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Roku No Sound: Fix Volume Not Working in 30 seconds or Less

Roku No Sound: Fix Volume Not Working in 30 seconds or Less

Through testing, we have achieved a 100% success rate when solving for the Roku no sound or volume problems as well as Roku TV sound issues.

To fix a Roku with no sound, simply toggle the audio to stereo by visiting settings, audio, output format, then stereo. Toggle it back to hear your Roku sound again. Other solutions include plugging the Roku HDMI connection into a different HDMI ARC port, replacing the HDMI cable, and toggling the private audio option on and off.

If you still can’t get the sound on your Roku to work, try unplugging the Roku and all related devices and plugging them back in (power cycle)

Roku Sound still not working? We have 6 more solutions that we will cover further down in this post.

A factory reset should be considered last when troubleshooting as it can delete any custom configurations you have set. 

Roku No Sound Fix Volume Not Working 1

If you’re using a Roku stick or Roku express, it’s not uncommon that you may need an upgrade. Troubleshooting steps mentioned in this post should be done first to avoid an unnecessary upgrade).

However there are some cheap streaming sticks and TV streaming boxes that you can upgrade to and work very well without sound issues.

The solutions we provide in this guide provide a high success rate of fixing the sound not working on Roku, Roku TV and Roku apps such as: Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney plus, and even Plex.

8 Ways to Fix a Roku when No sound is being heard (Roku Stick, Ultra, TV, Express)

8 Ways to Fix a Roku when No sound is being heard

What actions can you take if you can not hear sound from your Roku? There are 6 different troubleshooting methods we’ve tested that have worked to get the sound back working on Roku. 

These are plugging & unplugging Roku, swapping the HDMI Cable, Toggling private listening, updating the software, changing audio settings to auto-detect, and ensuring the HDMI port is ARC supported.

Roku No Sound ProblemSolution
No sound after updatingPlug and unplug Roku, Swap HDMI Cable ports,
No sound after private listeningToggle private listening in settings
Roku no sound on NetflixPlug and unplug Roku, Swap HDMI Cable ports,
Roku no sound via AirplayChange Audio settings from DDS to Auto-detect.
Roku no sound via HDMIEnsure HDMI port on Smart TV is ARC supported, restart Roku

If your Roku express has no sound (or there’s no sound coming from Roku apps), but it’s working, then first you’ll need to determine exactly where your Roku is connected to your sound system and become familiar with what ports are being used. 

For example, if you’re using a Roku Soundbar then the fixes may be slightly different than a Roku utilizing a receiver or a direct connection to the TV. 

Once you’re fully aware of the setup, ports, and cables used, you can follow our troubleshooting steps below.

Also see: Roku Hacks: How To Jailbreak Roku Unlocked Streaming

1. Unplug Roku from TV and plug it back in

1. Unplug Roku from TV and plug it back in

When a Roku or Roku TV device is having issues with the volume, the first thing you want to do is make sure that your Roku is plugged into a power source and not using the TV as a power source. 

  • Unplug the Roku from the power source (wall outlet) and wait 3-5 minutes
  • Plug the Roku back in and wait for the Roku or Roku TV to restart.
  • Test if the sound is working again
  • If the sound isn’t working, you’ll want to check if your HDMI Cables are securely plugged in.
  • Alternatively, you can do this without using the plug by going to settings, then locating the system tab, and selecting power > power off.

If the sound does not work at this point and you’re using an A/V receiver and/or soundbar with audio inputs, then make sure the issue doesn’t lie with the other device. You can check for this by connecting the Roku directly to the TV and using the TV as the preferred sound.

Related: Roku Not Working: Every Roku Problem Solved (Full List)

If you have a Roku TV: If you’re troubleshooting a Roku TV with sound issues, there’s a few things you’ll want to do:

  • First, try restarting through the Roku system software instead of unplugging the device. 
  • Unplugging and then plugging in a Roku TV to the power source could clear certain configurations, particularly if it is attached to an audio receiver or soundbar.
  • A full re-plug (for the Roku TV specifically) should be chosen as a secondary troubleshooting method.

2. Toggle the Stereo option via settings

2. Toggle the Stereo option via settings

When the volume is not working on Roku or Roku TV, nobody thinks to toggle the Stereo option. 

When the issue does not lie with the HDMI or power cord, switching to stereo typically solves the issue:

One of the most overlooked ways to fix it is to simply toggle the audio to stereo or another option under the sound settings. This has a high success rate of fixing the sound not working on Roku apps such as: Netflix, Hulu, Prime video, DishAnywhere, Plex, DailyMotion.

This should be followed by a restart of your Roku, which can be done by navigating to settings > system option > power > confirm power off.

3. Cycle private audio on and off again.

3. Cycle private audio on and off again

It is extremely common for sound issues on Roku to begin after you’ve enabled private or remote listening on Roku. It can also happen after activating it through the Roku app as well.

Note: The goal is to simply toggle the private listening option on and off which can make the sound work again.

Using the mobile Roku remote app from the Apple or Google Play store you can cycle private audio listening on and then off to solve potential Roku problems. 

This is similar to the Stereo option where all you’ll do is toggle the setting to see if the sound comes back on:

  • You’re iPhone or Android should be on the exact same Wi-Fi connection
  • On your phone, open the Roku app and scroll down to “remote.”
  • To toggle private listening on or off, you’l need to tap the icon with the headphones at the bottom of the app page and confirm.
  • You’ll notice the icon change, now check if the sound is working again.

If you keep the private listening on, then the audio will originate from your phone, rather than the TV or soundbar, which is not the goal to fix the overall sound problem.

Related: Why Are Roku Private Channels Not Working Anymore?

4. Check HDMI connections (Port and cord)

4. Check HDMI connections Port and cord

Some Smart TV’s have multiple HDMI ports to connect a Roku to, and it’s possible your HDMI is either not securely connected, needs to be swapped, or it needs to be in a different HDMI port.

There are different types of HDMI ports; some support audio and video (known as ARC) and others only support video. ARC transmits audio from a television to a receiver or soundbar through an HDMI wire.

Also see: What Does Roku Cost Per Month? (Subscription Fees & Charges)

We do not want to use one of the ports that only supports video since this type doesn’t allow us to hear the sound from the Roku. The audio/video port is generally a larger, multi-colored port.

The first thing to do is to unplug the HDMI and simply plug it back in. If that doesn’t work, then you have a few options that can allow a Roku without sound to have volume working again:

  • Change the port in which your HDMI cord connects to,. This route had the highest success rate during our tests.
  • Swap the HDMI cord. Swapping the hdmi cord can allow the sound to “reboot” and work again. 
  • Upgrade the HDMI cord with a new one (generally inexpensive).

5. Un-pair, then pair the Roku Remote again

5. Un pair then pair the Roku Remote again

If you’re using a Roku remote or voice remote, then you can potentially solve volume issues by unpairing the Roku remote and then pairing it again.

There’s two ways to unpair and pair the Roku again. The first way is by using remote commands to unpair the device. The second is by using the settings to pair the device again.

Use Remote commands to unpair the Roku Remote:

  • Determine whether you have an IR or RF remote. If you don’t have a pairing button this means you have an IR remote and un-pairing is not possible.
  • If the Roku Remote has a pairing button, hold it for 3-5 seconds or until the remote light flashes. It will unpair the device by re-syncing and pairing the device again.
  • If the Roku Remote doesn’t have a pairing button, you can hold the home, back and pairing buttons for 5-7 seconds until the light flashes. 
  • Congratulations, your Roku remote is unpaired

Alternatively, you can pair your Remote to a different Roku streaming stick or Roku TV, then back to your current one.

This will cause the Roku remote to unpair to your current device. If you don’t have a second device you can go to settings, remotes & Device, then remote, remote in use, and finally program TV. Say no to the answers in this case.

Note: If you intend to configure your Roku device for surround sound, you’ll need to connect it to your television and complete configuration between the Roku and the TV before you can connect it to the AVR or sound bar. 

See: How To Fix Xfinity Not Working On Roku In 30 Seconds

There are commonly detection issues between the HDMI connection and the device that utilizes surround sound when initially pairing. So you’ll be setting up your voice remote after this is all set up once again via the settings app > remote > voice remote. The onscreen instructions will guide you. 

6. Test Roku sound on another device or TV

6. Test Roku sound on another device or TV

By connecting a Roku to a different Smart TV or monitor, you’ll be able to see if the sound works on those devices. By doing this, you’ll be able to determine where the root cause of the problem lies: the Roku or the Smart TV.

To do this simply disconnect the HDMI cord from the Roku to the TV and connect it to the alternate Smart TV. I also advise swapping the power source at this time.

By doing so, you’ll hit two birds with one stone: you’ll be disconnecting it from the power which causes reset and also works to solve the Roku no sound problem. 

Update :The internet is less likely to be the issue when the sound doesn’t work on Roku. Even the sound on most Roku internet browsers does not work.

7. Confirm Speakers and TV are not muted

7. Confirm Speakers and TV are not muted

Confirming speakers are not muted may seem obvious to some, but less obvious to others. If you have a complicated home theater setup and you’re using a denon receiver or a third party soundbar (like a Vizio soundbar), then ensuring these speaker devices are not on mute is something that needs to be done.

I have seen countless situations where someone had muted the third-party device such as a speaker receiver oh, but the TV was not muted. They performed all the fixes advised but none of them worked because they did not unmute their soundbar or receiver. It’s also common to see the speaker system not set up properly.

8. Restart Your Roku back to factory settings

8. Restart Your Roku back to factory settings

If your Roku sound system is set up correctly, yet you still get no sound on Roku then a factory reset is advised. By resetting your Roku back to the original manufacturer settings, your sound on the Roku will likely work again.

This has a high chance of success, but there is a downside to going this route:  any customizations, personalizations, settings, and downloaded apps on your Roku account will be erased from the device. 

You can configure the Roku settings again, but you’ll have to set up your Roku in a similar manner as when you first purchased it.

Important: If you perform a factory reset make sure to run a software update immediately after launching the Roku again.

9. Contact Roku Support for Help

If you’re experiencing issues with your Roku device or simply have questions about its features, don’t hesitate to reach out to Roku’s dedicated support team. They are trained to assist with a wide range of queries and can help ensure you get the most out of your device.

To contact Roku support, visit their official website and navigate to the “Support” section. There, you’ll find various resources, including FAQs, troubleshooting guides, and direct contact options to get your concerns addressed promptly.

How to fix a Roku with no sound from Soundbar

How to fix a Roku with no sound from Soundbar

If there’s no sound coming out of your Soundbar, then there are a few things to check. First you’ll want to make sure that the HDMI cables are in the correct ports. Some Smart Tvs only have one ARC HDMI port, the other remaining ports are standard HDMI ports. Make sure you’re using the ARC port or your soundbar won’t deliver any audio.

If using a third party soundbar and not getting volume on roku: Alternatively, some third party sound bars also utilize an optical cable, which is just as capable as other methods for producing robust sound. 

  • In this case, connect the soundbar directly to the smart TV via the optical cable, then connect the Roku to the TV. The sound will transfer from the Roku to the TV, and finally to the soundbar. This works well for those who do not have the proper ARC port.

After swapping HDMI cables and testing different settings, you may not receive full sound back until you’ve also performed a soft Roku reset, which can help register some of the changes you’ve made.

How to fix a Roku soundbar that keeps turning off or disconnecting

Why does Roku keeps disconnecting and losing sound? It’s not uncommon to only get sound from the Soundbar and not from your subwoofer. Other problems that fall into this category is the Roku that turns off or keeps disconnecting. 

The Roku might work for a few days, but the problem just happens again when it disconnects. 

You may even receive a false notification that states that you have multiple subwoofers connected.

  • Regardless of which exact problem you have with your Roku soundbar, the solution remains the same: unplugging all Roku related devices as well as rebooting your router (that the Roku is connected to) will solve the problem for at least a few weeks. This should only be done if you’re sure the initial set up was done correctly.

If your Roku Soundbar still does not work correctly or constantly disconnects, then a factory reset or device upgrade might be warranted.

Related: Discover the Best Wireless speakers for Roku to boost your audio experience.

How to Play Roku in surround sound

To play Roku and surround sound, you’ll need a speaker device that is capable of surround sound and a proper connection set up. This is typically done by connecting an optical cable or an HDMI cable & port (ARC) between your devices.

To connect a Roku to surround sound, you’ll need to connect the receiver, soundbar, official Roku soundbar (or streambar) or another audio device capable of surround sound. This must be done properly via ARC, optical Cable or Roku Bluetooth connection between the audio system and the Roku

There are a few different ways to connect a Roku soundbar to a soundbar with surround sound, these include:

  • ARC: (Audio Return Channel) HDMI was designed to deliver audio and video from a connected television or home theater to an audio device or TV (or several). It is built to replace the use of separate cables and uses one HDMI port for both sound and video.
  • Optical Cable: My TV only had one Arc Port, which I used for video games and not Roku. Instead I use an optical cable to connect my soundbar to my TV. The Roku connect to the TV as well and Surround Sound is delivered properly this way
  • Bluetooth: If you are using Bluetooth on Roku, then this means you are likely using the Roku wireless speakers or soundbar. It is often very difficult to connect a third-party device through Bluetooth to Roku without the use of a Bluetooth receiver

How to connect a Roku to an AVR surround sound receiver

No sound being through the receiver with a Roku? The best setup for connecting a Roku to a receiver for sound is by connecting the Roku directly to the AVR using HDMI. From here, you’ll direct video to the TV. 

Here’s how to connect a Roku to an AVR surround sound receiver.

  • First, connect the Roku HDMI cord from the Roku device to the HDMI capable port on the AVR surround sound receiver. This is typically on the back of the receiver.
  • Next, you’ll set the AVR device settings (Front of device) to the port number that the HDMI cable (From Roku) is connected to on the receiver. 
  • Finally, you’ll connect your HDMI from the receiver to the ARC HDMI port on your Smart Tv. 
  • Congratulations, you have connected your Roku to an AVR surround sound receiver.

Some alternative ways of connecting a Roku to audio devices may not produce the quality of sound the more modern technologies allow. 

A good example of a more outdated, but widely available way to connect the audio is through the use of analog cables (yellow, red, and white cables).

AVR home theater surround system should have an HDMI port, if it doesn’t there are adapters that can accomplish this if needed. Also, most AVRs now include measurement microphones and software to help you set up the level, equalization and delay of the speakers.

As 4k content becomes the norm, all devices appear to be adjusting. You can see this is already occurring on the Roku Ultra and also modern receivers.

Related: Don’t miss our detailed review of the Roku streambar for insights on its features and performance.

How To Fix Audio Delay and Echo on Roku and Roku TV

If your Roku device has an audio delay problem while you are using it on your TV, there are a few things to try from your Roku device or by using the remote. In general the audio problems can be resolved by the user, all you have to do is follow a few simple steps.

First you have to understand if the sound problem affects the entire Roku system or just a channel. Try to change the audio settings of your device to check if this was the issue in the first place. 

If this doesn’t work and you are still experiencing a sound delay or echo on your Roku, then you will have to check the model of your TV. If your TV supports the A/V sync feature. If your Roku audio is out of sync then you have to play with the settings to see if the sync improves. 

Identify if the sound or echo comes after or before the graphics. In the before the graphics case check disable the automated video editing on your TV. You can easily find these settings on the sub-menu of your television’s video.

However, if the sound or echo comes after the graphics, go to the Audio sub menu and turn the optical audio quality to PCM. you can also disable the game mode on your TV if it isn’t already.

Roku audio sync fix is not always an easy task. You can also try to solve the delays by using the Roku remote. It is easier than you can imagine. All you have to do is to change the volume of your Roku system and the audio delay issue might be resolved.

To do so, press the button with the asterisk to enter the volume settings and disable the Audio Leveling. It’s worth noting that I didn’t have audio issues with streaming devices such as the Nvidia shield or Firestick.

There is also another scenario concerning audio delay, that if you are using the Netflix platform. In this case you will have to go to Roku’s sound settings through Netflix and follow a few simple steps:

  1. Open Netflix on your TV
  2. Start playing a video
  3. Select from the menu bar Audio and Subtitles 
  4. Set the English 5.1 and you are ready to go

Hopefully, by following these simple instructions the audio delay and echo on your Roku will be fixed. If the audio issues are still there, restart your Roku device and check if there are any system updates.

Why is there no sound on Roku after using headphones

How to fix Roku Ultra no sound after headphones were used? Well, in this case you can check for updates or reboot the Roku device and the problem will probably be solved.

The first thing that you have to check on your Roku device is check if there are any updates. All you have to do is follow these simple steps:

  1. On the homescreen of Roku device go to Settings
  2. Find System and press it
  3. Select the System Update and press Check now
  4. The roku will check if there are any updates and if there are any you can choose between Update now or later. 

If there are no updates or this doesn’t fix the problem, a factory reset can easily restore functionality in many cases. It will help the device reset all the settings to its original system state. It is inconvenient for most of us, but if it solves the problem, it is worth the price.

Roku Won’t play sound through headphones

If Roku won’t play audio of headphones, but everything else (like video) is working on the device. If you’re sure it’s not broken headphones, then the lack of sound through Roku headphones can be solved by changing the dolby sound options. Locate Roku settings, then select Audio and change the option to turn off Dolby audio.

The reason this works is because there is compatibility issued with your Headphones and this feature on Roku… and even if you’re headphones support Dolby, it still may cause the lack of audio in the headphones from Roku.

Updating the device is the best option to solve this permanently if you prefer to have Dolby Sound on.

Roku no sound on Netflix

If you are using Netflix and can’t get or hear sound on Roku tv, then you can fix it from the Roku settings. 

First, you have to check if you are using an optical cable or an HDMI cable to link your Roku. If you are using an optical cable follow these steps:

  1. Press the home button on your Roku remote
  2. Select Settings
  3. Pick Audio
  4. Set the HDMI and S/PDIF option to Dolby Digital (Dolby Atmos Roku)

If you link the Roku device via HDMI then do the followings:

  1. Go to Settings of your device
  2. Press Audio
  3. Change the stereo audio mode to PCM-Stereo

If you are still facing audio issues then replace the wire to a new one.  

Fixing Roku Arc not connecting (no sound) 

You can easily fix your Roku Arch connection by resetting the device. If roku has no volume control then check these simple steps:

  1. Reset the soundbar. By doing this, the ARC TV will come up.
  2. Turn the television off for a few seconds and then turn it back on. 
  3. A prompt will come up that you have to press Accept.
  4. Go to settings of your Rokus remote
  5. Enter Audio
  6. Press SPDIF to On
  7. Then you have to also accept the Dolby Sound and everything is set.

How to fix a Roku when the menu sound works (clicks), but no audio on shows or movies

If you have no sound on Netflix or Hulu or if there is no sound coming from Roku apps you can fix it from settings. 

In this case you should be able to hear the clicking of the menu options but once you press to watch any show or movie there is no sound. 

  • In this case try to go to the settings of your Roku and press System. From the System menu press restart system.
  • If this doesn’t work you can unplug all the connections to TV and router and after a few seconds replug them in.  Use those two methods to solve the partial audio issue on your Roku device. 
  • Try to access the Roku secret menu for an instant reboot if Roku audi is not working in apps. Press the Home button five times, Up direction, the Rewind button twice and the Fast forward button twice.
  • This will instantly reboot your Roku device and the sound should being working again.

If you are using a Roku private channel, then you may want to consider if the root issue has is correlated with the developer of the channel, rather than the device itself.

Is a Roku soundbar compatible with a Regular Smart TV?

The Roku soundbar is compatible with any TV that includes an HDMI port. You can enjoy excellent sound with the Roku soundbar because it includes 4 internal speakers with dynamic bass and Dolby Audio. 

Explore the audio settings of the Roku soundbar and make all the adjustments by using the roku remote. The soundbar includes USB and HDMI portals for your convenience.

If your TV doesn’t have an HDMI-ARC port you can connect the soundbar with HDMI and Optical input ports.

TCL Roku tv: Why is there sound on some channels but not others?

If you are having sound issues only with a few channels but not all of them, then you can fix it on the settings of your Roku. 

I fixed it by changing my audio set-up in the settings. Somehow the HDMI audio setting switched to “Dolby Digital plus, DTS”. I put it back to auto detect and everything works fine now.

Go to the settings and change the Audio set up into Auto-detect. It might have changed the HDMI audio settings to Dolby Digital plus, DTS.

Moreover, if this doesn’t work because the Audio set is already on Auto-detect unplug your TV for 60 seconds. 

So, what can you do if your tcl roku tv has no sound via hdmi?

This sound issue is likely not due to the sound system or cables, but it is a software issue. If this step doesn’t work for you, delete and add again any old apps. 

Finally clearing the cache or even performing a factory reset are the last two options, but only if the previous didn’t work, because you will lose your data.

Conclusion

In this article we managed to gather all the possible solutions to the question of what you can do if your Roku device has any sound issues like sound delays, no sound on Roku all of a sudden, or Roku no sound on TV or your smart soundbar or Roku wireless speakers.

We also explored how to connect a Roku to an AVR sound receiver via an HDMI port. 

Like any other similar device, users have reported that when the sound all of a sudden stops working on Roku, that there are other problems involved.

By reading our post, you will be able to solve sound issues for all Roku models. For example, if you get a message like Roku dts no sound or Philips no sound Roku TV, you can plug and unplug your device, swap HDMI cable ports, change the audio settings or toggle private listening.

In any case you can follow the simple steps provided in the article and resolve any sound issue that you might be facing with your Roku.

About the author:

Photo of Paul Michael, Founder of MediaPeanut

Paul Michael

Paul Michael is a media and technology expert whose research reveals how technology and media are being used in the world today. He has expertise on computers, the internet, streaming, Roku, electronics, and education. He also enjoys graphic design & digital art. Paul has his Bachelors of Arts and Science(s) from Rutgers University-New Brunswick, NJ