By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –Follow on Facebook & X.
Former editor of 4 TV magazines. Author of TV Dot Com.

TV Answer Man, I’m having a hard time hearing the sound from my TV. It got so bad that I connected a sound bar to the TV just so I could hear anything. Any idea why the TV speakers would be a problem? — Cynthia, Marina Del Rey, California. 

Cynthia, it appears that you’re getting a clear audio signal from your streaming, cable or satellite TV service, which is why the sound isn’t an issue when you connect your set to your sound bar. So the problem is likely with your television or how it’s connected to your devices. There are several things you can do to check your set’s audio connection and sound level. Sony.com’s Troubleshooting page has some useful tips and they are:

1. Turn up the volume.
For starters, turn up the volume of your TV. If you can’t hear anything at all, make sure the set isn’t set on Mute. If you simply aren’t getting a proper volume level, then let’s go to the next step, which is…

2. Check the Headphones setting.
Make sure there are no headphones connected to your TV. Having headphones connected to your set can cause the same lack of sound as hitting the Mute button. Also check the Headphones setting in your TV’s setting to make sure it’s not on.

3. Check the Multichannel Sound feature.
If you still don’t have a solution, then click on the Menu on your TV’s remote control and go to the Audio or Sound setting. Then, make sure the Multichannel sound feature is set at Stereo. If the show you’re watching is in stereo but your TV is not set for stereo, the sound could come from just one speaker, which would explain the low volume.

4. Check the Speakers setting.
Still having a problem? Then, go back to the Sound/Audio feature in the Menu and make sure the Speakers setting is turned to On.

5. Check the connections.
After taking the above steps, if you still are having a sound issue, make sure all your connections from your set-top to your TV are secure. And, try connecting a different set-top to your TV to see if that makes a difference. You could be having a sound issue with a cable set-top, for instance, so try connecting a DVD or Blu-ray player to see if the sound level improves.

If you still don’t have sound coming from your TV’s speakers at this point, you basically have two options. Connect your TV to a stereo or Surround Sound system or bring your TV in for a repair.

Cynthia, hope that helps. Happy viewing and stay safe!

Have a question about new TV technologies? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com Please include your first name and hometown in your message.

The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will report on the latest news and answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.