You’re not the only one experiencing problems with Apple TV’s audio. There is a simple fix.
How to fix Apple TV’s no sound
Your Apple TV’s sound is not working because the audio setting on your TV is Dolby Digital5.1. Click Menu on the remote > Settings > Video & audio > Audio Format > Change Format(x2) > New Format > to change Dolby Digital 5.1 from STEREO.
Stereo is the new format for Apple TV’s audio.
Apple TVs try to automatically play audio in the best quality supported by your TV or home entertainment system.
Dolby Digital 5.1 is the current highest-quality audio format. Some older TVs and home entertainment systems may not be able to play Dolby Digital 5.1.
This is the most common reason why your Apple TV doesn’t have sound. To fix the problem, you will need to manually switch your audio format from Dolby Digital5.1 to Stereo.
- Select MENU from your Apple TV remote.
- Navigate to SETTINGS
- Select VIDEO AND AUDIO then AUDIO FORMAT
- Next, select CHANGE twice, then NEW
- You should also select STEO to be your preferred audio format.
Stereo is an audio format that’s supported by all TVs, movies, and TV shows. This is a universal standard. Your Apple TV should be able to play it again.
If your Apple TV doesn’t make sound, there are some additional troubleshooting steps that you can follow.
Your TV can output PCM audio
Sometimes, changing the audio format in your Apple TV settings is not enough. You also need to modify your TV’s audio settings
These next steps will require your original TV remote.
Every TV is different but the ultimate goal is to convert your TV’s audio to PCM.
is shorthand for Pulse Code Modulation. It’s the technical term for “Stereo”.
- Start by choosing Settings on the original TV remote
- Next, find Sound Settings and choose Audio Out
- We are now looking for Optical Sound Out (PCM), and then Digital Sound Out.
Your TV’s steps may differ from the ones you have.
You are looking for a way of setting the audio to PCM (Stereo). You can open the files until you locate them, then make the necessary changes.
Soft reset your Apple TV device
If your Apple TV sound is still not working, you can try soft resetting or power-cycling your devices.
Soft reset simply means that your settings won’t be lost.
Soft reset your Apple TV by turning everything off, then unplugging the power supply at the back.
You should wait at least 60 seconds before you plug it back in. Then, move on to the next step.
Soft reset your TV
Soft reset, also known as a power cycle for your TV, is when you unplug it and wait for 60 seconds.
These devices should be unplugged and left to cool for at least 60 seconds before you plug them back in.
One of these devices could be the cause of your sound problem, not your Apple TV. It’s a good idea to also give them a soft reset.
Once you are done, soft reset your Apple TV, any connected hardware and your actual TV. Turn everything back on.
Allow connections to reestablish and wait a while before you can hear if the sound problem is resolved.
Hard reset your Apple TV device
Sometimes, a soft reset won’t do the trick and a factory reset will be necessary.
A reminder that a factory reset will restore your Apple TV’s original settings.
Keep your Apple TV connected until the factory reset is complete.
- On your Apple TV remote, click MENU
- Select SETTINGS
- Scroll down to SYSTEM, then RESET
- Final step: Select RESET and UPDATE
This will restore your Apple TV’s factory settings and install any software updates.
After the reset is complete, test your sound again to make sure it is working properly. Double-check that your AUDIO FORMAT has been set to STEREO if it isn’t.
Make sure you are checking the connections to your sound system
If you are experiencing this problem and are using a sound system, double-check all connections to your sound system.
Sound problems can be caused by incorrectly mapping your input port to the output.
I recommend that you refer to the manual included with your sound system if you are unsure how to proceed. You can search Google for the manual to download a digital copy if you don’t have it.
You can play different types of content
If you haven’t already tried it, try out different content.
You can also try music, podcasts, and iTunes Store movies.
This is where you can determine if the sound problem is limited to one type or for all content on your Apple TV.
If you are able to narrow the problem down to one content source, it is likely that the problem lies with that content source and not Apple TV.
Get support for Apple TV
Contact Apple TV support to speak with an Apple TV expert if none of these troubleshooting tips work.
Call Apple Support at 1-800-APLCARE.
Remember that Apple software and hardware products come with unlimited support within the first 90 days of purchase.
Apple Care may be required if you have owned your Apple TV longer than that.
Conclusion
Apple TV owners are not unusual to experience sound problems with their devices.
Your Apple TV may not be able to hear a sound if it is set to Dolby digital 5.1.
This can be fixed by changing your audio format manually from “Dolby Digital5.1” to “Stereo”. This can be done within the Audio Format Settings of your Apple TV.
Try these alternatives if that fails:
- You can change the TV’s audio output to PCM (Stereo).
- Soft reset your Apple TV device
- Do a soft reset of your TV
- Any connected devices, such as soundbars or sound systems, can be soft reset
- Hard reset your Apple TV device
- Make sure you are checking the connections to your sound system
- You can play different types of content.
If none of these solutions work, contact Apple TV support to see if they can assist you further.
These Apple TV no sound troubleshooting suggestions may have helped. Please let me know how you solved the problem by commenting below.
