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It’s hard to troubleshoot a soundbar. Most soundbars have very few controls and no display to tell you what’s wrong. Because of this, troubleshooting soundbars involves trial and error. However, knowing which things to try first can help you save time.
Soundbar issues usually arise from an improper connection, an incorrect device configuration, or a poor physical arrangement. Fixes are usually relatively simple, though some may take some time. First, try the most straightforward solutions, moving up in complexity as needed.
There are a variety of reasons why your soundbar could not work correctly. Here are nine of the most common problems users encounter with their soundbars. You should be able to fix what’s wrong while saving the most time and money if you follow these step-by-step troubleshooting instructions.
Here we are going to talk about energy soundbar troubleshooting. But, It is always a good idea to try a power cycle before any of these steps. Unplugging your device and plugging it back in after about 15 seconds should resolve most problems.
When the energy soundbar doesn’t work at all
It is important to note that the first category of problems covers instances where the system does not work at all.
It won’t turn on
Generally, power problems have pretty simple solutions. The first thing you should do is check to see if it’s actually off.
Soundbars usually have an indicator light that indicates that they are on. Consult your manual to find out what it looks like.
Your manufacturer may have a complete manual online. If your indicator light is on, chances are you have a sound issue rather than a power issue.
Use the power button on the soundbar instead of the remote to turn on the soundbar if the power button does not work. If this works, replace the remote’s battery or the remote itself.
Check all the connections for your soundbar if you still don’t get power. Your soundbar needs to be connected to a source of power as well as a device that sends sound to it. Make sure that all outlets and ports are clean and securely connected, as well as that your setup is free of damage or cuts.
Even if your soundbar is out of warranty (more on that below), it may be possible to get a replacement power cable from the manufacturer.
Sound isn’t there
You may need to check your volume settings if your soundbar is not producing sound. Try your remote first, and then the volume controls on the soundbar itself if this doesn’t work. Make sure to check the volume settings on your source device as well. Your source device’s volume should be set at maximum, while the soundbar should handle all volume control.
In order to take advantage of HDMI CEC, your soundbar must be connected to your source device via HDMI. You can use it to control all of your connected devices with a single remote control as well as have a universal volume control across all of them.
Check your connections if you don’t hear sound from your soundbar. Check your connections if they seem secure. If you have alternative ports, try using them. This will prevent one of your ports from being damaged. Make sure your device is paired if you are connecting wirelessly.
You can try connecting your soundbar to your device with another cable if your connections appear secure. A different connection may work if all else fails. If this doesn’t work, your soundbar may have been damaged internally.
Performance issues with the energy soundbar
There are several common issues associated with a system that powers on and is functional, but may be experiencing some performance problems.
There is no improvement in TV sound
Check your audio settings to ensure that sound is being routed to the soundbar if you get sound but it sounds like your TV’s sound. You can accomplish this by consulting your source device’s manual and following the installation instructions for connecting external audio devices.
As a result, the audio quality may be poor or there may be no sound at all. In either case, follow the instructions above for dealing with no sound. There may be an issue with either your volume settings or your connection.
“Weird” or “quiet” sound
You might have your soundbar in a special audio mode if you’ve tried the above steps to fix your sound. It is possible to adjust the sound for specific purposes with a soundbar that has a night mode or a dialogue-enhancement mode.
During night mode, certain frequencies are lowered so that adjacent rooms are not disturbed. For viewing news and other highly narrated content, dialogue-enhancement mode amplifies higher-pitched frequencies.
However, enabling either of these settings accidentally can result in your content sounding strange. Especially with movies with powerful soundtracks, this is true. You can disable these special sound modes by consulting your manual.
If you’re still having trouble, your source device might be broadcasting audio your soundbar cannot reproduce. A 5.x surround sound signal may be broadcast to a 2.x or 3.x soundbar if your source device broadcasts a 5.x signal.
The rear channels, which would normally fold into the left and right channels, may disappear if this is the case. Ensure your TV’s audio settings match your soundbar’s speaker arrangement.
Out of sync sound and picture
In this case, the soundbar passes the video directly to the TV when the source device is connected directly to it. There is a feature on many TV boxes, Sky boxes, and disc players that prevents this. There may be an “audio delay” feature in your box’s audio settings menu. When you are satisfied with the synchronization, adjust the audio delay.
Noise
There are a few sources of “fuzziness” in the sound. Therefore, our approach here can be divided into two categories:
Verifying all connections and the source
Cables are the most likely culprits when it comes to unwanted sound. In particular, analog audio suffers from this problem. Ensure that all connections are firmly inserted and secured.
You might be experiencing interference even if your connections are good. It is likely that your cable is causing this, but improper volume settings may amplify the effect.
Make sure that your source is playing at its maximum volume and that you are controlling the volume primarily with your soundbar. Having a low input volume can make it difficult to hear audio signals because interference can be overwhelming. Your soundbar will amplify the interference along with the audio signal.
Modifying the Positioning
It is possible for radio interference to be captured simply by the position of a cable. You can move or organize your cables as a simple solution.
Even though rubber bands or twist ties can help you organize your cables, there are other accessories available like the JOTO Cable Management Sleeve (on Amazon).
If you use shielded connections, such as HDMI, you may want to upgrade your cables. Poor shielding materials may be used in cheap cables, allowing interference to occur.
Unwanted noise can also be caused by a low buzzing sound called “60 cycle hum.” 60-cycle hum is caused by nearby high-voltage currents. Fluorescent lighting and household wiring are the two most common sources.
Moving the soundbar usually solves this problem. Take the soundbar off the wall mount, find an area on the wall where there is no hum, and reinstall the mount.
Device connection problems
Devices are not connecting or staying connected, which leads to these issues.
The soundbar turns off during playback
Occasionally, your soundbar may cut out while watching content due to energy-saving settings. These settings may benefit both the environment and the longevity of your device, so you may want to keep them on.
This behavior can be triggered by poor volume calibration. Make sure your source device’s volume is set to maximum. If you use maximum volume, you will minimize if not eliminate energy saver mode (especially when using analog connections). Your output device should always be able to control your volume when possible.
It may be a good idea to disable the energy-saving mode if this does not solve your problem. In the absence of fixing the problem, you won’t likely notice any difference.
Subwoofer not working
The lack of sound from the subwoofer is especially frustrating since subwoofers are a great addition to a soundbar setup (our article). It is always a good idea to make sure the subwoofer is turned on. It is possible for the subwoofer to have its own power source that needs to be connected. You can find details in your manual.
Check the connections if you still don’t hear sound. When swapping wires, make sure they are not damaged. To ensure your wireless devices are properly paired, consult your manual.
Having trouble connecting wirelessly
Pairing may not work if you’re using Bluetooth or WiFi to connect to your soundbar. It is most commonly caused by additional devices that have already been paired. You may need to consult your manual to unpair your soundbar from all devices. Simply turn off Bluetooth connectivity and turn it back on again.
Are you still having trouble?
It’s time to consider nuclear options if none of the above worked.
Reset to factory settings
In case all else fails, you can attempt a factory reset. It will restore your device to its factory settings, but the process will vary from device to device. You can find instructions in your manual.
Returns/Exchanges (Under Warranty)
It’s important to check with your retailer’s return policy before returning or exchanging a new soundbar that’s giving you problems. Changing the soundbar is the simplest solution to persistent problems.
In the event that you bought it from a store, repackage the soundbar and its components as best as you can, and discuss an exchange with customer service or a manager. If you purchased it online, speak to a customer service representative as soon as possible.
Exchange/Return (Not under warranty)
It’s worth a shot to give us a call even if you’ve already passed the return or exchange deadline. You can politely argue your case if you’re denied, but understand that the person you’re speaking to may not have the authority to change company policy. It is important to determine if your device is still covered by warranty if this is the case.
In this case, follow the warranty instructions included with your soundbar. Before going to a repair shop, it is important to do this, since it may void the warranty. The manufacturer may require you to return the soundbar for repairs. Ensure you ask about the cost of shipping and repairs if this is the case.
Try contacting them even if your device is not covered by warranty. Manufacturers often care more about keeping you as a loyal customer than saving what amounts to a small amount of money on shipping and repairs.
It may also be possible for them to connect you with departments within the company or licensed repair shops that handle non-warranty repairs, probably at a cost.
Get an estimate and a quote from another company department if you are passed off by the warranty claims department.
It is important to understand that they cannot provide you with a detailed labor or material quote until they are able to examine your soundbar.
Selling parts is the final solution
Ultimately, you will have to decide which option is best for you based on your priorities. The repair technician may suggest selling it for parts if the problem is unfixable or if enough repair technicians are unable to fix it.
It is common for repair techs and recycling companies to pay a small amount for gutting your soundbar to find working parts and raw materials. Even if it’s a small amount, it can contribute to finding something that works.
Frequently asked questions
How to program and connect the energy soundbar?
Why is my sound bar not working?
Plug in the TV and soundbar after unplugging them for 10 seconds. The HDMI “handshake” between the TV and the soundbar can sometimes be reestablished to fix minor malfunctions. The TV and soundbar should be updated with the latest firmware, then the power should be cycled.
How do you fix a soundbar that won’t turn on?
Unplug the Sound Bar’s power cord. After unplugging the Sound Bar, hold down the power button for five seconds. Connect the power cable again, and then power on the soundbar.
Why does my soundbar keep turning off?
Check if your model has Auto Standby. You can find manuals on the support page for your model. Auto Standby reduces the power consumption of the device by turning itself off or entering standby mode automatically after approximately 15 minutes.
