Compatibility & scope
Based on TCL UK's English multi-product user manual for TCL and iFFALCON TVs, downloaded from the TCL UK product page for the 85X11L (the file has no revision number; the PDF was created in September 2025). TCL says the features in this booklet are common to most models, that some may be missing from your TV, and that ports and connectors vary by model. TCL TVs with other operating systems (for example Fire TV) are not covered. The booklet covers the TV's CEC switches and says eARC/ARC needs the marked port and CEC on. It does not describe the TV's sound-output setting, which remote buttons are passed to a device, or the CEC setting on other manufacturers' devices, and it warns that some devices may not work correctly with the TV. This page does not fix every soundbar sound problem. Documentation reviewed; no TV hardware tested.
In this guide
Turn on HDMI control first
On TCL Google TVs covered by TCL UK’s multi-product booklet, HDMI-CEC is switched on under All settings → Channels and inputs → External Inputs → External devices control (CEC) → HDMI control. HDMI-CEC is the standard that lets devices connected by HDMI send each other commands. With it on, the TV can find CEC devices on its HDMI sockets and use one-touch play and one-touch standby with them.
It matters for soundbars too. TCL says eARC/ARC works only on the HDMI socket marked eARC/ARC, and only after CEC is turned on.
TCL’s booklet stops there for sound. It doesn’t show the TV’s sound-output setting, so this page can get the connection ready but can’t walk you through choosing the soundbar as the output. TCL also describes the booklet’s features as common to most models, not all; TCL TVs on other systems, such as Fire TV, have different menus.
Before you start
- Connect the device to an HDMI socket on the TV. A soundbar goes in the socket marked eARC/ARC. TCL’s connection drawings also show it printed as (e)ARC. Which socket it is varies by model.
- Switch on the device’s own CEC setting. Other brands often call it something else; the device’s manual will say.
- Have the TV remote. These settings aren’t reachable from the button on the TV.
Turn on HDMI control
- Press the dashboard button on the remote. It shows a gear (filled or outlined, depending on the remote).
- Select All settings, then Channels and inputs → External Inputs → External devices control (CEC), and press OK.
- Select HDMI control and press OK to switch it on. Press OK again later to switch it off.
- Press the back button to leave the menu.
Choose how the TV and devices switch on and off
TCL lists two more options with HDMI control. Select one and press OK to turn it on.
| Option | What it does when on |
|---|---|
| Power on the TV in sync | Turning on a CEC device (for example a disc player) with its own remote also turns on the TV |
| Device standby in sync | Turning off the TV with the TV remote also puts all CEC devices into standby |
If your TV switches on by itself when someone turns on a player or console, check whether Power on the TV in sync is on, and turn it off if you don’t want that.
Get the soundbar connection ready for eARC/ARC
TCL documents two requirements. Check both:
- The right socket. The soundbar’s HDMI cable must be in the TV socket marked eARC/ARC (or (e)ARC). TCL says eARC/ARC isn’t supported on the other HDMI sockets.
- CEC on. HDMI control must be on, as above. TCL says to turn it on before using eARC/ARC.
The booklet doesn’t go further. It doesn’t name the TV setting that sends sound to the soundbar, and it doesn’t cover the soundbar’s settings. For those, open the TV’s on-screen User Guide (press the Home button, then Apps → User Guide). TCL describes it as the TV’s electronic manual, covering topics including Channels & Inputs. Check the soundbar’s manual too.
If a device doesn’t respond or doesn’t appear
Work through these in order:
- Check HDMI control is still on under External devices control (CEC).
- Check the device’s own CEC setting is on, using its manual.
- For a soundbar, check the socket. It has to be the one marked eARC/ARC.
- Check the input is shown. TCL notes that inputs such as HDMI 1 may be missing from the source list. Press the input (source) button on the remote, press the right arrow until you reach the end of the list, select the + item and press OK. From there you can set inputs to ON, OFF or AUTO.
- Accept the device’s limits. TCL says CEC depends on the connected devices and some may not work correctly with the TV. In that case it points you to the device’s manual or manufacturer. Keep the device’s own remote nearby.
Common questions
Will the TV remote control my player’s menus?
TCL’s booklet mentions one-touch play and one-touch standby. It doesn’t say which other remote buttons reach the device, so don’t count on full control.
Why won’t the TV switch off the soundbar or box with it?
Check that Device standby in sync is on, and that the device’s own CEC setting is on. It also has to be turned off with the TV remote, according to TCL’s description.
Sources & scope
Pages 3, 7–9, 12, 14
View sourcePDF pages; the printed page numbers (EN 1–19) are the same. The booklet has no revision number; the PDF was created in September 2025. TCL UK's X11L page (www.tcl.com/uk/en/tvs/x11l, which redirects to the 85X11L page) lists this file as the 85X11L User Manual. Consulted: External devices control (CEC) (p14: HDMI control, Power on the TV in sync, Device standby in sync and the interoperability note), the eARC/ARC note (p8), the connection diagrams and port labels (p7), Watching connected devices (p12: the source list and hidden inputs), the remote legend (p9) and the multi-product notice (p3). Rendered p7, p8, p9, p12 and p14 checked for icons and port labels. The booklet does not describe a sound-output setting.
These instructions are based on manufacturer documentation. They have not been device-tested for this guide.
Based on TCL UK's English multi-product user manual for TCL and iFFALCON TVs, downloaded from the TCL UK product page for the 85X11L (the file has no revision number; the PDF was created in September 2025). TCL says the features in this booklet are common to most models, that some may be missing from your TV, and that ports and connectors vary by model. TCL TVs with other operating systems (for example Fire TV) are not covered. The booklet covers the TV's CEC switches and says eARC/ARC needs the marked port and CEC on. It does not describe the TV's sound-output setting, which remote buttons are passed to a device, or the CEC setting on other manufacturers' devices, and it warns that some devices may not work correctly with the TV. This page does not fix every soundbar sound problem. Documentation reviewed; no TV hardware tested.