Adding a Sony device to your home theater system is an upgrade any avid audiophile dreams about. But what will you do if you suddenly discover your new Sony soundbar not working?
Is it a cue for a trip to the repair shop? Before you decide, here are basic troubleshooting techniques our engineers would like you to try.
Why Has My Sony Soundbar Stopped Working?
No matter what kind of device you’re using, the first things you should check when it stops working are the wires.
Are they connected properly and inserted in the correct ports? If any of these cables are loose or damaged, there’s a high chance that it’s interrupting your soundbar connection.
Besides that, connection issues could arise from wrong configurations. For some TVs, you’ll need to select the Sony soundbar as your main audio source so that the television’s internal sound settings wouldn’t interfere with the device.
Updating firmware is also a quick fix you can consider if all else fails. Continue reading below as our resident soundbar experts discuss specific technical issues and how to troubleshoot them.
Issue #1: Sony Soundbar Won’t Pair or Connect
Wireless connections tend to be tricky, so it’s no surprise most users experience problems pairing their Sony soundbar with another device.
If you don’t want to experience this, ensure that the power source is connected securely to the soundbar. Besides that, both devices should have their Bluetooth features switched on.
After that, press the Bluetooth button on the speaker. Keep your fingers on hold until the pairing prompt appears. From there, you’ll notice that the Bluetooth light stops flashing.
Issue #2: Sony Soundbar Won’t Remain On
You may not know, but your Sony device has an “Auto Standby” feature. Because of this, the system is prompt to stop power usage after 15 minutes of inactivity. To turn this off, you must disable this function in the speaker’s menu settings.
Issue #3: Sony Soundbar Won’t Turn On
Sometimes, the reason why your soundbar isn’t turning on is the remote. You can confirm that this is the issue’s main cause when you press the power button on the device instead of using the remote.
Besides that, check if the power cable is connected securely and the electrical outlet is working fine. You can test different electronic devices to see if it’s producing enough power.
Issue #4: Sony Soundbar Won’t Turn Off
You may opt for a hard reset if the power button on your soundbar and remote control can’t turn the device off. You must simultaneously press and hold power, volume up, and input select buttons for at least five seconds.
After doing that, you must unplug all cables from the Sony soundbar. By doing this, the device will reset. And then, you can plug the cables back in and turn the power on.
Issue #5: Sony Soundbar Volume Not Loud Enough
Some users may think that their Sony soundbar is not working, but there are instances where its volume levels are just not high enough.
Adjusting the sound volume via remote is the common solution for this issue. But if that didn’t work, you must go to your TV’s settings and find the Digital Audio Out Volume section.
It can vary per TV model, but most Android smart televisions have an advanced setting section where you can select Digital Audio Out Volume and adjust its values.
Issue #6: Sony Soundbar Not Working After a Power Outage
Sudden power outages are known to damage different electronic devices [1], so it’s not a surprise some users may experience the same. Before turning your speaker on, we highly recommend scanning the ports and wires for any damages.
If repeated attempts don’t work, it’s time to power cycle your device. You must disconnect the soundbar from its cords and press the power button for five seconds. After doing that, reconnect the power cable and turn the device on.
In rare cases where the power cycle doesn’t do the trick, check if the power indicator has any signs of light. If not, plug other devices into the power outlet to see if it’s working. If yes, it’s time to hand over the troubleshooting with a professional electrician.
Issue #7: Sony Soundbar Remote Not Working
As previously stated, remote controls can easily be the culprit as to why your soundbar won’t work. Besides checking for dying batteries, we recommend removing objects in front of your speaker as this may be blocking the signal that connects your remote to the soundbar.
If you’re using a universal remote control for your TV or soundbar, try checking if it’s configured properly to the device in question. Sometimes, these settings may overlap and cause malfunctions.
FAQ
How do you reset a Sony soundbar?
You can reset a Sony soundbar by pressing the volume up (+), power, and input select buttons all at the same time for a matter of 5 to 10 seconds. And then, proceed to unplug the device before turning it back on after another 10 seconds.
Conclusion
As a new user, getting confused is normal when trying to make your Sony soundbar work. However, that doesn’t mean a trip to the local technician is the only solution you can consider. After all, we guarantee that basic audio troubleshooting is a useful life hack worth learning.
