Your Roku shows a picture, but nothing comes out of the speakers. Start with volume, Headphone Mode, and the selected audio output, then narrow the problem to a program, app, or connection. The steps below cover Roku players, Roku TVs, and connected sound systems.
Check the volume and try something else
When everything you play is silent, start with the device producing the sound: your TV, soundbar, or receiver. Then test other content to find out how far the problem reaches.
Use the TV remote's Mute button to turn mute off.
Press Volume Up to raise the TV volume.
For a soundbar or receiver, turn its power on.
Turn off its Mute setting.
Raise its master volume.
Select the sound system input connected to your TV or Roku.
Play another title to check whether just one program is silent.
Try a different streaming app.
On a Roku TV, also test Live TV or a connected HDMI source. If sound works elsewhere, head to the app and title fixes below.
Turn off headphone connections that mute the TV
A plug in a Roku TV's headphone jack disables its speakers. Unplug any headphones or analog audio cable from that jack.
For a Roku remote with a headphone jack, unplug the headphones from the remote. Using that jack automatically mutes the TV speakers.
To turn off mobile Headphone Mode, open Remote in the Roku mobile app connected to the affected device. Tap the headphones icon to deactivate it.
For directly connected Bluetooth headphones, turn the headphones off. Alternatively, open Home > Settings > Remotes & devices > Wireless headphones, select your headphones, and choose Disconnect. To stop automatic reconnection, turn off Auto-detect in those headphone settings; these controls apply to devices supporting direct Bluetooth Headphone Mode.
Select the speakers you want your Roku TV to use
On a Roku TV, open Settings > Audio > Audio output.
For sound through the TV itself, choose Built-in speakers. On TCL Roku TVs using different labels, choose TV speakers or Auto.
For a connected sound system, select the available HDMI ARC/eARC or Optical output. The choices depend on your TV model and Roku OS.
For a Roku TV Wireless Soundbar, select Auto or Wireless soundbar.
These output controls belong to Roku TVs; with an external Roku player, also check the connected TV's audio output.
Give Roku a full restart and update
A full restart and software update address device and app glitches.
Open Home > Settings > System > Power > System restart to restart Roku. If there is no Power menu, use Home > Settings > System > System restart.
For a restart without the menus, unplug Roku's power for at least 10 seconds. Pressing the TV's Power button alone is not equivalent to a system restart.
Reconnect the power.
After Roku starts, open Home > Settings > System > Software update > Check Now. Some Roku TVs call the menu System update.
Allow available system and app updates to finish, including the device restart.
Play the program again to test the sound.
Reseat HDMI cables and test the external sound system
For an external Roku player, firmly reconnect the HDMI cable at both ends. With a receiver or soundbar in the connection, check each cable along that route.
Test another TV or receiver input. If silence continues, replace the cables individually to isolate the faulty connection.
For a Roku connected through a receiver or soundbar, connect the player to that device's HDMI IN. Connect its HDMI OUT to the TV. For an ARC setup, connect Roku directly to the TV and connect the TV's HDMI-ARC port to the sound system's HDMI-ARC port.
To test without the external audio equipment, disconnect it and use the TV's own speakers. Connect an external Roku player directly to the TV for this test. If sound returns, troubleshoot the sound system with its manufacturer.
Match the audio format and soundbar settings
If Roku menus make sound but programs are silent, try stereo output. When a receiver or soundbar handles the audio, also check its supported formats and connection settings.
On a Roku player, select Home > Settings > Audio > Digital output format > Stereo.
On a Roku TV with these controls, select Settings > Audio > Digital output format > Stereo. The TV also offers Auto; use Passthrough only with compatible equipment. Some Roku TVs instead list surround settings under Settings > System > Audio > S/PDIF and ARC, which offers Auto detect (the default), Auto passthrough, and specific audio formats.
If stereo restores sound and you want surround sound, open Settings > Audio > Digital output format > Custom on your player.
Choose a format your sound system supports, such as Dolby Digital or DTS.
For silent Roku TV speakers with DTS enabled, select Settings > Audio > Digital output format > Custom > DTS > Off.
On a Streambar SE, Streambar, or Streambar Pro with surround-audio trouble, select Home > Settings > Audio > Volume mode > Off.
For an ARC/eARC sound system connected to a Roku TV, open Home > Settings > System > Control other devices (CEC).
Enable ARC or eARC with OK, according to the connection your equipment supports.
Enable System audio control in that menu.
For a Streambar SE connected to an eARC television, disable eARC in the TV's audio or HDMI settings. Streambar SE does not support eARC; the exact menu depends on the television. If your TV has no ARC port, connect Streambar SE to any HDMI port with the included HDMI cable, then connect the included optical cable from the TV's Digital Audio Output to the Streambar's Optical port after removing the protective caps. Because Streambar SE cannot play Dolby Audio or DTS, set the TV's audio output format to PCM-Stereo or Stereo.
For Streambar, Streambar Pro, or Smart Soundbar, stop any Bluetooth or Spotify Connect playback from your phone or computer. Those sources override other audio.
Fix sound that fails in just one app or title
These steps address silence isolated to one app or soundtrack.
Exit the affected app.
Reopen it.
Check that Roku is connected to your network if the app still has trouble.
For supported multitrack streaming content on a Roku TV, press Star (*) during playback.
Open Accessibility & language > Audio track.
Select another available audio track.
For digital broadcast TV, inspect SAP instead.
In Netflix, press Up or Down while the title plays.
Select Audio & Subtitles if shown. Some titles display language choices directly at the bottom.
Choose another available audio track.
If the whole app remains silent after restarting and updating Roku, highlight the app on Home.
Press Star (*).
Select Remove app. An active subscription or billing cycle can block this option; leave the subscription in place when troubleshooting sound.
Confirm removal. App removals and additions also affect other devices linked to the same Roku account.
Restart Roku before reinstalling the app.
Open Home > Store > Apps.
Select the app.
Choose Add app to reinstall it. If the app requires a subscription, the store shows OK instead; follow the on-screen trial or subscription prompt.
Reset the Roku TV's audio and picture settings
On a Roku TV with this option, open Settings > System > Advanced system settings > Factory reset > Reset TV audio/picture settings.
Read the on-screen warning.
Press Play/Pause three times to perform the reset.
This resets picture settings as well as audio settings, so expect to revisit your picture adjustments.
Contact support or use a full reset as a last resort
If multiple sources remain silent after testing outputs, cables, restart, and updates, contact your TV manufacturer. Provide the model and explain which sources and audio outputs fail. For a TCL Roku TV, use Contact Us on TCL's sound troubleshooting page.
A full factory reset is a last resort because it erases settings, apps, and account linkage. You must complete setup again afterward.
To proceed, open Home > Settings > System > Advanced system settings > Factory reset. On a Roku TV, select Factory reset everything. Follow the confirmation prompts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Roku remote's volume button do nothing?
Set up TV controls on a compatible Roku voice remote. Open Home > Settings > Remotes & devices > Remotes, select your voice remote, and choose Set up remote for TV control. Follow the sound tests. If a receiver prevents TV detection, temporarily connect the player directly to the TV.
Why does the program go silent when I open a Roku camera feed?
Unmuting a pinned compatible Roku camera feed automatically mutes streaming content. During playback, hold Star (*) for three seconds, select Mute camera, and press OK. Alternatively, select Unpin camera and press OK.
Why are only my rear Roku wireless speakers silent?
With stereo content, Expanded Stereo set to Off restricts playback to the front speakers. On a compatible Streambar or soundbar setup, press Star (*) during playback and change Expanded Stereo to Movies and TV or Music.
How do I report a Netflix episode with no sound?
If other content works, report the affected title on Netflix's website. Open Account > Profiles, select your profile, and open Viewing activity. Find the title and select Report a problem. Choose Problems with sound, enter the details, and select Report Problem.