Sony Soundbar No Sound: Causes & Fixes

Owning a Sony soundbar is a great way to improve your audio experience, as the flawless audio produced by their products, can take the sound of your TV set from satisfactory to theater-grade in a couple of seconds. 

Generally, most soundbars provide crystal clear and reverberating audio, that TV sets cannot just provide. You literally begin to experience the cinema feeling from the comfort of your sitting-room couch.  However, when the audio from your Sony soundbar isn’t loud enough or there’s absolutely no audio output, it defeats the purpose. 

Before you settle for a trip to the repairer’s workshop though, there are a couple of troubleshooting steps that you should try out first. In this guide, we will consider the possible reasons why there is no sound from your Sony soundbar, as well as their quick fixes. Stick around!

Sony Soundbar No Sound: Possible Causes 

There are multiple reasons why your Sony soundbar isn’t producing any audio. In most cases, the problem could stem from the connection or TV settings, rather than the soundbar itself. We would explore a couple of the specific causes of no sound, in this section. 

• Loose/Faulty Cables

Your Sony soundbar might not transmit sound signals properly if the cables are loose and wobbly. This is a common experience with users who have young children or pets at home, as the cables can be tampered with, or easily pulled out of place. 

Would it also interest you to know that ports could become loose over time? This could happen when the HDMI cables are quite thicker. Loose ports can also cause the cables to wobble, and this would affect the transmission signals. HDMI cables could also be faulty, as they deteriorate over time. This could cause your Sony soundbar to stop producing sound. 

• Wrong HDMI Connections

Plugging cables in the wrong ports could also be the root cause. This is also a common oversight (particularly for new users), as the various input/output cables and jacks could get a little confusing at times. 

• Muted Audio Volume Systems

Sometimes, there could be no issue at all with the soundbar, your TV set, or the connections. The problem might just be a case of muted audio output. At other times, the volume levels might just be too low. 

• Wrong Output/Input Settings 

The output settings from your TV must be set to use your Sony soundbar, as the audio device. You should also check the sync settings of your TV, as your little ones might play around with the remote and alter it in the process. 

The audio system input has to be set to TV. The correct input source must also be assigned to the correct input jack, for the soundbar to work appropriately. 

• Temporary Malfunction

Running electrical devices for extended periods of time without rebooting, might cause them to malfunction. This could also be the reason why there is no sound from your Sony soundbar. 

• Outdated Software (Firmware)

Devices function more efficiently when they are up to date, and manufacturers help ensure this by providing regular software updates. Running an outdated Sony soundbar firmware will prevent you from enjoying new features, and you are more likely to experience bugs. 

• Your Soundbar Might Need a Factory Reset 

Factory resetting your Sony soundbar might just be what you need, to get your sound back. A step-by-step guide on how to carry out a factory reset will be provided below. 

Sony Soundbar No Sound: How To Fix

Thankfully, most of these causes outlined above can be fixed with a few simple steps. You should get your sound back on, in a matter of minutes. 

• Secure Loose Connections & Replace Faulty Cables

Always ensure that your cables are securely placed into their respective ports. They should also be kept out of the reach of children and pets. You can also correct the problem of loose ports, by tightening their screws. 

You can easily identify faulty cables by checking for any signs of sparkling, at their port entry. It’s advisable to replace cables once they are suspected to be faulty. 

• Ensure Proper Connection

You will find two ports at the back of your Sony soundbar: the HDMI output and input ports. The HDMI cable should be plugged into the HDMI output port on the soundbar. The other end of the cable should be inserted into the eARC/ARC port on your TV. 

• Adjust Audio Volume Levels

If your soundbar’s audio is muted, you can correct this from the remote settings. You can also adjust the audio out-volume level from your TV, although this process would vary for different TV models. 

• Ensure Correct Input/Output Settings 

The input mode might have been set incorrectly. If the audio source is your TV, the input mode should be set to HDMI. If you are using a digital cable, the input mode should be set to OPT. There are two types of input ports on the Sony soundbar: the HDMI connection port (for TV), and the standard connection port (for other audio sources). 

Ensure that the cables are assigned appropriately. The synchronization feature on your TV must also be on. The settings would depend on the model. Once located, ensure you set it to HDMI or BRAVIA sync. 

• Unplug From the Power Source

In case of a temporary malfunction, unplugging the power cable is the recommended troubleshooting method. Wait for a minimum of 10 seconds before reconnecting the power cable, and switching the devices back on. 

• Update the Firmware

There are two ways to update the firmware on a Sony soundbar:

1. Over The Internet

1. Connect the soundbar to the internet. You can do this using an Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi.
2. Press the Home button on the soundbar remote control.
3. Select Setup > Software Update > Update via Internet.
4. If a new firmware update is available, select OK to download and install it.

2. Via USB

1. Download the latest firmware update from the Sony support website.
2. Save the firmware update file to a USB drive.
3. Connect the USB drive to the soundbar.
4. Press the Home button on the soundbar remote control.
5. Select Setup > Software Update > Update via USB Memory.
6. Select the firmware update file from the USB drive.
7. Select OK to start the update process.

Important: Do not turn off the soundbar while the firmware update is in progress.

Carry Out a Factory Reset

There are two ways to carry out a factory reset on your Sony soundbar: 

• Using the Remote Control

1. Press the Home button on the soundbar remote control.
2. Select Setup > Advanced Settings > Resetting. 
3. Select the menu item you want to reset. You can reset all of the settings, or you can reset individual settings, such as the sound mode or the volume level.
4. Select Start to confirm the reset.

• Using the Buttons on the Soundbar 

1. Press and hold the + (volume up) button, Power button, and Input Select button on the soundbar for more than 5 seconds.
2. Release the buttons when the RESET indicator on the soundbar starts flashing.
3. The soundbar will reset to its factory default settings.

If every other thing fails to fix the issue, your last resort should be to contact Sony’s customer support for assistance.