Several issues with your LG soundbar can quickly be resolved by troubleshooting on your own. Learning how to do so can save you money on costly repairs, or even replacing the unit which you would have otherwise considered it was no longer functional. The following is a troubleshooting guide for some common issues with these soundbars and the steps to fixing them. It helps to try out these procedures before anything else.
How Do I Reset My LG Soundbar
Performing a reset on your LG soundbar may help resolve a number of issues with the unit. Before doing the procedure, you should note that this erases all of your settings, and all the data that you had will be removed.
To reset LG soundbar, long press the volume down button on the soundbar and sound effect button on the remote control at the same time for 10 seconds. After doing that, the soundbar display will show reset mode. Then, switch off the soundbar and then switch it back on.
Why is My LG Soundbar Not Working?
If after connecting your soundbar and TV the soundbar does not sound, try set following the instructions below.
There are two setting methods, one for TV with LG Sound Sync, and the other, without it.
With LG Sound Sync
- To connect through optical cable when there is LG Sound Sync.
- Try to reconnect the optical cable between TV and soundbar.
- Press “Select Function” button on the soundbar remote control and set the input mode as “OPTICAL”.
- Then, use the TV remote control and do as follows:
- MENU> SOUND> select Sound Out Speaker> LG Sound Sync (Optical Digital)
- Then the input mode will automatically change into “LG OPT”.
- Press the volume button and check if the sound comes out.
- If there is sound, then it is ok.
Without LG Sound Sync
- To connect through optical cable when there is no LG Sound Sync.
- Try to reconnect the optical cable between the TV and soundbar.
- Press “Select Function” button on the soundbar remote control and set the input mode as “OPTICAL”.
Then the sound will come out of both TV and the soundbar.
LG Soundbar Not Turning On
If your soundbar is not turning on, check that the power cord is plugged into the outlet.
LG Soundar No Sound HDMI ARC
For the HDMI ARC setup to work, both the TV and the connected soundbar must both support ARC and should be marked. You will need a high speed HDMI cable which is sold separately.
If there is no sound, here is how to troubleshoot:
- Make sure ARC feature is enabled in both your soundbar and TV.
- If only one of the devices is ARC compatible, the HDMI ARC feature cannot be activated. To get sound from the device, you will need to connect your device using an optical connection.
- Third-party devices may cause the HDMI ARC to stop working. Disconnect any third-party external devices like cable boxes, gaming consoles, or satellite receivers and troubleshoot with just the soundbar connected to your device.
- Make sure your soundbar and device are running the latest software version.
How to Connect LG Soundbar to a TV
Depending on the state of your TV, you can connect your soundbar and TV using the optical digital cable or HDMI cable.
To connect an LG Wi-Fi soundbar to your TV using an optical cable, follow these steps:
- Connect the “optical in” jack on the back of the soundbar to “optical out” jack on the TV using an optical cable.
- Select the input source to OPT/HDMI ARC by pressing “F” repeatedly. You can see “OPT” on the display window if connecting normally between the soundbar and your TV.
- In some TV models, you must select the external speaker option from the TV menu. Please check your TV user manual for more details.
- Set up the sound output of TV to listen to the sound through the soundbar:
- TV setting menu> Sound> TV sound output> External speaker (optical)
- If the unit is connected by optical and ARC at the same time, the ARC signal is a high priority.
To connect your soundbar to TV using an HDMI cable, follow these steps:
- Connect the HDMI OUT (TV ARC) jack on the back of the soundbar to ARC jack on the TV using an HDMI cable,
- Select the input source to OPT/HDMI ARC by pressing “F” repeatedly.
- Set up the sound output of TV to listen to the sound through the soundbar:
- TV setting menu> Sound> TV sound output> External speaker (HDMI ARC)
LG Soundbar No Sound HDMI
Some HDMI cables have poor signal transmission, which can cause problems with sound and video transmission. Even after HDMI cable connections, if no sound, the HDMI cable may be the problem. Use the cable marked with the premium HDMI certification logo. Also, make sure that you are using a certified Type A, Ethernet high-speed HDMI cable.
LG Soundbar Volume Fluctuates
There are two issues that could be causing your soundbar volume to fluctuate. It can be caused by Bluetooth interference or the soundbar is operating without a rear satellite kit while signal source is configured to deliver true surround sound. There is no solution to the former other than hardwiring at times of heavy Bluetooth device traffic nearby. But should the issue be the latter, you can fix this through a software update.
To troubleshooting your soundbar audio cutting in and out intermittently, first you will need to establish whether it is a Bluetooth interference issue or not. If the audio cuts out when streaming music or a movie to the soundbar via Bluetooth but it is not cutting out with other sources such as TV (HDMI ARC) or peripheral device connected via HDMI to the soundbar, then it is a Bluetooth interference situation.
If the audio cuts out in both scenarios, then you will need to update the software version of the soundbar. The reason software version of the soundbar requires updating is because the unit is configured to deliver surround sound according to the source being played. However, there is no wireless rear satellite speaker kit connected to this audio system which is causing to react by audio cutting out every now and then.
How to Update LG Soundbar Software (SJ4Y)
To update your LG soundbar software, follow these steps:
- Go to https://www.lg.com/ca_en/support/software-firmware ; type in your soundbar model number then scroll down to MICOM update *.zip file
- Change the downloaded “filename”. If your model is SJ4Y, change the filename to DSP_MAIN_SJ4_1712060 from DSP_MAIN_SJX_1712060
- Copy SW file to USB memory.
- Power on your soundbar main unit.
- Press FunctIon key to change function to USB. Verify whether USB function is on or not. For SJ4Y check the LED.
- Attach USB which has update software to the USB slot back of the main unit.
- Update will start automatically.
- The main unit will be off automatically after update has completed.
Once the soundbar has completed the update and shut itself off, it is then safe to power it back on.
LG Soundbar Keeps Turning Off
If your LG soundbar keeps turning off, it could be because of the Auto power-down feature. The unit will be off itself to save electric consumption in case the main unit is not connected to an external device and is not used for 20 minutes.
How to Reset LG Soundbar without Remote
Usually, you will need a remote control to reset the LG soundbar. However, there is a way to reset the unit without using the remote. Follow the instructions below to reset your LG soundbar without a remote:
- The first thing you can try out is to locate the input and Bluetooth button of your soundbar. Then press and hold that for about 10 seconds.
- Another way you can try is by using the power button with the Bluetooth button of your soundbar to reset the unit. Hold down the buttons for about 10 seconds to reset the soundbar.
- If the above procedures are not successful, you can try out this last method. Here, you have to press and hold down the power button and the volume down button of your soundbar. Press and hold these buttons down for about 10 seconds, and your soundbar should reset.
LG Soundbar with Subwoofer Troubleshooting Subwoofer Not Working
If there is no sound from the woofer, follow these instructions below:
- Confirm the LED lamp at the woofer is ON. If not, check the power cable.
- If the green LED light blinks or red LED light is on, it means the soundbar and woofer are disconnected.
- If there is still no sound, try to reset as below:
- Press STOP button on the unit and number 6 button of the remote control for more than 5 seconds.
- You will see WL RESET on the display. If WL RESET is played, press PAIRING button on the back of the woofer using a pointed tool for more than 5 seconds.
- Then green and red light will blink alternately.
- Unplug the power cable of the unit and the woofer. See if the LED lamp is off.
- After a minute, plug back in the power cable of the unit and the woofer.
- Turn the unit on.
- If the green LED light of the woofer blinks fast and stops, it is set well. Check whether you have sound from the unit and the woofer.
- If there is still no sound, repeat the procedure once again.
LG Soundbar Not Connecting to Subwoofer
If your LG soundbar is not connecting to the subwoofer, you need to make sure you are following the right procedure for the connection. Follow these steps below:
- Turn the subwoofer on. You should see a red light on the front of the subwoofer, which indicates that it is in standby mode.
- When the subwoofer is turned on, it will automatically start flashing green, and start searching for the soundbar.
- When your subwoofer has found the sounbar, the flashing green light will change to solid green light.
If you have followed the right procedure for the connection but still the two devices are not connecting, try the following troubleshooting tips:
- Try turning the volume on the soundbar down when you are trying to connect them together. When the soundbar volume is up, this can stop the soundbar and subwoofer from connecting with each other.
- Try holding down the mute button on the subwoofer for a few seconds. Then, hold down the stop button on your soundbar for a few seconds as well. This can help two find and connect with each other.
- Make sure you have put the subwoofer into pairing mode. To do that, press PAIRING button on the back of the subwoofer using a pointed tool for more than 5 seconds and allow the subwoofer to connect.
- If the two are not pairing, ensure there is no obstacle between the soundbar and subwoofer.
- Try turning off any other device that is using the same frequency as the subwoofer and the soundbar such as a microwave or a medical device.
- If the problem is still not resolved, try unplugging both the soundbar and subwoofer and then plug them back on after a minute.
LG Soundbar Not Connecting to WIFI
If you are having trouble connecting the speaker to your home network, check the following:
- Household devices that are using radio frequencies may interrupt the wireless communication. Move the speaker away from them.
- Check your router. Try turning it off and back on.
- Check that the Wi-Fi feature is turned on in your smart device.
- Check that the speaker and your smart device are connected to same Wi-Fi.
If the Wi-Fi connects but does not work well, try the following:
- Restart the router.
- Turn the speaker’s power off and on again.
- If you install a new router, you need to perform a factory set and setup the network connection for speaker.
- Wireless may not operate normally in weak signal area.
- Install the device close enough to wireless subwoofer.
- Do not install the device on metal furniture for optimum performance.
LG Soundbar Not Connecting to Bluetooth
There are several cases where a Bluetooth device may malfunction:
- When any part of your body contacts the transceiver of the Bluetooth device or soundbar.
- When there is an obstacle or wall or the device is installed in a secluded spot.
- When there is a device (a wireless LAN, a medical equipment or a microwave) using the same frequency. Make the distance between the products as far away as possible with each other.
- When connecting the soundbar to the Bluetooth device, make the distance between the devices as close as possible with each other.
- When the device gets too far from the Bluetooth device, the connection is disconnected and also malfunction may occur.
If you are having issues connecting your soundbar to Bluetooth, please try the following troubleshooting steps in an attempt to resolve the problem:
- Be sure your Bluetooth device is on.
- Switch Bluetooth off and on again on your Bluetooth device, the try pairing again.
- Remove the obstacle in the path of the Bluetooth device and the soundbar.
- Depending on the type of the Bluetooth device or surrounding environment, your device may not be paired with the soundbar.
- Make sure the speaker connects to Wi-Fi by using Google Home app.
LG Soundbar Not Turning On with TV
Due to a software bug the HDMI CEC command to turn on the soundbar when the TV, to which external audio device is connected, is powered on fails to communicate these instructions. LG was to address the issue through a software update after July 5th.
If you have not yet set up the soundbar on the Wi-Fi network, make sure you do so. When the software update gets released, it will automatically get updated through the Wi-Fi network.
If the soundbar was previously set up on the Wi-Fi network, the moment the software update is available it will update the soundbar when that unit is not in use.
LG Soundbar Not Syncing with TV
You can control certain functions of your LG Wi-Fi soundbar by your TV’s remote control with LG Sound Sync. . It is compatible with the TV that supports LG Sound Sync. Make sure the LG Sound Sync logo is on your TV.
Through your LG TV’s remote, you can control volume up/down and mute. You can also use the remote control of the soundbar while using the LG Sound Sync. The soundbar synchronizes with the TV if you use the TV’s remote again.
If your LG soundbar is not syncing to your TV, follow the steps below to troubleshoot:
- Make sure of the condition of the TV and power.
- Make sure of the condition of the soundbar and the connection in the following cases when using LG Sound Sync:
- The unit is turned off.
- Changing to another function.
- Disconnecting the optical cable.
- The amount of time to turn off the soundbar differs depending on your TV when you enable the AUTO POWER function.
- Check whether your LG TV supports LG sound Sync (Wired).
- Check connection of LG Sound Sync (wired).
- Check sound setting of your TV and the soundbar.
What is Auto Volume on LG Soundbar?
Auto Volume feature adjusts the volume appropriate for each channel automatically so that the volume is consistently set.
Check this too: How to Wall Mount a Soundbar
What is ASC on LG Soundar?
ASC (Adaptive Sound Control) is a pre-set surround sound field you can select by using the ASC sound mode button. This sound effect analyzes the property of input sound and provides the sound optimized for the content in real-time.
What is DRC on LG Soundbar?
DRC (Dynamic Range Control) helps make the sound clear when the volume is turned down and prevents sudden increase of sound (Dolby Digital only). You can turn this function on or off by pressing DRC ON/OFF.