Article ID : 00027070 / Last Modified : 11/05/2024Print

My TV doesn't output sound through the DIGITAL AUDIO OUT (OPTICAL) port

    The following situations may cause this issue:

    • The connected home theater system, audio receiver, or soundbar isn't set to properly decode the digital signal.
    • Your TV isn't set to a digital channel or playing a video encoded in 5.1 audio.
    • The Digital audio out volume is set too low in the TV settings.
    • The optical cable isn't securely connected.
    • The setting for the Optical digital audio output is disabled. Only for BRAVIA 9 (XR90), BRAVIA 8 (XR80), BRAVIA 7 (XR70), and A95L Series.)
    • The optical cable may be faulty.
    • Your TV isn't updated with the latest software version.
    • The connected third-party soundbar or home theater system may not be compatible with your TV.

    The optical jack is designed to output sound when the video you're watching contains digital audio (PCM or Dolby Digital® technology). This feature is available on certain digital broadcasts and streaming videos and isn't supported on standard cable or analog stations.

    If the video doesn't contain a digital audio signal, you won't hear sound through this connection. In this case, you would need to use a secondary analog connection to pass the audio signal.

    The sound sent to the TV through an HDMI® connection or other input may not output through the optical jack. In this case, you should directly connect the optical jack from the source device (Blu-ray Disc™ player, DVD player, cable set-top box, or satellite box, etc.) to the home theater or stereo system to get sound.

    Troubleshoot no sound through the Optical output

    Check if you can hear sound after you complete each step.

    Note: The steps and menu items may vary; check your TV manuals for specific information.

    1. Set the home theater or stereo system to the appropriate input and mode for the optical connection.
    2. Securely connect one end of the optical digital cable to the optical out on your TV.
    3. Connect the other end to the optical in on your home theater or stereo system.
      • The optical cable works properly if you see a red light on both ends.
    4. Try changing the channel on your TV to another digital broadcast.
    5. Only for BRAVIA 9 (XR90), BRAVIA 8 (XR80), BRAVIA 7 (XR70), and A95L Series: If the setting for the Optical digital audio output is disabled, enable it.
      1. On your TV remote control, press the Quick Settings (spanner or gear) button.
      2. Select SettingsDisplay & SoundAudio outputOptical digital audio output settings.
      3. Enable Optical digital audio output.
    6. Go into the Sound or Speakers menu of the TV, and select External Speakers or Audio System.
      • Some TVs require that the internal speakers be turned off before outputting the audio signal to another device. This step turns off the internal speakers.
    7. For Android TV™ or Google TV™ models, set the Digital Audio Out settings to PCM. Perform the steps below if your audio system isn't compatible with Dolby Digital® or DTS, depending on your TV.
      1. Press the (Quick Settings) button or HOME button on the supplied remote control:
      2. Select Settings.
      3. The next steps will depend on your TV menu options:
        • Select Display & soundAudio outputAudio system settingsDigital audio outputPCM.
        • Select Display & SoundAudio outputDigital audio outPCM.
        • Select Bravia SettingsDigital audio outPCM.
        • Select SoundDigital audio outPCM.
      4. Under the TV category, select Sound, Display & Sound or BRAVIA Settings.
      5. Select Audio output.
        • If you don't find this option, go to the next step.
        • Select Digital audio outPCM.
    8. For Android TV/Google TV™ models, check the Digital audio out volume setting. The steps and menu items for your TV may vary:
      1. Press the (Quick Settings) button or HOME button on the supplied remote control:
      2. Select Settings.
      3. Select Display & Sound.
      4. Select Audio output.
      5. Check the Digital audio out volume and adjust if needed to increase the volume level.
    9. Update your TV to the latest system firmware. Downloads are posted on your model support page.
      • Get notified about firmware updates, products alerts and more with the Support By Sony app.
    10. Try a different optical cable.
    11. If the issue still occurs, disconnect the optical cable and use an analog connection to output the sound from the TV to the audio system.
      • If the signal comes from a source device, such as a cable set-top box, satellite receiver, or DVR, you can also use an optical cable from the Optical Out on the source device to the Optical In on the audio receiver and then connect a video cable from the Video Out on the source device to the Video In on the TV.

        Connection Diagram of TV, Audio device, and Source device

        1. TV: Video IN
        2. Audio device: Optical IN
        3. Source device: Optical OUT
        4. Source device: Video OUT
    12. Perform a factory reset