When an Xbox One shows a picture but plays no sound, Microsoft's checks are that the TV is not muted and the speakers are connected, that the display connection is set to HDMI (a console that believes it is on DVI gives no sound), and that the Audio setup tool passes through each speaker. HDMI audio should stay at Stereo uncompressed unless the HDMI cable goes to a receiver that decodes 5.1 or 7.1. An audio-video receiver needs the TV-first power-on order and an input switch. If a Kinect is used in party chat, the Chat mixer may be muting the game.
Differential
Likely causes of “Xbox One, One S and One X has no sound or headset audio problems”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The TV or speakers are muted or off
What separates it No sound but the picture is fine and a mute icon shows on the TV
How to confirm Check the TV is not muted, is at a reasonable volume and that external speakers are connected and on
- 2
The console thinks the TV is a DVI display
What separates it Sound is missing though the picture is fine, often after setup at 480p
How to confirm Set Display to HDMI or Auto-detect under Video fidelity and overscan; Microsoft says DVI mode gives no sound
- 3
A receiver out of step
What separates it There is no sound only through an AV receiver
How to confirm Turn on the TV, then the receiver, then the console; switch the receiver's input away and back and restart it
- 4
A speaker channel that is not playing
What separates it Some speakers in a surround setup are silent because a speaker channel is not playing
How to confirm Run the Audio setup tool under Volume and audio output, Advanced, and watch which speaker the test skips
- 5
The chat mixer favoring the conversation
What separates it Game sound goes quiet in party chat or a Kinect call
How to confirm Adjust the Chat mixer under Volume and audio output, Additional options
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Where the sound is missing: TV, soundbar, receiver or headset
- The HDMI audio and Optical audio settings
- Any receiver or soundbar between the console and the TV
- Which Xbox One model and whether a Kinect is attached
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedRule out mute and cables
ReversibleCheck the TV audio is not muted and is reasonable, and that any external speakers are properly connected and on.
Set the TV connection to HDMI
ReversibleOpen Profile and system, Settings, General, TV and display options, Video fidelity and overscan, and set Display to HDMI or Auto-detect. If you choose DVI you can only get sound over optical.
Run the Audio setup tool
ReversibleOpen Settings, General, Volume and audio output, Advanced, Audio setup. Highlight the option matching your system and watch which speaker the test skips.
Check HDMI audio
ReversibleUnder Speaker audio keep HDMI audio at Stereo uncompressed unless your receiver processes 5.1 or 7.1 uncompressed. Formats labeled HDMI only turn off optical audio where the console has an optical port.
Sort out a receiver
ReversibleTurn the TV on first, then the receiver, then the console, and use the TV remote to switch the receiver's input away and back. Restart the receiver.
Check Audio Passthrough and the chat mixer
ReversiblePassthrough is for media apps over HDMI and is off with a headset. If game sound drops in chat, adjust the Chat mixer.
Reset the display if the picture is also wrong
ReversibleIf the picture is strange too, hold Xbox and Eject through the second beep to start in low resolution and choose the resolution again.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Optical audio
- Microsoft's speaker settings article says optical audio settings apply only if the optical port is present and a cable is connected; the Series X|S have none, so an Xbox One can use one while a Series console cannot.
- DVI mode
- If the console believes the TV is on DVI, there is no sound over HDMI; set the connection back to HDMI or Auto-detect.
- Tools and supplies
- A second HDMI cable, the TV remote and a flashlight for the ports.
- What to tell Microsoft
- The audio settings tried, the receiver make and the model number; not a part number.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the Xbox One S, Xbox One.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If there is no sound on any TV, cable or headset after every step, request service where eligible
- !If the sound crackles at a port, unplug the console and stop
- !If only a headset is silent and it works elsewhere, contact Xbox support
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. The Kinect chat mixer note applies only to consoles with a Kinect attached.
TV, HDMI, Audio setup tool, chat mixer and receiver steps.
HDMI audio, optical audio and DVI mode.
DVI mode gives no sound.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why is there no sound on my Xbox One?+
Check the TV is not muted, set the display connection to HDMI, run the Audio setup tool and check any receiver, in Microsoft's order.
Why does DVI mode have no sound?+
Microsoft says the console does not send sound over DVI; if the console thinks the TV is on DVI you only get sound over optical.
What should HDMI audio be set to?+
Stereo uncompressed, unless your HDMI cable goes to a receiver that processes 5.1 or 7.1 uncompressed signals.
What is Audio Passthrough?+
A setting that passes raw audio from media apps through HDMI. Microsoft says it is off by design with a headset and does not apply to games.
Why do games go quiet in party chat?+
The Chat mixer may focus on the conversation. Adjust it under Volume and audio output, Additional options.
How do I test my speakers?+
Use the Audio setup tool under Volume and audio output, Advanced.
What if a receiver is involved?+
Turn on the TV first, then the receiver, then the console, switch the receiver input away and back, and restart it.
Should I change the audio format for a soundbar?+
Only if the soundbar can decode it. Microsoft says to keep HDMI audio at Stereo uncompressed unless your receiver processes 5.1 or 7.1 uncompressed signals, so a basic soundbar is best left on the default.
Why does my sound cut out after I change TVs?+
The console may have kept the old display and audio settings. Set the TV connection to Auto-detect under Video fidelity and overscan and run the Audio setup tool again to confirm each speaker plays.
How do I choose the right audio output on the Xbox One X?+
Open Settings, Display and sound, Audio output, pick HDMI audio or Optical audio to match how the receiver is connected, then choose 5.1 uncompressed, 7.1 uncompressed or stereo uncompressed if unsure.
Does HDR change the sound?+
No. HDR settings do not change the audio chain, so a silent console is not an HDR fault.
Which cable problems cause sound loss?+
Guides list damaged or low-quality HDMI cables, foreign objects in the ports and extra switches between the console and TV. Connect straight to the TV as a test.