Roku's no-sound article is for a Roku player with picture but no sound, and it sorts by how the player is connected. Directly to the TV: check the TV's volume and mute, make sure mute is off, check composite audio plugs are snug (red and white), connect the player to a different input to see whether the TV input is faulty, and change the cable.
The checks in more detail
Through an AVR or soundbar: select the right input on the AVR or soundbar, check volume and mute on the TV and the master volume on the AVR, check the cables between the player, receiver and TV, try another input on the receiver and change cables one at a time. Optical: if a player with an optical port is connected to an AVR or soundbar by an optical cable, set the output format on the player to Dolby Digital under Settings, Audio, Digital output format, Custom, Dolby, Dolby Digital, and remember to remove the protective plastic caps from the optical cable ends.
If you hear nothing only when playing surround sound, the TV, AVR or soundbar may not support the format the service uses, such as Dolby Digital Plus or Atmos, so choose a format it supports in the same audio menu, or set Stereo. For a Roku Streambar or Roku TV Ready soundbar, Roku says your TV must have an HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC to send TV audio to the soundbar, and to enable CEC and choose HDMI ARC in the TV's audio output; Roku has articles for no sound on a soundbar and for a Streambar when watching cable.
Restart the player and update its software. Try the same show in a second channel. If sound works in one channel but not another, the fault is that channel's audio track or format, not the Roku, and switching the audio language or output usually fixes it in a minute. Use headphones through the Roku mobile app to test whether the Roku is producing sound at all. If private listening works, the fault is downstream in the TV, soundbar or cable.
Differential
Likely causes of “Roku TV line and players has picture but no sound”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Mute or low volume
What separates it There is no sound because the volume is low or the TV is muted
How to confirm Check TV, AVR and soundbar volume and mute
- 2
The wrong receiver input
What separates it There is silence through the receiver because the wrong receiver input is selected
How to confirm Select the right input on the receiver or soundbar, for the Roku
- 3
An optical format issue
What separates it There is no sound over optical because of an optical format issue
How to confirm Set the digital format to Dolby Digital, which optical connections can carry
- 4
An unsupported surround format
What separates it It is silent only with surround because the format is not supported
How to confirm Choose an audio format that the connected device supports, such as Stereo
- 5
A soundbar ARC issue
What separates it There is no TV audio through a Streambar because of an ARC issue
How to confirm Use the ARC port on the TV and enable CEC, so that the audio comes back
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- How the player is connected to the TV or the receiver
- The audio format setting that is chosen on the player
- Whether silence is only in surround
- The soundbar that you use and the ARC port
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck volume and mute
ReversibleCheck the volume and the mute setting, on the TV and on the receiver or soundbar.
Select the right input
ReversibleSelect the right input on the AVR or the soundbar, so that it plays the Roku's sound.
Change cables
ReversibleChange cables one at a time, so that you can tell which one is causing the silence.
Set the digital format
ReversibleSet the digital format to Dolby Digital, if you use an optical connection, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Try Stereo
ReversibleTry Stereo if surround fails, since Stereo works with almost every device, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Enable CEC and ARC
ReversibleEnable CEC and ARC for a Streambar, so that it can receive the TV's audio.
Restart the player
ReversibleRestart the player and update it, and then test the sound again, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Streambar
- Roku Streambar and Smart Soundbar models connect by HDMI ARC or eARC.
- Optical
- Only some players and TVs have an optical output.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models Roku Ultra 4800/4802, Streaming Stick 4K, Express 4K, Roku Express, Roku Streambar, Roku Streambar Pro, Roku Pro Series TV.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If sound fails on every input and cable, contact Roku
- !If only the Streambar is silent, check ARC, CEC and the cable
- !If sound cuts in and out, update the software
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Direct, AVR, soundbar and optical checks.
CEC, ARC and eARC on many TV brands.
Streambar ARC.
System update, Check now.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why is my Roku silent?+
Volume, the input or the audio format.
What is the optical setting?+
Set Dolby Digital under Digital output format.
Should I remove the optical caps?+
Yes, remove the caps from the optical plugs, or the sound cannot pass.
Why is only surround silent?+
The device may not support the format.
What is eARC?+
A newer ARC for high-bitrate audio.
Can a Streambar be silent with cable?+
Roku has an article for it.
Should I change cables?+
Change cables one at a time, so that you can tell which one is at fault.
What does a solid red light mean on a Roku?+
A solid red light means that the player is too hot, so move it to a cooler place.
What does a flashing red light mean on a Roku?+
A flashing red light means that the player is not getting enough power, so check its supply.
Does a Roku reset erase settings?+
Yes, a factory reset erases your settings, your accounts and your channels, so use it as a last resort.
Should I use a power strip for a Roku?+
Roku recommends a wall outlet, since a power strip or a surge protector can give unsteady power.