When the Smart Soundbar 600 shows power but plays no sound, Bose's steps run in order: raise the soundbar volume with the remote, check that the HDMI cable sits in the ARC jack, try the optical cable, set the TV's sound output format to PCM, and try a different Advanced CEC option in the Bose app under Settings, Power, HDMI Power and Audio. Bose also says to switch to another source such as Bluetooth to learn whether only the TV path is silent.
Differential
Likely causes of “Bose Smart Soundbar 600 connects but has no sound”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The soundbar volume is too low
What separates it The light bar shows the soundbar is on and responding, but nothing is audible from any speaker
How to confirm Raise the volume on the remote while the source plays
- 2
The TV is sending sound to its own speakers
What separates it Picture sound keeps coming out of the TV speakers while the soundbar stays silent
How to confirm Check the TV's audio output setting and choose ARC, eARC or optical
- 3
A CEC setting mismatch
What separates it Sound returns after the TV restarts, then fails again
How to confirm Choose a different HDMI Power and Audio option in the Bose app, such as Option 4 for TVs that keep their own speakers on
- 4
A non-PCM format the TV cannot pass
What separates it Some channels or programs are silent while others play normally through the soundbar
How to confirm Set the TV's sound output format to PCM in its audio menu and replay the same program
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The source that is silent and any that still work
- The CEC option currently selected in the Bose app
- Whether the optical cable gives sound where HDMI does not
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedTry another source
ReversibleUse the remote or Bose app to select Bluetooth or a streaming music service. If those play, the soundbar's amplifier and speakers are working.
Check the volume and mute
ReversibleRaise the soundbar volume with the remote. The light bar's left side glowing means the audio is muted and both sides glowing means paused.
Check cables
ReversibleReseat the HDMI cable in the ARC jack, or fit the optical cable and select it. If a second high-speed HDMI cable is available, try it to rule out a bad cable.
Change the CEC option
ReversibleIn the Bose app tap Settings, Power, HDMI Power and Audio and try Option 4 when the TV plays through its own speakers or Option 5 when sound does not return after a reconnect.
Reset
ReversiblePower the soundbar off, disconnect power for 30 seconds, reconnect and wait about 30 seconds for the reboot.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- CEC options
- Default enables CEC and Off disables it. Options 2 to 7 are tuned for specific TV behaviors such as TVs that fail to send a power-on command, lose the HDMI link, or turn back on soon after being turned off.
- In the box
- The soundbar, a remote with battery, an optical cable, an HDMI cable, a power cord, a quick start guide, a safety sheet and a Roku ready insert. There is no power button on the soundbar itself.
- Turning it on and off
- The soundbar has no power button on its body. The remote's top button, above the TV icon, toggles power, and so does the Power button in the Bose app. The two buttons on top are for the voice assistant: the left one toggles the microphone off and on and the right activates the assistant when the mic is on.
- Light bar meanings
- During power-up the light bar blinks for about 30 seconds, then glows amber if the soundbar is waiting to be set up. Blue blinking means Bluetooth discoverable, white on connection, and white sliding across the bar shows an update. Amber glowing is the cue that the soundbar needs setup mode or the app.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If no source plays and the light bar shows an error pattern after a 30-second power reset, request service
- !If sound returns only with the TV speakers on, use the optical cable permanently and contact the TV maker
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
HDMI ARC or optical, Bose app setup, amber light bar, Alexa step.
Discoverable mode, blue light bar, white on connect, TV and Windows cautions.
The 10-second Bluetooth button hold.
Default, Off and Options 2 to 7.
Disable CEC on the TV, try another CEC option, reset the TV.
20-foot range, IR emitters in the corners, alkaline batteries.
Firmware 11.0.40, 10.0.30 and earlier release notes, app OS requirements.
Firmware, account membership, reset and reinstall steps.
Wi-Fi strength readout, bands, extenders, WMM.
Setup, the two Alexa entries, unsupported Alexa features.
Microphone-off button, one Amazon account per Bose account.
30-second power reset and the factory reset on the remote.
Audio delay, TV settings, extender caution.
The 0 to 200 slider under Sync and Delay.
Router and network checks.
Inputs, Bluetooth 4.2, five speakers, Atmos formats.
Exact questions
Common questions
Which CEC option helps when the TV plays its own sound?+
Option 4 is for TVs that do not send audio to the soundbar.
What does Option 5 do?+
It is for an HDMI link that is lost and does not return.
Should the TV output be PCM?+
Yes, Bose says try PCM as the sound output format.
Does muting show on the bar?+
Yes, the left side of the light bar glows when audio is muted.
Can I use both HDMI and optical?+
Use one at a time; select the input you connect.
Will Bluetooth work when HDMI fails?+
Yes, Bluetooth is a separate input path.
What else can silence the soundbar?+
A pending firmware download, shown by a sliding white light.
Is the USB port for audio?+
No, it is for service only.