If your Yamaha receiver suddenly stopped sending sound over eARC or ARC from built-in TV apps, you're not alone — this 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.
Quick answer
- Power cycle both devices — unplug TV and Yamaha receiver for 60 seconds
- Disconnect and reconnect the HDMI cable during the power cycle
- Use the correct ports — eARC/ARC port on TV to ARC-enabled input on receiver
- Reset HDMI-CEC — disable and re-enable on both devices
- Check TV audio settings — ensure output is set to external receiver, not TV speakers
Symptoms
- Netflix, YouTube, or other TV apps play video but no sound comes from Yamaha receiver
- Yamaha receiver shows "TV Audio" but sound is intermittent or missing
- External devices work fine through the receiver, but built-in apps don't
- Sound worked before but stopped after a TV update or power outage
Quick checks
- Confirm the HDMI connection — make sure the cable connects the TV's eARC/ARC port to the Yamaha receiver's ARC-labeled input
- Use a certified high-speed cable — old or damaged HDMI cables cause eARC drop-outs frequently
- Set TV audio to eARC/ARC — check TV sound settings and select external receiver instead of TV speakers
- Turn up receiver volume — ensure the Yamaha receiver isn't muted or set to wrong input
Step-by-step fix
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Power everything off fully — turn off TV and Yamaha receiver, then unplug both from power for 60 seconds to clear HDMI control state
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Disconnect the HDMI cable — unplug the cable between TV eARC/ARC port and receiver during the power-off period
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Reconnect the HDMI cable firmly — plug cable back into correct ports, avoiding adapters or wall plates for this test
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Power on in correct order — turn on TV first and let it reach home screen, then power on Yamaha receiver
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Reset HDMI-CEC on TV — go to Settings → General → External Device Manager → HDMI-CEC, turn off then back on
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Reset ARC on Yamaha receiver — navigate to Setup → HDMI → Control, disable then re-enable ARC
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Test with TV app — open Netflix or YouTube, play video, and watch receiver display for Dolby Digital, Atmos, or PCM indicators
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Check audio format settings — if still no sound, try TV Settings → Audio → Digital Output Format → change from PCM to Auto or Dolby Digital
If it still isn't working
Try these advanced steps:
- Simplify the setup — disconnect all other HDMI devices temporarily to isolate TV and receiver only
- Test multiple apps — check Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+ to see if issue affects all or just one
- Disable Bluetooth audio — ensure TV isn't routing sound to paired headphones or speakers
- Check for firmware updates — update both TV and Yamaha receiver software
- Try different HDMI input — some Yamaha models have ARC capability on multiple inputs
Document exact symptoms (TV model, HDMI ports used, receiver display messages, which apps fail) before contacting support.
FAQ
Why does eARC work with my streaming stick but not TV apps? Built-in TV apps use different audio processing than external devices. The TV's internal audio routing may have different eARC settings or limitations.
Should I use eARC or regular ARC? Use eARC if both devices support it — it handles more audio formats and is more reliable. If you have issues, try switching to regular ARC mode temporarily.
How do I know if my HDMI cable supports eARC? eARC requires Ultra High Speed HDMI cables. If your cable is over 2 years old or unmarked, replace it with a certified Ultra High Speed cable.
Why does the receiver show "TV Audio" but no sound comes out? This usually means the HDMI-CEC handshake is partial — the receiver detects the TV but isn't receiving the audio signal properly. Try the full power cycle and cable reconnection process.