Apple TV 4K: No voice/center channel for purchased content

Question

Apple TV 4K: No voice/center channel for purchased content

No voice/center channel when I’m playing my purchases on Apple TV. It is now 2/23/2026 and an unresolved common issue.

I just bought an Apple TV 4K on the above date so it’s the newest. Everything was fine from the start. It worked fine at first and suddenly it didn’t. No audio on my Apple TV purchases. I tore my hair out checking settings, connections, and my AV processor. I also rebooted my modem. I also play my youTube videos on it and there is no problem with that.

I have spent hours on this.

Note: this is my second unit. I thought the first unit was defective so I exchanged it. Same problem.

Thanks in advance, folks out there in internetland!

Posted on Feb 23, 2026 9:40 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

syncingtoipad Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 25, 2026 2:29 PM in response to Urquhart1244

Hi there, and thanks for replying.

A fellow on Reddit suggested I unplug everything (processor, HDMIs, TV and reconnect after 30 seconds. Didn’t work.

After awhile, came to find out the HDMI cable was the culprit and I’m getting a better quality one. I also changed to a higher quality power cord on the processor.

Setup was AppleTV connected to Anthem AVM60, HDMI Arc to Samsung TV. Anything going thru the Apple TV was missing the entire center channel.

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Answer 2

Urquhart1244

Level 10

147,530 points

Feb 25, 2026 12:07 PM in response to syncingtoipad

Please specify your AV processor. Is the Apple TV box connected directly to it?

Please specify your speaker setup. Is it 5.1 or different?

Are you missing audio (dialog), or is the center channel just not used (instead through L and R)?

Is Apple TV’s Audio Format set to Auto (PCM Multichannel, preferred if supported), or to Dolby Digital 5.1 (compatibility fallback), or to Stereo 2.0 (further fallback, or for use with 2 speakers)?

Is it only for Apple’s media Store titles (buy/rent), or does it happen to Apple TV subscription or other content providers and apps as well?

Please try the Surround Speaker Check app to check how multichannel is used with current settings. The free tier is enough for the speaker check 5.1 test.

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Apple TV 4K: No voice/center channel for purchased content

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