A soundbar that goes silent, cuts in and out, or won't play TV audio is almost always a connection, source, or format issue — not a blown bar. Work this checklist in order and you'll find it fast, whatever the connection type.
First: which input is it on?
The #1 cause of "no sound" is the soundbar on the wrong input. Press the soundbar's Source/Input button and select the one you're actually using — HDMI (ARC), Optical (D.IN), Bluetooth, or AUX. Many bars cycle inputs and end up on the wrong one.
If it's HDMI ARC
- Right port, both ends — TV's HDMI eARC/ARC to the bar's HDMI OUT (ARC).
- Enable CEC on the TV (Anynet+/SimpLink/Bravia Sync/CEC) and the bar. On a Sony set, the Sony TV no audio over eARC fix lists the exact Bravia menu paths.
- Set the TV's audio output to the soundbar (HDMI/Receiver), not TV Speakers.
- Set the TV's digital audio format to Bitstream/Auto, or PCM to test — a format the bar can't decode plays silent.
- Swap the HDMI cable — a marginal one passes video but drops the ARC return.
If it's optical
- Confirm the soundbar's input is Optical / D.IN, the cable is seated (you'll see a faint red light at the ends), and the TV's audio format is Dolby Digital or PCM (optical can't carry Atmos/DTS:X — see ARC vs eARC and which cables you need for why HDMI is required for those formats).
If it's Bluetooth
- Re-pair the bar, keep it close to the source, and make sure it's not also paired to another device that grabbed the connection.
If it cuts in and out
- Marginal HDMI cable or a CEC loop — swap to a certified cable; if three+ CEC devices are fighting, disable CEC on the extra ones.
- A format switch (content changing between Dolby and stereo) — set the TV's audio to PCM to test for a steady link.
- Power-cycle the bar and TV (unplug 30+ seconds, bar first).
The optical test (isolates the fault)
Connect the soundbar to the TV over optical. If sound returns, the problem is on the HDMI/ARC/CEC side, not the soundbar — focus your fixes there. (Optical is diagnostic only here; it can't carry Atmos.)
FAQ
My soundbar suddenly has no sound. First check it's on the right input (Source button). Then, for HDMI ARC, enable CEC and set the TV's audio output to the soundbar.
It cuts in and out. Usually a marginal HDMI cable or a CEC loop. Swap to a certified cable and disable CEC on extra devices; set the TV audio to PCM to test.
How do I know if it's the bar or the TV? Run the optical test — if optical plays but HDMI doesn't, the fault is the HDMI/ARC/CEC side, not the soundbar.
No sound over optical. Confirm the bar's input is Optical/D.IN and the TV's audio format is Dolby Digital or PCM — optical can't carry Atmos or DTS:X.