A Smart Soundbar 600 that plays from only one side is almost always a connection or format problem, and Bose's guidance for missing or unbalanced sound follows the signal path: confirm the HDMI ARC cable runs from the soundbar's ARC jack to the TV's ARC or eARC jack, try the optical cable if the TV lacks ARC, and set the TV's sound output format to PCM. The 600 has five speakers, so a one-sided sound is usually a source or format problem, or accessory surround speakers that are not connected.
Differential
Likely causes of “Bose Smart Soundbar 600 plays from only one side or channel”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A source that sends mono or a downmix
What separates it One channel is silent on a single app but every other source is balanced
How to confirm Play a different source such as Bluetooth or a music service in the Bose app and compare
- 2
The TV output format is not PCM
What separates it Sound drops out on one side or from the surrounds only with certain programs
How to confirm Set the TV's sound output format to PCM and test again
- 3
A loose HDMI or optical cable
What separates it Sound cuts to one side when the cable is touched
How to confirm Reseat both ends of the cable and try the optical cable in place of HDMI
- 4
Accessory surround speakers or bass module not linked
What separates it Rear or low-frequency sound is missing while the soundbar itself plays
How to confirm Check the accessory power cords and the accessory step in the Bose app setup
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the imbalance follows the source or stays with every source
- The TV or box audio format setting
- Whether surround speakers or a bass module are connected
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedTest another source
ReversibleChoose Bluetooth or a streaming service in the Bose app. If sound is balanced there, the fault is in the TV or cable path rather than the soundbar.
Reseat the connection
ReversiblePush the HDMI cable firmly into the soundbar's ARC jack and the TV's ARC or eARC jack, or connect the optical cable if the TV has no ARC label.
Set PCM output
ReversibleIn the TV's sound settings look for an audio format option among AAC, Dolby and PCM, and choose PCM to remove format negotiation as a cause.
Check accessories
ReversibleIf surround speakers or the bass module are used, reconnect their power cords and use Connect in the app's accessory step; Bose says to disconnect both surround receivers when doing a full reset.
Reset the soundbar
ReversibleTurn it off, remove the power cord for 30 seconds, restore power and wait about 30 seconds for the reboot; reconnect any accessory power cords afterwards.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If one side stays silent on every source and cable, request service because a driver may have failed
- !If the soundbar smells of burning or a speaker crackles, unplug it and contact Bose
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
How many speakers does the 600 have?+
Five, plus an optional bass module.
Which cable should I use?+
HDMI to the ARC jack, or optical if the TV has no ARC.
Does the soundbar have its own power button?+
No, use the remote or the Bose app.
What audio formats does it decode?+
Dolby Digital, Digital Plus, TrueHD and Atmos.
Can accessories cause one-sided sound?+
Yes, if surround speakers are not connected they are silent.
Where do I set PCM?+
In the TV's sound settings under audio format.
Will a reset erase my settings?+
The 30-second power reset does not; the factory restore does.
Is stereo affected by grouping?+
Grouping in the app can change which speakers play.