How do I fix the volume on my FIOS TV?
Having issues with the volume on your Fios TV is a frustrating problem that can have many causes. This guide will provide an overview of the most common reasons for volume problems and walk through steps to try fixing the issue yourself before contacting Verizon support.
There are a few key things that commonly cause volume problems on Fios TVs. Issues with the physical cable connections, settings on the Fios box itself, and configurations on the TV can all impact volume. Additionally, some underlying technical problems like software bugs can sometimes be the culprit. By methodically checking connections, settings, and trying resets, it’s often possible to resolve volume problems without needing a technician visit.
Check External Connections
One of the most common causes of volume issues with Fios TV is loose cable connections. Make sure all of your HDMI and other cables are securely plugged into the ports on both your Fios set top box and TV. Wiggling cables and connectors can often fix intermittent contact issues.
HDMI cables in particular can sometimes become loose over time from repeated plugging/unplugging. Try swapping out the HDMI cable between the Fios box and TV for a different cable if you have one available. Loose HDMI connections are a frequent culprit for problems like volume dropping out.
As suggested on the Verizon Community forums, rebooting your Fios set top box can also temporarily resolve HDMI handshake issues that may be interfering with the volume.
Check TV Volume
One of the first things to check is make sure the TV itself has the volume turned up high enough. Using the TV remote, try increasing the overall volume of the TV to see if that makes the Fios TV audible at a normal level.
Also check the TV’s volume settings or sound mode. Most TVs have options like “Night Mode” or “Quiet Mode” which can reduce the maximum volume. Go into the TV’s audio or sound settings menu and make sure any special modes like these are disabled, and that the volume mode is set to normal or standard.
Additionally, some TVs have separate volume controls for external inputs like the Fios box. Check if the Fios input on the TV has its own independent volume setting, and turn this up if needed.
Setting the TV’s volume mode to “Fixed” rather than “Variable” can also help output a consistent volume level from the Fios box. And make sure any TV volume limit or cap is disabled or set to maximum if available.
Check Fios Box Volume
The first step in troubleshooting volume issues with Fios TV is to check the volume on the Fios set-top box itself using the Fios remote. Point the Fios remote directly at the box and press the volume up/down buttons. If you can adjust the volume on the box this way, then the issue is likely with the connections to your TV or audio system.
If the volume buttons on the Fios remote do not work, try resetting the box by going to Menu > Settings > Reset. Select “Reset box” and confirm. This will reboot the box and reset settings to default which may resolve volume control issues [1]. After resetting, test the volume buttons again while pointing directly at the box.
Resetting the box essentially functions as a power cycle which can clear up software glitches that may be preventing the remote volume control from working properly. If the volume still does not work after resetting the box, there may be a hardware issue that requires replacing the remote or set-top box.
Check Audio Settings
One of the first things to check when experiencing no volume on your Fios TV is the audio settings on the Fios box itself. There are a few key things to look for in the audio settings menu:
Check that the audio output format is set correctly for your TV or audio system. The Fios box supports formats like Stereo, Dolby Digital, and DTS. If the wrong format is selected, you may get no audio or intermittent audio as the TV tries to decode the audio signal. Make sure the output format matches the capabilities of your specific TV model or sound system.
You’ll also want to check the audio output connector setting. This lets you choose if audio is output via HDMI, optical/SPDIF, or RCA connectors on the back of the Fios box. Select the output method that matches how you have your Fios box connected to your TV or audio system.
Lastly, confirm that the volume and mute settings are enabled and not at the lowest level. You may have the volume inadvertently muted or set extremely low through these settings.[1]
Cycling through each audio setting on the Fios box is an important troubleshooting step when experiencing no sound from your Fios TV service. Often an incorrect format or output method is the culprit behind volume issues.
Try a Box Reset
One solution that has resolved volume issues for many Fios TV customers is performing a simple box reset. This involves unplugging both the Fios TV box and the Fios router for 1 minute before plugging them back in. Here are the steps:
- Unplug the power cord from both the Fios TV box and the Fios router.
- Wait 1 full minute before plugging the power cords back in.
- Reconnect the power cord to the Fios router first and wait for it to fully reboot.
- Once the router is back online, plug the power cord back into the Fios TV box.
- Wait for the Fios TV box to finish rebooting, which may take several minutes.
- Test the volume controls once again.
This simple reboot flushes out any software glitches that may be preventing the volume from working properly. Many users on Verizon’s community forums report that the volume issue is resolved after resetting the equipment in this manner [1]. If the volume problem persists, contact Verizon Support for further troubleshooting.
Contact Verizon Support
If you’ve tried the troubleshooting steps above and are still experiencing issues with the volume on your Fios TV, it’s time to contact Verizon Support for assistance. Verizon offers several options to get in touch with their customer service team:
- Call 1-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Verizon has English and Spanish speaking representatives available.
- Start a live online chat at https://www.verizon.com/support/residential/contact-us/chat. Chat is available daily from 7am-10pm EST.
- Direct message @VerizonSupport on Twitter.
When you contact Verizon Support, be prepared to provide your account information and a detailed description of the volume issue you’re experiencing. The representative will troubleshoot with you over the phone or chat to try and resolve the problem.
If the issue cannot be fixed over the phone or chat, the Verizon representative can schedule a technician visit to your home. A technician can inspect your Fios TV setup and equipment first-hand to pinpoint and resolve any hardware or connection problems affecting volume.
Factory Reset Fios Box
A factory reset will restore the Fios box back to its default settings, which can potentially fix volume issues. However, be aware that a factory reset will erase all of your settings, saved shows, apps, and preferences on the Fios box.
To complete a factory reset on your Fios box:
- With the Fios box powered on, press and hold the power button on the front of the box for 15 seconds until the light blinks amber.
- The box will restart and display “Verizon” on the front. Keep holding the power button until you see “Factory Restore” appear.
- Use the up/down arrows on your Fios remote to highlight Factory Restore.
- Press the OK button on your remote to select Factory Restore and begin the reset process.
- The box will restart and restore to factory default settings, which can take 10-15 minutes.
Once completed, you will have to re-activate service and reconfigure settings like video output and volume control. Test the volume functions on your remote to see if the issue is resolved.
If the factory reset does not fix your Fios box volume, you may need to replace cables or contact Verizon Support for a replacement box.
Try Replacing Cables
One of the easiest troubleshooting steps is to try replacing the cables connecting your Fios box to your TV. Issues like low volume, no audio, or video problems are often caused by a faulty HDMI, optical, RCA, or other AV cable.
First, try swapping out the HDMI cable between the Fios box and TV with a brand new high-speed HDMI cable. HDMI cables can become loose or damaged over time, resulting in audio issues. Connect the new HDMI cable securely into the ports on both devices.[1]
If you’re using RCA, optical, or other connection types, swap those cables as well one at a time to see if the problem is with a faulty cable. Verify all cable connections are snug and plugged into the correct ports on both devices. Loose connections can disrupt audio and video signals.
After replacing cables, power cycle the Fios box and TV to re-establish the connection. Check if the volume is now working as expected through the Fios remote and TV speakers. Swapping out damaged cables is an easy fix that often resolves volume and AV issues.
Get a New Fios Box
If you have tried everything else and the volume issue persists, you may need to request a replacement Fios set-top box from Verizon. You can contact Verizon customer service to request a new Fios box. Be prepared to provide your account information and describe the issues you are having with volume control.
Once you receive the new Fios box, you will need to set it up. Make sure to follow the included setup guide. In most cases, setup involves:
- Connecting the Fios box to your TV using the HDMI or other audio/video cables provided.
- Connecting the Fios box to the coaxial cable from your Verizon Fios service.
- Powering on the Fios box and TV.
- Following the on-screen activation and setup prompts.
- Activating the Fios box by calling Verizon or activating online.
- Testing volume control and audio.
Be sure to activate your new Fios box so that you can receive all your Fios TV channels and services. Once activated, try controlling volume to see if the new box resolved your issue. If volume still does not work properly on the replacement box, contact Verizon support for additional troubleshooting.