Question:

How to fix the HDMI ARC connection issue between a Samsung TV and an LG soundbar?

I have a Samsung TV that I bought for my parents as a gift. They were happy with the TV until I added an LG soundbar to improve the sound quality. The soundbar works fine, but the TV does not show the cable picture anymore. It says “check HDMI power” when I go to the HDMI settings. I used the HDMI ARC port to connect the soundbar to the TV. Is there a way to solve this problem? What could be the cause of this issue?

Answer:

HDMI ARC, or Audio Return Channel, is a feature that allows you to transmit audio and video signals through a single HDMI cable. It can reduce the number of cables in your home theater setup and let you control the volume with one remote. However, sometimes HDMI ARC may not work properly and cause issues such as no sound, no picture, or error messages on your TV or soundbar.

If you have a Samsung TV and an LG soundbar connected via HDMI ARC, and you are experiencing problems such as the TV not showing the cable picture anymore, there are some steps you can take to fix the issue. In this article, we will explain the possible causes of the HDMI ARC connection issue and how to troubleshoot them.

Possible causes of the HDMI ARC connection issue

There are several factors that can affect the HDMI ARC connection between your Samsung TV and your LG soundbar. Some of the common causes are:

• Improper HDMI cable or port: The HDMI cable or port may be damaged, loose, or incompatible with the HDMI ARC feature. You need to use a high-speed HDMI cable (version 1.4 or higher) and connect it to the HDMI ARC port on both devices. The HDMI ARC port is usually labeled as “ARC” or “eARC” on the back of the TV or soundbar.
• Incorrect settings on the TV or soundbar: The HDMI ARC feature requires some settings to be enabled on both the TV and the soundbar. You need to turn on the CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) setting on your TV, which may be called Anynet+ on Samsung TVs. You also need to select the HDMI ARC as the sound output on your TV and the sound input on your soundbar. Additionally, you need to make sure that the audio format supported by your soundbar matches the audio format output by your TV. For example, if your soundbar supports PCM (2-channel) or Dolby Digital (up to 5.1 channel), you need to set your TV to output PCM or Dolby Digital accordingly.
• Interference from other devices: Sometimes, other devices connected to your TV or soundbar may interfere with the HDMI ARC signal and cause problems. For example, if you have a Blu-ray player or a gaming console connected to your TV via HDMI, they may override the HDMI ARC signal and prevent the soundbar from receiving the audio. To avoid this, you need to disconnect any other devices from your TV or soundbar, or use a different HDMI port for them.

How to troubleshoot the HDMI ARC connection issue

If you have checked the possible causes of the HDMI ARC connection issue and still cannot fix it, you can try the following troubleshooting steps:

• Power cycle all devices: This is a simple but effective way to reset the HDMI ARC connection and resolve any glitches. To do this, you need to disconnect all HDMI cables from your TV and soundbar, and power off all devices. Then, unplug all devices from their power outlets and wait for a few minutes. After that, reconnect the power to your TV and soundbar, and power them on. Wait for a few more minutes, then reconnect the HDMI cable to the HDMI ARC port on both devices.
• Update the firmware: Sometimes, the HDMI ARC connection issue may be caused by outdated or corrupted firmware on your TV or soundbar. To fix this, you need to update the firmware to the latest version. You can do this by using a USB flash drive, a network connection, or an online service, depending on your device model. You can check the user manual or the official website of your TV or soundbar for the detailed instructions on how to update the firmware.
• Reset your soundbar: If none of the above steps work, you may need to reset your soundbar to its factory settings. This will erase any customized settings and restore the default settings. To do this, you need to press and hold a specific button on your soundbar or remote control for a few seconds, until you see a message on the display or hear a sound. The button may vary depending on your soundbar model, so you need to check the user manual or the official website of your soundbar for the exact procedure.

Conclusion

HDMI

ARC is a useful feature that can enhance your home theater experience, but it can also cause some issues if not set up correctly. If you have a Samsung TV and an LG soundbar connected via HDMI ARC, and you are facing problems such as the TV not showing the cable picture anymore, you can follow the steps in this article to fix the issue. You need to check the HDMI cable and port, the settings on the TV and soundbar, and the interference from other devices. You can also try to power cycle all devices, update the firmware, or reset your soundbar. Hopefully, this article has helped you solve the HDMI ARC connection issue and enjoy your Samsung TV and LG soundbar..