Troubleshooting Tips

For a stable connection between the soundbar, FeinTech AX340 and TV, or a video projector with an HDMI ARC port, we recommend the following steps:

Leave the devices in standby mode

The system works most reliably when all devices are started from standby mode. Avoid using a switchable power strip that completely disconnects all devices from the mains.

Check the eARC function on the AX340

The eARC function on the AX340 should be enabled. The eARC LED should remain steadily lit and should not flash, unless the display is switched off or does not support HDMI ARC. In this state, the source device, AX340 and TV can switch on and off in sync. When everything is configured correctly, switching on a source device should automatically switch on the AX340, display and soundbar. The same should happen when the display is switched on. This helps prevent the power-on command required for audio routing from being missed or transmitted too late.

Temporarily disable automatic input switching

Some devices, such as Apple TV, do not switch off completely immediately after the power button is pressed. This can make the behaviour of the AX340’s automatic input switching difficult to understand.

Therefore, temporarily disable automatic input switching and select the required input manually. You can enable it again later once everything else is working as expected.

Disable HDMI Device Link on the PS5

Disable the HDMI Device Link function on the PlayStation 5. Otherwise, the PS5 may unintentionally take control of the connected devices or activate other HDMI inputs.

Check the TV settings for the HDMI ARC port

Check whether your TV has any special settings for the HDMI ARC connection. Some TVs allow individual settings to be configured for each HDMI port. Set the audio output format to Bitstream or Passthrough and enable HDMI-CEC control. Depending on the TV manufacturer, HDMI-CEC may also be called Anynet+, BRAVIA Sync, EasyLink, Simplink or Viera Link.

If you experience regular picture or audio interruptions

If picture or audio dropouts occur at regular intervals, disable automatic update checks on the connected devices, as these may interfere with the HDMI connection. 

You can also try to isolate the cause by initially connecting only one source device. If everything works correctly, connect the next source device and test again. Continue in this way until the device causing the issue can be identified.

Perform a complete HDMI-CEC reset

Disconnect all connected devices from the mains for at least one minute. Then reconnect them and switch them on in the following order:

1. TV or projector
2. Soundbar
3. FeinTech AX340
4. Source device, such as Apple TV, PS5 or Blu-ray player

This complete restart often resolves HDMI-CEC addressing errors that may occur after the HDMI cabling has been changed.

If the soundbar was previously connected directly to the display, it is particularly important to perform these steps.

Check how the TV starts up

If the steps above do not help, check whether the issue depends on how the TV starts up. It may make a difference whether the TV starts with:

• the internal TV tuner or a built-in app
• or an external HDMI input already selected.

The TV may not send the required HDMI-CEC power-on command in every startup condition. Many TVs start in the same operating mode or with the same input that was active when they were last switched off. This allows the startup behaviour to be influenced.

If the issue can be reproduced reliably with a particular startup sequence, the cause can usually be narrowed down further. It may then be possible to resolve it by changing the startup order or adjusting the device settings.

Important information for displays without HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC

When the AX340 is connected to a computer monitor or video projector without an HDMI ARC port, the eARC LED will blink. In this setup, the soundbar volume can normally only be controlled using the soundbar’s own remote control.

This is normal because a display without HDMI ARC does not support audio-control commands.

A source-device remote control can be configured for direct infrared volume control if required. This is possible with most source devices, including Apple TV and Fire TV.