LG TV line (OLED evo, QNED and UHD) has picture but no sound: LG's guidance separates TV speakers from external audio. First run the Sound Self-Diagnosis to hear whether the TV can play sound: on webOS 2021 and later it is All Settings, Support, Sound Self-Diagnosis, on 2020 it is Additional Settings, Sound Test, and on OLED models from 2021 to 2023 it is General, OLED Care, Device Self-Care, Sound Self-Diagnosis; LG notes it does not test the broadcast signal.
The checks in more detail
If the test plays, the TV works and the fault is the source or a soundbar. LG's soundbar page lists causes: volume too low, mute accidentally on, wrong signal source, sound only from the TV, content paused. Check the soundbar and TV volumes and the set-top box volume and cable. Make sure both ends of the HDMI or optical cable are seated. Check the TV's speaker settings: select Optical Digital or HDMI for wired speakers, or Bluetooth for wireless,
and if the sound comes from the TV but not the soundbar, make sure the TV Sound Output is set to the external device, not the TV internal speakers. With a WOW dongle, check it is powered and on the HDMI ARC port, the output is set to HDMI ARC, and reset it with its RESET button. LG notes that if wired and wireless connections fail, check that the TV and speaker are both LG brand where a wireless LG feature is used.
Try a new or different cable. Update the software. If the TV speakers work in the test but not on a given app, look at the app's own audio output or format settings, since some apps default to passthrough formats that a soundbar or the TV cannot play. Turn the volume up slowly while the Sound Self-Diagnosis plays. Quiet output points to a level or output setting, and silence points to speakers or a board.
Differential
Likely causes of “LG TV line (OLED evo, QNED and UHD) has picture but no sound”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Low volume or mute
What separates it There is no sound because the volume is low or the TV is muted
How to confirm Check both the TV volume and the soundbar volume, and the mute setting
- 2
The wrong sound output
What separates it Sound comes only from the TV or only from the soundbar because the output is wrong
How to confirm Select the right sound output, either the TV speaker or the external device
- 3
A loose or damaged cable
What separates it The sound cuts in and out because a cable is loose or damaged
How to confirm Reseat the cable, or replace it with another one, and test the sound again
- 4
A dongle not on ARC
What separates it There is no sound through the dongle because it is not on the ARC port
How to confirm Use the ARC port for the dongle, and reset the dongle, then test again
- 5
A set-top box audio setting
What separates it It is silent on cable channels because of an audio setting on the set top box
How to confirm Check the audio format on the set top box, and set it to a simple one
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the Sound Self-Diagnosis plays a tone through the TV speakers
- Which sound output is selected in the TV's sound settings
- The type of cable that carries the sound
- Which source device you are watching
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedRun Sound Self-Diagnosis
ReversibleRun Sound Self-Diagnosis, which lets you hear the TV speakers, apart from the sources, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check volumes and mute
ReversibleCheck the volumes and the mute setting on both the TV and the soundbar, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Select the sound output
ReversibleSelect the sound output in the settings, choosing the TV speaker or an external device.
Reseat the cable
ReversibleReseat the cable, whether HDMI or optical, at both ends, and test the sound again.
Check the dongle
ReversibleCheck the dongle for power, for the ARC port and try a reset of the dongle.
Try another cable
ReversibleTry another cable, to isolate whether the cable is the cause of the sound problem.
Update the software
ReversibleUpdate the software on the TV, and then retest the sound with each source, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- eARC
- Recent LG OLED models have an eARC port; older ones have ARC.
- Soundbars
- LG's own soundbars work with the TV Sound Sync features.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models B3, B4, B5, C2, C3, C5, CX OLED TV, G3, G4, M4, QNED85T, QNED90T, UR9000.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the Sound Self-Diagnosis is silent, contact LG
- !If only the soundbar is silent, check the cable and output
- !If the sound cuts out, update the software on the TV
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Soundbar and external audio checks.
Screen and Sound Self-Diagnosis by model year.
Connecting a soundbar.
Software Update menu.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I test the TV speakers?+
Run Sound Self-Diagnosis, which plays a tone through the TV's own speakers.
Why is the soundbar silent?+
Volume, mute, source or the sound output.
Where do I choose the output?+
You choose the output in the TV's sound settings, under the sound output menu.
What is a WOW dongle?+
A wireless link for LG soundbars.
Which port does it need?+
A soundbar needs the HDMI ARC port on the TV, to receive its sound.
Can the set-top box be the cause?+
Yes, the set top box can be the cause, so check its audio format.
What is HDMI Ultra HD Deep Color?+
It is a port setting that is needed for 4K HDR sources, so turn it on for the port that the source uses.
Where is the model number on the C4?+
It is on the label at the back of the TV, and it is also in the settings under About This TV.
What is the LG Content Store?+
The LG Content Store is LG's app store for webOS TVs, where you can add and update apps.