Q. I bought my 10-year-old son a Roku TCL TV for his birthday and we really like the picture. But yesterday the sound suddenly went off but the picture is still on. Any ideas on how to fix this? — Carrie, Tulsa.
Carrie, congratulations on your purchase. TCL/Roku TV sales are rising rapidly in the United States thanks in part to the model’s comparably low prices. For example, you can buy a 50-inch TCL Roku set for less than $300 while a 40-inch model goes for under $200.
(Above is an Amazon link. The TV Answer Man receives a small portion of sales related to Amazon links found on this page.)
There may be several reasons why the sound on your TV isn’t working, but let’s start with the most obvious one.
The Mute button.
TCL and Roku have decided to place the Mute button on the side of the TV’s remote. It’s quite easy to hit the Mute button without even realizing it. So, just to be sure, make sure the Mute button isn’t set to On. If Mute isn’t set to On, also check the Volume levels, which are located slightly above the Mute button. Make sure the Volume isn’t set to 0 or another low number that would make it difficult to hear.
If Mute and Volume isn’t the problem, try the Volume on a different channel or show. It’s possible that the problem is with the program, not the set.
If the show or channel isn’t the issue, check your cable connections. A slightly loose HDMI connection could interfere with either the audio or video. Since the Roku/TCL doesn’t require a separate cable, check any cables connected to a different device such as a Blu-ray player. That could still interrupt the audio and video on your Roku program.
If the cable connection isn’t the problem, go to the TV’s Settings and set the Audio Settings to Auto. That will ensure the TV will deliver the best audio format for whatever you’re watching. It’s possible that you have the TV set to Stereo and the show you are trying to watch isn’t available in Stereo. (You never know.)
Finally, after trying all those little things, re-set the TV by unplugging it from the wall. (Also unplug and disconnect any other devices connected to the TV.) After 20 seconds or so, plug everything back in. You would be amazed at how often this simple step resolves what seems to be the most perplexing TV issue.
However, if it didn’t fix it, there’s really nothing else you can do but return it if it’s still under warranty.
Carrie, hope that helps. Happy viewing, and stay safe!
Have a question about new TV technologies? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvpredictions.com. Please include your first name and hometown in your message.
— Phillip Swann
@swanniontv
Unplug tv, wait about minute, then plug back in, that should take care problem
Yippee! Unplugging for a few minutes worked. I have had this TCL Roku for two years and this is a first time anything like this has happened. I really freaked so I am so very grateful to you . Thank you thank you thank you
worked for me… thanks
Unplugged and it works Thank You!
Unplugged and replugged and it fixed the issue! Thank you!
Great tip! After losing the sound on my TCL TV and finding this “fix tip” I unplugged the TV and the wireless cable box, waited a short while and plugged it all back in. Sound is back. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My 2 yr. old 50″ TCL TV has been losing the audio sporadically for about 3 mos. I press the “Home” button and then SETTINGS, SYSTEM, POWER and SYSTEM RESTART. Has worked every time.
Why do they put in such poor speakers in the Roku TCL
Thank you very much! I had tried almost everything except unplugging for a few seconds!!! WORKED PERFECTLY!
This is a huge problem across the Roku line. I have probably 10 roku devices ( TV’s, sticks, +’s, pro etc) they all lock up from time to time. Sometimes it is sound, sometimes they just reset themselves, sometimes they just freeze and you have to reset manually. What’s really crazy is the you can usually get to the menu and go to reset without powering off etc. It still takes several minutes for the full reset process and it us effing annoying!
Poor quality chips or design! I am so sick of hearing bloo-bloo-bloop!!
TV man why don’t you ask Roku how much money they made by selling crap!
Unplug wait 10 seconds or more then plug back in
This suggestions did not work for me I bought one of the top end of TCL model 75Q825, about a year old, today I turn on the tried to listen to news, then I noticed that sound is dull kind of bass type, no midrage or trebles, only sub woofer sound, I have tried every settings possible on the audio mode nothing seems to work, please any suggestions will be appreciated.
Thanks
CHECK IT OUT!!!! ITS NOT THE TV. ITS THE THEME THATS SET UP IN ROKU. JUST GO BACK TO THE DEFAULT THEME…. RESTART THE ROKU AND THE TV SEPARATELY. LIKE USE THE ROKU REMOTE TO RESTART ROKU AND THE TV REMOTE TO TURN THE TV OFF AND ON. SHOULD BE ALL SET.
Thanks unplugging did the trick wish I knew why
I had tried all the above when I received a response from TCL Support with many suggestions (including those above) plus the following, which has always worked to cure the periodic recurrences of this problem.
4. Reset TV audio/picture settings
a. From the home screen, select Settings
b. Select System
c. Select Factory reset
d. Highlight Reset TV audio/picture settings
e. Press the Play/Pause button three times.
if you do b. and c. hasn’t it already done d.? what about just doing e.? what’s that do anyway?
I skipped the unplug option due to inaccessibility but the factory reset audio video worked! Thanks!!