If your LG Smart TV is not playing sound, the quickest way to find the cause is to run the built-in Sound Test. This diagnostic instantly tells you whether the problem is with your TV's internal speakers or an external device, so you can stop guessing and start fixing the no-sound issue.
Run the LG TV no sound diagnostic test
Before changing any settings, use the TV's self-diagnosis feature to confirm whether the internal speakers are working. This test plays a chime through the TV's speakers, and you listen for it.
For older webOS 4.5 or earlier models, press the Settings button on your remote, go to All Settings, then Sound, and select Sound Test. For newer webOS 24 or later OLED TVs, press Settings, go to All Settings, then Support, and select Sound Self-Diagnosis. If you hear the chime clearly, your TV speakers are fine, and the problem is likely with an external device, an app, or the signal source. If you hear no sound during the test, there may be a hardware or software fault, and you should contact LG Support with this result.
Check the sound output and mute settings
It is common to have no sound on your TV or speakers simply because the TV is muted or the volume is turned all the way down. Use your TV remote to press the volume up button and check for a mute icon on the screen. Also confirm that the Sound Out setting is correct. Press the Settings button, go to All Settings, then Sound, and select Sound Out. If you want audio from the TV's built-in speakers, choose TV Internal Speaker or Use TV Speaker. If you are using a soundbar, home theater system, or Bluetooth headphones, set Sound Out to the corresponding option, such as HDMI ARC, Optical Digital, or Bluetooth Device.
Inspect external device power, cables, and inputs
If the Sound Test worked but you still have no audio, check any external audio devices. Make sure the soundbar or receiver is powered on, not muted, and has its volume turned up. Inspect the HDMI or optical cable connecting the device to your TV; it should be firmly plugged in at both ends and show no visible damage. Try unplugging and re-plugging the cable, or using a different HDMI or optical port on both the TV and the device. On the external device itself, verify that the correct input source is selected (for example, HDMI 1 or Optical).
Enable SIMPLINK for HDMI ARC connections
If you are using an HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) connection between your TV and a soundbar or receiver, SIMPLINK must be turned on for the audio to pass through. This is LG's version of HDMI-CEC. Press the Settings button on your remote, go to General, then External Devices, and select HDMI Settings. Ensure SIMPLINK is enabled. Without this setting active, the TV will not send sound out through the HDMI ARC port.
Center the audio balance and reset sound settings
An audio balance slider shifted entirely to one side can cause silence from the opposite speaker, making it seem like there is no sound. In the advanced sound settings, find the balance slider and move it to the center (zero) position. If the problem persists, you can reset all sound settings to factory defaults. Go to Settings, then Sound, and look for a Reset Sound or Restore Defaults option. This will clear any misconfigured settings, though you may need to re-select your preferred Sound Out option afterward.
Update your TV's firmware and get further support
Outdated software can cause audio glitches. To check for an update, press the Home button, go to Settings, then General or About TV, and select Software Update. If an update is available, install it and restart the TV. This often resolves bugs that affect sound.
If you have completed all these steps and still have no audio, contact LG Support. Have your TV's model number and the result of your Sound Test ready. They can guide you through advanced troubleshooting or arrange a repair. For issues with specific apps, note that the reasons for "no sound on a Roku TV" or "no sound on HBO Max" are often app-specific glitches or content restrictions, not a TV hardware problem. Similarly, if "YouTube is not working on your LG smart TV" or you are wondering "why your LG smart TV won't connect to the internet," those are separate connectivity issues and not related to the speaker or sound output settings covered here.
