Apple TV has no sound

I have had Apple TV for 9 years, working perfectly. About 2 months ago, after a software update, no sound. I have 65” LG TV connected to a Onkyo TN-NR515 surround sound receiver. After trying everything on this forum with no results.

The solution: I upgraded the firmware in the receiver and presto, back working perfectly.

Tell us about your audio setup. Possibly it needs a change of the Audio Format settings.

• Default: ‘Auto’ (PCM Multichannel, uncompressed, best quality, needs HDMI, not optical)
• Alternative option: Dolby Digital 5.1 (more compatible)
• Alternative option: Stereo 2.0 (even more compatible)

Adjust other audio settings - Apple TV user guide - Apple Support

I’m currently having this issue. Navigation sounds always come through but starting a show on the Paramount+ app and HBO Max app most of the time there is no sound. You can exit the show 3-10 times and go back in and the sound will finally be there. Changing the Audio Format setting from Auto to On and choosing Dolby Digital 5.1 seems to help. Definitely a software bug somewhere that needs to be worked out. Running tvOS 12.4 (19L5409j) on a brand new Samsung Q80A TV.

OH MY GOD!!!!

I DID IT ALL. RESET THIS RESET THAT UNPLUG THIS RESET APPLE TV NOTHING WORKED… BUT THEN!!!!

i unplugged the tv power chord and plugged it back in PROBLEM SOLVED!!!

I was able to resolve the issue. For my setup, a setting in the Sony Receiver must be changed for audio output from receiver to be "only AMP", not "AMP + TV".  

I just had this problem. I went into the Apple TV settings then into Video and Audio and the ran “Check HDMI Connection”. The test takes about 2 minutes but it started working again.

I sometimes experienced this issue, and it seemed to be related to my LG TV. The only solution I found was to go into the TV Settings on my LG TV, navigate to the Sound settings, and turn on the Test Audio function. The TV played the test music, and then sound worked again with my AppleTV.

Strange…and probably a corner case, but it’s worth a try.

I had this identical problem with the higher firmware. I was able to fix it by changing a setting on the Sony receiver. In the receiver settings, HDMI audio output needed to be changed to "Amp only" (default is "TV + Amp").

I had this experience several times, with my LG TVs. The way I resolved it when it happened was to go into the TV settings (on the LG TV, not the AppleTV), navigate to the Sound Settings, and choose the Option to play a Test sound. Immediately, the sound would start working again. I know, strange.

it hasn’t happened for a long time now, but i’ve also done software updates on both the AppleTV and the LG TVs.

The issue doesn’t have any fix from Apple up to today. The only way I get sound is to connect the hdmi cable directly to the tv, bypassing my expensive surround sound system.

Mine does this when I start a show. If I exit the app snd then resume playback, I get the audio.

This behavior just started recently.

1.     Unplug your modem from its power source and Restart Modem.

2.     Unplug your router from its power source and Restart router.

3.   Unplug Apple TV from Power for 2-3 minutes – re-plug in and retest. 

It seems the problem comes after updating the Apple TV 4K to a higher firmware version then 15.X After Updating, no audio whatsoever. I experienced this with two Apple TV 4K boxes. I bought a new one, because I thought the old one was broken. After installing, the new one worked fine incl. Audio. Because it still had a firmware 13.X on it. I then made an update to the newest firmware version. ...and then the sound was gone! THIS IS JUST UNBELIEVABLE! What is the plan from apple to solve this problem? Backdating is obviously not possible with Apple TV 4K because there is no USB-socket. Apple give me a solution - please now!

Same. It sometimes works again when I restart the Apple TV 4K by unplugging it. But not when I restart from the Systems menu.

It started this week. Sound works fine until I start playing a show. Then it stops and doesn’t come back when I back out to the menu.

Just started happening on both of my 4K Apple TV’s in the past month or so. Both are on Vizio TVs (60in and 70in). Restarting the Apple TV sometimes works other times I give up and go read a book :). Infuriating!