HAX05 - Fix No Sound – Avantree Support

If your HAX05 was working before but suddenly stopped producing sound, the HDMI ARC connection may need to be restarted, or the TV's audio settings may have changed. Follow these 3 steps to restore the sound.

Restart the HDMI ARC Connection

The HDMI ARC connection may fail to re-establish after the TV or soundbar enters standby, restarts, or receives a software update. Restarting the devices in sequence may restore audio.

HDMI ARC Handshake – Power-On Sequence

Before starting: Keep all HDMI and audio cables connected. There is no need to unplug or reconnect them.

Turn OFF your TV, HAX05, soundbar, and Bluetooth transmitter/headphones (whichever devices you use).

Turn ON the TV first. Wait until it has fully started.

Play a TV program or video with sound. Leave the audio playing while starting the remaining devices.

Turn ON HAX05. Confirm its red power indicator is illuminated.

Turn ON your soundbar, if connected. Make sure it is set to its HDMI ARC input.

Turn ON your Bluetooth transmitter, followed by your Bluetooth headphones, if connected. Wait for them to reconnect.

Wait approximately 10–15 seconds for the HDMI ARC connection to settle. Check whether sound has returned.

Important: If HAX05 receives power through the HDMI ARC connection, it may power on automatically with the TV or soundbar. Follow the sequence as closely as your equipment allows. Do not disconnect cables solely to change the startup order.

Check the TV Audio Settings

A TV software update or settings change may switch audio away from HDMI ARC or change the digital audio format.

Confirm HDMI ARC and PCM Settings

Open your TV's Settings > Sound / Audio.
Make sure the sound output is set to HDMI ARC / Receiver / External Speaker.
Confirm HDMI-CEC is enabled if required by your TV.
If available, temporarily set eARC to OFF to test standard HDMI ARC.
Change Digital Audio Output to PCM / Stereo PCM.
If Dolby Digital Plus is enabled, turn it off for this PCM troubleshooting test.

Find PCM Settings for Your TV

Sound missing only from streaming apps? If Netflix, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or a cable box produces no sound, check its audio settings and select PCM / Stereo when available.

View Streaming Device & Cable Box Audio Settings Guide

Check the Soundbar and Headphone Audio Output

The soundbar output switch, connected audio device, or Bluetooth headphone connection may have changed. Check the setup you are using below.

Optical / RCA Only

If using HAX05 with a Bluetooth transmitter or speakers through OPTICAL OUT or RCA AUDIO OUT without an HDMI ARC soundbar:

Set ARC Soundbar Output Select to OFF / None.

Confirm your connected audio device is powered on, set to the correct input, and not muted.

The green ARC soundbar indicator should remain OFF.

HDMI ARC Soundbar

Make sure your soundbar is ON and using its HDMI ARC input.

Set ARC Soundbar Output Select to ON.

Confirm the green ARC indicator is solid green.

Increase the soundbar volume and check that it is not muted.

Soundbar + Headphones

Confirm the soundbar is ON and set to HDMI ARC.

Set ARC Soundbar Output Select to ON.

Turn on the Bluetooth transmitter connected to HAX05's OPTICAL OUT or RCA AUDIO OUT.

Make sure the transmitter is set to the correct OPT / AUX input and your Bluetooth headphones are connected to it.

If the soundbar works but the headphones have no sound, recheck the TV's PCM setting and the transmitter's connection.

If neither device has sound, repeat the HDMI ARC restart sequence in Step 1.

Check the HAX05 Indicators

Solid Red – Power

HAX05 is receiving power. This does not confirm that audio is being received.

Solid Green – ARC

ARC soundbar output is active. Expected when soundbar passthrough is enabled.

Green ARC indicator OFF? This is normal when HAX05 is used only as an Optical / RCA audio extractor without HDMI ARC soundbar passthrough.

Still No Sound?

Make sure the TV is playing a program or video with sound.
Check that HAX05 has power (solid red indicator).
Confirm the soundbar output switch matches your setup.
Recheck the TV's HDMI ARC and PCM settings.
Repeat the power-on sequence in Step 1.
If the issue persists, try another compatible HDMI cable or test the connected audio device separately to help isolate the cause.

Still Need Help?

Tell us your TV model, soundbar model (if applicable), whether you're using Optical, RCA, or HDMI ARC passthrough, whether the red power and green ARC indicators are on, and whether the issue affects the soundbar, headphones, or both.

ASK A QUESTION