Atmos fails when any hop strips the flag or drops bandwidth. Work through these ordered checks to keep Apple TV 4K delivering Atmos reliably through a TV, receiver, or soundbar.
Quick answer
- Confirm the title actually has an Atmos track and select it in the app.
- Use certified HDMI 2.1 cables on every hop; avoid splitters while testing.
- Enable eARC + Pass-through on the TV, and set the receiver/soundbar input to Auto/Direct.
- On Apple TV: Change Format Off, Match Dynamic Range/Frame Rate On, Audio Mode Auto.
Symptoms
- TV/receiver front panel shows PCM or Dolby Audio instead of Atmos.
- Atmos works on discs but not on streaming apps.
- Audio drops after standby or when switching inputs.
Quick checks
- Plug Apple TV into the TVΓÇÖs 4K/120/eARC port with a certified cable.
- Enable eARC and set Digital Audio/HDMI Audio to Pass-through/Bitstream on the TV.
- On Apple TV, leave Change Format Off (Dolby MAT) and restart after changes.
- Check the receiver/soundbar info screen to confirm the incoming format.
Step-by-step fix
- Prove the cable and port ΓÇô Use a certified cable from Apple TV to the TVΓÇÖs best port. Recommended: Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable (paid link).
- Lock Apple TV output – Settings → Video and Audio: 4K SDR base, Match Dynamic Range/Frame Rate On, Change Format Off, Audio Mode Auto.
- TV settings for eARC ΓÇô Enable eARC/Enhanced ARC, set Digital Audio to Pass-through/Auto, disable TV speakers, and avoid PCM-only modes.
- Receiver/soundbar setup ΓÇô Use the receiverΓÇÖs 8K/Enhanced HDMI Out to the TV eARC port. Set input mode to Auto/Direct, disable upmixers while testing.
- Retest per app ΓÇô Play a known Atmos title in Apple TV+ or Disney+. Watch the AVR/soundbar display as playback starts.
If Atmos is still missing
- Bypass the receiver: Apple TV → TV → eARC → soundbar. If Atmos returns, focus on the receiver’s HDMI board or cabling.
- Try Dolby Digital 5.1 temporarily; if stable, the link is marginalΓÇöreplace cables/ports.
- Power-cycle in order: TV → receiver/soundbar → Apple TV to clear eARC handshakes.
- Reinstall failing apps and check for firmware updates on all devices.
FAQ
Do I need eARC? For lossless/TrueHD Atmos from apps, yes. ARC may carry DD+ Atmos but is less stable and often downmixes.
Why does Atmos vanish after sleep? Quick-start modes can leave HDMI chips half-awake. Disable quick start or power-cycle in order.
Can one bad cable break Atmos? Yes. A marginal link can pass video but drop the eARC channel. Use certified cables on every hop.
Is Dolby MAT the right output? Yes. With Change Format Off, Apple TV sends Atmos as Dolby MAT/PCM, which most TVs and AVRs expect.