Apple tvOS 17 No Sound

jees, I just came upon this thread. just posted a similar problem.

I've isolated it to dolby 5.1 and tvOS 17. just started having this problem so I suspect 17 broke something.

forcing everything to stereo audio format seems to be a workaround. after switching back to 5.1 it seems to work..... for a while... then it fails again.

dolby 5.1 will just go silent after a while. if I leave it in stereo format I have no problems. so that may explain why some sources work since not all are doing 5.1 or atmos.

affects all streams (music, tv+, Hulu, ...) that output 5.1 audio

force the audio mode to "stereo" rather than auto or dolby 5.1. that "fixed" it for me, but now I no longer have 5.1 or atmos available. the streaming apps you mention also failed for me, because they were playing 5.1 content. I first noticed the problem with Hulu then AppleTV+ . YouTube and many others are only stereo and will work.

My issue started with the upgrade to tvOS 17.

I've narrowed down the specific issue I've been having with this to the Discovery+ app hanging something on the Samsung TV - specifically with the sound.

If I turn off the TV, unplug it completely from power, and let it sit for a few minutes. When I power it back on - I have audio back. If I go into the Discovery+ app, I lose sound in everything else on the AppleTV unless I power off the TV again.

From a fresh power off, sound in the YoutubeTV, Nextflix, Hulu, etc. all work ... hopping in and out of them, switching between them, and force closing them. Go into Discovery+ and if the sound plays - the issues start up again... I'll have sound there but lose it in all the other apps.

It's bizarre.

I never experienced this issue in prior tvOS versions.

Same here.

• I've gotten best results from (unplugging both devices and plugging back in) vs (restart and power off TV), but after awhile random streaming apps will lose audio, some will still work.
• only Samsung TV, AppleTV 4K gen 3, apple OS 17 combo seems to consistenty have this issue for me
• I have a 4k gen 1 with OS 17 working with no issues on my samsung tv
• I have changed Audio format from Auto to Dolby and to Stereo same result
• on Samsung TV settings, I have turned off inputplus on HDMI under External device manager
• changed out multiple Quality HDMI cables, and tried all 3 HDMI ports on TV

I had this problem on 2 tvs with Apple TV, Samsung TV, Sonos Sound Bar. OS17 upgrade while I was gone, no sound when I got back. Turns out the remote was stuck in volume down mode. I followed instructions to reset the remote and it works fine. If your Siri Remote or Apple TV Remote isn't working - Apple Support

I was able to get sound again thru my receiver sound system by switching to stereo from Dolby digital. Not 5.1 but better than nothing.. Apple needs to do better with regards to a fix for this. Brand new 4K Apple TV box and this just stinks

Is your TV connected directly to the Apple box?

My Apple TV goes through home audio receiver (Onkyo), and Samsung TV is connected to that. Sound is handled by the Onkyo unit, so I assume that the Samsung is out of the loop for audio. Only works in Stereo mode, dolby 5.1 is silent for 17.0 and 17.1. Never had this problem until 17.0

On 17.2 as well and came here trying to troubleshoot. I have a Samsung Q60B with audio (via eARC) from Q7CB soundbar.

Confirmed the HDMI 2.1 cord I’m using is good, then I did a HDMI Speed Test (Settings>Video and Audio>Check HDMI Connection) and after the full test confirming no issues, I heard navigation sounds and after testing various apps sound worked as expected.

17.1 fixed it for me. It broke after the 17.0 upgrade and it’s working just as it was before, now that I have updated to 17.1.

Sad Apple care support (why do we pay?) was on the phone with Apple Support 3 times about this issue, and escalated to an AppleTV support supervisor who just pointed the finger and said for me to call Samsung. My AppleTV 4K gen 1 with os17 works great on my Samsung, however my 4k gen 3 after os 17, causes my Samsung to not properly detect hdmi on gen3 and intermittent sound on some apps(through hdmi tv speakers). Only work around, use AirPods (works perfectly) or just power off and on Samsung TV and Apple TV and cross your fingers… . Apple needs to take a look at this.

[Edited by Moderator]

After upgrading to TV OS17, my sound doesnt play in the sound bar unless I go to Seetings>sounds & devices on the apple tv - And then that's when you hear sound. I have to do this every. single.time

17.1 did *not* fix the issue for me. Switching from Audio > Best Quality, Atmos Available to Dolby Digital 5.1 does seem to, but I'm not hopeful it will last, and it certainly isn't a permanent fix.

(Samsung TV, but my HDMI is all switched through a Yamaha receiver.)

OK, so my AppleTV is plugged into a Denon X4700 which handles any audio format including Atmos just fine, as long as it comes from my Panasonic DP-UB9000, PS5 or any other source but an AppleTV. This since the incarnation of tvOS 17.

My setup is 9.2. So left, center, right, 4x surround, 2x front height and 2x subs.

So when there is a problem with sound I will notice.

And yes, there IS an audio error in tvOS 17. And it doesn’t matter if you select 5.1 or Atmos, the audio matrix is flawed in some instances.

What goes wrong?

On all multi channel audio the data of the center channel is stripped and sent to left and right (mono through stereo)

So if the AppleTV material is 5.1, it actually sends a 5.1 signal but with a silent center channel. So there is a surround matrix but with a diffuse center. Sounds really weird and I can’t imagine how a soundbar might interpret this.

What does work?

AppleTV+ and the Apple Music Atmos mixes. They have the center channel present.

What doesn’t?

Everything else. Bought a movie? Center is gone. Disney+? HBO Max? Netflix?, they all have an empty center channel.

We all have to wait till it’s fixed, at least if you have the latest generation AppleTV for you cannot revert to an older tvOS version.

If you are the fortunate owner of an older model you can and you should for now.

The situation really sucks, but there is nothing we can really do at the moment…

after updating to 17.2, and power cycling (actually unplug Apple TV and wait 30 seconds), my sound issues resolved. After putting Apple TV to sleep and waking it up, I’m still good, fingers crossed. I’m afraid to restart it or power cycle again.

17.1 has fixed it for me also, after breaking at 17.0. I am now getting sound with Ethernet plugged in