HDMI picture but no sound can be confusing: the channel is visible, yet the room is silent. Start with the audio path before changing satellite settings. The checks below help you distinguish a muted device, an incompatible audio format and a connection problem.
This guide is relevant to HDMI-equipped StarSat receivers, including the currently listed StarSat SR-660HD Full HD Satellite Receiver. Its official page confirms HDMI output up to 1080p. Menu names and audio options vary by model and software; the examples below are checks to look for, not confirmed SR-660HD menu instructions.
Quick answer: check mute and volume on both devices, select TV speakers, try another channel, then test a compatible HDMI audio format if your receiver provides one. Change one thing at a time and listen again.
1. Check mute and volume on both remotes
Use the TV remote to check television volume, then the receiver remote to check receiver volume. Start at a moderate level. A receiver can be muted even while the television volume indicator moves normally. If you use an external audio system, check its controls too.
Write down whether the problem affects every channel or just one. This simple observation will make later tests more useful.
2. Test the TV speakers first
In the TV’s sound settings, select its built-in speakers for this test. Audio may otherwise be routed to headphones, a soundbar or another selected output. Only choose options your television actually provides.
If your receiver normally connects through a soundbar or HDMI switch, temporarily simplify the setup to receiver HDMI output → TV HDMI input. Switch equipment off before changing cables and record the original connections so you can restore them.
Samsung’s soundbar troubleshooting guidance also uses the TV-speaker test to separate a television or source problem from an external sound-system problem. Its brand-specific menu instructions should not be copied onto StarSat equipment.
3. Compare another channel and audio track
Try two or three channels you normally watch. If only one is silent, open its audio or language selection if available and try another offered track. Do not rescan or erase your channel list just because one programme has no audio.
For example, if the news channel plays normally but a film channel is silent, note the channel, programme and time. That is more useful for support than changing several global settings at once. If every channel is silent, continue with the connection and format checks.
4. Check HDMI audio output compatibility
Look in your receiver manual for an HDMI audio or digital audio output option. If the menu offers PCM or 2-channel audio, try it as a compatibility test. First note the original setting. Do not assume that an option called Raw, Bitstream, Auto or Pass-through will work with every connected television.
Sony’s source-device HDMI troubleshooting guide recommends testing a compatible PCM or two-channel output when the receiving equipment cannot handle the selected audio signal. Use your own model’s manual to find the setting.
The receiver’s output format and the TV’s digital output setting control different stages of the chain. If you are listening through TV speakers, begin with the receiver-to-TV stage. If sound returns with a two-channel setting, keep a note of the working configuration before investigating surround sound.
5. Reseat and compare the HDMI connection
Turn off the devices, check that the HDMI plugs sit securely, and reconnect them without forcing the ports. Restore power and test again. If the problem remains, compare a known-working HDMI cable and another TV HDMI input, selecting that input with the TV remote.
Keep the same channel and audio setting during the cable comparison. Otherwise you will not know which change affected the result. A visible picture is useful evidence, but it does not establish that every audio setting or connection is correct.
6. Separate soundbar ARC/eARC checks
If the TV speakers work but the soundbar stays silent, focus on the TV-to-soundbar connection. Check the selected TV sound output, the soundbar input and the ports identified in both manuals.
HDMI Licensing Administrator explains that eARC carries audio from a TV to a compatible soundbar or audio-video receiver. This return path is different from sending picture and sound from a satellite receiver into a television. ARC/eARC support must be verified for the actual equipment and ports.
Do not infer that a StarSat receiver or television supports ARC, eARC, Dolby or DTS from the presence of an HDMI socket. This guide makes no such model-specific claim.
7. Record the result before requesting support
If practical, compare the receiver with another television, or compare another HDMI source on the original TV. Keep track of what works. Stop handling equipment if a connector is visibly damaged; arrange professional inspection.
Prepare this short support note:
- Exact receiver and television model numbers, plus the receiver software version if easily available.
- Whether all channels or only named channels are affected.
- Whether TV speakers work and whether a soundbar is connected.
- The original and tested audio settings.
- Which cable, input or second-device comparisons changed the result.
For model-specific guidance, contact StarSat. If support recommends software, start at the official software-update page and confirm the exact model before proceeding. A factory reset should not be your first experiment for an isolated audio problem.
HDMI picture but no sound: frequently asked questions
Does HDMI carry audio as well as video?
Yes. A normal HDMI source-to-TV connection can carry both. The connected devices still need compatible audio settings and the intended speaker output selected.
Do I need an ARC port for a satellite receiver?
A direct receiver-to-TV connection uses the receiver’s HDMI output and a compatible TV HDMI input. ARC/eARC concerns returning TV audio to a compatible sound system; it is not a general requirement for listening through TV speakers.
Should I leave PCM selected permanently?
Keep the setting that works for your equipment and listening needs. A two-channel test can help diagnose compatibility, but it may change the surround-sound experience. Consult both manuals before selecting another format.
Where should a first-time installation begin?
Use the StarSat receiver setup guide for the complete connection sequence. Return to this checklist if the picture works and the remaining problem is audio.
