When your LG TV has a picture but no sound, it's usually a simple setting or a connection hiccup. I'd start with the quick fixes first, as they solve the majority of these audio dropouts.
Check Your Remote and Volume
Press the volume up button on your Magic Remote. Make sure the mute icon isn't showing on the screen. Sometimes, the remote can be controlling the volume of a connected soundbar instead of the TV itself, so check the on-screen volume bar to see which device it's adjusting.
If the pointer seems off, point the remote directly at the TV and press the scroll wheel button to re-calibrate it. This ensures your button presses are being registered correctly.
Verify the Audio Output
Press the Settings button on your remote and navigate to All Settings > Sound > Sound Out. This is the most important setting to check. If you want to use the TV's own speakers, make sure TV Speaker is selected.
If you have a soundbar or home theater system, it should be set to HDMI ARC, Optical, or Bluetooth, depending on your connection. An incorrect selection here is a very common reason for total silence.
Perform a Power Cycle
Unplug your LG TV from the electrical outlet. Wait for a full 60 seconds. This gives the internal capacitors time to discharge completely, which resets the audio processor and other components.
Plug the TV back in and turn it on. This simple restart clears out temporary software glitches that can cause sound to disappear.
Inspect Your External Connections
If you're using a streaming device, game console, or cable box, check those HDMI cables. Unplug and firmly re-seat the HDMI cable at both the TV and the device. Try using a different HDMI port on your TV, as sometimes a single port can develop issues.
For sound systems, confirm your soundbar is plugged into the TV's HDMI port labeled HDMI (ARC) or HDMI (eARC). This port is essential for sending audio from the TV back to the soundbar.
Adjust the Digital Sound Format
Go back to All Settings > Sound > Advanced Settings. Look for an option like Digital Sound Out. Try changing this setting from Auto to PCM.
PCM is a basic, uncompressed format that every device understands. If your external audio system is having trouble decoding a Dolby signal from an app, switching to PCM can immediately restore sound.
Check the Individual App
If the sound is missing from just Netflix, Disney+, or one other app, the problem is likely with that specific service. Try playing a different show or movie within the same app.
You can also force close the app. While the app is open, press and hold the Home button on your remote to bring up the running apps menu, select the app card, and choose "Close". Then reopen it. For a deeper reset, you can clear the app's data from the TV's settings.
Test the TV Speakers Alone
To rule out problems with your external setup, disconnect any soundbars or receivers. Go to Sound > Sound Out and select TV Speaker.
Play some content. If you get sound now, you know the TV's hardware is fine and the issue lies in the connection or settings for your external audio device.
Update Your TV's Software
LG regularly releases webOS updates that fix bugs, including audio problems. Go to All Settings > General > About This TV > Check for Updates.
Allow the update to download and install if one is available. An update can resolve compatibility issues with new audio formats from streaming services or HDMI-CEC communication problems.
Review the Sound Mode and Presets
Sometimes a changed audio preset can make dialogue very quiet or sound like it's missing. Press the Settings button, go to Sound, and select Sound Mode.
Try switching between modes like Standard, Cinema, or Clear Voice. The Clear Voice mode specifically boosts dialogue frequencies and can help if voices are muffled or inaudible.
Reset the Sound Settings
If you've tried everything and the audio is still not working, you can reset just the sound settings without affecting your apps or logins. Navigate to All Settings > General > Reset to Initial Settings.
Here, you should see an option for "Reset Sound Settings" or similar. This will revert all audio adjustments back to their factory defaults, which can clear any incorrect configuration causing the problem.
