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

  • 8 September 2021
  • 52 replies
  • 7609 views
A
Userlevel 1

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?

52 replies

AjTrek1
Userlevel 7

Hi

These instructions (that work :slight_smile: ) are for a LG Model 55NANO90UNA.

LG menus change slightly in appearance between models (I have 3 LG’s) but for the most part can be easily navigated. I use my Bluetooth Headphones in the bedroom for obvious reasons at night when I can’t sleep and don’t want to move to my media room.

  1. First register your Bluetooth (BT) Headphones as a Device on your LG (Step 2)
  2. Go to All Settings > Sound > Sound Out > BT > Device List (3 dots/lines) 
  3. Place BT Headphones in Pairing Mode > Select Search > Register BT Headphones as a Device
  4. Go to Connections > Device Connections > Turn Off SimpLink (CEC) *
  5. Go to Sound > Sound Out > HDMI > Bluetooth
  6. Enjoy your BT Headphones

 * SimpLink (CEC) will auto-turn on when you switch back to HDMI in Sound Menu

Note: When viewing content via AppleTV 4K (physical box) with AirPods Pro or AirPods Max the above steps aren’t required. Just switch to HDMI input for the AppleTV 4K and connect AirPods Pro or AirPods Max in Apple Menu. After the first connection subsequent connections are automatic when in range.

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
A
Userlevel 1

FWIW, it’s not Sonos that is ‘forcing’ the change, it’s the way ARC (part of CEC) is written. All Sonos does is publish the fact that it’s a speaker and what formats it can deal with to the hub, which is the TV set. It has no “control” there. All of that is handled by the circuitry in the TV set. 

Interesting, I have raised a case with LG and they’ve sent my feedback to their Software Bug/Firmware team so waiting on feedback and troubleshooting with their engineers. Fingers crossed its something that can be solved. :fingers_crossed:

R

Just got an Arc for my LG G1 and can confirm this is still an issue.  Definitely a Sonos issue as I also tried the latest Samsung Q990 and LG sound bars and the Samsung and LG bars both allowed headphone use with no issues.  Same TV, same headphones, different sound bars, all using CEC but only Sonos had an issue with headphones.  

S

Same problem here . LG G1 and ARC.

Followed steps suggested by nathanfernandes and it works fine, Simplink stays off and my BT headphones connect ok.

Just have to reverse steps afterwards. It’s just two changes in settings so no biggie for me , as I only use headphones occasionally late at night when other half goes to bed.

Hope this helps others.

K

I’ll call them. I'll come back with answer here. We'll see

S

SimpLink being turned off in the LG menu fixed this for me. Thanks@AjTrek1

ratty

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.

 

Airgetlam

FWIW, it’s not Sonos that is ‘forcing’ the change, it’s the way ARC (part of CEC) is written. All Sonos does is publish the fact that it’s a speaker and what formats it can deal with to the hub, which is the TV set. It has no “control” there. All of that is handled by the circuitry in the TV set. 

Bruce
G

I have the identical issue. I'm following with interest. Thanks! 👍 

F

Hi, I was able to connect my Sonos Arc soundbar with hdmi arc and at the same time have bluetooth on my earphones using the xiaomi tv box s 4k 2nd gen because there is an hdmi + 3.5mm audio out that play both at the same time. the 3.5mm audio is connected to a bluetooth transmitter. 

I hope this will help someone!

Ken_Griffiths

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.

Then I would perhaps contact LG customer support - as Simplink (CEC) should not be doing that - I have their C9 OLED with the Sonos Arc attached and two other (different models) of LG TV with Ray & Beam attached and in all three setups ‘Simplink’ stays disabled when I turn it off and want to use Bluetooth or headphones. It maybe a firmware issue on your model of TV.

G

this is not a tv issue!  this is 100% a sonos issue with HDMI eArc connectivity.  sonos needs to take accountability with this issue and fix the problem.  i install tvs and sonos for a living and have this problem with multiple brands of tvs with any sonos plugged into tvs with hdmi eARc/ARc.  the only work around that i have found that works is to use the optic adaptor.  you then need to ensure the sound on the soundbar is turned down to down low so you can use the bluetooth headphones with this.  obviously not an ideal work around as it doesn’t allow dolby atmos.  COME ON SONOS!!!!!!!YOU ARE BETTER THAN THIS!!!!FIX THIS PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!

 

D

This is still an issue. 

S

LG G3 and Sonos Beam 2 owner. Same issue here 

N

So I have the same issue with my Sonos arc and my LG C1, the solution I found is to go to 

Sound>Advanced settings> Turn off eArc support. 

Then goto General>HDMI Settings> Turn off SIMPLINK

You should then be able to use any Bluetooth headset without the output automatically switching to the soundbar.

You'll need to reverse those settings once done and enable eArc support manually. 

The other option is to unplug your soundbar or use a smart switch to turn it off so you can use a Bluetooth device

I

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.

H

Here are my experiences with OLED65CXPUA and ARC. I too have the same intermittent issue with Bluetooth headphones disconnecting after a few seconds and reverting back to eARC (ARC). I can resolve the issue by unplugging the TV for about a minute or by turning off SIMPLINK as previously described. I didn’t have to re-pair my headphones for this to work. As indicated, SIMPLINK will turn itself back on when the TV is powered off/on.

As a side note, I found that if I turned the TV off while connected to my headphones, it would revert back to eARC/ARC on the next TV start-up. If you disconnect the headphones while the TV is on, it will revert to internal speakers and you have to manually switch back to eARC/ARC.

A
Userlevel 1

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 

B

I have the same problem using Sonos Arc (HDMI), LG OLED C1 TV, and Bose Q45 headphones. The only way for the headphone pairing to stick is to unplug the Arc and this is not the optimal solution. 

W

The same issue on LG G2+Sonos Arc.  Disabling SympLink(HDMI-CEC) on TV auto enable it back in few seconds with connected Sonos arc by HDMI eArc. Tried with TV+PS5 only, disabled SympLink(HDMI-CEC) , no auto enabling for SympLink(HDMI-CEC) as expected. Looks like either Sonos  or LG firmware handle HDMI-CEC wrongly.

It's few years for the ISSUE, no explanation neither from Sonos, neither from LG - SHAME! 

Airgetlam

What happens if you turn off the ARC/eARC function in the TV’s settings? Does it still revert?

And is that actually a different setting than turning on the optical output, or are they essentially one and the same? 

 

Bruce
A
Userlevel 1

What happens if you turn off the ARC/eARC function in the TV’s settings? Does it still revert?

And is that actually a different setting than turning on the optical output, or are they essentially one and the same? 

 

Yep all settings that change ARC/eARC revert including changing to Optical. For instance, when setting the HDMI-CEC to disable, two or three seconds later it forces itself back on (with a notification of “Simplink On”. When disabling eARC from memory its the same behaviour.

Ideally I dont want to be disabling eARC for Dolby Atmos for when watching movies etc - just want the Sonos to stop forcing the connection back to itself, or better yet a way to disable/turn off the Arc in software without physically removing the power or HDMI cable...

H

Did this ever get figured out? Just bought a G1 and ran into this and now am frustrated.

Airgetlam

This is a common concern with any device, including Sonos, that uses CEC. CEC is a standard that ‘allows’ a single speaker ‘sink’. You’d have exactly the same issue with any other manufacturer’s speakers, if they use CEC. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumer_Electronics_Control for more information. 

As has been discussed in many threads, you may want to turn off CEC on your TV, which is the controlling hub for that system. Most people find that doing that still allows the use of the Sonos, and leaves the optical port active that they connect their headphones to. 

Bruce
A
Userlevel 1

Hi

These instructions (that work :slight_smile: ) are for a LG Model 55NANO90UNA.

LG menus change slightly in appearance between models (I have 3 LG’s) but for the most part can be easily navigated. I use my Bluetooth Headphones in the bedroom for obvious reasons at night when I can’t sleep and don’t want to move to my media room.

  1. First register your Bluetooth (BT) Headphones as a Device on your LG (Step 2)
  2. Go to All Settings > Sound > Sound Out > BT > Device List (3 dots/lines) 
  3. Place BT Headphones in Pairing Mode > Select Search > Register BT Headphones as a Device
  4. Go to Connections > Device Connections > Turn Off SimpLink (CEC) *
  5. Go to Sound > Sound Out > HDMI > Bluetooth
  6. Enjoy your BT Headphones

 * SimpLink (CEC) will auto-turn on when you switch back to HDMI in Sound Menu

Note: When viewing content via AppleTV 4K (physical box) with AirPods Pro or AirPods Max the above steps aren’t required. Just switch to HDMI input for the AppleTV 4K and connect AirPods Pro or AirPods Max in Apple Menu. After the first connection subsequent connections are automatic when in range.

Many thanks, i’ll give it a crack soon but from when I tried this, at Step 4, the TV just keeps switching back the CEC back on (Simplink On) even when switched off. This could be an issue with the way the G1 (OLED65G1PUA) is handling the eARC connection...

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