Sony's troubleshooting article lists the symptoms no sound, distorted or interrupted sound, and unwanted noise while playing video or audio, and gives the steps in order. Restart the TV by holding Power on the supplied remote. Reset the sound settings, since a setting change is a common cause: reset from the Sound menu, then check Speaker output, which may be set to an external speaker or Bluetooth device. Check the volume and mute on the TV, and on a soundbar or receiver if used.
The checks in more detail
If the black-screen article's HDMI steps apply, disconnect and reconnect the HDMI cable and reboot the connected device. Sony's FAQ has articles for no sound from the TV while streaming or casting apps, and for no sound from the audio system when connected via eARC; for eARC check Control for HDMI is on, the soundbar is on the eARC port, and the audio format is set to Auto or a supported format.
Update the software with Automatic Software Update on. If a downloaded app causes the fault, start in Safe Mode, then update, clear data or uninstall the app. Try another source: if the built-in apps play sound but an HDMI device does not, set that device's audio output to PCM. Check Sound Output under Settings, Display and Sound, Audio output. Distorted sound at high volume can mean Dynamic range settings or a damaged speaker.
A factory reset is the last step. Try the same content in two apps. If one plays and the other does not, the fault is that app's audio setting or format, and changing the app's audio track or output usually fixes it. Turn the volume up slowly while a known good clip plays. Quiet output points to a level or output setting, and silence to the speakers or a board.
Differential
Likely causes of “Sony BRAVIA TV line has picture but no sound”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A sound setting change
What separates it There is silence or distortion because a sound setting was changed
How to confirm Reset the sound settings in the Sound menu, and check the sound again
- 2
The wrong audio output
What separates it The TV speakers are silent because the wrong audio output is selected
How to confirm Select the TV speakers as the audio output, in the sound settings
- 3
An eARC or HDMI fault
What separates it There is no sound from the soundbar because of an eARC or HDMI fault
How to confirm Check the eARC port and Control for HDMI, and reseat the cable
- 4
An app fault
What separates it It is silent in one app because that app has a fault
How to confirm Use Safe Mode to test, then update the app and clear its data
- 5
A speaker fault
What separates it The sound is distorted at all volumes because a speaker has a fault
How to confirm Contact Sony service, since distortion at all volumes points to a speaker fault
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which audio output is selected in the TV's sound settings
- Whether one app or all sources are silent
- Which soundbar and which HDMI port you are using
- The audio format that the source sends
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedReset sound settings
ReversibleReset the sound settings, which you find in the Sound menu of the TV, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check the audio output
ReversibleCheck the audio output, choosing between the TV speakers and an external device, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Reseat HDMI
ReversibleReseat the HDMI cable at both ends, and reboot the devices that are connected, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check eARC and Control for HDMI
ReversibleCheck eARC and Control for HDMI, if you use a soundbar with the TV, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Use Safe Mode
ReversibleUse Safe Mode to rule out a downloaded app as the cause of the silence.
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
- Acoustic Surface
- Some BRAVIA OLED models use Acoustic Surface Audio+ and need the TV speaker settings kept on.
- eARC
- BRAVIA 7, 8 and 9 and recent OLED models support eARC.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models A80L, A90J, A95L, BRAVIA 2 II LED TV, BRAVIA 5 Mini LED TV, BRAVIA 7 Mini LED TV, BRAVIA 8 II QD-OLED TV, BRAVIA 9 Mini LED TV, X85K, X900H, X90L, X95L.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the TV speakers are silent in Safe Mode after a reset, contact Sony
- !If only eARC is silent, check the soundbar and cable
- !If the distortion remains, contact Sony service for a repair
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Restart, reset settings, update, Safe Mode and Clear data.
Index of Google TV help articles.
Google TV help topics.
Power cord, reset, TV button and external devices.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why is my BRAVIA silent?+
A sound setting, output or HDMI fault.
How do I reset the sound?+
You reset the sound from the Sound menu, using the reset option.
Which output should I choose?+
TV speakers unless using a soundbar.
Does Sony cover eARC?+
Yes, a no sound article exists.
Can an app cause it?+
Yes, an app can cause silence, so try Safe Mode to test.
Can casting be silent?+
Sony has an article for it.
Where do I find the model name?+
Look at the label on the back of the TV, or open the settings and choose About.
What is the LED indicator for?+
The LED shows power, timers and some fault states, through its color and the number of times it blinks.
Do red blinks mean a fault?+
Most red blink patterns need service, and the count of blinks varies by model, so check your manual.
What is Automatic Software Update?+
It is a setting that lets the TV download updates by itself when it is online.