How do I fix the sound on my Android TV box?

Check Physical Connections

The first troubleshooting step when experiencing no audio from your Android TV box is to ensure all the physical cables are properly connected. Make sure the HDMI cable is firmly plugged into the HDMI ports on both your TV box and TV/external speakers (1). If using stereo, optical, or RCA cables, check that both ends are securely inserted into the ports (2). Loose connections are a very common cause of audio issues.

After verifying the cables are snugly connected, try gently wiggling or jiggling them while audio is playing to see if you can reproduce a short or loose connection. Cables that are frayed, kinked, or exhibit other signs of damage may need to be replaced. If possible, swap out the HDMI or audio cables with a spare to test if the cable itself is faulty.

Additionally, confirm that the TV box is powered on and that your TV/speakers are set to the correct input source. You may need to select the input or source button on your TV remote and choose the port the TV box is connected to (3). If using external speakers, make sure they are powered on and connected properly to an audio output port on the TV.

1. Check Audio Settings

The most common source of sound issues on an Android TV box is incorrect audio output settings for your specific home theater setup. To fix this:

From the Android TV homescreen, open the Settings app.
Navigate to Sound and select Audio Output.

Confirm you have the correct Audio Format selected. Advanced options like Dolby Digital or DTS are optimal for surround sound systems (Droix).
Under Audio Device, make sure you have selected your actual sound system or speaker setup as the output. For example, Bluetooth Headphones or Home Theater System.
Sometimes the TV box will not properly auto detect connected audio hardware. Manually select your speaker setup type if incorrect or set to TV Speaker.

Cycling these settings can help the TV box establish the correct handshake with surround sound equipment. You can also try disconnecting and reconnecting audio cables if the TV box has incorrect or missing detection of audio hardware.

Check App Audio Settings

The sound settings in individual apps on an Android TV box may override or cause issues with the system audio settings. To check the app audio settings:

Open the app you are having audio issues in and look for its audio or sound settings.

Try changing the audio output mode to stereo instead of surround sound, as according to this Reddit discussion, surround sound resources can cause volume issues.
Disable any audio enhancements or equalizer settings in the app.
Check if the app has its own volume control and ensure it is turned up and not muted.

After adjusting the app’s audio settings, exit the app and reopen to check if the sound issue is fixed. If the problem persists, the app’s audio settings are likely not the cause.

Update TV Box Software

Updating your Android TV box’s software to the latest version can often fix audio issues. TV box manufacturers will periodically release software updates with bug fixes and improvements, which may resolve problems with sound output.

To update your Android TV box:

Navigate to the settings menu and find the system update option. This may be labeled Software Update, Firmware Update, or System Upgrade.
Check if there is an available software update for your TV box. Select download and install if an update is available.
The software update will download and your TV box will reboot to complete the installation. This may take several minutes.

After updating, check if sound is working properly in your apps. Updates can improve system performance and stability which may resolve your audio issues.

If your Android TV box is still showing no audio after updating, you can try additional troubleshooting steps like adjusting audio settings, resetting app data, or performing a factory reset on the device.

Reset App Data

Sound issues can sometimes be caused by problematic cached data or settings within individual apps. Clearing the cache and data for apps that have sound issues can often restore sound. To reset app data on an Android TV box, follow these steps according to Sony:

Go to Settings > Apps.
Find the app that is having sound issues.
Select the app and tap Clear data.

Also clear the cache for the app.
Force stop the app.
Re-launch the app to see if sound returns.

Resetting app data often fixes sound issues caused by bugs or corrupted data within apps themselves. If sound problems persist, a full factory reset of the TV box may be required.

Factory Reset TV Box

As a last resort, resetting the Android TV box to its factory settings may resolve audio issues.

A factory reset will “wipe” the system and restore it to its original configuration. This can correct any software bugs, corrupted settings, or other system problems causing no sound.

Before resetting:

Back up any important data like your account info, bookmarks, photos, etc.
Make note of any customized changes to settings that you may need to reconfigure later.

To factory reset:

Go to “Settings” then “System” or “Preferences” and find “Backup & reset” or “Factory data reset” option.
Select “Reset box” or “Erase all data”.

Confirm the reset. The device will reboot into factory condition.

Test the sound after the reset. If the issue persists, there may be a hardware problem requiring professional service. Contact the manufacturer support or return policies if still in warranty.

Replace HDMI Cable

One common issue that can cause sound problems with an Android TV box is a faulty HDMI cable. HDMI cables transmit both audio and video signals from the TV box to your television. If the cable is damaged or worn out, it may fail to properly transmit the audio signal.

According to Sony support, HDMI cable problems are a common cause of no sound from a connected media device. Trying a different HDMI cable can often resolve sound issues.

To troubleshoot, first turn off your Android TV box and disconnect the current HDMI cable. Replace it with a high-quality HDMI cable, preferably one labeled as “High Speed HDMI.” These cables meet higher standards for audio and video transmission. Turn your devices back on and check if sound is now working properly from your TV box.

If sound returns after swapping out the HDMI cable, then the original cable was likely defective and needed to be replaced. Continue using the new functioning HDMI cable for reliable sound and video from your Android TV box.

Use External Speakers

One solution to fix your Android TV box’s sound issue is to connect dedicated external speakers instead of relying on the built-in speakers in your TV. Many TVs have relatively weak or poor quality speakers that may not sufficiently power the audio from your TV box. External speakers can provide louder and better sound.

You’ll need a set of speakers that can connect to your TV or TV box, either via HDMI, 3.5mm aux input, S/PDIF, Bluetooth, or other connection types. An inexpensive set of computer speakers or soundbar should suffice in many cases. There are portable and stationary sound systems to choose from.

Once you’ve connected your speakers, check the sound settings on both your TV box and TV to make sure audio output is enabled to the appropriate port (for example, HDMI ARC or audio jack). You may need to tinker with the sound mode or volume levels. But quality external speakers should improve the audio substantially compared to using only the TV’s built-in speakers.

Adjust Sound with TV Remote

If you are not getting any sound or unable to control the volume using your Android TV box remote, try using your TV remote instead. Most Android TV boxes connect to your TV via HDMI, which allows your TV remote to control certain functions like volume even when content is being streamed from the Android box.

To adjust the sound with your TV remote:

Make sure your Android TV box is powered on and connected to your TV via HDMI.

Use the volume buttons on your TV remote to increase or decrease the sound level.
If there is still no sound, check that the correct input source is selected on your TV matching the HDMI port used to connect the Android box.

Controlling volume from your TV remote essentially bypasses the Android box audio settings, allowing you to troubleshoot sound issues that may be related to bugs or problems with the streaming box software or remote.Source

Contact Manufacturer Support

If you’ve tried all troubleshooting steps and the Android TV box still has no sound, contacting the manufacturer for support is the next step. The maker of the TV box will have the most in-depth knowledge to help resolve any software, hardware, or compatibility issues.

Find the brand name and model number of your Android TV box and visit the manufacturer’s website. Look for a “Support” section or contact info to get in touch with customer service by phone, email, or live chat. Be prepared to provide your TV box details and describe the no sound issue.

The manufacturer can walk through advanced troubleshooting, push a software update, or arrange for repairs or replacement if needed. Getting help directly from the source that made the Android TV box is the best way to finally fix stubborn no sound problems.