Has your Apple TV audio stopped working? Are you unable to hear any sound coming from your Apple TV? Don’t worry– this is a common issue and can typically be resolved with a few simple steps. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through how to troubleshoot and fix your Apple TV audio issues.
Change Your Audio Settings
On your Apple TV, you can change your audio settings by going to Settings > Video and Audio > Audio Format. Here you can select Dolby Digital 5.1 or Auto (recommended). If the audio system connected to the TV doesn’t support DTS or Dolby Digital, set the Digital Audio Output to PCM. Additionally, if you’re having audio issues when streaming Paramount (i.e. video only), check that Silent Mode is turned off and that the screen firmware is up-to-date. Lastly, make sure you have a good internet connection to ensure the best audio quality.
Turn On AirPlay
The next step is to turn on AirPlay. You can do this by clicking the Apple icon on top of the screen. Make sure that your Apple TV is connected to a good internet connection and is updated with the latest software in Settings. Additionally, it’s possible that the Wi-Fi connection may have been disrupted, so it’s worth trying to toggle it off and on by tapping or clicking a few times. If all else fails, restarting the Apple TV can sometimes help resolve any audio issues.
Check Silent Mode
In the previous section, we looked at changing your audio settings on your Apple TV. Another possible cause of Apple TV audio not working is if your device is in silent mode. To ensure the audio is working properly on your Apple TV, make sure that the silent mode is turned off on your iPhone or iPad. If you’ve already done that, try reversing the ends of the HDMI/optical cable or using an alternate cable to ensure that the connection is secure.
Check Screen Firmware
In the previous section, we discussed changing your audio settings. Now we’ll look into updating the firmware of your TV. If you find that it doesn’t support some 4K or HDR features, a TV or receiver firmware update may resolve the problem. Check your TV or device manual for instructions on how to update the firmware. If you’re streaming audio from an Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD, you need tvOS 11.4 or later. This also applies if you’re streaming to Apple devices like iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPlay, and HomeKit.
Confirm Good Internet Connection
Before you troubleshoot, it’s important to confirm that your internet connection is working properly. Try opening a different app on the TV and see if it functions without any issues. If the other app is working without issue, you can be sure that your internet connection is good. Also, visit any webpage to check if your internet connection is stable and strong enough for streaming.
Set Digital Audio Output to PCM
Once you’ve gone through the other steps, it’s time to make sure the digital audio output of your TV is set to PCM (Linear PCM). This will ensure that the audio signal is being transmitted properly. To do this, on your Apple TV go to Settings > Video and Audio > Audio Format and turn on Change Format. Here you can choose Dolby Digital 5.1 or 2.0 stereo audio depending on your audio system’s capabilities. After this step, you should be able to enjoy the full range of sound from your Apple TV.
Check If DTS or Dolby Digital Is Supported
Before you move on to restarting your Apple TV, one more thing you should check is if your TV supports DTS or Dolby Digital surround sound. Apple TV has never officially supported 5.1 AAC only Dolby Digital 5.1. So if your TV doesn’t support DTS, you won’t hear any sound. You can check this in the Audio & Video settings by selecting Dolby and enabling Auto to turn on surround sound. If this doesn’t work, try remuxing the audio to AC3 and see if that helps resolve the issue.
Plug In Headphones or Speaker
If your Apple TV audio still isn’t working, try plugging in your headphones or external speaker. If you’re using a Bluetooth-enabled device, such as headphones or a speaker, make sure it’s connected correctly. Also, check the Audio MIDI Setup app to confirm that the speaker icon is next to your Apple TV device. If it isn’t, click the Add button and select your device from the list. Finally, if you want the sound to play through your headphones or speakers while your TV is on, switch to those devices by clicking on the volume control in the top left corner of your screen.
Check Volume Controls
Checking the volume controls is essential when trying to troubleshoot audio issues with your Apple TV. You may find that your speakers or headphones have their own volume controls and should be adjusted accordingly. Additionally, you may need to adjust the volume on your remote. If you’re using an Apple TV or connected your phone to a vehicle audio system, it’s important to check the sound settings to ensure that the TV speakers are selected. Lastly, confirm that silent mode is not enabled.
Restart the Apple TV
If none of the previous solutions have worked, then it might be time to try restarting the Apple TV. To do this, unplug the streaming media player from the power source and wait a minute before plugging it back in again. This will reset the Apple TV and hopefully restore the audio. If this does not work, you may need to look into other options for getting your audio back.
