If your Denon receiver suddenly stopped sending sound over eARC or ARC from built-in TV apps, you're not the only one dealing with this issue. HDMI-CEC, eARC, and app updates all interact in strange ways, so a small change in one place can mute the whole setup.
Quick answer
- Power off both devices and unplug for 30-60 seconds to clear HDMI control state
- Disconnect and reconnect the HDMI cable between TV eARC port and Denon ARC input
- Power on TV first, then receiver and let each fully boot before turning on the next
- Toggle HDMI-CEC off and back on in both TV and receiver menus to force fresh handshake
- Test with multiple streaming apps and check audio format settings
Symptoms
- Denon receiver shows "TV Audio" but produces no sound or intermittent audio
- Built-in TV apps have no audio while external devices work fine through eARC
- Sound works briefly then cuts out when switching between apps
- Receiver display doesn't show Dolby Digital, Atmos, or PCM indicators from TV apps
- TV keeps reverting to internal speakers instead of sending audio to receiver
Quick checks
- Confirm the HDMI connection — Make sure the HDMI cable from the TV is plugged into the ARC or eARC-labeled HDMI input on your Denon receiver. On many sets it is only one specific port.
- Use a certified high-speed cable — Old or damaged HDMI cables are a very common cause of eARC drop-outs. Swap in a known-good, certified cable if you have one.
- Set TV audio to eARC/ARC — In the TV sound settings, select the option that sends audio to an external receiver or soundbar rather than the TV speakers.
- Turn the volume up on the Denon receiver — It sounds obvious, but if the receiver was muted or set to a different input, you will not hear anything from TV apps.
Step-by-step fix
-
Power everything off fully — Turn off the TV and the Denon receiver, then unplug them from power for 30-60 seconds. This clears the HDMI control state.
-
Unplug the HDMI cable during the power off — Disconnect the cable between the TV eARC/ARC port and the Denon receiver. Waiting a few seconds helps the devices forget the old link.
-
Plug the HDMI cable back in firmly — Re-connect the cable to the eARC/ARC port on the TV and the ARC-enabled input on the Denon receiver. Avoid adapters or wall plates for this test.
-
Power on the TV first, then the Denon receiver — Let the TV boot to the home screen before turning on the receiver. Many HDMI-CEC systems are picky about power-on order.
-
Open a simple TV app and test — Launch a built-in app like Netflix or YouTube and play a video. Give it a few seconds to negotiate audio. Watch the front panel of the Denon receiver for Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos, or PCM indicators.
-
Toggle HDMI-CEC / ARC off and on — In both the TV and Denon receiver menus, temporarily disable HDMI-CEC and ARC/eARC, then turn them back on. This often forces a fresh handshake.
-
Check audio formats and app settings — Some Denon models are picky about multichannel PCM or Dolby Atmos. If you get silence, try forcing the TV to output Dolby Digital or "Auto" instead of PCM only.
-
Test with multiple apps — Try at least two or three streaming apps. If only one app has no sound, open its internal audio or playback settings and confirm surround sound is enabled.
-
Disable Bluetooth audio temporarily — If the TV is paired with Bluetooth headphones or a speaker, it may route sound there instead of to eARC.
Expert tip: For stubborn eARC issues, temporarily disconnect all other HDMI devices from the TV and Denon receiver, then repeat the power-cycle and eARC setup. This strips the system down to one TV and one Denon receiver, making it easier to see whether a game console or streaming box was confusing HDMI-CEC.
If it still isn't working
Document the exact behavior before contacting support: which TV model you have, which HDMI port is in use, what the Denon receiver display shows, and which apps fail. Support teams for Denon and your TV manufacturer can do much more with that detail than with "no sound from apps."
Check for firmware updates on both your TV and Denon receiver. In stubborn cases, a professional installer or a warranty evaluation may be worth considering, especially if you also see HDMI issues with other sources.
FAQ
Why does eARC work with external devices but not TV apps? Built-in TV apps use different audio processing than external HDMI inputs. The TV's internal audio routing can get confused even when eARC hardware works fine with streaming sticks or game consoles.
How do I know if it's the TV, receiver, or cable causing the problem? TV issue: eARC works from external devices but not built-in apps. Receiver issue: never shows ARC input or keeps dropping to TV speakers. Cable issue: sound cuts in and out or only works when you wiggle the cable.
Should I replace my HDMI cable? If you're using an older HDMI cable or experiencing intermittent dropouts, yes. Use a certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable for reliable eARC performance, especially with Dolby Atmos content.
Why does the power-on order matter? HDMI-CEC handshake protocols often expect the TV to establish control before the receiver joins. Powering the TV first gives it time to initialize its eARC system before the receiver tries to connect.