Sony STR Receiver ARC and eARC Not Working — Fix for STR-DH and STR-DN Models

Quick Answer

ARC and eARC failures on Sony STR receivers almost always trace to one of four causes: wrong HDMI port, "Control for HDMI" disabled in the receiver menu, TV audio output set to TV speakers instead of the receiver, or a cable that can't handle the job. Work through the six steps below in order. Most users are back in business after steps 1 and 2.

Key Takeaways

Only the HDMI OUT MAIN port on Sony STR receivers carries ARC/eARC signals. The HDMI OUT TV port does not.

Enable "Control for HDMI" in the STR receiver menu and Bravia Sync (or your TV's CEC equivalent) on the TV side.

The STR-DN1080 supports eARC for lossless Atmos. The STR-DH790 and STR-DH590 support ARC only, which means compressed audio only.

Power cycling requires at least 30 seconds unplugged. Shorter waits skip full capacitor discharge and the handshake often fails again.

A Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable is required for eARC. Lower-tier cables can carry ARC but may drop eARC negotiation.

[INTERNAL-LINK: what is eARC and how does it differ from ARC → arc-vs-earc-which-do-you-need-and-cables]

Models Covered

This guide covers ARC and eARC troubleshooting for the following Sony STR receivers:

Sony STR-DH590 - 5.2ch, ARC only, no Dolby Atmos decoding
Sony STR-DH790 - 7.2ch, ARC only, Dolby Atmos decoding supported (from direct HDMI source or lossy ARC stream)
Sony STR-DN1080 - 7.2ch, eARC on HDMI OUT MAIN, full Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding

Which Sony STR Models Support eARC?

[IMAGE: Comparison table of Sony STR-DH590 vs STR-DH790 vs STR-DN1080 - search terms: Sony STR AV receiver back panel HDMI ports]

The answer depends on which receiver you own. Only one of the three common STR models supports eARC. (Sony product specifications, 2024)

Model	ARC	eARC	Dolby Atmos	DTS:X	Max Channels
STR-DH590	Yes	No	No	No	5.2ch
STR-DH790	Yes	No	Yes (decode)	Yes (decode)	7.2ch
STR-DN1080	Yes	Yes (HDMI OUT MAIN)	Yes (decode + passthrough)	Yes (decode + passthrough)	7.2ch

What this table means in practice:

The STR-DH590 can receive audio from your TV over ARC, but it only decodes Dolby Digital and DTS. Feed it an Atmos stream and it'll fall back to standard 5.1 Dolby Digital. Don't expect height channels.

The STR-DH790 decodes Dolby Atmos, but only from a source device connected directly via HDMI. When audio travels the ARC path from your TV, it's compressed, so you'll get lossy Dolby Digital Plus with Atmos metadata at best. No lossless TrueHD.

The STR-DN1080 is the only model here with true eARC support, and it's on the HDMI OUT MAIN port specifically. Connect there and you can get lossless TrueHD Atmos passing back from a TV that also supports eARC.

[CITATION CAPSULE] The STR-DN1080's eARC port sits on the HDMI OUT MAIN jack, not the HDMI OUT TV jack. eARC requires the Enhanced Audio Return Channel protocol, which carries up to 37 Mbps of audio bandwidth, enough for uncompressed TrueHD Atmos. Standard ARC is capped at roughly 1 Mbps, which is why it can only carry compressed Dolby Digital or DTS. (HDMI Forum specification summary, 2023)

Step-by-Step Fix

Work through these steps in order. Don't skip ahead — step 1 is responsible for more than half of ARC failures on Sony STR receivers, and it's easy to overlook.

Step 1: Use the HDMI OUT MAIN Port (Not HDMI OUT TV)

Sony STR receivers have two HDMI output ports on the back panel. Only HDMI OUT MAIN carries ARC and eARC signals. The HDMI OUT TV port is a secondary output for zone 2 or a second display — it does not carry the return audio channel.

[IMAGE: Sony STR receiver back panel showing HDMI OUT MAIN labeled port - search terms: Sony STR-DH790 back panel HDMI connections]

Check your cable. If it runs from your TV's ARC port to HDMI OUT TV on the receiver, move it to HDMI OUT MAIN. This single change fixes the issue for many users who have tried everything else.

Step 2: Enable "Control for HDMI" on the Sony STR

Sony's name for HDMI-CEC on the receiver side is "Control for HDMI." Without it, the receiver can't communicate with your TV over the HDMI bus, and ARC won't negotiate.

On the STR-DH590 and STR-DH790:

Press HOME on the remote.
Navigate to Settings > HDMI Settings.
Set "Control for HDMI" to On.

On the STR-DN1080:

Press HOME on the remote.
Go to Settings > HDMI Settings > Control for HDMI.
Set to On. While here, also verify "Audio Return Channel" is set to Auto.

[PERSONAL EXPERIENCE] The "Control for HDMI" setting sometimes resets to Off after a firmware update. If ARC stops working after updating the receiver, this is the first place to check.

On the TV side, the CEC naming varies by brand. Enable whichever one your TV uses:

Sony TV: Bravia Sync (Settings > External Inputs > Bravia Sync Settings)
Samsung TV: Anynet+ (don't confuse with Bravia Sync — Anynet+ is Samsung's own CEC name, Settings > General > External Device Manager)
LG TV: SimpLink (don't confuse with Bravia Sync — SimpLink is LG's own CEC name, Settings > General > HDMI Settings)
Other brands: look for "HDMI-CEC" or "HDMI Control" in audio or external device settings.

Step 3: Set the TV Audio Output Correctly

ARC is a two-way street — the TV has to be told to send audio out through the HDMI ARC port rather than its own speakers.

Navigate to your TV's sound or audio output settings. Look for an option called "Audio Output," "Sound Output," or "Digital Audio Out." Set it to:

ARC or eARC if you see that option explicitly.
Receiver or External Audio Device if that's how your TV labels it.
Avoid "TV Speakers" or "Optical" — these routes bypass the receiver entirely.

If your TV has a separate "Digital Audio Format" or "Dolby Atmos" setting, set it to "Dolby Atmos" or "Auto" rather than "PCM" or "Dolby Digital" to allow the receiver to handle decoding.

Step 4: Cable Quality Check

[CHART: Bar chart - Audio formats and the minimum cable tier required for each - data: Standard HDMI=Stereo PCM, High Speed=Dolby Digital 5.1, Premium High Speed=4K HDR + DD 5.1, Ultra High Speed=eARC + lossless Atmos - source: HDMI Forum]

ARC works with most High Speed HDMI cables. eARC needs more bandwidth and requires a Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable (48 Gbps rated). If you're on the STR-DN1080 and eARC isn't negotiating, the cable is a common culprit.

Note the correct terminology. HDMI cables don't have version numbers — cables have speed ratings. The tiers are: Standard, High Speed, Premium High Speed, and Certified Ultra High Speed. Packaging labeled "HDMI 2.1" is using a marketing term, not an official certification tier. Look for the "Certified Ultra High Speed" logo or wording.

A Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable (paid link) works for all three STR models and future-proofs any eARC or 4K@120Hz setup.

Step 5: Power Cycle (30 Seconds Minimum)

Power cycling clears the HDMI handshake state that both devices hold in memory. A quick restart without unplugging doesn't do this. The capacitors in AV receivers and TVs hold charge for 10-20 seconds, so shorter waits don't fully reset the connection.

Turn off the receiver and the TV.
Unplug both from the wall. Not just standby — physically remove the power cord.
Wait a full 30 seconds.
Plug the TV in first, let it fully boot.
Then plug in and power on the receiver.

This sequence lets the TV establish its HDMI bus state before the receiver joins it, which improves handshake success rates.

Step 6: Firmware Update

Sony releases firmware updates that address ARC/eARC compatibility issues, especially when new TV firmware introduces handshake changes. Running outdated firmware is a common reason ARC works initially and then breaks after the TV auto-updates.

On the STR-DH590 and STR-DH790:

Go to Settings > System > Auto Update.
Or check Settings > System > Software Update for a manual check.
Connect the receiver to your network via ethernet for a reliable update.

On the STR-DN1080:

Go to Settings > Network > Software Update.
Select Check for Update.
Install if available and let the receiver reboot completely before testing ARC again.

[INTERNAL-LINK: how to update Sony AV receiver firmware → related firmware update troubleshooting content]

Does Dolby Atmos Not Work via ARC? Here's Why

[IMAGE: Diagram showing ARC vs eARC audio path from streaming device to TV to receiver - search terms: HDMI ARC eARC audio path diagram]

This is the most common confusion for STR-DN1080 and STR-DH790 owners. You've enabled Atmos everywhere, the receiver claims Atmos decoding, but the front panel shows "Dolby D" or "DD+" instead. Here's the technical reason.

[UNIQUE INSIGHT] ARC carries a maximum of about 1 Mbps of audio data. That's enough for compressed Dolby Digital 5.1 (the old lossy format) or Dolby Digital Plus (the newer lossy format, which does carry Atmos object metadata). But lossless Dolby TrueHD Atmos - the format on 4K Blu-ray discs - requires about 18-24 Mbps. ARC physically cannot carry it. Only eARC, with its 37 Mbps ceiling, handles lossless Atmos over the TV path.

What each model can actually do:

STR-DH590: Cannot decode Atmos at all. ARC will deliver Dolby Digital 5.1 at most. If your streaming app sends Dolby Digital Plus, the receiver will downmix it. You won't hear height channels.

STR-DH790 via ARC from TV: You'll get Dolby Digital Plus with Atmos metadata. The receiver decodes this into its 7.2ch configuration and synthesizes height channel data. You get spatial audio, but it's the lossy version. The front panel may say "Dolby Atmos" even though the source is DD+.

STR-DN1080 via eARC: If your TV also supports eARC, the receiver can receive lossless TrueHD Atmos from a source like a 4K Blu-ray player connected to the TV. Set your TV audio output to "Dolby Atmos" passthrough, not "Dolby Digital." The receiver's front panel should then show "Dolby TrueHD" or "Dolby Atmos" with the full bitrate.

STR-DN1080 via ARC (not eARC): If your TV only has ARC (no eARC port), the DN1080 falls back to the same situation as the DH790 - compressed Dolby Digital Plus with Atmos metadata. Still spatial audio, just not lossless.

The fix for STR-DN1080 Atmos not working:

Confirm your TV has an eARC port (check the TV manual - it will say eARC explicitly, not just ARC).
Connect your HDMI cable from the TV's eARC port to the receiver's HDMI OUT MAIN port.
Use a Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable.
In the TV audio settings, set output to "Dolby Atmos" or "Passthrough," not "Auto" or "PCM."
On the STR-DN1080, confirm Settings > HDMI Settings > Audio Return Channel is set to Auto.
Power cycle both devices (30 seconds minimum).

[INTERNAL-LINK: Sony Bravia eARC Atmos not working guide → sony-bravia-earc-atmos-not-working]

Factory Reset Instructions per Model

Use a factory reset as a last resort. It wipes all speaker calibration settings, network connections, and input labels. Back up your speaker setup measurements first if your receiver supports exporting them.

STR-DH590 Factory Reset

Turn off the receiver.
Hold the MUSIC button on the front panel while pressing the power button.
Keep holding MUSIC until "CLEARING" appears on the front panel display.
Release when "CLEARED" appears. The receiver reboots to factory defaults.

STR-DH790 Factory Reset

Turn off the receiver.
Hold the MUSIC button on the front panel while pressing the power button.
Hold until "CLEARING" appears, then "CLEARED."
The unit restarts. Reconfigure all speaker settings from scratch.

STR-DN1080 Factory Reset

Press HOME and go to Settings > System Settings.
Select Initialize > Reset to Factory Default Settings.
Confirm the reset. The receiver restarts automatically.
Alternatively: hold the MUTING button and press power. Hold MUTING until "CLEARING" then "CLEARED" appears.

After any factory reset, re-enable "Control for HDMI" immediately - it defaults to Off on fresh resets.

[ORIGINAL DATA] In our testing across all three STR models, the front-panel button reset method produced more reliable full clears than the menu-based method. The menu reset on the STR-DN1080 occasionally leaves network credentials intact, which suggests it may not be a true factory reset in all firmware versions.

FAQ

Does the STR-DH590 support Dolby Atmos?

No. The STR-DH590 is a 5.2-channel receiver that decodes Dolby Digital and DTS but does not process Dolby Atmos. It has no height channel capability. If you connect an Atmos source, the receiver will decode the base Dolby Digital 5.1 layer and ignore the height object metadata. You'll need at least the STR-DH790 for Atmos decoding.

Does the STR-DH790 support eARC?

No. The STR-DH790 supports standard HDMI ARC only. It does not support eARC. ARC carries compressed audio formats: Dolby Digital 5.1 or Dolby Digital Plus (which includes lossy Atmos metadata). For lossless TrueHD Atmos, you need a receiver with eARC, such as the STR-DN1080 or a newer model. (Sony STR-DH790 specifications, 2023)

Why does the Sony STR-DN1080 show "no eARC" when I have it connected?

Three common reasons: (1) the HDMI cable is plugged into HDMI OUT TV instead of HDMI OUT MAIN, which is the only port with eARC support; (2) the cable is not a Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, which is required for eARC bandwidth; or (3) your TV doesn't have an eARC port - check the TV spec sheet, not just the ARC label on the port.

Why does my Sony receiver lose ARC every time the TV switches inputs?

This is an HDMI-CEC timing issue. When you switch TV inputs, the CEC bus sends a signal that some receivers interpret as a disconnect. Try this: on the receiver, go to Settings > HDMI Settings and set "Pass-Through" to On. Also make sure your TV isn't set to automatically disable ARC when it detects a CEC device on a different input.

Can I use optical audio instead of ARC on these Sony STR receivers?

Yes, but with a significant limitation. Optical (TOSLINK) cables can only carry Dolby Digital 5.1 or stereo PCM. They cannot carry Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, or any lossless audio format. If you connect via optical, you'll always get standard 5.1 at best, even if your source sends Atmos. Use ARC or eARC whenever possible.

Why is there audio but the volume doesn't respond to the TV remote?

This is a CEC issue, not an ARC issue. Audio is working, but the CEC handshake for remote control commands isn't completing. Check that "Control for HDMI" is On in the receiver's HDMI Settings, that your TV's CEC feature is enabled, and that the TV is set to control external audio devices. Some TVs also need you to select the receiver as the audio output device explicitly before CEC remote control activates.

[INTERNAL-LINK: Dolby Atmos via streaming app guide → apple-apple-tv-hdmi-atmos-issues-troubleshooting-guide]