Apple TV 4K 3rd generation eARC sound issues, no problems with Apple TV 4K 2nd generation

This may already be posted but the way the posts are listed here I can't find anything easily. Been posting on internet forums since the early 80's (Compuserve) and none have sorted messages as this forum does. In any case, FWIW I just got latest update to my LG G2, Sonos Arc and then downloaded the <cough> "latest" <cough> update that you are not supposed to mention here for the Apple TV, and, at least for now, all my "NO SOUND" issues have gone away. I was able to swap back to my news ATV box and have no problems on all the shows/apps that previoously did not work with the eARC setting turned on in the G2 menu. Not sure which update fixed it though but likely the ATV update.

Like two others have said here, removing all other hdmi sources from my LG C3 TV solved the audio issues (where only the Apple TV is plugged in); OR, make sure the other devices are completely off.

This fixed it for me today (April 6, 2024) after trying many things.

I read via straight google searches on the issue, Apple was aware of this issue in the 17.0 beta, but didn't seek to fix it before the release of 17.0. Now nearing 17.2 release and they still don't have fix? Merry Christmas from Apple. If I had left the ATV 4k 3rd gen pre-17.0, audio would have worked fine. Now will be trusting Apple updates less and less and researching them before applying...especially for the Apple TV. Like I said below, the Roku with pass-through Dolby Atmos/5.1 support works great for $25. :)

It's not the Arc, Apple!!! I made no changes to my Arc. I have a 2nd Gen AppleTV 4k as well, with no issues. My Apple TV 4k 3rd gen was working fine with auto mode listening to 5.1 or Atmos content prior to TVOS17. After it's exploding 5.1 audio in the back right corner surround like Alex_716 says. Since you have two documented people having the same exact issues - it's the TVOS guys. BTW, I have not applied any updates to my LG C2 OLED in the last two months - so can't blame that either.

[Edited by Moderator]

Tried both PCM (and pass-through as you suggested) and while both work it disables Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision sound in all programming that is encoded with those features. Normally, both of those items show up on the screen when the programming begins and now it’s no longer there and it sounds like crap. Using LG G2, Sonos Arc soundbar and newest Apple TV box. Problems began with 17.0. If by chance your soundbar does not support those features, then you wouldn’t notice it not working. The only thing that works for me is turning off EARC on the LG menu right above your advance sound settings you mentioned.

There is definitely something going on in the last few months - assuming revisions to the TV OS caused this. My setup with an LG nano 75 inch tv and LG high end 10YG soundbar has always been problematic due to LG issues in the past with the Tv handling the sound pass through to the soundbar. It seems to have stabilized with the last LG Tv software updates in 2023 and I find myself using my AppleTv 4K (latest) as my primary box, dumped Comcast, and went with DirecTv stream as my “cable” solution in the fall.

the setup here had been working until recently. Apple TV via a hdmi cable to the soundbar input hdmi 1, sound bar eArc out to the LG Tv nano 75. The AppleTV seemed to then be working well with controlling the soundbar and TV on and off, volumes and modes. TV is set to bitstream for all of the hdmi inputs and the sound set to pass through on the Tv vs AUTO. The LG Tv shows eArc toggle buttons under sound/additional settings and it’s checked.

i assume class through would be best since it let the sound bar make the determinations vs the tv. Since this soundbar has a little LCD screen on it I can see that when I go from an app like Direct TV, to Disney and play. Maeve, show that the sound bar LCD scrolls Dolby atmos so it’s getting a atmos single and presumably playing.

in the last few weeks I have found the sound bar being off all of a sudden, like the signal from the Apple TV eArc has crashed and the audio has defaulted to the intenrnal speakers.

i think this is happening when using the DirectTv stream app which I have been told in other forums uses a very bad audio output of its own that attempts to send out stereo audio in a 5.1 format with 3 of the channels muted. The author of that comment says most sound bars can’t deal with that and it results in super low volume of Direct tv stream shows via the AppleTV to soundbar. I have in the past guessed that the DirectTV app is crashing something on the AppleTv with this back and forth between formats. Some users here suggest that using other AppleTv apps is what they see the eArc crashing or the AppleTv output issues.

I can say that when the Soundbar is found off like this I have had a hard time getting the AppleTv to even then be seen by the Sound bar without some prolonged force restarts of the sound and AppleTv. I ave reverted to the Apple TV going into the Tv and then the tv and soundbar communicating via EArc.

Apple TV 3G 4k, LG G2 OLED and Sonos ARC. When playing HULU, I get the intro voice and music, but as soon as streaming begins, NO SOUND. I've tried everything. From fiddling with settings, a factory reset, several calls to Tier 2 , and a visit to Apple. Nothing resolved the issue. Apple knows about the issue (since September 2023) with no date for the update.

[Edited by Moderator] 

Not Apple’s problem and not so “ridiculous” as hoping “Gen 4 will fix it”. If anything, Gen 4 will probably be more sensitive to long lengths.

How about posting a figure of how it’s all connected? That should open up ideas on how you can chuck the giant signal-distorting 6 footer.

While it isn't clearly stated in the TITLE of the thread this is basically about the SONOS ARC soundbar (I also have a Sonos SUB FWIW) which has only a single HDMI input and no passthru port. The only way I have been able to resolve this without annoying workarounds is to turn OFF eARC support in my LG G2 settings. Now there is no "no sound" problems and the sound difference between eARC on and off to my 76yr old ears is ZERO so I am not sure what purpose the eARC on/off switch serves. All 4 HDMI ports on the G2 are used and everything else works fine.

What exactly am I supposedly missing with eARC disabled on the LG G2?

Same issue also here.

LG C3 with Apple TV 3rd gen, Fire Cube 3rd gen and Sonos Arc with Sub and Era 300s.

Connecting the Apple TV alone without the Fire Tv, and the 5.1 audio sources are playing fine.

As soon as I connect the Fire Tv, no audio anymore from the Apple TV. Only Atmos and stereo sources are working fine.

The only way to get the Apple TV 3rd gen to work properly is to shut-down the Fire TV.

Tried to reset everything. All HDMI cables certified 2.1. Tried also different of them.

Disconnected everything, power cycles on all the devices, waiting 30 minutes, reconnected: same problem.

Passthrough, Auto, tried all the audio settings from the C3.

Not really understanding why it’s not properly working.

Hello guys, I found the solution: if you are connecting apple tv directly to tv (mine is LG B3 77") not to sound bar: just uncheck the eArc support and digital sound output is auto. Then, you'll be hearing all kind of sounds on Apple TV. I'm using Apple TV 3rd generation.

I guess I’m turning off only earc support not the arc. It says I get higher rich sound after turning on earc support. I don’t find any sound difference after turning of eArc support. I still hear dolby atmos, dolby digital 5.1 and regular audio on Apple TV and on TVs own apps.

Adding in because I am having a similar issue with a similar setup.

TV: LG C3 65"

Soundbar: Vizio M Series Elevate (M-512e-K6)

Apple TV 4k 2nd gen

Soundbar is connected to the tv through the eARC port, ATV4K and cable box connected to tv through other HDMI ports. Volume control works totally fine on cable box, but having issues on the Apple TV. In certain apps (Netflix and Max tested so far), the volume on the lowest setting is extremely loud, and if lowered further it mutes. The volume graphic on the TV shows up when the volume buttons are pressed, but it doesn't actually lower the volume (until it's completely muted).

Tried restarting and factory resetting the Apple TV, tried unplugging and replugging every combination of HDMI connections, factory restarting TV, changing every possible audio setting on the TV, all to no avail. The only workaround I have found was changing the audio setting "Change Format" on the Apple TV to change the audio format to Dolby Digital 5.1, which also disables Dolby Atmos. This is obviously not ideal as one of the benefits of this soundbar is the pseudo-Atmos output which is no longer possible with these settings.

Quite frustrating, but hopefully someone else has a suggested fix or we can get a software update fix implemented.