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Intermittent screen blackout caused when Arc and PS5 running

  • January 26, 2026
  • 8 replies
  • 57 views

Screen black outs happen intermittently when Arc connected and running PS5 or BluRay Player.  How do I fix it as it was never an issue before?  This started suddenly fall of 2025 with no changes to set up.  Samsung TV.

8 replies

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  • Senior Virtuoso
  • January 26, 2026

Are you suggesting it’s a Sonos issue? If so, generate a diagnostics report within a few minutes of it happening and call Sonos support. 


AjTrek1
  • January 26, 2026

Sounds more like a connection issue with the HDMI cables for the devices and/or updates required for the devices and Samsung TV. On the remote chance (and I mean very remote) make sure the Arc is updated and it’s HDMI cable is properly seated on both ends.


Airgetlam
  • January 26, 2026

Since Sonos merely receives audio data from the TV via HDMI ARC, it does seem unlikely to be related to Sonos. 

After checking the devices for updates, I’d be contacting Samsung. 


buzz
  • January 26, 2026

Is there any SONOS audio interruption during the video blackouts?

I also think that this this can be an HDMI cabling issue. Make sure that the cables are fully seated in their socket. When an HDMI connection is established, the units involved negotiate to discover a common video/audio format that can be supported among the units. During this negotiation, video is blacked out.

Another possibility is that one of the devices changes its video format, forcing a re-negotiation. A device update may have changed its default format. If you can force the format on the devices, pick the same output format for all devices. This should reduce the re-negotiations.

SAMSUNG TV’s negotiate after a reboot. Typically, the TV remembers the format. I suggest that you disconnect all HDMI cables and power down all devices for at least two minutes before reconnecting to the TV. The order of reconnection might be important. I would start with the SONOS unit, but you may discover a more optimum order.


  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • January 27, 2026

Thank you all for your quick responses, sorry for the delay.  

BTW, I love my Sonos devices, especially the Arc.  I had this configuration set up this way for a few years and never an issue.  When we have company over they are blown away by the sound.

I’ve used multiple HDMI cables and they work fine for every other application.  

The ARC works fine when no PS5 or Blu-Ray being used but the sound also cuts out when the screen blacks out.  The PS5 and Blu-Ray work fine when Sonos not connected.

I have tried several different versions of rebooting but not the specific scenario that “buzz” suggested.  I will do that this evening. 

I confirmed that the devices are all up to date but I will review again I case there is an update within the last few days.

I will figure out how to generate a diagnostic report and will plug the PS5 in again to grab that report and submit it. 

I’m not suggesting it is a Sonos issue but when looking into this many people cited the Sonos as the common element and/or the new element and/or the element that seems to somehow be involved in the mix between the Samsung TV and the third device.  It may boil down to the Tv or it may boil down to the PS5 but they all seem to work perfectly fine in pairs but not when all three connected as of late.  I will report back asap, hopefully tonight.


AjTrek1
  • January 27, 2026

Appreciate the reply. This sounds like a CEC implementation where certain connected HDMI devices have the ability to select their input to switch to thier video. AppleTV can cause similar issues especially during setup and/or when the  a TV update has changed its CEC parameters. Try the advice given by ​@buzz.


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  • Senior Virtuoso
  • January 27, 2026

Thank you all for your quick responses, sorry for the delay.  

BTW, I love my Sonos devices, especially the Arc.  I had this configuration set up this way for a few years and never an issue. 

I will figure out how to generate a diagnostic report and will plug the PS5 in again to grab that report and submit it. 

 

It is odd that all used to be well, suggesting one of the devices has an update that’s causing conflicts with others - but how to resolve which one? It may come down to waiting till they’re back in sync again. 
 

For diagnostics, go to Settings (cog icon at top right), scroll down to Visit Help Centre and select that, and then Submit Diagnostics. 


buzz
  • January 27, 2026

If you discover a device that is behaving badly, a CEC blocker will help. 

CEC attempts to streamline system operation for the user. A goal is to allow the user to simply drop a disc into a player and all of the appropriate units will power-up and inputs will be selected. Unfortunately, standards are lax and one or more units might think it is superior, provoking a fight for control. One of my favorites is the middle of the night cable box update. At the end of the update the cable box will power-up and the other units then assume that the user now wants to watch TV … sigh.

At the loss of some convenience a CEC blocker can prevent this nonsense.