Samsung TV Optical Out No Sound Solved
By Robert Jones · 2021-05-17
So, your Samsung TV's optical out is playing hard to get? Robert Jones from SpeakersMag here, and I know that frustration. Let's get that sound flowing again without breaking the bank or your spirit.
Right, so you've got your Samsung TV, all shiny and new (or maybe not so new, I'm not judging!), and you're trying to get some decent sound out of it. You've gone down the optical cable route, plugged it into your soundbar or that trusty old home cinema amp, and… nothing. Just silence. Or that infuriating flashing light on your DAC. I know the feeling, mate. It's enough to make you want to lob the remote at the telly, isn't it?  *Samsung TV Optical Out No Sound Solved — tested in the SpeakersMag workshop.* Honestly, I've seen this happen countless times in my workshop and at mates' houses. People assume their TV's packed up, or the soundbar's a dud. Nine times out of ten, it's nothing that dramatic. Usually, it's just a barmy setting buried deep in the TV menu, or sometimes, just sometimes, a rubbish cable. So, before you start tearing your hair out or splashing out on new kit you don't need, let's run through the usual suspects and get that glorious sound flowing. You'll be surprised how often a simple tweak sorts it. **Quick Verdict: Don't panic, it's usually a quick fix in your TV settings or a dodgy cable.** ### Why Your Samsung TV's Optical Out Has Gone Quiet It's a frustrating one, isn't it? You've made the connection, you expect sound, and you get… nada. The optical (or TOSLINK, as some call it) connection is meant to be a simple, digital audio link. No fuss, no bother. But modern TVs, especially the smart ones, have layers of menus and options that can easily trip you up. Sometimes, the TV just decides it doesn't want to send audio out that port, or it's sending it in a format your receiver doesn't understand. It's a right pain, but usually solvable. ### The Absolute Basics: Check the Obvious First Look, I know this sounds patronising, and you've probably already done it, but bear with me. After two decades of faffing with gear, I can't tell you how many times a simple, "Is it plugged in?" or "Is it turned on?" has solved a head-scratcher. We all miss the simple stuff sometimes, especially when we're annoyed. * **Is the Optical Cable Securely Plugged In?** Both ends, mind. Not just jammed in, but properly clicked. They can be a bit flimsy, those little plastic plugs. Give 'em a wiggle, see if it helps. If it feels loose, that's a red flag. * **Is Your Soundbar/Receiver Switched On and on the Right Input?** This is a classic. You're expecting sound, but the amp's still on "CD" or "Bluetooth". Make sure it's set to "Optical" or "Digital In". Check the display on your soundbar or amp. You'd be amazed. * **Check the TV's Speaker Output Setting:** On your Samsung TV remote, hit the `Home` button, then navigate to `Settings` (the cog icon). Go to `Sound`, then `Sound Output`. It should NOT be set to "TV Speaker". You'll want to select "Optical" or "Audio Out/Optical". If you see "HDMI eARC" or "Bluetooth", that's fine if you're using those, but for optical, you need "Optical". If it's greyed out, that's a different problem we'll get to. If you've gone through those, and still nothing, then we need to dig a bit deeper. Don't fret, we're just getting started. ### Delving Into Samsung's Sound Settings (The Real Nitty-Gritty) This is where most of the magic happens, or rather, where most of the problems are usually hiding. Samsung's menu systems can be a bit of a maze, jumping between models. But the core principles are the same. 1. **Digital Output Audio Format (PCM vs. Bitstream):** This is probably the most common culprit. Your TV is sending one type of signal, and your soundbar or amp is expecting another. * On your Samsung TV, go to `Settings` > `Sound` > `Expert Settings` > `Digital Output Audio Format`. * You'll usually have options like "PCM", "Auto", "Dolby Digital", or "DTS". * **Start with PCM.** PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) is uncompressed stereo audio. Almost every soundbar, amp, or DAC can handle PCM. If you get sound with PCM, great! Your optical cable and connections are working. The issue is simply the format. * If PCM works, then try "Auto" or "Dolby Digital". If it cuts out again, your external device might not be able to decode Dolby Digital or DTS signals from the optical port. Older soundbars are particularly guilty of this. Some soundbars will only do PCM via optical. I've had a few budget soundbars in the workshop where the manual explicitly states "Optical input supports PCM only." It's frustrating when your TV is trying to send a full Dolby signal, but the soundbar just spits it out. So, if PCM works, stick with it unless you absolutely need surround sound from that source, which optical often limits anyway. 2. **HDMI Input Audio Format:** Now, this one can confuse people. If your source (like a Blu-ray player, Sky box, or console) is plugged *into* the TV via HDMI, the TV might be messing with that audio *before* it even sends it out the optical port. * Go to `Settings` > `Sound` > `Expert Settings` > `HDMI Input Audio Format`. * Again, try setting this to "PCM" for the HDMI input your source is on. Sometimes, the TV tries to pass through a high-res audio format from the HDMI that it then can't correctly convert or output via optical. Force it to PCM at the input stage, and see if that fixes the optical out. 3. **Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC):** Samsung's Anynet+ system is their version of HDMI-CEC, designed to let devices control each other. It's brilliant when it works, a nightmare when it doesn't. Sometimes, if you have an HDMI-CEC device (like a soundbar or AV receiver connected via HDMI ARC/eARC, even if you *think* you're using optical), it can override the optical output. * Go to `Settings` > `General` > `External Device Manager` > `Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC)`. * Try turning it *off*. See if your optical sound comes back. If it does, great! If you still want Anynet+ for other things, you might have to experiment, but often, disabling it for troubleshooting reveals the issue. * I've seen this where a TV "thinks" it's sending sound over HDMI ARC to a soundbar (even if ARC isn't set up right, or the soundbar's switched off), and therefore cuts off the optical. Very annoying. 4. **Auto Volume/Volume Control:** Less common, but worth a look. * `Settings` > `Sound` > `Expert Settings` > `Auto Volume`. Try turning this off. Sometimes this feature can mess with the signal if it's trying to normalise something it can't understand. * Also, ensure your TV's volume isn't just set to zero! I know, I know, but sometimes the simplest things… Some TVs also have an internal volume control for the optical out. Check the remote for volume buttons specifically for external devices if your TV has them. ### The Cable Itself: A Often Overlooked Culprit Right, let's talk about the actual fibre optic cable. They're not indestructible, these things. Despite being digital, they can go wrong. * **Visual Inspection:** Pull the cable out of both the TV and your soundbar/amp. Look closely at the ends. Are they clean? No dust, no kinks? Is the plastic tip still intact? If you see any physical damage, especially to the tiny fibre itself, it's probably knackered. * **The Red Light Test:** When you pull the optical cable out of your soundbar/amp (with the TV on and playing something), you should see a dim red light coming out of the end of the cable. This is the digital audio signal! If you don't see that red light, or if it's flickering erratically, then either the TV isn't sending a signal, or the cable itself is broken. Try plugging the TV end back in and checking the other end. No red light at all usually means a dead cable or the TV isn't outputting. * **Try a Different Cable:** This is critical. Optical cables aren't expensive. Honestly, if you've tried all the settings and still have no joy, just nip to Argos or order a new one from Amazon. A tenner, maybe fifteen quid, could save you hours of faff. I've had "brand new" cables out of the box that were faulty. It happens. Don't assume a new cable is perfect. ### Advanced Troubleshooting: When All Else Fails If you've done all the above, and you're still in a silent room, we need to think a bit more broadly. * **Test with Another Device:** Got another device with an optical output? A Blu-ray player, a games console, an old Freeview box? Try connecting *that* to your soundbar/amp with the same optical cable. If you get sound, then you know your soundbar/amp and the cable are fine, and the problem is definitely the Samsung TV itself. If you still get no sound, then it points to the soundbar/amp or the cable. This narrows things down massively. * **Firmware Update:** Modern smart TVs are basically computers. And like computers, their software can have bugs. A firmware update can sometimes magically fix audio issues. * Go to `Settings` > `Support` > `Software Update` > `Update Now`. * Make sure your TV is connected to the internet. Let it do its thing. It might take a while, and the TV will restart. Don't interrupt it! This has fixed some bizarre issues for me over the years. Samsung is pretty good with updates, especially for popular models. * **Factory Reset (Last Resort!):** This is a nuclear option, but sometimes necessary. A factory reset will wipe all your settings, apps, Wi-Fi connections – everything. You'll have to set the TV up again from scratch. But it can resolve deeply buried software glitches that no amount of fiddling will fix. * `Settings` > `General` > `Reset` (you'll need your PIN, usually 0000). * Only do this if you've exhausted everything else. It's a proper faff to set it all up again. * **Check for TV Damage/Fault:** If after all this, you still have no optical sound, and you've ruled out the cable and your external device, then I'm afraid it might be a hardware fault with the TV itself. Could be the optical port, or the internal sound processing board. If the TV is still under warranty, this is the time to contact Samsung support. If it's out of warranty, you'd need to weigh up the cost of a repair against a new TV or finding an alternative audio solution (like HDMI ARC if your TV and soundbar support it, or a separate DAC). Repairs for specific ports on TVs can be pricey. ### Alternative Solutions (If Optical Fails or Isn't Ideal) Sometimes, optical just isn't the answer for your setup, or it's just plain broken on your TV. Don't despair, you've got other options. * **HDMI ARC/eARC:** If your TV and soundbar/receiver both have an HDMI port labelled "ARC" (Audio Return Channel) or "eARC", this is usually the best option for sound. It's digital, it can carry more advanced audio formats than optical (like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X with eARC), and it often simplifies control with one remote. Just connect a single HDMI cable between the ARC/eARC ports. Make sure ARC is enabled in your TV's sound settings and on your soundbar/receiver. This is usually my go-to recommendation these days for soundbars. * **Bluetooth:** Many Samsung TVs can send audio via Bluetooth to compatible soundbars, headphones, or speakers. It's wireless, which is neat, but generally, the sound quality isn't quite as good as optical or HDMI, and you can sometimes get lip-sync issues. Fine for casual listening, maybe not for critical film watching. You'll find this option under `Settings` > `Sound` > `Sound Output` > `Bluetooth Speaker List`. * **3.5mm Headphone Jack (Analogue):** Some older or smaller Samsung TVs still have a 3.5mm headphone jack. You could use a 3.5mm to RCA cable to connect to an older amplifier. It's analogue, so you lose the digital purity, but it's a simple, reliable connection for stereo sound. Often labelled "Headphone Out" or "Audio Out (Mini Jack)". You'll likely find this on the side or back of the TV. Just be mindful of volume levels. ### Who It's For: * Anyone with a Samsung TV and external audio setup (soundbar, amp, DAC) experiencing no sound via optical. * Users who prefer a wired, digital audio connection without needing full HDMI ARC features. * Troubleshooters who like to get to the bottom of things themselves before calling in the cavalry or buying new gear. ### Who Should Skip It: * People whose Samsung TV optical out *is* working perfectly fine (lucky you!). * Those exclusively using HDMI ARC/eARC for their audio – this guide is less relevant for you, though some settings might overlap. * Anyone looking for complex multi-room audio solutions (optical is generally a point-to-point connection). ### Quick Comparison of Audio Outputs | Feature | Optical (TOSLINK) | HDMI ARC/eARC | Bluetooth | 3.5mm Analogue | |:------------------|:------------------------|:---------------------------|:------------------------|:------------------------| | **Audio Quality** | Good digital stereo/DD | Excellent digital (incl. Atmos/DTS:X with eARC) | Variable (compressed) | Good analogue stereo | | **Cabling** | Single Fibre Optic | Single HDMI | Wireless | Single 3.5mm-RCA/3.5mm | | **Control** | Separate volume control | Often integrated (CEC) | Can be integrated | Separate volume control | | **Compatibility** | Very high | High (needs ARC/eARC ports)| High (device dependent) | Very high | | **Latency** | Very Low | Very Low | Moderate (can vary) | Very Low | | **Best For** | Simple digital audio | Best quality, single cable | Wireless convenience | Basic stereo, older amps | ### FAQ: Getting Your Sound Back #### Q: My TV's Digital Output Audio Format setting is greyed out. What's up with that? A: This usually means your TV currently thinks it's sending sound out via a different method, like its internal speakers or HDMI ARC. Go to `Settings` > `Sound` > `Sound Output`. Make sure it's set to "Optical" or "Audio Out/Optical". If it's set to "TV Speaker" or "HDMI ARC", change it first, and the "Digital Output Audio Format" option should then become available. If you're still using an HDMI ARC connection for a soundbar and *also* trying to get optical to work, you might have to disable Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) or switch the sound output mode manually. #### Q: I'm getting sound, but it's really quiet, even with the volume up high. Any ideas? A: Firstly, check the volume level on *both* your TV and your soundbar/amp. Sometimes, the optical output has its own volume control within the TV's expert sound settings. Secondly, if you're using PCM, some devices handle it at a lower reference level. Try switching to "Dolby Digital" or "DTS" if your soundbar/amp supports it, as these often have a higher perceived volume. Lastly, if your soundbar/amp is very old, it might have lower gain on its optical input. Try boosting the input level settings on the soundbar/amp if it has them. #### Q: I only hear crackling or distorted sound via optical. What's causing that? A: Crackling or distortion often points to a mismatch in audio formats. Go back to `Settings` > `Sound` > `Expert Settings` > `Digital Output Audio Format`. Try setting it to "PCM". If that clears it up, your soundbar/amp likely can't decode the "Dolby Digital" or "DTS" signal the TV was sending. Another common cause is a faulty or damaged optical cable. Even a slight bend or kink can cause issues, as it's transmitting light, not electrical signals. Swap the cable out if PCM doesn't fix it. #### Q: Will using an optical cable prevent me from getting surround sound? A: It depends on the optical cable and your external device. Standard optical (TOSLINK) can carry uncompressed stereo (PCM) and compressed 5.1 surround sound (Dolby Digital or DTS). It *cannot* carry uncompressed multi-channel audio (like Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio) or the newer object-based formats like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. For those, you'll need an HDMI eARC connection. So, yes, you can get surround sound, but not the very latest, highest quality formats. For many soundbars, Dolby Digital 5.1 over optical is perfectly adequate and sounds miles better than TV speakers. ### Final Word Look, nobody enjoys faffing about with settings when all they want to do is watch a bit of telly with decent sound. The "Samsung TV optical out no sound" issue is one of those perennial frustrations, but as you can see, it's rarely a terminal fault. Most of the time, it boils down to a daft setting in the TV's menus or a dodgy optical cable that's decided to give up the ghost. My advice? Take it step by step. Don't assume the worst. Start with the simplest checks, move through the settings, and if all else fails, grab a new optical cable. You'd be surprised how often a ten-quid cable fixes a hundred-quid headache. And if you're still stuck, remember there are always other ways to get sound out of your TV, with HDMI ARC being a cracking alternative. Keep at it, you'll get that sound back eventually. Now, where's the remote? I fancy a brew and a good film.