TCL TV eARC/ARC not working with soundbar - CEC and audio setup guide
If your TCL TV suddenly stopped sending sound over eARC or ARC from built‑in TV apps, you are not the only one dealing with this (it happens more often than you’d think). HDMI‑CEC, eARC, and app updates all interact in strange ways, so a small change in one place can mute the whole setup. This guide walks you through a clean, methodical reset so you can get reliable sound again without guessing.
Start with 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 TCL TV. 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 TCL TV
It sounds obvious, but if the receiver was muted or set to a different input, you will not hear anything from TV apps.
Re‑establish the HDMI‑CEC / eARC handshake
- Power everything off fully
Turn off the TV and the TCL TV, 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 TCL TV. 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 TCL TV. Avoid adapters or wall plates for this test. - Power on the TV first, then the TCL TV
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 TCL TV for Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos, or PCM indicators. - Toggle HDMI‑CEC / ARC off and on
In both the TV and TCL TV 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
- Match audio formats
Some TCL 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 (this catches people off guard).
Expert tip: simplify the chain
Tip: For stubborn eARC issues, temporarily disconnect all other HDMI devices from the TV and TCL TV, then repeat the power‑cycle and eARC setup. This strips the system down to one TV and one TCL TV, making it easier to see whether a game console or streaming box was confusing HDMI‑CEC.
Scenario example
Scenario example: You open Netflix on your TV and the TCL TV shows “TV Audio” on the display, but you only get intermittent sound or nothing at all. After unplugging the TV and TCL TV, reconnecting the HDMI cable to the proper eARC port, and turning HDMI‑CEC off and back on, the receiver suddenly locks onto “Dolby Digital+” and sound works reliably across all apps.
When to suspect the TV, the TCL TV, or the cable
- TV issue – If eARC works from external devices (like a streaming stick) but not from built‑in apps, the TV firmware or app audio settings may be at fault. Check for TV software updates.
- TCL TV issue – If the TCL TV never shows an ARC/eARC input or keeps dropping back to TV speakers, look for a firmware update and a setting that explicitly enables ARC on that HDMI input.
- Cable issue – If sound cuts in and out, or only works after you wiggle the cable, replace the HDMI cable with a certified Ultra High Speed cable.
If it still is not working
If you have walked through the reset process, tried more than one app, and swapped the HDMI cable yet eARC or ARC still refuses to cooperate, document the exact behavior: which TV model you have, which HDMI port is in use, what the TCL TV display shows, and which apps fail. Support teams for TCL and your TV manufacturer can do much more with that detail than with “no sound from apps,” and it drastically shortens the back‑and‑forth. In stubborn cases, a professional installer or a warranty evaluation may be worth considering, especially if you also see HDMI issues with other sources.