LG Soundbar ARC Not Working: How to Troubleshoot

LG soundbars are a popular choice for those looking to enhance their home audio experience. However, sometimes users may encounter issues with the ARC feature not working properly. This can prevent the soundbar from being able to communicate with the TV and receive audio signals. 

In this article, we will go over some common causes for this issue and provide steps for troubleshooting and resolving it.

LG Soundbar ARC Not Working: Likely Causes & DIY Fixes

1. Check HDMI Connection

One of the most common reasons for the ARC feature not working is a problem with the HDMI connection between the TV and the soundbar. Follow these steps to check the connection:

• Make sure that the HDMI cables are securely plugged into both the TV and the soundbar.
• Check that the HDMI ports on both the TV and soundbar are functioning properly by trying a different HDMI cable or using a different port.
• Check that the TV and soundbar are using compatible HDMI cables. Some newer TVs may require an HDMI 2.1 cable, which is not compatible with older soundbars.

2. Check TV and Soundbar Settings

If the HDMI connection is not the issue, then check the settings on both the TV and the soundbar. To do this:

• On the TV, go to the audio settings and make sure that the audio output is set to “ARC” or “HDMI (ARC).”
• On the soundbar, go to the audio settings and make sure that the audio input is set to “ARC” or “HDMI (ARC).”
• Check the TV’s audio menu to make sure that the soundbar is selected as the audio output device.
• Make sure that the TV and soundbar are on the same input channel (e.g. HDMI 1).

3. Check for Firmware Updates

Sometimes, issues with the ARC feature can be caused by outdated firmware on either the TV or the soundbar. Follow the steps below to check for and install any available firmware updates:

• Check the manufacturer’s website for the TV and soundbar to see if there are any available firmware updates.
• Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer to download and install the updates.
• After installing the updates, restart both the TV and the soundbar and try using the ARC feature again.

4. Reset the Soundbar

If none of the above steps have resolved the issue, try resetting the soundbar. 

• Disconnect the power cord from the soundbar.
• Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds.
• Reconnect the power cord to the soundbar and turn it on.

5. Check for Other Issues

If the ARC feature is still not working after trying the above steps, there may be other issues at play. Some possible causes could include:

• The TV or soundbar may be damaged or faulty. In this case, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance or consider replacing the device.
• The TV and soundbar may not be compatible with the ARC feature. Check the manufacturer’s documentation to see if the ARC feature is supported on your devices.

6. Check for Other HDMI Devices

If you have other HDMI devices connected to your TV or soundbar, such as a cable box or Blu-ray player, these devices could be causing conflicts with the ARC feature. This can happen if the TV or soundbar is not able to distinguish between the audio signals coming from the different devices. 

To troubleshoot this issue, try disconnecting the other HDMI devices and see if the ARC feature begins working properly. If disconnecting the other devices solves the problem, you can try connecting them again one at a time to see which device is causing the conflict. If you cannot disconnect the other devices, you may need to consider using an HDMI splitter or switch (as mentioned in Steps 8 and 9) to help manage the different audio signals.

7. Check for Obstructions

If you have the TV and soundbar positioned close together, chances are something is obstructing the signal between the two devices. This could be something as simple as a piece of furniture or a wall.

Try moving the TV or soundbar slightly to see if this improves the ARC connection. If there is an obstruction blocking the signal, you may need to rearrange your home theater setup to eliminate the obstruction.

8. Use an HDMI Splitter

Using an HDMI splitter can help avoid conflicts with the ARC feature if you have multiple HDMI devices that you want to connect to your TV. An HDMI splitter allows you to connect multiple devices to the TV while still using the ARC feature.

This is useful if you want to connect both a soundbar and a cable box to the TV, for example. To use an HDMI splitter, simply connect the HDMI cables from your devices to the splitter, and then connect the splitter to the TV using another HDMI cable.

9. Use an HDMI Switch

You may want to consider using an HDMI switch if you have limited HDMI ports on your TV or soundbar. An HDMI switch allows you to connect multiple HDMI devices to a single HDMI port, which can help avoid conflicts with the ARC feature. This helps if you have more devices than HDMI ports on your TV or soundbar.

To use the switch, connect the HDMI cables from your devices to the switch, before connecting the switch to the TV or soundbar with another HDMI cable. You can then use the switch to toggle between the different devices as needed.

10. Contact Customer Support

If you have tried all of the above steps and the ARC feature is still not working, it may be time to contact the manufacturer’s customer support for assistance. They may be able to provide additional troubleshooting steps or resolve any underlying issues with the TV or soundbar.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting an issue with the ARC feature not working on an LG soundbar can be tedious. Following the steps in this article, you should be able to get the problem resolved in a short time.