When your Hisense TV's sound keeps cutting in and out, it's usually a quick settings fix or a connection hiccup. The first thing I'd check is the audio output setting, as that's the most common culprit.
Check Your Audio Output Setting
Press the settings button on your remote and navigate to Sound > Advanced Settings or Audio Output. Make sure the correct device is selected. If you're using the TV's own speakers, it should be set to TV Speakers.
If you have a soundbar or receiver connected, ensure it's set to the right output like HDMI ARC or Optical. Sometimes an update or app can accidentally switch this back.
Perform a Power Cycle
Unplug your Hisense TV from the wall outlet. Don't just use the remote. Wait a full 60 seconds for all the power to drain from the internal components.
Plug it back in and turn it on. This simple reset clears the TV's memory and can resolve temporary software glitches causing the audio to drop.
Inspect Your HDMI ARC Connection
If your soundbar is connected via HDMI, it must be plugged into the specific port on your Hisense TV labeled HDMI ARC or eARC. This is often HDMI 1 or HDMI 2.
Go into your TV's settings and find the HDMI-CEC control. On Hisense models, this is usually called HDMI Control or CEC. Make sure it's turned on so the TV and soundbar can communicate properly.
Change the Digital Audio Format
Head back to Sound > Advanced Settings. Look for an option like Digital Audio Out or Digital Output Format. Try changing this setting.
Switch it from Auto or Bitstream to PCM. PCM is a simpler, universal format that almost all devices can handle without issue, which often stops the cutting out.
Check for a Firmware Update
Hisense does release firmware updates that can fix audio bugs. Go to Settings > Device Preferences > About and select System Update or Check for Update.
Let it download and install any available update. I've seen updates specifically target HDMI ARC stability and audio dropout problems on various models.
Test a Different Source or App
See if the sound cuts out everywhere. Switch from a streaming app to live TV, or try a different HDMI input like a game console. If the problem is only in one app, like Netflix, the issue is likely with that app.
For app-specific issues, force stop the app in your TV's settings and clear its cache. If that doesn't work, uninstalling and reinstalling the app is a reliable next step.
Bypass External Audio to Test TV Speakers
Disconnect your soundbar or receiver completely. Go into the sound settings and switch the audio output back to the TV Speakers.
Play some content. If the sound plays consistently through the TV's own speakers, you've confirmed the issue is with your external audio setup or the connection to it.
Try a Different Audio Cable
If you're using an optical cable or an older HDMI cable, it could be failing. Audio dropouts are a classic symptom of a flaky cable.
Swap in a different optical cable or a certified High-Speed HDMI cable to see if the problem goes away. Ensure all connections are pushed in firmly at both the TV and the soundbar.
Reset Your Sound Settings
If you've tweaked a lot of settings, it's easy to create a conflict. In your Hisense TV's sound menu, look for an option labeled Reset Sound or Restore Defaults.
Selecting this will return all audio settings to their original factory state. This can clear out any incorrect configuration that's causing the intermittent sound.
