Samsung TV HDMI ARC or eARC has no sound? Set the audio format to Auto

Most likely fix: set Digital Output Audio Format to Auto

If a soundbar or receiver connected by HDMI ARC or eARC plays no sound, Samsung’s first check is the Digital Output Audio Format setting. When it’s set to Pass-Through and the soundbar doesn’t support Dolby Digital+, Dolby Digital+ content plays with no sound. Samsung recommends Auto for soundbars and receivers that support only some audio formats. On 2017–2019 TVs the manuals list no Pass-Through or Auto; check instead whether the same setting is on Dolby Digital+ (see On 2017–2019 TVs under section 2).

Before you change it, check that the TV is sending sound to the soundbar at all.

1. Check where the TV sends sound

Open Sound Output and select your soundbar or receiver. If it’s set to TV Speaker, sound comes from the TV instead.

TV year	Sound Output path
2023–2026	Home → left directional button → Settings → All Settings → Sound → Sound Output
2022	Home → Menu → Settings → All Settings → Sound → Sound Output
2017–2021	Home → Settings → Sound → Sound Output

Make sure the soundbar is switched on, and check its own input setting in its manual. If it’s connected by both HDMI and optical, Samsung notes the TV may use HDMI even when you select optical (2022–2026 manuals).

2. Change Pass-Through to Auto

1. Open Sound in the TV’s settings (the same start as the paths above).
2. Select Expert Settings → Digital Output Audio Format.
3. Note the current setting, then change Pass-Through to Auto.
4. Play the same programme again and listen.

On 2020–2021 TVs the path is Home → Settings → Sound → Expert Settings → Digital Output Audio Format.

If sound returns, you’ve hit the case Samsung describes: Pass-Through was sending a format (such as Dolby Digital+) the soundbar couldn’t play.

On 2017–2019 TVs: check for Dolby Digital+

Samsung’s UK/EU manuals for these years describe the same problem with a different option. If Digital Output Audio Format (Home → Settings → Sound → Expert Settings) is set to Dolby Digital+ and the soundbar or receiver doesn’t support Dolby Digital Plus, you hear no sound. If it is, select one of the other options in that menu; choose Dolby Digital+ only for equipment that supports it. These manuals don’t mention Pass-Through or Auto.

3. If there’s still no sound

Samsung’s checklist for “no sound” also covers the source device and cables:

• If the picture comes from a cable box or other device, check that device’s own audio output setting. A box connected by HDMI may need its audio set to HDMI.
• Check the cable connections between the TV, the source device and the soundbar.
• Restart the source device by unplugging its power and plugging it back in. For a cable or set-top box, contact your provider if the problem continues.

Then check the soundbar’s manual for its HDMI ARC input and the audio formats it supports.

If the TV remote won’t control the soundbar

Controlling a soundbar with the TV remote is a different feature: Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC). It lets the TV remote operate HDMI devices; it doesn’t change which audio formats they can play.

Your TV’s menu	Path to Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC)
Settings on the Home screen leads straight to General, with no All Settings step (2017–2021 TVs: M, N, R, T and A series)	Home → Settings → General → External Device Manager → Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC)
Home shows a Menu item (2022 B-series TVs)	Home → Menu → Settings → All Settings → Connection → External Device Manager → Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC)
Left directional button opens the menu; All Settings → Connection contains External Device Manager	Home → left directional button → Settings → All Settings → Connection → External Device Manager → Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC)
Left directional button opens the menu; All Settings has Connections (with an s), and External Device Manager isn’t in it	Home → left directional button → Settings → All Settings → General & Privacy → External Device Manager → Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC)

The 2017–2019 path comes from Samsung’s UK/EU e-manuals. For devices that switch on together, or a remote that still won’t control them, see Samsung Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC).

1. Set Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) to On.
2. Connect a soundbar or device that supports HDMI-CEC with an HDMI cable. Samsung notes that some HDMI cables don’t support Anynet+.
3. Turn the device on. It connects automatically, which can take up to 2 minutes.

Common questions

Should I use eARC or ARC?

Use the HDMI port on the TV labelled eARC or ARC; Samsung notes not every model has ARC, so check the port names on your TV. The manuals’ audio troubleshooting covers both the same way. Which formats pass through depends on what your soundbar supports.

Would a Bluetooth soundbar avoid this?

Bluetooth avoids HDMI format settings, but Samsung notes it can cause lip-sync delay and recommends a wired connection if that happens. See Bluetooth headphones and speakers on a Samsung TV.