Do LG TVs Have HDMI ARC? I Asked Them

Do LG TVs Have HDMI ARC? I Asked Them

For years, I had been using my Samsung TV but last week I received a new LG smart TV as a birthday gift.

Excited to use the device, I connected my Bose sound bar and hooked up my cable box to the new TV.

However, I could not get the sound working despite using the HDMI ARC port. I had never had such an issue with my old TV.

I was genuinely confused and did not know what to do. Aren’t all smart TVs supposed to have similar external device installation mechanisms?

I started looking for a solution online and went through a number of articles and online guides.

However, nothing I read online seemed to solve the issue. I was getting a little frustrated at this point so, I decided to contact LG customer support to get help.

That is when I found out that newer TV models from LG (since 2009) have an HDMI ARC port but run into consistent issues when the feature is used.

Nevertheless, I found how to bypass the problems and run HDMI ARC on my LG TV.

The HDMI ARC feature on LG TVs can perform erratically due to outdated firmware, faulty settings, or hardware failure. To fix this download the latest software update on the LG TV which seems to streamline the issue to a great degree.

What is HDMI ARC?

Before diving into the solution, it is important to exactly understand what HDMI Arc is. 

HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)  is a technology that enables the transmission of audio signals between devices over HDMI cables. 

This is particularly useful when connecting a TV to a soundbar or receiver, as it allows for the audio to be played through the connected speakers, eliminating the need for a separate audio cable.

Nowadays, any device that works with the normal HDMI 14 generally has an ARC port.

Most ARC ports have the term “HDMI ARC” or “ARC” marked beside them, making it easier for you to recognize the relevant port.

Do LG TVs have HDMI ARC?

The HDMI ARC feature has become a standard with LG TVs since around 2009.

Hence, if your LG TV has been bought after 2009, it most likely has an HDMI ARC port that can be used with an external audio source.

The back of your LG TV is bound to have multiple HDMI ports.

The standard HDMI 14 port will be marked “HDMI” while the “HDMI ARC” port will have the word “ARC” or “HDMI ARC” written beside it.

Why is HDMI ARC not working on my LG TV?

There are multiple issues that might be interfering with the proper functioning of the HDMI ARC feature.

This includes hardware issues, loose cables, outdated firmware, or a settings-related issue.

Fixes for each of these issues have been mentioned below:

Outdated Firmware

Many users have claimed that they face an issue with their LG TVs detecting ARC connections, especially when other HDMI connections are also active.

A simple fix that works in most situations is simply downloading the latest software update on your LG TV.

The company regularly receives complaints from users who struggle with the HDMI ARC feature of the TV.

As a response, they regularly release new firmware updates that improve the TV’s efficiency in detecting ARC connections, besides solving a range of other issues.

To download the latest update, follow these steps:

  • Go to the “About this TV” option under the general settings from the homepage.
  • Click the “Check for Updates” button 
  • The TV will automatically detect any updates that need to be downloaded and installed

You should regularly ensure that your LG TV is updated to the latest version as it can also help solve a range of other issues that might exist.

Dead Ports/Cable Issues

If your LG TV is unable to detect the ARC connection altogether, a cable issue might be at play.

The solution is to check the cable connections, or simply use another cable to diagnose the issue.

You should also ensure that the cables are connected to the right ports and that none of the connections are loose.

If the cable works properly with another device, the problem might lie with the HDMI port of either the external device or the LG TV.

This will require either a replacement or a repair.

You might have to contact LG’s customer care service to solve the problem.

Compatibility Issues

A number of external devices are simply not compatible with HDMI ARC and only work with the standard HDMI ports.

Hence, ensure that the device you are using is compatible with HDMI ARC.

External Device/Motherboard Issues

There is also a chance that the LG TV’s motherboard might have developed an issue.

In this case, you will have to contact customer support.

LG TV not working with HDMI ARC: Fixes

Apart from checking the above, the following fixes can also help you solve any issue with your LG TV related to HDMI ARC:

Problem with Connection Settings

The problem might simply lie with the way you have configured the connection between your LG TV and external devices.

The following steps can be taken to correctly configure HDMI ARC with your LG TV:

  • Once the HDMI cables have been connected properly, go to the “Sound menu” from the “Settings” page.
  • Turn on the ARC mode, then switch off the TV’s internal speaker.
  • Now, enable the CEC settings of the TV.

You may need to go to the LG TV’s System settings in order to access the CEC settings.

Various sound modes of LG TVs are sometimes not compatible with the external device in question.

A simple internet search should be enough to help you determine whether your external device is compatible with HDMI ARC.

Perform a Power Cycle

To perform a power cycle, disconnect all cables between your TV and external devices.

Turn off all connected devices and unplug them from the power sources.

Wait for 10 to 15 seconds before plugging back all the cords and switching on your LG TV and external devices.

Finally, reconnect the HDMI cables and check whether the problem has been solved.

Performing a power cycle deletes the system cache, cookies, and any other corrupted information or software glitches in your LG TV.

Reset your TV/External device

If the HDMI ARC was functioning well previously but started causing issues out of nowhere and none of the fixes mentioned above worked for you, you might have to reset your TV. 

To reset your LG TV:

  • Navigate to “General Settings” under the “Settings” menu
  • Go to “Reset to Initial Settings” and select the “Revert to Factory Settings” option.

It is recommended that you take a picture of your existing settings before reverting to factory settings so that you can easily get back to your preferred settings later.

To reset your external device, another internet search might be needed.

You can also refer to the device manual of your external device for further instructions.

Using HDMI ARC LG TV

In conclusion, there are a number of available fixes that you can apply to solve any problem with your LG TV with respect to HDMI ARC.

If your TV is a post-2009 model, it is likely to have an HDMI ARC port.

However, LG TVs have been known to cause consistent problems with respect to 

If all of the above solutions fail, your best bet is to use the standard HDMI port of your TV, or use separate optical cables for audio and video playback.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do LG TVs have HDMI ARC?

Yes, newer LG TVs (since 2009) have HDMI ARC ports.

Why is HDMI ARC not working on my LG TV?

There could be several reasons why HDMI ARC is not working on your LG TV. These include hardware issues, loose cable, outdated firmware, or a settings-related issue.

How can I fix HDMI ARC on my LG TV?

To fix HDMI ARC on your LG TV, you can try downloading the latest software update, checking cable connections, using another cable, checking the external device’s compatibility, or contacting customer support.

What is CEC?

CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) is a feature that allows connected devices to control each other. Enabling CEC settings on your LG TV can help solve issues related to HDMI ARC.

About the author

Maria Chan, or MC, as we call her, is the genius girl-boss who gave up on her cushy silicon-valley job to grind it out with us. Her undying pursuit of wanting Zeebox to the best makes it very clear that she has no interest in running a generic tech-site.

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