Settings → Sound → TV Speaker & ARC → ARC First
  • Google TV: Settings → Sound → Sound Output → HDMI ARC
• Set Digital Audio Out to PCM if audio cuts out or drops

Which HDMI Port is ARC on Hisense TVs?

The ARC port number is not the same across all Hisense models — always check the label printed next to the HDMI ports on your TV's back panel.

The safest approach: look for the port with "ARC" or "eARC" printed next to it on the back of the TV. Never guess — using the wrong port will result in no audio return to your soundbar.

U8K important note: If you have the U8K, set HDMI 3's signal format to "Standard" or "Auto" in your TV settings. Setting it to "Enhanced" disables eARC on that port.

Symptoms

• No sound from soundbar or AV receiver when using HDMI ARC
• Sound plays through TV speakers instead of connected audio device
• Intermittent audio dropouts or cutting in and out
• External device shows "no signal" or fails to recognize TV connection
• ARC connects but no Dolby Atmos or DTS:X passthrough
• Audio sync issues between video and soundbar output

Quick Checks

• Confirm HDMI cable is in the ARC or eARC labeled port on TV (check the physical label)
• Check if soundbar or receiver displays ARC connection status
• Test with a different HDMI cable rated for ARC or eARC
• Power cycle both TV and audio device (unplug for 30 seconds)
• Verify your soundbar supports ARC or eARC input

Step-by-Step Fix

1. Connect to the correct port

   • Find the HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC on your TV's back panel
   • Plug HDMI cable into that port
   • Connect the other end to ARC or eARC output on your soundbar or receiver

2. Enable HDMI Control (CEC) — VIDAA OS

   • Open Settings → System → HDMI & CEC Functions
   • Set CEC Control to ON
   • Enable CEC on your soundbar or receiver too

3. Enable HDMI Control (CEC) — Google TV

   • Open Settings → System → HDMI-CEC
   • Set HDMI-CEC Control to ON

4. Run CEC Device Detection (the step most guides skip)

   • On VIDAA: Settings → System → HDMI & CEC Functions → CEC Device List → Detect
   • On Google TV: Settings → System → HDMI-CEC → Device Detection → Detect
   • This forces the TV to actively discover your soundbar. Without it, enabling CEC alone often produces no result.

5. Set audio output to ARC

   • VIDAA OS: Settings → Sound → TV Speaker & ARC → select ARC First
   • Google TV: Settings → Sound → Sound Output → select HDMI ARC or External Audio System

6. Set digital audio format

   • Navigate to Settings → Sound → Advanced Audio Settings → Digital Audio Out
   • Select PCM first to confirm basic audio works
   • Once confirmed, switch to Auto or Passthrough for Dolby Atmos or surround formats

7. Test and verify

   • Play content with audio
   • Confirm sound routes to external device, not TV speakers
   • Check volume controls respond correctly

If Hisense ARC Still Not Working

Update firmware: Outdated firmware causes eARC dropout and CEC compatibility issues across all Hisense series. Check for updates at Settings → System → About → System Update (Google TV) or Settings → System → System Update (VIDAA). Install any available update before more troubleshooting.

Try different audio formats: Switch between PCM, Auto, and Passthrough in Digital Audio Output settings. Some soundbars from Samsung, Sonos, and Bose require PCM; others need Auto for Dolby Atmos passthrough.

Reset HDMI handshake: Unplug the HDMI cable at both ends for 30 seconds, then reconnect. This forces devices to renegotiate the ARC connection from scratch.

Check cable quality: Standard High Speed HDMI (v1.4+) works for basic ARC. For eARC and Dolby Atmos passthrough, you need a Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable (48Gbps). Older cables may connect but silently block lossless audio formats.

U8K HDMI 3 format: If you own a U8K and eARC is not working, go to your TV's HDMI signal format settings and verify HDMI 3 is set to "Standard" or "Auto" — setting it to "Enhanced" disables eARC on that input.

Factory reset audio settings: Settings → Sound → Reset to Default restores the original audio configuration without a full TV reset.

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FAQ

Why does my Hisense TV HDMI ARC have no sound? The most common cause is audio output still set to internal TV speakers. On VIDAA, go to Settings → Sound → TV Speaker & ARC and select ARC First. On Google TV, go to Settings → Sound → Sound Output and select HDMI ARC. Also confirm CEC is enabled and you ran the CEC Device Detection step under Settings → System → HDMI & CEC Functions → CEC Device List → Detect.

Why does my Hisense U7N ARC connection keep cutting out? Digital audio format conflicts cause most dropouts. Switch to PCM in Settings → Sound → Advanced Audio Settings → Digital Audio Out for a stable connection, then try Auto or Passthrough once audio is working reliably. Also update your TV firmware and re-run the CEC Device Detection scan.

Which HDMI port supports ARC on Hisense TVs? It varies by model — check the physical label on your TV's back panel. On the U6N the eARC port is HDMI 3. On the U7N (US models) it is HDMI 1. On the U8N (US models) it is HDMI 3. On the U8K it is HDMI 3. Never assume HDMI 2 — always read the label.

Does Hisense U8K support eARC? Yes, the Hisense U8K has eARC on HDMI 3. However, HDMI 3 must be set to "Standard" or "Auto" in the TV's HDMI signal format settings — selecting "Enhanced" disables eARC on that port. Once set correctly, the U8K passes full Dolby Atmos and DTS:X through eARC.

Does Hisense U6N have eARC? Yes. Despite being the entry-level model, the U6N supports eARC on HDMI 3. All four HDMI ports on the U6N are HDMI 2.0, and the third is the eARC port. You can pass Dolby Atmos through eARC if your soundbar supports it.

How do I get Dolby Atmos through ARC on my Hisense TV? You need an eARC connection (not standard ARC) plus a compatible soundbar. Connect a Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable to the eARC-labeled port, enable eARC in audio settings, and set Digital Audio Output to Passthrough or Auto. Your soundbar must also support Atmos decoding — check its specifications.

Why is my Hisense Google TV ARC not working? Google TV uses different menu paths than VIDAA. Go to Settings → System → HDMI-CEC and enable HDMI-CEC Control. Then go to Settings → Sound → Sound Output and select HDMI ARC. Also run device detection under Settings → System → HDMI-CEC → Device Detection.

Why won't my soundbar turn on automatically with Hisense TV ARC? HDMI CEC must be enabled on both the TV and the soundbar. After enabling CEC on your TV, run the CEC Device Detection scan (Settings → System → HDMI & CEC Functions → CEC Device List → Detect). Soundbar brands label CEC differently: Anynet+ (Samsung), Bravia Sync (Sony), Simplink (LG), or simply HDMI Control.

Can I use a regular HDMI cable for Hisense ARC? Standard High Speed HDMI v1.4 or higher works for basic ARC audio. For eARC and lossless formats like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, you need a Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable (48Gbps, HDMI 2.1). Older or budget cables may appear to connect but silently limit audio or block lossless formats.

Hisense ARC stopped working after a firmware update — how do I fix it? Firmware updates occasionally reset audio output settings back to TV speakers. After any update, return to Settings → Sound → TV Speaker & ARC (VIDAA) or Settings → Sound → Sound Output (Google TV) and reselect HDMI ARC. Also re-run the CEC Device Detection scan and confirm CEC is still enabled under System settings.