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

Same issue here been frustrating for the last week trying to figure this out. Reset my Sonos system and nothing, finally swapping the settings to 5.1 and no atmos got me back to where I can at least watch content again without having my right surround blasting dialogue at me. Really hoping they figure this out soon.

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.

Here's the facts from my POV. We have another person with my same exact problem, where 'Auto/Atmos' on Apple TV 3rd generation (wired) will product 5.1 audio only in the back right surround speaker. Everything else will be silent. Forcing the 5.1 through Apple instead of 'Auto/Atmos' - 5.1 and 2 channel audio works normally. If listening to Atmos content, set the 'Auto/Atmos' and it works there. This, to me, is clearly an Apple audio detection problem. When I first had the issue I searched the internet and found several beta TVOS17 people complaining about this issue with their Apple TV 3rd gen working with the Sonos Arc. Apple released the iffy code to the masses anyways.

And BTW, I had my Apple TV 3rd gen before TVOS 17 was released and the 'Auto/Atmos' worked fine with Atmos and 5.1 content - never had to force the change. Silly me for installing the latest Apple build right away. Apple - STEP UP AND FIX THIS!

I would not buy another TV either. This is an Apple problem. Again - previously working Auto/Atmos configuration before TVOS 17 came out. Wish I had not upgraded. None of the features are terribly useful compared to always having to toggle the audio from Auto/Atmos to Dolby 5.1. It's a nuisance. I have gone to using my Roku memory stick as it handles passthrough Atmos and 5.1 without any issue.

I will wait until TVOS 17.1 comes out, but I do not intend to use my AppleTV again until this is fixed, if ever.

Hi I’m having a very similar issue with my Apple TV 4K 3rd gen I’m on TVOS17.1 and I do get sound for 5.1 however it shows on my Sonos app as PCM 5.1 and every few seconds the audio will cut out however it does not happen when watching Dolby Atmos content having to manually switch the change format setting to on in the settings is frustrating has anyone else still got this issue or found a workaround/solution?

I called Apple on my September 26th submission of this issue. They said they were not aware of it and said I should have submitted it in a different way. They didn’t even react to the fact that there was a problem, but I didn’t follow the process. The person I spoke to on 9/26 said they would take care of it. They did not. It’s becoming Microsoft where they work hard to not speak to you directly or address your problems.

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. :)

Same problem with the latest .2 b3ta but it does seem to have improved just a bit. Get no sound when watching Paramount Plus (unless I switch off (AUTO,ATMOS) to 5.1 only. Some app seem to be better though. It does seem to be somewhat intermittent. It worked in Paramount PLus as it is supposed to then after a day or 2 no sound again. Using eArc & a SONOS ARC soundbar on an LG g2. Didn't have any problems on my GEN 2 Apple TV just the new GEN 3. Moved the GEN 2 to the bedroom TV. My GEN3 is the ethernet version.

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.