Sonos Arc & LG G1 with eARC: Issues using Bluetooth Headphones

  • 8 September 2021
  • 52 replies
  • 7692 views
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52 replies

P

Sonos sucks.  No reason it couldn’t write a software fix to work around this problem.  Sonos simply refuses to do so.  How easy to blame CEC, etc. Just take responsibility, Sonos, and offer a solution.

S

The only way it worked on my LG TV was by turning OFF “SIMPLINK”, then connecting to BT or any other output.

See post: (1) Cannot use SONOS ARC and bluetooth headphones? : sonos (reddit.com)

 

Another suggestion (on the same post) that works as well is to connect the ARC to a smart plug so that you can turn the ARC ON or OFF as you please.

That used to work on older LG:s. It worked like that on my 5 year old TV, but it doesn’t on my C1. Now I have to unplug the Sonos Arc.

J

Same problem with my LG G2. Turning off simplink doesn’t work and it turns back on almost instantly.

Unplugging the HDMI from my Beam Gen 2 is the only solution so far.

S

I have a Beam 2 and a recent LG tv.  I was encountering the problem with eARC / LG Simplink where the TV would only stay on Bluetooth for 2 seconds before switching back to eARC.  The solution was to use the optical adapter.  The TV receives the optical end of the adapter, and the Beam receives the HDMI end.  Using this arrangement, as far as the TV is concerned, there is _no_ eARC connection.  Therefore the problem goes away and you can reliably stay on Bluetooth.

But you won’t have the Dolby Atmos feature.

S

Turning Off Simplink was the only thing that worked for me. Previous Soundbars I used with there same LG TV, including Q990b don't force the TV connection back to eArc.

What are my choices if I want to return the Arch and buy a sound bar that doesn’t have this issue?

I

I don't have any issues with Samsung or LG Soundbars. Additionally, Samsung Soundbars have a remote and an option to turn off the Soundbar.

Or would be great if the Sonos app add a feature to turn off the Soundbar so that prove have the option when Simplink option doesn't work.

O

Just ran into this same problem.

Sonos ARC. Samsung Tu8000 and wh1000xm4. Quite shocked 1 Year on it hasn't been resolved.

So any practical software only workarounds that doesn't involve turning off the SONOS? 

Thank you. 

I

Turning Off Simplink was the only thing that worked for me. Previous Soundbars I used with there same LG TV, including Q990b don't force the TV connection back to eArc.

S

even setting the TV to optical out but the ARC just keeps taking over

If you mean you’re using the Sonos optical-HDMI dongle there’s no way the Arc could ‘take over’. The TV wouldn’t know the Arc was there at all. Optical is unidirectional.

 

No, just tried setting the TV to optical out to see if it would stop the Arc forcing connection back to itself over the eARC connection. Even for optical out (without anything attached to the optical port), the Arc forces connection back to itself after 2-3 seconds 

This is a nonsensical comment.  If you are plugging into the TV using optical, then you are plugging into the TV through optical, _not_ HDMI.  It works perfectly for me. 

S

I have a Beam 2 and a recent LG tv.  I was encountering the problem with eARC / LG Simplink where the TV would only stay on Bluetooth for 2 seconds before switching back to eARC.  The solution was to use the optical adapter.  The TV receives the optical end of the adapter, and the Beam receives the HDMI end.  Using this arrangement, as far as the TV is concerned, there is _no_ eARC connection.  Therefore the problem goes away and you can reliably stay on Bluetooth.

K

Same problem here. LG G2 plus ARC. Can't switch to headphones:// I have few speakers from Sonos. But I think I'll change arc to sth else :/// in G2 I can't turn of CEC :/

Ken_Griffiths

Same problem here. LG G2 plus ARC. Can't switch to headphones:// I have few speakers from Sonos. But I think I'll change arc to sth else :/// in G2 I can't turn of CEC :/

What happens when you disable Simplink/Auto-Power Sync and then switch the TV sound out settings? 

1 Attachment
K

Simplink turns on immediately itself

:(

Airgetlam

No, it’s not a TV issue. Nor is it a Sonos issue. If you’re a TV installer, you should take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the design specifications for CEC, and ask those who set up those specifications why they only permit a single sound ‘sink’ device at a time. Both the TV manufacturers and Sonos have designed their systems to that specification. 

Bruce
Ken_Griffiths

Simplink turns on immediately itself

:(

I would call LG Support, as I have 3 different models of LG TV in my home, including their C9 OLED and all of them allow me to disable ‘Simplink’, that’s with either a Sonos Arc, or Beam (gen2) attached, to use either a Bluetooth connection, or headphone port. My thoughts are it’s a TV firmware bug that requires an update, but see what their Support Staff say.

P
Userlevel 1

I have the exact same issue here. I stopped at Best Buy (it’s where I bought the system), my local TV dealer that sold my LG C2, I called Sonos and LG 2 times. No solution was found, except physically unplug the Sonos Arc from the TV. SIMPLINK cannot be disabled (comes back on after 2 seconds), and nothing in the Sonos app is able to stop the TV to automatically switch audio output to HDMI (ARC). LG representatives says it’s Sonos fault. Sonos representatives say it’s LG fault. My TV dealer never saw such issue on any other system, thus I doubt it’s a Standard issue that would come from CEC/eARC/SIMPLINK specifications. Or other manufacturers more wisely bypassed the specs for consumer convenience. The only solution I can find is to return my 3000$ system to Best Buy, cause I don’t want to physically unplug the Sonos arc each time I want to use my headset, which is the only solution that a Sonos representative gave to me yesterday.

Airgetlam

The current implementation of CEC, which Sonos uses, allows a single audio ‘sink’. The TV manufacturers would need to change their firmware and internal electronics, as that’s where the CEC controller (computer) exists. Sonos is just following the specification where they report themselves to that computer as an audio sink.

Some TV manufacturers keep the optical output disconnected from the CEC system, which is often why you see the suggestion here to connect the Bluetooth transmitter to the optical output. Unfortunately, it’s not all, from what I’ve seen. 

Bruce
buzz

Try inserting a CEC blocker in the HDMI connector. You’ll also need to configure ARC to use IR Volume commands.

P
Userlevel 1

Thanks buzz. I bought a Bluerigger between the Arc and the LG C2, and now I have no more sound transiting at all, even if I set the volume reasonably high with the Sonos App. When you were mentioning a « CEC blocker », did you have a specific model in mind?

buzz

I have no favorite, the one that you have should work. You’ll likely need to enable Simple Link on the TV and enable IR Volume control for ARC. Configure the LG remote to control a fictional A/V system. The model number is arbitrary, just don’t pick a model that is nearby, then train ARC to use those commands.

N

I have the same issue

J

I have the same problem. Lg g1 Sonos arc. It would be very nice if it can be fixed 

R

I have a Samsung QLED with the same ARC CEC issue: The Sonos takes over from the Bluetooth headphones within 2-3 seconds.  The lame workaround I use is to unplug the HDMI cable from the  back of the Sonos bar and then pair the BT headphones. Works fine, but not the way it should.

L

FWIW, I have a LG CX 55” in the bedroom that will allow for SIMPLINK to be switched off and compliant with the SONOS BEAM GEN 2 and bose bt soundwear.
HOWEVER, the LG C1 65” in the living room is more proudy and refuses to give up control of the hdmi arc, and simplink will turn back on with seconds. So whatever change LG made between the CX - C1 is conflicting. Ive been in touch with LG, but tech level 1? dont seem to understand the problem and have referred me up the chain of command. Im not really sure if this is a SONOS or LG issue, but one solution that Im contemplating is buying a Nvidia Shield 2019 for the living room after using the 2019 Pro on the CX. (The cx is in my bedroom whereas the C1 is a living room thing). Im not entirely impressed with the WebOS UI anyways and I know google tv (shield) would be a better solution for both watching content, dolby atmo hdr vision upscaling etc, and the BT Headphone issue. 

In other words im willing to concede defeat.

 

I

Had an LG B8 with the same issue, kept unplugging the hdmi from the ARC to use Bluetooth headphones, eventually the ARC plug broke off the circuit board on the TV, then had used a optical hdmi adapter to use Sonos beam, and able to connect headphones.

Today upgraded to an LG C2  thinking this issue may have now been resolved. Guess what, same issue. Not even bothered to use the ARC, SO FRUSTRATING.

All this technology and a simple thing like this can't be fixed, 

 Doesn't look like my future buys will be LG or Sonos if they can't come together to fix this problem.

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