TV Has Picture but No Sound: What to Check Before Booking a Repair

A television that displays a normal picture but produces no sound does not necessarily need a repair. The problem is often caused by a muted device, the wrong speaker output, an external source, an HDMI connection or a soundbar setting.

Work through the following checks in order. Begin with the simplest settings before resetting equipment or arranging professional service.

Before you begin

Do not remove the television’s rear cover or attempt to repair its internal components. Televisions can contain dangerous voltages even after they have been unplugged.

Disconnect the television from power and arrange professional assistance if you notice:

A burning smell or unusual heat.
Crackling, popping or electrical noises.
Liquid damage.
A damaged power cable or plug.
Physical damage around the television’s connections.

Identify where the sound problem occurs

Before changing settings, test more than one source. This helps determine whether the problem affects the entire television or only one connected device.

What happens	What it may indicate
No sound from any channel, application or input	Check the television’s volume, mute status, speaker output and general sound settings.
Built-in applications have sound, but an HDMI device does not	The source device, HDMI connection or audio format may be responsible.
Television speakers work, but the soundbar does not	Check the selected output, ARC/eARC connection, soundbar input and HDMI control settings.
Sound works through headphones but not the television speakers	The speaker output may be disabled, or a headphone connection may still be detected.
Sound disappears only on one application	The application or program may have a temporary fault or incompatible audio format.

Check mute and volume on every device

Press the mute button once and then increase the volume using the television’s original remote control. Look for an on-screen volume indicator.

If you use a streaming box, set-top box, game console or receiver, check its volume and mute controls as well. Some connected devices can control their own audio independently of the television.

If the remote control is unreliable, try the physical buttons on the television or the manufacturer’s official remote-control application.

Test another channel, application and input

Open a built-in streaming application or switch to a free-to-air television channel. Then test the connected HDMI device again.

If sound works from the built-in application but not the HDMI device, concentrate on the source device and HDMI connection. If every source remains silent, continue checking the television’s audio settings.

Select the television speakers

Open the television’s sound or audio menu and find a setting labelled Audio Output, Sound Output, Speakers or a similar name.

Select TV Speakers or Television Speakers. This temporarily removes a soundbar, receiver or wireless speaker from the audio path.

If the television speakers now work, the television itself is producing sound correctly. The problem is more likely to involve the external audio device, its cable or its configuration.

Disconnect headphones and Bluetooth audio

A television may continue sending sound to headphones or a Bluetooth speaker that was previously connected.

Remove any plug from the headphone socket.
Disconnect Bluetooth headphones and speakers in the television’s settings.
Turn off nearby wireless headphones temporarily.
Change the sound output back to the television speakers.

Some televisions also have a separate headphone volume control. Confirm that the television is not directing audio exclusively to that output.

Restart the television and connected devices

Turn off the television and every connected device. Unplug them from power for approximately two minutes.

Reconnect the television first and test its internal speakers. Reconnect external devices one at a time. This can clear temporary communication faults between the television, HDMI equipment and sound system.

Check the source device

If the sound problem occurs only with one connected device, restart that device and inspect its audio settings.

Confirm that it is configured to send audio through HDMI. If possible, connect it to another HDMI input or test it with another television. You can also connect a different source to the same HDMI input.

These tests help separate a source-device problem from an HDMI-port or television problem.

Check a soundbar or receiver

If you use a soundbar or home-theatre receiver, confirm that it is switched on and using the correct input.

For HDMI ARC or eARC connections:

Connect the cable to the television input labelled ARC or eARC.
Connect the other end to the soundbar or receiver’s HDMI output labelled ARC or eARC.
Enable HDMI control or CEC on both devices.
Enable ARC or eARC if it is a separate setting.
Select the external audio system as the television’s sound output.

Manufacturers use different names for HDMI-CEC, including Anynet+, Bravia Sync, Simplink and Viera Link.

Reseat both ends of the HDMI cable. If available, test with another suitable high-speed HDMI cable.

Check an optical audio connection

If your soundbar uses an optical cable, remove the cable and reconnect it firmly. Check that the protective caps have been removed and that the cable is not sharply bent.

Select Optical, Digital Audio or the corresponding input on the soundbar. Then select Optical or External Audio System in the television’s sound-output menu.

Try PCM as a diagnostic setting

Some devices and sound systems cannot decode every audio format sent by a television. Find the Digital Audio Output setting and temporarily select PCM.

If sound returns, the equipment may have an audio-format compatibility issue. PCM is useful as a diagnostic setting, although it may not provide every surround-sound format supported by more advanced equipment.

Inspect HDMI and audio cables

Turn the equipment off before reconnecting cables. Check for:

Loose plugs.
Bent or damaged connectors.
Sharp bends or crushing along the cable.
Adapters or splitters that can be removed for testing.
A cable connected to the wrong HDMI port.

When possible, connect the source or soundbar directly to the television while testing.

Check accessibility and advanced sound settings

Some televisions include separate settings for audio descriptions, hearing assistance, dual audio, balance and multi-output sound.

Check that the left-right balance is centred and that an unusual secondary audio track has not been selected. Return customised sound settings to their normal values if you are unsure what has changed.

Reset the sound settings

Many televisions provide an option to reset only the sound settings. This is preferable to immediately performing a complete factory reset because it preserves most other television settings.

After resetting the sound settings, test the television speakers before reconnecting external audio equipment.

Install available software updates

Check the television manufacturer’s support menu for an available software or firmware update. Also update any connected streaming device, receiver or soundbar.

Use a stable internet connection and do not disconnect the equipment from power while an update is being installed.

Use a factory reset only as a final software step

If the television remains silent on every source and its speakers are selected correctly, a factory reset may be worth considering before arranging service.

A factory reset removes saved applications, accounts, network details and customised settings. Record anything important before proceeding and follow the instructions for your exact television model.

When professional help makes sense

Consider contacting the manufacturer, retailer or a qualified television technician when:

No source produces sound through the television speakers.
The television’s built-in sound test fails.
Sound is badly distorted, intermittent or accompanied by electrical noise.
The television repeatedly loses all audio after a reset.
Audio connections are visibly damaged.
The television may still be covered by a warranty or consumer guarantee.

Do not open the television yourself. Internal diagnosis should be left to a suitably qualified technician.

What to tell the technician

Before requesting service, note:

The television’s brand and complete model number.
Which channels, applications and inputs were tested.
Whether the television speakers work.
Whether headphones, a soundbar or a receiver produce sound.
Which HDMI, optical or audio cables were tested.
Whether PCM changed the result.
Any error messages or unusual noises.
The troubleshooting steps already completed.

This information can help the support team identify whether the likely cause is the television, a connected device or the external audio system.

Useful support information

Information checked August 2026. Menu names and available settings vary between television brands and models. Follow the instructions supplied for your exact equipment.