Roku setup

[boydd]

I have had this Roku ultra for several years now nothing has changed in my system but all of a sudden all movies and streaming content have no audio. The audio still works when moving around the menu in the Roku and even going to things like Netflix that have previews has audio. But as soon as I start to play any movie on one of the streaming apps or with Plex there is no audio. If I set the Roku audio output the stereo I get audio back but it's obviously not in surround sound. I have always had the audio settings on the Roku set to auto. HDMI cable goes from Roku to my TV. Then optical output out of the TV to my receiver. This is how I have always had it set up and it has always worked. All of a sudden today I have no audio.

[RokuEmmanuel-D · Accepted solution]

Hi, @boydd.

A warm welcome here in the Roku Community!

We see that you're encountering odd behavior with your Roku Device's audio. We're here to help you resolve it.

Since your Roku Device is connected to an audio receiver, we highly suggest doing the following steps to see if it makes a difference:

1. Make sure the correct input is selected on your AVR or soundbar.
2. Check the volume level and mute settings on your television and the master volume level on the AVR or soundbar. Make sure the mute is OFF and that the volume setting is at an appropriately audible level. If you need help, check the manufacturer's documentation for your TV, AVR, or soundbar.
3. If you use a composite cable, check that the audio connectors are snugly attached between your Roku player, the AVR or soundbar, and the AVR or soundbar and the TV. Composite audio cables commonly have a red or white connector.
4. Connect the Roku player to a different input on the AVR or soundbar (ideally, one you know works) and see if you can now hear sound. If you can, there is a problem with the previous input on the AVR or soundbar.
5. Try changing the cables one at a time.

For more comprehensive information, you may visit this support FAQ on what to do if you do not hear sound from your Roku® streaming player.

Let us know if you still have problems; we're ready to assist you further.

Regards,
Emman

[renojim]

@boydd, in addition to those suggestions, see if you have any of the "Volume modes" enabled while you're playing a video.  I've noticed that not all models support them on all videos and you'll get no sound.

How to use volume modes on your Roku streaming device | Official Roku Support

[KaliforniaKid]

I received my Roku Ultra today.

Setup was fine and had sound. I turned the unit on again later to watch programming when I went to bed, and my brand new unit (day 1) had the same trouble the original poster stated:sound was coming from the navigation menu, but no sound when I chose a program to watch. I tried several different apps.

Finally, I unplugged my day 1 Roku and plugged it back in and viola! Sound.

Not leaving me with a lot of confidence in a 1st day product.

[StreamerUser]

@KaliforniaKid 

Probably better to start a new thread than to hop onto a half-year old thread that applies to a different model...

Regardless, check/change the following audio-related settings:

1)  Configure passthrough: Settings/Audio/Digital output format = Passthrough (do not leave it @ Auto - that will transcode all non-DTS audio to the highest detected Dolby level of the connected device, and can cause dropouts/latency/stuttering/static/bad channel mapping/etc).

2) Disable sound modes:  During playback of any content press Options (*)/Sound Settings/Customize sound mode/Volume Leveling & Digalog Enhancement = Off (do not leave either of these enabled, as they disable multichannel output/cause static/buzzing/volume shifts/latency/etc)

[KaliforniaKid]

Thanks for the tips...

Much appreciated!