No Sound or Volume on Apple TV – How to Fix
If you are having any issues or problems with audio coming from your TV while using Apple TV (2nd or 3rd generation) there are some simple steps and solutions you can follow to resolve the sound problem.
Some symptoms you may be coming across include no sound while playing movies, audio static, no sound on AirPlay or mirroring a device. You can follow the steps below to fix these issues.
No Sound or Volume on Apple TV – Step 1
With any third party device being connected to a Apple device for it to run, it is always recommended to troubleshoot the third party device first then move onto the Apple TV device. Troubleshooting your TV would include.
- Check if the volume on your TV is turned up or the mute button has not been activated. Refer to the specific manual for your TV to change these settings.
- Ensure there is a positive connections between your Apple TV, Television and also Home Theatre system if benign using. This would include checking all devices are connected and cables are secure and in the appropriate areas. Also to see if there is adequate power source to each device. Also check if the audio receiver is set to the Apple TV, check user manual for more details.
- If none of these fixes or solutions fixed the sound problem, you can do a restart the Apple TV. This is very easily done by holding down the Menu & Down buttons together for 6 seconds or more. This will restart the Apple TV which may take a few minutes and hopefully eliminate any temporary glitches that may have occurred.
No Sound or Volume on Apple TV – Step 2
If you are using a third party home theatre system or optical digital audio port try connecting your television directly to the Apple TV with a HDMI cable. If this does not work to resolve the no sound problem you can change the audio output mode for the Apple TV
- Using your Apple remote, select Settings > Audio & Video.
- From there change the audio output setting from auto to 16bit.
Secondly you can turn off the Dolby Digital Out setting (if your television isn’t picking a signal it may be causing audio issues)
- Using your Apple TV remote, select Settings > Audio & Video.
- From there change the Dolby Digital Out setting from On to Off.
Hopefully some of these solutions and fixes have resolved the no sound or speaker issues for your Apple TV. If you have used any of these steps or have found another way of fixing this issues please share below as is all helps :D.
glen says
I plugged my Apple TV directly into the back of my TV I have the video picture but no sound. I have tried your solutions but still no sound. I am using a HDMI Cable from the Apple TV to the Digital Video Interface this is the only digital connection on my Samsung Model HLN567WX TV Any suggestions
fiona says
I am having the same issue. this is frustrating!
joyce says
same issue. Apple Support was not able to help. after connecting Apple TV, I can’t adjust TV volume. same issue with two different TVs and two different Apple TVs.
kendra says
I am having the same problem — the odd thing is that I am using the same TV, cables, Apple TV, and Mac have been all used before. Just changed locations, back to an apartment and in a configuration where it worked before. Tried to setup and get no sound, but only on the Apple TV (DVDs are fine) — also no sound when navigating (and I checked the settings for Sound Effects as some have suggested — its on).
I did just upgrade to ElCapitan on the Mac. Could that be it? Not sure what to do in that case.
Marcco says
Same problem kendra. . . cleaned behind tv and replugged everything back in, except ATV4 needs to be reset (from iTunes) for some reason. I plugged my old ATV3 in. It worked yesterday, today didn’t work. Dvd works, but pic but no sound through ATV3 works. ITS A PAIN. . . I have to go PURCHASE a USB C wire (45 minutes to the Apple Store) to connect between my ATV4 and my MBP to access iTunes in order to reset and fix my ATV4. TIME CONSUMING! ! ! ! ! Anyone have a clue as to why ATV3 or 4 are not working???
Helaine Kat says
No sound on my new 7plus iPhone
Andrew says
Try changing the HDMI output to exactly match your TV. Mine was set to “auto” which was partially working. Sound came out for music but not video.
Jade says
The solutions didn’t work
Steve38gbc says
Using Apple TV in conjunction with Sony TV and Sony Multi Channel AV Receiver STR-DA2400ES (this is a large sophisticated amplifier with built-in TV and radio receivers and can handle numerous different external inputs.
Perfect picture but no audio from Apple TV sources.
None of the suggested adjustments made any difference.
Realised this must be a set-up issue with the Sony kit and sure enough it was.
Apple TV is connected direct to HDMI-2 input on the TV. As with other direct inputs to the TV, the system “back-feeds” audio from the source via the TV into the Sony Receiver for distribution to the speakers around the room.
By switching off the Sony Receiver (and hence its speakers) it was possible to get audio from just the TV speaker (it is usually switched out when using the TV in conjunction with the Sony Receiver).
Investigating detailed control options on the Sony Receiver revealed a feature that we never normally touch – “2CH/A.Direct”. Don’t really understand why this would affect Apple TV audio but after adjusting (fiddling) this setting normal sound returned. N.B. The Sony Receiver was designed during the era of the iPod but some years before Apple TV.
No doubt there are many similar quirks on various equipments.
CK says
Have the same problem, all above solutions work temporarily and no volume again
Help please
Kevin says
Restart worked for me. Thanks
kh says
Under settings, then air play, make sure ‘apple tv’ is checked and not airport.
Heather says
I tried all of that and nothing worked. Went to settings and did sleep now then hit the menu button again to wake it up and the sound started working.
AussieAppleTVBlackUser says
Am on vacation in a rental house w a crappy old Toshiba TV. Your recommendation re turning off Dolby did the trick. Thanks!
Karl says
Tried everything and still no sound – very frustrating
Jay says
Thanks KH. That was my issue this time. Seems that this is a quirky unit. I have had a host of similar but different issues with it.
Hank says
Restarting my tv fixed the problem
Candice Mary says
i tried everything and nothing worked. Put it into sleep mode then tried again and that did the trick.
TY says
I reseted it and it worked!!!!! Im so happy!!!!!!
Cody says
I tried restarting everything and it didn’t work. I then completely unplugged the TV and then it worked!
Nanette says
Have tried ALL of these and nothing worked
yeritan says
I tried all the ways above. But nothing fixed my Apple TV. So I tryied TunesKit to successfully repair my device. Someone said that resetting ot restarting Apple TV also worked fine.