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Orbit - Fix No Sound

  • Updated
No sound from your Orbit (TC580) usually means the TV audio signal is not reaching Orbit, the wrong audio input is selected, or your Bluetooth headphones are not connected. Follow these 3 steps in order.
1

Check the TV Audio Connection and Input

  1. Make sure Orbit is connected to power and switched ON.
  2. Play a TV channel or video that you know has sound.
  3. Check whether you are using Optical, AUX, or RCA audio.
  4. Set Orbit's input selector to match your connection: OPT for Optical or AUX for analog audio.
  5. Check the input shown at the top of Orbit's LCD screen.
Important: Orbit (TC580) uses Optical and analog audio connections for TV listening. Do not follow HDMI ARC instructions intended for Orbit Pro.
I'm Using an Optical Cable
TV — OPTICAL / DIGITAL AUDIO OUT ↓ Optical Cable ↓ Orbit — OPT INPUT
  1. Connect the optical cable to your TV's Optical / Digital Audio OUT.
  2. Connect the other end to Orbit's OPT input.
  3. Move Orbit's input selector to OPT.
  4. Open your TV's Sound / Audio Output settings.
  5. Select Optical / Digital Audio Out if required.
  6. Set the digital audio format to PCM / Stereo.
  7. Play audio again.
Important: Dolby Digital, DTS, Bitstream, or Auto may prevent Orbit from receiving compatible audio.
Find PCM Settings for Your TV Brand →
I'm Using a 3.5 mm AUX Cable
TV — HEADPHONE / AUDIO OUT ↓ 3.5 mm AUX Cable ↓ Orbit — AUX INPUT
  1. Connect the cable to the TV's Headphone / Audio OUT.
  2. Connect the other end to Orbit's AUX input.
  3. Move Orbit's input selector to AUX.
  4. If required, select the TV's headphone output in its sound settings.
  5. Increase the TV's headphone output volume.
  6. Play audio again.
Note: PCM is generally not required for an analog AUX connection.
I'm Using Red and White RCA Audio
TV — RED / WHITE RCA AUDIO OUT ↓ RCA-to-3.5 mm Audio Cable ↓ Orbit — AUX INPUT
  1. Locate the TV's red and white RCA ports labeled AUDIO OUT.
  2. Connect the RCA plugs to the corresponding audio output ports.
  3. Connect the 3.5 mm end to Orbit's AUX input.
  4. Set Orbit's input selector to AUX.
  5. Play TV audio and test the sound.
Important: RCA ports labeled AUDIO IN cannot send sound from the TV to Orbit. Use AUDIO OUT only.
2

Check Orbit's Audio Signal Indicator

While your TV is playing audio, look at the LED indicator at the bottom of Orbit.

Solid Blue

Orbit is connected and receiving a valid audio signal. Continue to Step 3.

Flashing Indicator

The audio input signal is invalid. Check the TV output and cable settings.

Indicator Flashing? Check the TV Audio Signal
  1. Make sure the TV is playing a program with sound.
  2. Confirm the Orbit input selector matches your cable.
  3. Disconnect and reconnect the audio cable at both ends.
  4. For Optical, confirm the TV is set to PCM / Stereo.
  5. For AUX, increase the TV's headphone output volume.
  6. Check the bottom LED again.
No Sound Only on Netflix, Prime Video, or Another App?

Some streaming apps, cable boxes, and external TV devices use a different digital audio format.

  1. Start playing the affected video.
  2. Open the TV or streaming device's audio settings.
  3. Set the digital audio output to PCM / Stereo when available.
  4. Restart playback and test again.
Expected: The bottom LED stays solid blue when Orbit is connected and receiving valid audio.
3

Check the Headphone Connection and Volume

Orbit's LCD screen shows the Bluetooth headphone name, connection status, selected input, and volume level.

Check These Items on the LCD Screen
TX OPT / AUX Bluetooth Codec

Device: Your headphone or speaker name

Status: Connected

Volume: Above minimum

  1. Check that the screen shows TX.
  2. Confirm the correct input: OPT or AUX.
  3. Look for your headphone name on the screen.
  4. Confirm the status below the name says Connected.
  5. Increase the volume using Orbit's + button or your headphones' volume controls.
  6. Play audio again.
Headphones Not Connected? Pair Them Again
  1. Temporarily turn off Bluetooth on nearby phones, computers, or other devices previously connected to your headphones.
  2. Put your headphones into Bluetooth pairing mode.
  3. Press the Search (magnifying glass) button on Orbit.
  4. Wait for the headphone name to appear on the LCD screen.
  5. Use the Up / Down buttons to highlight the name.
  6. Press Enter to connect.
  7. Wait for Connected to appear beneath the device name.
Important: Your headphones must be in Bluetooth pairing mode, not merely powered on.
Detailed Headphone Pairing Guide →
Headphones Show Connected but Volume Is Too Low
  1. Press the + button on Orbit to increase the volume.
  2. Increase the volume directly on your headphones if supported.
  3. If using AUX, also increase the TV's headphone output volume.
  4. Test audio using a familiar TV program or video.
Optical connection: The TV remote usually cannot change optical output volume. Use Orbit's volume buttons or the headphones' controls instead.
Orbit Volume Adjustment Guide →
Expected: Orbit shows the headphones as Connected, the audio signal is valid, and sound plays through your headphones or speaker.
Headphones Still Won't Connect? Clear Pairing History

Try this only if your headphones cannot reconnect after normal pairing attempts.

  1. Make sure Orbit is powered ON.
  2. Press and hold the + and − buttons together for 5 seconds.
  3. Wait for the previously connected devices to disappear from the LCD screen.
  4. Put your headphones into Bluetooth pairing mode again.
  5. Press Orbit's Search button and reconnect the headphones.
Important: Resetting Orbit clears its saved Bluetooth pairing history. It does not correct an invalid TV audio signal or incorrect PCM setting.
Official Orbit Factory Reset Guide →
Only One of My Two Headphones Has Sound
  1. Check whether both headphone names appear on Orbit's LCD screen.
  2. Confirm each headphone shows a connected status.
  3. Increase the volume on the silent pair.
  4. If one pair is disconnected, put it into Bluetooth pairing mode and reconnect it.
Orbit Two-Headphone Setup Guides →
Sound Worked Before but Suddenly Stopped
  1. Restart the TV and Orbit.
  2. Disconnect and reconnect the audio cable.
  3. Recheck the selected input on Orbit's screen.
  4. If using Optical, confirm the TV is still set to PCM.
  5. Reconnect your Bluetooth headphones if the screen does not show Connected.
Tip: A TV or streaming-device update may change its audio output settings.

Still Need Help?

Tell us your TV brand and model, your headphone or speaker model, whether you are using Optical, AUX, or RCA, whether Orbit's bottom LED is solid or flashing, and what the LCD screen shows for the Bluetooth connection.

ASK A QUESTION

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