Hisense TV HDMI ARC Not Working? (3 Quick Fixes)

Are you having trouble with HDMI ARC on your Hisense TV, such as no sound coming from the receiver, difficulty detecting the connection, or the ARC option greyed out on your Hisense TV, you are not alone.

I recently encountered the same issue while using my Hisense U7G TV. I had connected my soundbar to the TV via HDMI ARC and was not getting any audio output. 

After doing some research, I found that this is a common problem with Hisense TVs when they are used with external speakers via HDMI ARC/eARC.

I’ve done research and troubleshooting, and I’ve found multiple solutions that work for fixing the ARC issue on Hisense TVs with HDMI ARC/eARC options, so let’s dive into more details.

Common Hisense TV HDMI ARC Issues:

  • The sound won’t work even after switching to the ARC setting on the TV.
  • Hisense ARC Greyed Out
  • Soundbar goes into standby mode when powered down, and the audio is cut out/looped.
  • Audio not working on HDMI 2.1 eARC port.

Before diving into troubleshooting, first, let’s see what is the proper way to connect a receiver with Hisense TV via HDMI ARC / eARC connection.

How To Setup HDMI ARC On Hisense TV?

You might be aware that ARC (Audio Return Channel) allows audio to be sent from your TV to your audio system, such as a soundbar or home theatre system, through the same HDMI cable that is used to receive audio and video from the device.

ARC Output Option On Hisense TV
ARC Output Option On Hisense TV

To use ARC, you will need to have an audio system that is compatible with ARC and also has an HDMI ARC input port. If your audio system does not have an HDMI ARC input, you will need to use a separate audio cable, such as an optical cable, to connect your device to your audio system.

  1. Connect the HDMI output on the AVR (Audio Receiver) (Having ARC port) to the HDMI input on the Hisense TV labeled “HDMI 1” (which is the ARC port on all Hisense TVs).
  2. From the Hisense TV’s main menu, navigate to the “Sound” settings and ensure that the audio output is set to “ARC.”
  3. From the “Sound” settings menu, navigate to the “Advanced Settings” and then select “Digital Audio Output.
  4. Set the TV’s digital audio output to the “Passthrough” option.
  5. Return to the main menu and launch the Netflix app or your Dolby Atmos connected input.
  6. Search for a movie or TV show that is available in Dolby Atmos and select it to play.
  7. Confirm that the movie or TV show is properly displaying the Dolby Atmos logo, indicating that the ARC connection is working properly and allowing the Dolby Atmos audio to pass through to the AVR.

How To Connect Xbox With Hisense TV Via HDMI ARC?

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to set up ARC:

  1. Make sure that both your TV and audio system support ARC.
  2. Connect your device to your TV using an HDMI cable. For example, if you are using an Xbox One, connect the HDMI cable from the Xbox to an HDMI port on your TV.
  3. Connect an HDMI cable from the HDMI ARC output port on your audio system to the HDMI ARC input port on your TV.
  4. Adjust the settings on both your TV and audio system to enable the ARC feature.
  5. Test the setup to make sure that audio is being sent from your device to your audio system through the HDMI ARC connection.

Troubleshooting Hisense TVs HDMI ARC / eARC Issues

If you have a Hisense TV that supports HDMI ARC and it is not working with the receiver, it could be due to an issue with the HDMI connection in the AV receiver’s internal board not properly communicating with the TV’s ARC function.

This problem can occur with various brands of AV receivers, including Marantz, Denon, Yamaha, and Onkyo.

To troubleshoot this issue, follow these steps:

  1. Unplug the AV receiver from the wall for 10-20 seconds.
  2. Plug the AV receiver back in and turn it on.
  3. Check the TV’s settings to see if the option to select ARC is now available. It may have previously been greyed out.
  4. Test the ARC connection to see if it is working properly.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to try a different HDMI cable because it’s worth noting that HDMI ARC and eARC require high bandwidth HDMI 2.1+ cables for proper functioning.

Method #2

If you have properly connected your AV receiver to your TV via HDMI ARC, but you are still experiencing issues with sound or the connection seems to be glitching, try the following steps:

  1. Check your connections to make sure that all HDMI cables are securely plugged in and not damaged.
  2. Power off the AV receiver and TV, then power them back on again to see if this resolves the issue.
  3. Try using a different HDMI port on the TV and a different HDMI cable.
  4. Update the firmware on your AV receiver and TV to the latest version.
  5. Reset your TV to its factory default settings.

Bonus Troubleshooting Method

HDMI CEC Hisense TV
HDMI CEC Hisense TV
  1. On your Hisense TV, Use the TV remote to click the “MENU” button.
  2. Click “Settings” and then click “System.”
  3. Click “HDMI & CEC Functions” and switch on “CEC Control.”
  4. Scroll down to “CEC Device List” and click “Detect.”
  5. Make sure that the soundbar is properly connected and powered on.
  6. If the sound does not come on, power off the entire system and then turn it back on again.

What devices are compatible with Hisense TVs for HDMI ARC connections?

Hisense TVs are compatible with a wide range of devices for HDMI ARC connections, including:

  • Blu-ray players
  • Home theatre systems
  • Soundbars
  • Streaming devices, such as the Amazon Fire TV Stick or Google Chromecast
  • Cable/satellite boxes
  • Game consoles, such as the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One

Any device that has an HDMI output and is compatible with HDMI ARC can be connected to a Hisense TV using an HDMI 2.1+ cable.

Conclusion

ARC and eARC undoubtedly simplify setup by allowing audio to be sent from your TV to an audio system via the same HDMI cable. This reduces cables used and potentially improves sound quality.

However, when ARC or eARC connection stops working on your Hisense TV, it can be frustrating. You may experience issues such as no sound coming from the receiver, difficulty detecting the connection, or the ARC option being greyed out on your TV.

These problems can occur for a variety of reasons, such as an issue with the HDMI connection in the AV receiver’s internal board, a problem with the HDMI cable, or a firmware issue with one of your devices (TV as well as connected Receiver).