I have a Sonos Arc connected to my Samsung 4k TV, sorry I don’t have the specific model number. I have my Arc soundbar connected through the TVs HDMI Arc port. I have a Metra HDMI splitter plugged into my only other HDMI port. I have my cable box and previously had an Xbox one through the splitter. For years things worked great, no issues. We just got an Xbox series X. Since setting this up I’ve noticed that my Arc seems to not be recognized by my Samsung and my TV will revert to the TV speakers, at times I will get no audio from the Xbox. I can fix it by unplugging the splitter from the other HDMI port, then once the Arc is recognized by the TV, almost immediately, then I can plug back in the splitter to the other HDMI port and things work great until for a while. I’ll come back an hour later and same issue. I have pass through on and Dolby atmos turned off on the Xbox. Any ideas for a permanent fix? I’ve tried power cycling everything. I can’t seem to find a fix that will work through power on/off over the course of a day. Any ideas?
xbox series x interfering with sonos arc
The trouble started when you upgraded to the newer XBox? My suspicion is the level of electrical activity caused by this change is interfering in some way with the CEC recognition of the Sonos through your Metra splitter. I’d be tempted to check all devices for firmware updates, and frankly, try without the splitter completely, plugging the XBox directly into your TV set, leaving the Arc connected to the ARC connection.
You may also want to submit a system diagnostic within 10 minutes of experiencing this problem, and call Sonos Support to discuss it. Don’t post the resulting diagnostic number here, their lawyers get sensitive about GDPR. Those of us in this forum, the public, don’t have access to the hard data Sonos stores in a diagnostic.
There may be information included in the diagnostic that will help Sonos pinpoint the issue and help you find a solution.
When you speak directly to the Support staff, they have tools at their disposal that will allow them to give you advice specific to your network and Sonos system.
Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately the TV only has two HdMI ports so that why I use the splitter. I will try hooking directly to the TV or contact Sonos support. Much appreciated
If you’d be so kind, come back and tell us what you find out. I certainly am interested to either validate my assumptions, or learn new things.
How old is this Samsung 4K TV? Seems unusual that it only has two HDMI ports.
Often, the model type can be found in the settings somewhere, if it isn’t possible to get behind the TV.
Thanks. Let me do some searching, be back in a minute.
No longer in production, at least here in the US, but what I do find suggests three HDMI inputs. If you’re using the ARC for the Sonos Arc (as you should), there should still be two other HDMI inputs.
Huh. Found this, though, which seems to confirm just two:
Ok, I’m confused (like you ;)). The picture shows two, later down the page, on the specs, it says 3. Do you happen to have a manual?
Ah, I think I have figured it out.
HDMI 1 and HDMI 2 (ARC) are sideways on the back, HDMI 3 (which in the picture looks like it is labeled as part of HDMI 1) sticks straight out. It’s labeling isn’t ‘painted’ white, but you can barely see in the picture (I think) that it is labeled HDMI 3.
Well, good news is I found the third. Bad news is that my TV mount sits right over it so can’t get the HDMI cable in straight. Probably why I initially went with the splitter in the first place. I’m going to see if I can find a right angle HDMI that might work, otherwise maybe I’ll call SONOS tomorrow. I think I can isolate it to whenever the TV shuts down, when it starts back up the signal from the splitter must be throwing it off, not sure.
Heh. I’ve got some right angle HDMI adapters I bought off of Amazon in a drawer somewhere, used back in the day. They’re not impossible to find, but as I recall, my corner store didn’t carry them. You may be luckier than I.
Yea, it’s possible the splitter is interfering in some way with the ARC (or HDMI) signal. Normally, as far as I’m aware, Sonos is always ‘connected’ to it, but it might have issues if the signal keeps disappearing and reappearing….but that’s conjecture.
Yeah, just strange. The set up worked flawlessly with the Xbox One but now with the series X it seems to be an issue which makes me think it’s not the splitter but probably then Xbox. It occurs even if the Xbox is off, turning the TV off then on seems to trigger. Very frustrating to have to unplug an HDMI cable every time I turn on my TV….
I’ll bet. And I’d agree, there has to be some change (perhaps in voltages?) supplied by the two Xbox’s. And I suspect the trouble is being exacerbated by the switch, which is why I’m suggesting plugging everything directly to the TV. You might also want to check with Metra to see if they have a firmware update for that switch… but I’m not holding out a lot of hope. Devices like that often don’t, or are incredibly difficult to update, in my experience.
Well hopefully Sonos may have some thoughts, I’m sure I’m not the first to have this issue. I’ll also try one of the 90 degree HDMIs or take a hacksaw to my wall mount 😂. Thanks for helping troubleshoot
Not convinced Sonos will have an answer…all they ‘know/see’ is if there’s a signal being generated by the ARC system on the TV. If it’s failing, due to low levels being sent by the XBox to the Metra device, they likely won’t be able to ‘see’ anything in the data other than cessation of the ARC signal.
FWIW, my XBox X is connected to my Samsung directly, and I have no issues. I don’t think I’ve ever connected my old XBox One to this TV, though. But no issues with my Arc at all, works fine, all the time.
Good luck! And good night ;)
Bruce, so I was able to squeeze into that third HDMI with some modifications and, presto! All good, thanks so much for your help!
+24Xbox One had a much more basic HDMI implementation than the Xbox Series consoles (which implemented HDMI 2.1). CEC control was greatly expanded, which is why you can use your TV remote to navigate the Home screen on your Xbox, for example.
Currently unavailable, but the page has links to a good selection of others. I've had a selection of these behind some of my TV sets for many years with no issues.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DBXSGXK?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_11
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