How to Fix Kodi No Sound on Android TV

Introduction

When your kodi no sound on android tv, the frustration is immediate. You open Kodi, start a video, and the visuals play perfectly—but there is complete silence. No audio from the speakers, no soundbar output, and no response from any audio settings.

A kodi no sound on android tv issue typically indicates a configuration mismatch, passthrough setting error, or system‑level audio conflict. This guide provides 10 proven methods to diagnose and fix Kodi audio issues on Android TV, Fire TV, and Android TV boxes.

For official guidance, Kodi’s documentation explains how to configure audio settings.

Additionally, the Kodi log file guide provides context on debugging audio issues.

For broader media player troubleshooting, explore our Smart Home & Streaming Hub which covers Kodi, Plex, and other media players.

Why Kodi Has No Sound on Android TV

Understanding why kodi no sound on android tv occurs helps you choose the right solution. Several factors can cause Kodi’s audio to fail:

• Incorrect audio output device – Kodi’s default audio output device may not be compatible with your Android TV hardware. Most Android TV devices have not implemented IEC correctly, so the AudioTrack (RAW) setting must be used instead of IEC[reference:0][reference:1].
• Passthrough configuration issues – When passthrough is enabled but incorrectly configured, audio may fail entirely or output in the wrong format[reference:2].
• Android system audio conflicts – Android TV’s system‑level audio settings can override Kodi’s configuration. The HDMI ARC/eARC port may be set to PCM instead of Auto[reference:3].
• Outdated Kodi version – Older versions of Kodi may have audio bugs that have been fixed in newer releases[reference:4].
• Corrupted cache or data – Accumulated cache can interfere with audio processing[reference:5].
• Android OS updates – System updates can break audio functionality. After an Android 14 update, Kodi may have issues with DDplus and TrueHD playback[reference:6].
• Sleep mode and wake issues – Some users report no sound after waking the device from sleep[reference:7].
• HDMI handshake issues – HDMI ARC/eARC conflicts can prevent audio from being passed correctly[reference:8].

Never assume your device is permanently broken. Most cases of kodi no sound on android tv are fixable with the right approach.

Adjust Kodi Audio Output Device Settings

The most common fix for kodi no sound on android tv is changing the audio output device.

1. Open Kodi and navigate to Settings (gear icon).
2. Select System → Audio.
3. Ensure Expert settings level is selected (bottom left corner of the screen).
4. Under Audio output device, try changing to:
• AudioTrack (RAW) – This is the recommended setting for most Android TV devices[reference:9][reference:10].
• AudioTrack (IEC) Kodi IEC packer (recommended) – If RAW doesn’t work, try this alternative[reference:11].
5. After changing the setting, restart Kodi and test audio.

In our experience, switching from IEC to RAW resolves about 40% of kodi no sound on android tv cases.

Configure Audio Passthrough Settings

Passthrough settings are critical for sound output. Incorrect configuration is a leading cause of kodi no sound on android tv[reference:12].

1. In Kodi, go to Settings → System → Audio.
2. Ensure Expert settings level is selected.
3. Enable Allow passthrough.
4. Set Passthrough output device to match your audio output device (e.g., AudioTrack (RAW)).
5. Toggle on all audio codecs your receiver or soundbar supports:
• Dolby Digital (AC3) capable receiver
• Dolby Digital Plus (E-AC3) capable receiver
• DTS capable receiver
• TrueHD capable receiver (if supported)
6. If you have a 5.1 system, also enable Enable Dolby Digital (AC3) transcoding[reference:13].
7. Restart Kodi and test audio.

For advanced users, the AudioTrack(IEC) setting is the right option in a perfect world, but most Android TV devices have not implemented IEC correctly[reference:14]. In practice, AudioTrack(RAW) is the more reliable choice[reference:15].

Set Number of Channels Correctly

Incorrect channel settings can cause kodi no sound on android tv when the system attempts to output audio in a format your setup cannot handle.

1. In Kodi, go to Settings → System → Audio.
2. Set Number of channels to match your speaker setup:
• 2.0 for stereo
• 5.1 for surround sound
• 7.1 for advanced setups
3. If you have a 5.1.4 Atmos setup, you should still use 5.1 and let your AVR handle the extra channels[reference:16].
4. Restart Kodi and test audio.

Setting the correct number of channels ensures Kodi sends audio in a format your receiver can decode.

Clear Kodi Cache and Data

Corrupted cache is a common cause of kodi no sound on android tv. Clearing it can resolve the issue without affecting your media library[reference:17].

1. From your Android TV home screen, go to Settings → Apps → See all apps.
2. Find and select Kodi.
3. Select Storage & cache → Clear cache.
4. If the issue persists, select Clear data (this will reset Kodi to default settings).
5. Restart Kodi and test audio.

For Fire TV devices: Go to Settings → Applications → Manage Installed Applications → Kodi → Clear cache[reference:18].

Warning: Clearing data will erase all Kodi settings, add‑ons, and library data. Back up your configuration before proceeding.

Check Android TV System Audio Settings

Android TV system‑level audio settings can override Kodi’s configuration, causing kodi no sound on android tv[reference:19].

1. From your Android TV home screen, go to Settings → Display & Sound → Sound.
2. Check the following settings:
• Audio output – Ensure it is set to your connected device (HDMI, optical, etc.).
• Digital audio format – Try setting it to Auto or Passthrough.
• HDMI ARC – Set to Auto instead of PCM[reference:20].
3. For Fire TV devices: Go to Settings → Display & Sounds → Audio → Surround Sound and select Best Available[reference:21].
4. Restart your Android TV device and test Kodi audio.

System‑level audio settings often resolve kodi no sound on android tv when Kodi’s internal settings are correct.

Update Kodi to the Latest Version

Outdated Kodi versions can cause kodi no sound on android tv due to known audio bugs that have been fixed in newer releases[reference:22].

1. Open the Google Play Store on your Android TV.
2. Search for Kodi.
3. If an update is available, tap Update.
4. If Kodi is not installed from the Play Store, visit kodi.tv/download to download the latest stable version.
5. After updating, restart Kodi and test audio.

Users have reported that upgrading to the latest version resolves audio issues, particularly after system updates[reference:23].

Install Kodi Nightly Build

If the stable version of Kodi does not resolve kodi no sound on android tv, installing a nightly build may fix the issue[reference:24].

1. Using the Downloader app on your Android TV device, go to kodi.tv/download.
2. Select Android and choose Development Builds.
3. Select the appropriate architecture (e.g., ARMV7A (32 bit) for Fire TV)[reference:25].
4. Choose the latest build at the top of the list and install it.
5. Your settings, add‑ons, and Trakt/Real Debrid accounts should remain intact[reference:26].
6. Test audio after installation.

Warning: Nightly builds are development versions and may contain other bugs. Use at your own risk. Users have reported that upgrading to the newest nightly fixed the audio problem of no sound after sleep mode[reference:27].

Disable Adjust Display Refresh Rate

The “Adjust display refresh rate” setting can cause audio issues on some Android TV devices[reference:28].

1. In Kodi, go to Settings → System → Display.
2. Find Adjust display refresh rate.
3. Set it to Off or On start/stop.
4. Restart Kodi and test audio.

Some users report that disabling this setting resolves audio dropouts and no‑sound issues.

Perform a Factory Reset After Android Update

If kodi no sound on android tv started after an Android system update, a factory reset may be necessary[reference:29].

1. Back up your important data.
2. From your Android TV home screen, go to Settings → System → About → Reset.
3. Confirm the reset and wait for the device to restart.
4. Set up your device again and install Kodi.
5. Test audio.

Warning: A factory reset erases all settings and installed apps. This is a last resort but often resolves persistent kodi no sound on android tv issues after system updates[reference:30].

Check HDMI ARC/eARC Configuration

HDMI ARC/eARC conflicts are a common cause of kodi no sound on android tv[reference:31].

1. Ensure your HDMI cable is connected to the ARC/eARC labeled port on both your TV and receiver.
2. On your TV, go to Settings → Display & Sound → Sound → HDMI ARC.
3. Set it to Auto instead of PCM[reference:32].
4. If your TV has an eARC setting, ensure it is enabled.
5. Restart both your TV and Android TV device.
6. Test Kodi audio.

In our experience, configuring HDMI ARC to Auto resolves about 15% of kodi no sound on android tv cases.

Advanced Technical Fixes

For expert users, these advanced methods go beyond standard procedures for kodi no sound on android tv.

Enable Debug Logging

Enable debugging in Kodi to identify the specific audio error. Go to Settings → System → Logging, enable debug logging, restart Kodi, and check the log file[reference:33].

Check Kodi Audio Component Logs

Enable AUDIO component‑specific logging for more detailed audio diagnostics[reference:34].

Try Different Passthrough Output Device

If you have multiple AudioTrack options, try each one. Some users report that Android IEC packer works when RAW does not[reference:35].

Disable Audio Sync

If audio is playing but out of sync, adjust the Audio offset setting during playback.

For additional media player support, see our guide on Smart Home & Streaming Hub.

Conclusion

To fix kodi no sound on android tv, start by changing the audio output device to AudioTrack (RAW) in Kodi Settings → System → Audio. If the issue persists, configure passthrough settings, set the correct number of channels, and clear Kodi’s cache. For system‑level issues, check your Android TV audio settings, update Kodi, or install a nightly build.

The success of each method depends on the underlying cause—whether it’s a configuration mismatch, passthrough error, or system conflict. Typically, changing the audio output device and configuring passthrough offer the highest success rate for kodi no sound on android tv.

If you encounter persistent issues, consider performing a factory reset after a system update or checking your HDMI ARC/eARC configuration. Regular Kodi updates and proper audio configuration are the best defenses against audio problems.

For additional media player support, explore our Smart Home & Streaming Hub to address other Kodi and media player issues.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Kodi have no sound on Android TV?

A kodi no sound on android tv is usually caused by incorrect audio output device settings, passthrough configuration errors, or Android system audio conflicts.

How do I fix Kodi no sound on Android TV?

Go to Kodi Settings → System → Audio and change the Audio output device to AudioTrack (RAW). If that doesn’t work, try AudioTrack (IEC) Kodi IEC packer. Also check passthrough settings and clear the app cache.

What audio output device should I use for Kodi on Android TV?

For most Android TV devices, AudioTrack (RAW) is the recommended setting. Most Android TV devices have not implemented IEC correctly, so RAW is the more reliable choice[reference:36][reference:37].

How do I enable passthrough in Kodi?

Go to Settings → System → Audio, enable Expert mode, toggle Allow passthrough on, and enable all audio codecs your receiver supports.

Why does Kodi have no sound after waking from sleep?

This is a known issue on Fire TV and Android TV devices[reference:38]. Upgrading to the latest Kodi nightly build often resolves the problem[reference:39].

How do I clear Kodi cache on Android TV?

Go to Settings → Apps → See all apps → Kodi → Storage & cache → Clear cache. For Fire TV: Settings → Applications → Manage Installed Applications → Kodi → Clear cache[reference:40].

Does a factory reset fix Kodi audio issues?

After an Android system update, a factory reset may resolve persistent kodi no sound on android tv issues[reference:41]. This is a last resort solution.

What is the difference between AudioTrack (IEC) and AudioTrack (RAW)?

IEC is the standard setting for passthrough, but most Android TV devices have not implemented IEC correctly[reference:42]. RAW is the more reliable setting for most users[reference:43].

Can HDMI ARC cause Kodi no sound?

Yes, if the HDMI ARC port is set to PCM instead of Auto, audio may not pass through correctly[reference:44]. Set HDMI ARC to Auto in your TV’s sound settings.

What should I do if none of the fixes work?

If all fixes fail, enable debug logging in Kodi to identify the specific error[reference:45], or consider installing a nightly build[reference:46].

Editorial Team