Apple Broke Dolby Digital 5.1 Output on Apple TV 4K

I am experiencing the same issue after the tvOS 18 update. I contacted Apple Support and opened a case. They informed me that the issue will be escalated to the backend engineering team and addressed in the next tvOS update, which is expected to be released in a couple of weeks.

My appletv 4k gen 2 started displaying this bug out of the blue. Audio suddenly wouldn’t sync with any apps besides youtube, Then I figured out that It was an issue with the 5.1 audio and found this thread.

Suggested fixes by other users in this thread did not work. The only temporary solution I found is to force stereo audio.

I suppose if this is anything like my iOS stickers disappearing, I better just get used to stereo audio. If It’s not a big enough bug, I just don’t think they care.

[Edited by Moderator]

Have you tried forcing format change to 5.1.

I had it forced to Dolby digital 5.1 which stopped working in tvOS 18 but is now working in 18.1.

Change audio settings on Apple TV – Apple Support (UK)

my av supports Dolby digital plus and dts but not atmos.

tv supports atmos

I get Dolby digital plus when viewing atmos stuff from the tv streaming apps but only Dolby digital from atv if I force it, stereo otherwise.

I should be getting digital plus from the atv without forcing it.

so issue still persists & I suspect does for everyone else, they likely haven’t noticed if they where forcing it previously

I tried all combinations of audio settings both on ATV and on Samsung TV which btw doesn’t have pass through option.

My 2021 Samsung TV allows this setting option for optical connections to an audio system:

Home (on remote)﹥Settings﹥Sound﹥Expert Settings﹥Digital Output Audio Format: Auto (DD 5.1 if available in the source) or PCM (downmix to 2.0).

In Samsung’s settings and naming convention, Passthrough is only available for HDMI connections (eARC).

It seems to be randomly working for some and not for others. For me it was “fixed” but not really. It just started working more often than none. When it is not picking up 5.1 i just open some other movie that i know has 5.1 to force it to shut down the audio stream and when i go back to the episode i want to watch, the audio stream reconnects to the receiver and picks up 5.1

Most times i dont have to do this. A few times i do.

mine is a tv HD not 4k

i only installed the B 18.1 not the full 18.1 or the newest. I am worried that further updates will kill what is now “working” for me.

I haven't found any solution yet. I have given Apple feedback through this form. Maybe it helps if more people use this form. Feedback form Apple TV

updated to TvOS 18 and 5.1 is broken. Apple TV connected to TV Samsung KS8000. HDMI ARC to Yamaha receiver. Only detects stereo. Please fix asap.

Same issue here also w Logitech. Decode light was not going on, but works with my other devices. I will say happy to hear I’m not losing it.

I’m using a Sonos Arc and a Sony TV without eARC.

If I disable Change Format I lose Dolby Digital 5.1 and it goes back to Stereo PCM. Re-enable Change Format and 5.1 returns.

It works on my Apple Tv 4K. You have to play a film and then, while playing, you have to change the audio output as Edwy7580 mentioned. It doesn‘ t work in pause mode.

On your Apple TV, go to settings.. then down to System... Then down to software updates.. then there should be an option to "get B updates"

[Edited by Moderator]

Same with tvOS 18.1 and Apple TV 2. gen.:

No Dolby 5.1 when not changing Audio Format - Atmos is OK - all other is PCM on LG OLED-TV and LG Soundbar.

@Apple - find a solution asap, please

Updated to tvOS 18.1 on Apple TV 4K 1st gen solved the 5.1 issue.

Same equipment that worked in version tvOS 17.x (optical audio via extractor model 4KCVH2H)