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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11If your TV’s optical audio output is silent, check the connection and selected inputs first, then try PCM and test another source. These reversible checks can help identify whether the problem is a setting, audio format, cable, source or receiving device before you suspect a failed TV port.
1. Check the optical connection
Trace the cable from the TV’s DIGITAL AUDIO OUT/OPTICAL jack to the soundbar or receiver’s DIGITAL AUDIO IN/OPTICAL jack. Optical cables are directional: the TV is the output and the audio device is the input. Confirm both ends are fully seated, remove any protective caps, and inspect the cable for damage.
A loose or damaged cable can prevent sound. If you do not have a known-good cable to test with and yours appears damaged, replace it with a Toslink optical digital audio cable. [Sony’s optical-output troubleshooting] and Samsung’s soundbar guidance both advise checking the optical connection.
2. Select optical output on the TV and optical input on the audio device
In the TV’s Sound settings, choose Optical, Optical Digital, or the option for external wired speakers. Then use the soundbar or receiver’s controls to select Optical, D.IN, or the input assigned to its optical jack. Also make sure the audio device is powered on and set to the input where the cable is connected.
#1 Best Overall
- Optical digital audio cable: Perfect for equipment with a TOSLINK interface (OPT In / OPT Out or S/PDIF In / S/PDIF Out). TOSLINK connector to TOSLINK connector (F05 connector)
- Versatile: Ideal for transmitting crystal-clear digital audio from your TV, video game console (PS3/PS4/Xbox One), DVD/Blu-ray player, or TV streaming box to a soundbar, amplifier/amp, stereo/Hi-Fi system, D/A converter, and more
- High-End: This metal-free fiber optic audio cable, featuring a fully flexible PVC jacket, is entirely immune to electrical interference. Each cable undergoes multi-stage testing during manufacturing to ensure maximum product quality and durability
- 24K gold-plated connectors: Corrosion resistant gold plating keeps connectors clean. And because these cables are fiber optic, they provide 100 % signal transmission with 0 % loss
- No risk: 36 months manufacturer warranty
Menu names and paths differ by model and software version. LG, for example, publishes different Sound Out paths for different webOS generations; some Sony models have a separate optical-output enable setting. Use the manual or support page for your exact TV and audio-device models rather than assuming one menu path applies to every set. LG’s optical connection instructions show the menu variation.
3. Try PCM as a compatibility test
Find the TV’s Digital Audio Out, Digital Sound Out, or similarly named setting and select PCM. This is a useful test when the soundbar or receiver cannot decode the compressed format currently being sent. If sound returns on PCM, the issue is likely a format-compatibility mismatch; the available formats and exact setting names depend on the TV model.
Rank #2
- Please REMOVE the end protective caps before using the cable.
- IN THE BOX: 6-foot digital optical audio Toslink cable.
- CLEAR AUDIO: Multi-channel, fiber-optic digital audio output; corrosion resistant gold-plated connectors and buffer tubing for optimal signal transfer.
- DURABLE: Lightweight, flexible cable with a rugged PVC exterior and removable rubber tips that protect the cable when not plugged in; remove before using.
- CONNECTS DEVICES: Quickly connects a sound bar, CD player, Blu-Ray player, game console, or other device to an audio system or TV.
PCM is not automatically the best setting for every system. Sony notes that unsupported compressed audio can result in no output depending on the broadcast or video, and recommends trying PCM as a troubleshooting step. Sony’s wired-audio troubleshooting describes this compatibility issue.
4. Try another source or program
Play audio from a built-in TV app, a broadcast, or another connected source. If one source works and another does not, the difference may be the program’s audio format or how that source sends sound—not necessarily the optical port. The TV’s optical output behavior can depend on the content; Sony describes its optical port as intended for content containing PCM or Dolby Digital audio, with output availability depending on the content.
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Rank #3
- Optical digital audio cable: Perfect for equipment with a TOSLINK interface (OPT In / OPT Out or S/PDIF In / S/PDIF Out). TOSLINK connector to TOSLINK connector (F05 connector)
- Versatile: Ideal for transmitting crystal-clear digital audio from your TV, video game console (PS3/PS4/Xbox One), DVD/Blu-ray player, or TV streaming box to a soundbar, amplifier/amp, stereo/Hi-Fi system, D/A converter, and more
- High-End: This metal-free fiber optic audio cable, featuring a fully flexible PVC jacket, is entirely immune to electrical interference. Each cable undergoes multi-stage testing during manufacturing to ensure maximum product quality and durability
- 24K gold-plated connectors: Corrosion resistant gold plating keeps connectors clean. And because these cables are fiber optic, they provide 100 % signal transmission with 0 % loss
- No risk: 36 months manufacturer warranty
Do not assume every app, channel, or external device will behave alike. Note exactly which source or program produces silence and which works; that detail can help identify a format or source-specific issue.
5. Test the cable and audio device with known-working equipment
If the settings and source checks do not restore sound, isolate the components. These cross-tests help distinguish a cable, TV output, or soundbar/receiver problem:
Rank #4
- 【Extra-Long 10ft Cable for Flexible Setup】iVANKY 10ft optical audio cable provides just the right length to connect your devices comfortably - no more struggling with cables that are too short. Enjoy the same pristine, lossless audio quality while having the freedom to arrange your home theater, gaming system, or audio components exactly how you want
- 【Ultra-Clear Audio Quality with Japan Toray Original Fiber Core】iVANKY optical audio cable uses Japan Toray Original Fiber Core to deliver zero-distortion, lossless audio. This toslink cable is compatible with uncompressed PCM audio and compressed 5.1 to 7.1 surround sound systems, including Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD High Resolution, and LPCM. This digital optical audio cable ensures a wide dynamic range for an immersive listening experience
- 【Universal Device Compatibility】This optical cable for soundbar and home theaters connects seamlessly to a wide range of devices with standard Toslink (s/PDIF, Optical) ports, such as TVs, Soundbar, Speaker, Receiver, PS4, Xbox, Blu-Ray players, and more. It’s perfect for anyone looking to enhance their audio setup with a fiber optic cable that works flawlessly across multiple devices
- 【24K Gold-plated Connectors & Superior Durability】 Unlike conventional PVC jackets, iVANKY optical cable features a high-quality nylon braided jacket that withstands over 16,000 bends, making it highly durable and resistant to breakage. The aluminum shell and 24K gold-plated connectors prevent tarnishing and maintain conductivity over time, ensuring long-lasting performance
- 【Precision Design】The precisely designed cuboid connectors of this digital optical audio cable make installation easy and secure. The flexible and lightweight nylon material ensures hassle-free handling. Additionally, removable rubber caps protect the connectors from dust and oxidation when not in use. CL3-rated, this cable is also designed for in-wall installation, providing flexibility for your setup
- Try a known-working optical cable between the TV and audio device.
- Connect the soundbar or receiver to another known-working optical source, if available.
- Connect the TV to another known-working optical receiver, if available.
If the soundbar remains silent with another optical source, contact its manufacturer’s support. If the TV fails with a known-good cable and receiving device across more than one source, consult support for the TV’s exact model before concluding that its optical port has failed. Manufacturer guidance identifies cable, compatibility, and device operation as checks; these cross-swaps are a practical way to narrow down which part of the chain is at fault.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.6. Give support the details that narrow down the fault
When contacting the TV or audio-device maker, have the following ready:
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Best Value
- Optical digital audio cable: Perfect for equipment with a TOSLINK interface (OPT In / OPT Out or S/PDIF In / S/PDIF Out). TOSLINK connector to TOSLINK connector (F05 connector)
- Versatile: Ideal for transmitting crystal-clear digital audio from your TV, video game console (PS3/PS4/Xbox One), DVD/Blu-ray player, or TV streaming box to a soundbar, amplifier/amp, stereo/Hi-Fi system, D/A converter, and more
- High-End: This metal-free fiber optic audio cable, featuring a fully flexible PVC jacket, is entirely immune to electrical interference. Each cable undergoes multi-stage testing during manufacturing to ensure maximum product quality and durability
- 24K gold-plated connectors: Corrosion resistant gold plating keeps connectors clean. And because these cables are fiber optic, they provide 100 % signal transmission with 0 % loss
- No risk: 36 months manufacturer warranty
- TV and soundbar/receiver model numbers
- The source or program tested, including which ones worked and which did not
- The TV’s selected digital audio format and the soundbar/receiver input
- Whether another cable, optical source, or receiving device changed the result
Check the model-specific support page for exact settings, supported formats, and any applicable software updates. Sony lists software updates and third-party compatibility among possible causes; its guidance is for the XR-65X93L model and should not be treated as universal instructions for all Sony TVs. [Sony’s model-specific support page] was last modified July 10, 2026.
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