Marantz SR5015 No Sound From TV: What Usually Causes It
If your Marantz SR5015 has no sound from a TV, the issue is usually not the receiver itself but a mismatch in HDMI ARC, input selection, TV audio output, or format compatibility.
The good news is that most cases can be fixed with a systematic check of connections and settings before assuming hardware failure.
The SR5015 is a feature-rich AV receiver with HDMI switching, ARC support, and advanced audio format handling, which also means a small configuration error can stop TV audio completely.
Understanding the most common failure points helps narrow the problem quickly.
Start With the Basics: Power, Input, and Volume
Before changing advanced settings, verify the simple things that often get overlooked.
- Make sure the Marantz SR5015 is powered on and not in standby.
- Confirm the correct input source is selected on the receiver.
- Check that the volume is not muted or set extremely low.
- Test whether the receiver plays sound from another source such as a streaming device or Blu-ray player.
If other sources work but TV audio does not, the problem is likely between the TV and receiver rather than the SR5015 amplifier section.
Check the HDMI ARC Connection
When using a TV with the SR5015, the most common setup for audio return is HDMI ARC.
ARC allows the TV to send audio back to the receiver over the HDMI cable connected to the TV’s ARC-enabled port.
Verify the correct ports
Use the TV’s HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC and connect it to the Marantz SR5015 HDMI OUT port labeled ARC.
If the cable is plugged into the wrong TV port, audio return will not work.
Use a reliable HDMI cable
An older or damaged cable can pass video but still fail with ARC communication.
Use a high-speed HDMI cable from a reputable brand, especially if the TV and receiver are connected through long cable runs.
Inspect the cable path
If you use a soundbar swap test, HDMI switch, splitter, or wall-mounted cable extension, temporarily remove it.
Direct connections are the fastest way to isolate whether an accessory is blocking ARC handshake.
Enable HDMI Control and ARC in the Marantz SR5015
The SR5015 depends on HDMI control features for ARC operation.
If these are disabled, TV audio may not reach the receiver.
- Open the receiver’s setup menu.
- Enable HDMI Control.
- Enable ARC.
- If available in your TV setup, keep TV Audio Switching enabled.
These settings are often linked.
On many systems, ARC will not function unless HDMI Control is turned on first.
After changing these settings, power-cycle both the TV and receiver to force a fresh HDMI handshake.
Set the TV’s Audio Output Correctly
Many no-sound cases come from the television sending audio somewhere else, such as internal speakers or optical output.
Check the TV’s sound menu and confirm that external speakers, receiver, or HDMI ARC is selected.
Common TV settings to inspect
- Sound output: External speaker, AV receiver, or HDMI ARC
- Digital audio format: Auto, Bitstream, or Pass Through
- TV speaker setting: Off or Audio System
- eARC setting: On if both devices support it
If the TV is set to PCM only, audio generally should still work, but some combinations of apps and formats behave better when the TV is set to Auto or Pass Through.
Confirm the Input Mode on the Receiver
The Marantz SR5015 can receive audio from different HDMI sources and may not automatically switch to the TV audio input if the source name or input assignment has been altered.
Make sure you are listening to the correct source, often labeled TV Audio.
If you renamed inputs or changed HDMI assignments in the setup menu, verify that the TV input is mapped to the proper HDMI ARC path.
A mislabeled input can make the receiver appear silent even though the TV is sending audio correctly.
Check eARC Compatibility and Format Support
The SR5015 supports eARC, which improves audio return bandwidth compared with standard ARC.
However, if your TV’s eARC settings and the receiver’s settings do not match, audio may fail or fall back unpredictably.
Why format mismatch matters
Some TVs send Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, PCM, or multichannel PCM depending on the app and output settings.
The SR5015 handles many formats, but not every TV and app combination behaves the same way.
- Streaming apps may output Dolby Digital Plus through eARC.
- Broadcast TV often uses stereo PCM or Dolby Digital.
- Gaming consoles may send PCM, which relies on correct TV pass-through behavior.
If audio works with one app but not another, the issue is often format negotiation rather than a broken receiver.
Power Cycle Both Devices to Reset HDMI Handshake
HDMI ARC problems frequently come from a failed handshake between the TV and receiver.
A full reboot can clear this.
- Turn off the TV and the Marantz SR5015.
- Unplug both devices from power for at least 60 seconds.
- Reconnect the HDMI cable securely.
- Power on the TV first, then the receiver.
- Select the TV Audio source on the SR5015.
This sequence often restores audio after a firmware update, input change, or power outage.
Test With Another Audio Source
If the SR5015 still has no sound from TV, test the receiver with another HDMI source or a non-HDMI source such as FM radio or a streaming player.
This helps separate a receiver problem from a TV-return-path problem.
- If other sources work: focus on ARC, TV settings, or HDMI cabling.
- If nothing works: check speaker wiring, amplifier mode, mute status, and receiver setup.
- If one speaker channel is silent: inspect speaker connections and balance settings.
A broad silence issue is different from a TV-only issue and may point to a setup or hardware fault inside the receiver.
Update Firmware on the TV and Marantz SR5015
Firmware bugs can affect HDMI behavior, especially on devices that depend on ARC and CEC commands.
Check for updates on both the TV and the SR5015.
For the receiver, use the network update function or USB update method if supported by your unit and region.
For the TV, install the latest manufacturer firmware, then retest ARC after the update completes.
Firmware is especially important after buying a new TV, replacing a motherboard, or switching from ARC to eARC capable equipment.
Look for CEC Conflicts From Other Connected Devices
HDMI-CEC, sometimes called Control for HDMI, allows devices to communicate over HDMI.
While useful, it can also create conflicts when multiple devices compete for audio control.
Devices that can interfere
- Streaming boxes such as Apple TV, Roku, or Fire TV
- Game consoles such as PlayStation or Xbox
- HDMI switches and splitters
- Soundbars left connected in another HDMI path
Temporarily disconnect these devices and retest the TV audio path alone.
If sound returns, reconnect devices one by one to identify the conflict.
Use Optical Audio as a Diagnostic Test
If your TV and SR5015 both support optical digital audio, this is a useful fallback test.
Optical does not support ARC features, but it can prove whether the TV is outputting audio at all.
When optical works and ARC does not, the TV and receiver are likely fine, and the problem is isolated to HDMI control, ARC settings, or the cable path.
If optical also fails, the issue may be on the TV side or in the receiver’s assigned input configuration.
When to Suspect a Hardware Problem
Hardware issues are less common than setup issues, but they can happen.
Consider hardware trouble if the following are true:
- The TV audio path has been tested with multiple cables and devices.
- ARC, eARC, and CEC settings are correct on both units.
- Firmware is current on the TV and receiver.
- Optical audio also fails or behaves inconsistently.
Possible hardware faults include a damaged HDMI ARC port, a failing cable, or a board-level issue in the receiver or TV.
At that point, professional service or warranty support may be the fastest path forward.
Fast Checklist for Marantz SR5015 No Sound From TV
- Confirm the TV is connected to the receiver’s HDMI ARC port.
- Enable HDMI Control and ARC on the SR5015.
- Set the TV audio output to external speakers or receiver.
- Select TV Audio on the Marantz input.
- Power cycle both devices to refresh the HDMI handshake.
- Test with a different HDMI cable.
- Remove HDMI switchers, splitters, and other devices.
- Update firmware on both the TV and SR5015.
- Use optical audio to isolate ARC-specific issues.
By working through these steps in order, most Marantz SR5015 no sound from TV problems can be traced to a setting, cable, or handshake issue instead of a costly repair.