HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC is essential for the Vizio Soundbar or other models to output Dolby Atmos content. If the HDMI ARC on the Vizio Soundbar is not working as intended, you will get a poor audio experience while streaming Dolby Atmos-supported content. The issues with HDMI ARC arise due to damaged cables or ports, technical glitches, outdated firmware, or other related issues.
Most of the time, all the Vizio Soundbar malfunctioning issues can be fixed using simple DIY troubleshooting methods. So, before seeking professional help, try the following troubleshooting steps to fix the HDMI ARC of your Vizio Soundbar by yourself.
Reasons & Solutions for Vizio Soundbar HDMI ARC Not Working
In the table below, you can find the causes and fixes that can be used to fix the Vizio Soundbar HDMI ARC not working problem.
| Causes | Fixes |
|---|---|
| Connections-related issues | Check the power supply. Connect to the correct HDMI port. |
| Damaged HDMI Arc port or cable | Check & replace the HDMI cable. Examine the HDMI ports. |
| Incorrect settings | Change audio settings on the soundbar and TV. Unmute or increase the volume. Enable CEC on your TV. Disable the Eco Mode on the soundbar. |
| Software-related bugs and issues | Reboot the soundbar and TV. Update both devices to the latest firmware. Reset the sounbar. |
| Hardware-related issues | Replace the soundbar under warranty or buy a new soundbar. |
Fixes for Vizio Soundbar HDMI Arc Not Working
You can try the following fixes on your Vizio Soundbar and TV to fix the HDMI ARC not working issue.
Check the Power Supply
Power supply issues are a common reason why electronic devices are not working properly. A loose connection or unstable power delivery on the power outlet can lead to the Vizio Soundbar HDMI ARC not working properly. Check if the connection is secure and switch to a different power outlet to see if the soundbar works properly.
Also, check the batteries of your Vizio Soundbar remote. Drained remote batteries could also be the reason why your Vizio Soundbar remote is not working properly. If the batteries are drained, replace them with a new pair, and check if the Vizio Soundbar is working. If not, move to the next troubleshooting technique.
Connect to the Correct Port
If you have a Vizio Soundbar compatible with Dolby Atmos, you must ensure to connect the soundbar to an HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC port on your TV. If you connect the soundbar to a non-ARC HDMI port, the Dolby Atmos won’t work. So ensure that you connect it to the correct port marked as HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC on your TV.
However, some TVs might lack HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC ports. In that case, you can use an optical cable to connect your Vizio Soundbar to the TV and make the Dolby Atmos work. If you have connected to the right port and are still facing issues, move the following fix.
Check & Replace HDMI Cable
Damaged HDMI cables can also be a major reason for HDMI ARC malfunctioning on the Vizio Soundbar. Detach the HDMI cable from the TV and the soundbar and see if you can find any kink or damage. Secure the cable back into the HDMI Arc port on the TV and the soundbar, and check if the issues are solved.
If the HDMI cable is damaged, replace it with a new cable and check if the HDMI ARC issues are fixed. If not, move to the next fix.
Examine the HDMI Ports
Just like examining the cables, you must also examine the HDMI ARC port on your Vizio Soundbar and your TV. If you see any dust formation, clean it up and plug your HDMI cable into the port. However, if the HDMI ARC port on your TV or soundbar is damaged, replace it under warranty.
If your TV’s warranty period has expired, you can use an optical cable to plug in your soundbar to your TV and get the same audio experience. If the HDMI port is not the issue, move to the following solution.
Note: The Dolby Atmos feature is only compatible if you’ve connected your TV and soundbar via HDMI cable. Meanwhile, it won’t work on other audio cables, including optical, RCA, or AUX cables.
Change Audio Settings on TV
If you have the wrong audio output setting on your TV, the Vizio Soundbar won’t work as intended. To fix this issue, open the Settings of your TV, go to the Audio section, and change the Audio Output to HDMI ARC. Doing this will fix the issues with the Vizio Soundbar, apart from changing the audio settings on your TV. You must also change the HDMI ARC settings on your Vizio Soundbar.
To do that, press the Input button on the soundbar remote and switch to HDMI ARC. If there is no issue with the audio settings, check if the soundbar or TV is on mute.
Unmute or Increase the Volume
Sometimes, you just have to check if your Vizio Soundbar or TV is on mute when there is no sound from the soundbar. Also, check the volume on both devices. Unmuting or increasing the volume will resolve this issue. If your soundbar or TV is not mute or on low volume, move to the next fixes.
Enable CEC on your TV
Another trick to solve the HDMI ARC issues on the Vizio Soundbar is by enabling the CEC option on your TV. CEC allows users to control all HDMI devices connected to the TV with one remote. Enabling CEC will allow you to control your Vizio Soundbar with your TV remote. So, if you turn on your TV, your soundbar will also turn on.
Enable the CEC on your TV and turn it off. Then try turning on your TV with your remote and see if your soundbar turns on. If this method doesn’t work, try to check and disable the Eco mode on your Vizio Soundbar.
Tip! Consequently, you can also turn on the auto-on feature on your Vizio Soundbar to turn on the soundbar along with your TV.
Disable the Eco Mode on the Vizio Soundbar
If the Eco Mode is enabled on your Vizio soundbar, it will automatically turn off after a certain period of inactivity. So, if your Vizio soundbar is on the Eco mode, your soundbar might turn off and stop responding to your inputs. Disabling the Eco Mode on your Vizio sounbar will fix this issue.
Press and hold the volume down and power buttons on your Vizio Soundbar simultaneously to disable Eco Mode. However, if you are still facing issues after disabling the Eco Mode, try the next fix.
Reboot your Vizio Soundbar and TV
If the HDMI ARC is not working on your Vizio Soundbar, it might be due to some technical glitches and issues with the TV. You can easily fix these issues with your Vizio TV by rebooting your Vizio Soundbar. Here is how to do it.
1. Turn off your Vizio Soundbar and remove it from the power source and your TV.
2. Now, press the power button of the soundbar for 30 seconds to drain the residual charge.
3. Connect your VIZIO Soundbar back to the power supply and your TV.
4. Now, turn on the VIZIO soundbar and check if the HDMI ARC issues are resolved. If the problem still persists, move to the next fix.
Update the Firmware of the Vizio Soundbar and TV
If you have not updated your Vizio Soundbar or TV in a while, it might lead to issues like HDMI ARC not working. To fix these issues, you have to update your Vizio Soundbar and TV firmware to the latest version.
1. Turn on your Vizio Soundbar and connect it to a stable Wi-Fi network.
2. Install the Vizio SmartCast app on your smartphone. Once you install the app, connect your smartphone to the same Wi-Fi as your Vizio Soundbar.
3. Press Menu on the soundbar remote and select the Wi-Fi setup option.
4. Now, the LED lights on the soundbar will start to blink, indicating it is in pairing mode.
5. Open the Vizio SmartCast app on your smartphone and open Devices Settings.
6. Select Add New Device and complete the setup process.
7. Now, head to Settings on the app and select System.
8. Click on the Check for update option and click Yes on the following tab.
Wait for the soundbar’s firmware to update to the latest version, and in the meantime, check and update your TV’s firmware to the latest version as well. Look into the owner’s manual for your TV to know how to update it.
Once you update the TV and the soundbar, check if the HDMI ARC issues on the soundbar are rectified. If not, move to the final steps of resetting the soundbar.
Reset your Vizio Soundbar
If none of the above fixes work, try resetting your Vizio Soundbar to the factory reset. Resetting the Vizio Soundbar will resolve software-related issues that are restricting the HDMI ARC from working properly. However, resetting your soundbar will also remove your custom audio and Wi-Fi settings.
1. Switch on your Vizio Soundbar.
2. Press the volume down and Bluetooth buttons for five seconds. For some models, you have to press the volume down and power buttons.
3. Once the light on the soundbar flashes thrice, release the buttons.
4. Once the reset is complete, set up your Vizio Soundbar with your TV and check if the HDMI ARC issue is rectified.
Contact Vizio Customer Support
If you have tried all the fixes above and still can’t fix the issue, you might have faulty hardware. So, it is better to seek professional help to resolve the issue. You can contact Vizio Customer Support to assist with the HDMI ARC not working on your Vizio soundbar. They will help you to clear the issue and provide guidance on what to do next to resolve the issues.
Replace or Get a New Vizio Soundbar
If you can’t fix the Vizio Sounbar’s HDMI ARC problem even after trying all these solutions, claim the warranty if your soundbar is still under the warranty period. You can get your Vizio fixed or replaced for free within the warranty period. However, if your sounbar has passed its warranty period, you have to pay for the repair or buy a new soundbar. From the list of Vizio Soundbars available in the market, Vizio Elevate is one of the top recommended soundbars for an enhanced sound experience.
FAQ
If your Vizio Soundbar is not connecting to your TV, reboot the soundbar and your TV, update the Vizio soundbar to the latest version, reset the soundbar, and try connecting to your TV again.
If the Vizio Soundbar HDMI ARC is not working after resetting, try updating the soundbar’s firmware to the latest version. Also, check if the audio output is set to HDMI ARC on your TV’s Audio Settings.
On your LG TV, go to All Settings and select the Sound option. On the Sound section, select the Sound Out option and click on the HDMI ARC option. Once you change this setting, check if the Vizio Soundbar’s HDMI ARC works on your LG TV.
