Android TV · Display & Sound

Route audio to a soundbar, receiver, or TV speakers

Audio output settings, under Settings → Display & Sound → Audio output (or similar), control whether sound plays through the TV's built-in speakers, a soundbar over HDMI-ARC/eARC, or an optical/digital connection, and which surround format is sent out.

What you should know

  • HDMI-ARC and eARC carry audio back from the TV's HDMI port to an AV receiver or soundbar without a separate audio cable, though eARC is needed for uncompressed formats like Dolby Atmos.
  • Digital audio format options typically include Auto, PCM, and pass-through formats like Dolby Digital — Auto works for most setups.
  • If external speakers are selected but nothing plays, the connected device's input source may not be pointed at the TV.

Why it matters

Choosing the wrong audio output format can leave a soundbar silent even though the TV's own speakers still work, since the TV defaults to whatever output source is selected regardless of what's plugged in.

Best practices

  • Use the HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC on the TV when connecting a soundbar, and enable HDMI-CEC/ARC in Settings if audio doesn't work by default.
  • Set digital audio output to Auto unless a specific receiver requires a fixed format like PCM.

Common problems and fixes

Soundbar is connected but no sound comes out
Confirm the TV's HDMI cable is plugged into the ARC/eARC-labeled port, then check Settings → Display & Sound → Audio output is set to the soundbar rather than TV speakers.
TV and soundbar both play audio at once, out of sync
In Settings → Display & Sound, switch audio output fully to External speakers rather than leaving both TV speakers and ARC active.

Tips and tricks

  • If dialogue sounds too quiet relative to background audio, check for a "Dialogue enhancer" or similar clarity toggle in the audio settings menu on supported TVs.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between ARC and eARC?

eARC supports higher-bandwidth audio, including uncompressed Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, while standard ARC is limited to compressed surround formats like Dolby Digital.