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AussieMelbFan
Contributor I
September 8, 2021

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

  • September 8, 2021
  • 52 replies
  • 11744 views

Hi Sonos Community,

Having issues using the LG G1 and the Sonos Arc when I want to use Bluetooth headphones on the TV. Maye one of you have some insights?

So I’ve done quite a bit of research and nothing I do in the settings of either the ARC or the G1 fixes the issue. I have seen and read through the entire thread in the other channel but thought it worthwhile starting a new channel in the Troubleshooting section. 

I have reached out to Sonos via LiveChat and they advised that this is known. I have logged a support case with LG as well. 

Trying to set the G1 to use a pair of wireless headphones using Bluetooth whilst the ARC is connected using eARC.

The ARC keeps forcing the audio out connection back to itself. The Bluetooth connection to the headphones disconnects after about 1-2 seconds when it reverts back to the Sonos Arc as the audio output device.

I understand that this is how HMDI-CEC is meant to work but have tried everything to stop this behaviour, even setting the TV to optical out but the ARC just keeps taking over.

Things I’ve tried:

1. Disable QuickStart+
2. Disable eARC Support
3. Change Audio Output to Optical
4. Disable HDMI-CEC (reverts back to Simplink On after a few seconds)

Outside of physically disconnecting the bloody Arc from the TV, is there any other way of getting this working? Seems to be an issue for all TVs with eARC?

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    52 replies

    Show previous replies
    PHXtoDEN
    Lyricist I
    December 19, 2022

    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.

    NiclasJernberg
    Lyricist I
    December 27, 2022

    I have the same issue

    ISPublic
    Lyricist II
    January 1, 2023

    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.

    Sven73
    Trending Lyricist I
    January 7, 2023

    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.

    samh
    Contributor II
    January 9, 2023

    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. 

    samh
    Contributor II
    January 9, 2023

    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.

    Olla
    Lyricist II
    January 15, 2023

    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. 

    ISPublic
    Lyricist II
    January 15, 2023

    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.

    Sako
    Lyricist I
    January 18, 2023

    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.

    Sako
    Lyricist I
    January 19, 2023

    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?

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