Reasons why Vizio sound bar HDMI ARC not working

What is HDMI ARC on Vizio TV?

HDMI ARC allows your TV to send sound; so now any sound generated by the built-in antenna tuner, smart TV apps like Netflix, or any other source on your TV can be sent to your surround sound system or Vizio soundbar. Basically, using this feature should be as easy as plugging in an HDMI cable.

Vizio sound bar hdmi arc not working

Some Ways You Could Fix Your Vizio Soundbar HDMI ARC

Vizio sound bar HDMI ARC not working might be your problem, especially when you are a new user. There, we’ve assembled some troubleshooting tips that will help you with Vizio sound bar HDMI arc issues.

Reboot Soundbar

The first thing you can and should do is restart the Vizio soundbar. You can turn it off at the touch of a button and then remove the plug from the power outlet. Wait a few seconds and turn on the device again.

You can also turn it off using the remote control.

Check if everything is connected and if the cable is inserted into the right HDMI ARC port, and then you can check if your issue with Vizio Soundbar is gone.

Check HDMI Port

Vizio soundbars usually include more than one HDMI input, but not all are suitable for ARC. Therefore, by inserting into the wrong port, you will ensure the Vizio sound bar HDMI ARC not working.

Alas, there is no definite way to know which port is the right HDMI ARC port, so you’ll just have to check at random. But you can always resort to the device’s online instructions and find out about the HDMI ARC input in this way.

If none of the ports work, you should try another wire.

Vizio sound bar hdmi arc not working

Check HDMI Cables

Sometimes the Vizio soundbar HDMI ARC issue can be hidden in faulty wires. Check the integrity of the cable and make sure it is not twisted or damaged.

If everything looks good, then try choosing a different HDMI port. Then, if nothing works, the problem is still with the cable.

Try this cable to connect other HDMI devices, and then you will understand what the issue is.

Try Removing Other HDMI Connections

Another reason for your Vizio sound bar HDMI ARC not working might be other HDMI CEC devices. Turn off both your TV and Vizio soundbar and then proceed to put out other HDMI devices that are connected to your TV via HDMI.

Check for Latest Version/Updates on Soundbar & TV

Other TV brands have an older firmware that does not support ARC compatible connections. Try updating your TV software to enable ARC only connection. Connect your TV to the internet and open the settings. There you can update firmware.

Most often, the HDMI issues are solved by a firmware update. Turn on both the sound bar and TV and check if there is now TV sound.

Enable CEC

Open settings on your TV.

Enable CEC and select HDMI ARC connection.

Reset Soundbar and TV

Try restarting both the devices and sound bar. Press the Bluetooth and input button until the sound bar restarts.

Hard reset will delete hidden settings in your device.

How do I use HDMI ARC on Vizio sound bar?

The S/PDIF cable has two channels for digital audio. One is compressed 5.1/7.1 surround sound and the other is uncompressed PCM. This wire transmits high definition audio. It reduces unwanted noise to zero. Thus, you get a smooth audio stream. So, if you want to connect the soundbar to your Vizio Smart TV using an S/PDIF cable, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1

Firstly, make sure your Vizio and audio device are turned off.

Step 2

Then find “S/PDIF” or Optical cable on your Smart TV. You can find them on the back of your Vizio Smart TV.

Step 3

Connect one end of the S/PDIF cable to the audio port.

Step 4

Then find the S/PDIF port on the back of the soundbar and connect the other end of the cable to this port.

Step 5

Plug the soundbar’s power cord into an electrical outlet to turn it on. Also turn on your Vizio Smart TV.

Step 6

Select the S/PDIF input on the soundbar by pressing the appropriate button on the soundbar or remote control.

If you want to connect an external soundbar, you must turn off the TV’s internal speakers. To do this, you must perform the following steps:

  • Press the Menu button on your Vizio remote. The menu items appear on the screen.
  • Press the right arrow button to navigate to the “Audio” options.
  • Then press the down arrow button and select “Speakers”.
  • Finally, you will see the status of the speaker as “Enabled”. Change the speaker status to Off by pressing the right arrow button.

After completing these steps, the internal speakers will be muted and the sound will be transmitted to the soundbar.

Vizio sound bar hdmi arc not working

How do I fix ARC not working?

Reconnect the soundbar. You can disable the Vizio Soundbar by going to the Bluetooth settings on your device. To activate the pairing mode of the soundbar, you must first press and hold the Bluetooth button on it.

Activate the Bluetooth function on the device you are using, then locate the soundbar. Once your device has identified the soundbar, you can start connecting to it.

Why won’t my Vizio sound bar connect to my TV?

The reason for the sound disturbance can sometimes lie not in hardware, but in software malfunctions. This is mainly faced by users connecting the soundbar to a computer. But software failures on TV are not uncommon. Sometimes the problem is solved by a simple reboot, software update, or a complete flashing if the situation is serious.

Vizio sound bar hdmi arc not working

FAQ

Do I need HDMI ARC for my soundbar?

These days, High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) ports are standard on most TVs. However, in order to connect a soundbar, you must ensure that your TV has an HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) port.

Do I need a dedicated HDMI cable for ARC?

Using HDMI ARC does not require a new HDMI cable. Any HDMI cable must meet the requirements; the only time this can (potentially) become a problem is when we move to eARC.

Why doesn’t HDMI ARC work?

Delete all saved data, then reset. Your Android TV device can benefit from clearing the cache and data. To reset your TV and audio system, do the following: Turn off your TV and audio system.

Both the TV and the audio system must be disconnected from the power cables (power cords) and HDMI cables before they can be used.

Conclusion

A soundbar is a great way to take your TV viewing experience to another level. Now you know some reasons why your soundbar might not work and how to fix it. Enjoy watching TV and feel free to leave a comment sharing your experience!

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