Troubleshooting Notes

For a stable connection between the soundbar, FeinTech AX341 and the display (TV or video projector with an HDMI ARC connection), we recommend the following steps:

1. Leave the devices in standby
   The system works most reliably when all devices are started from standby. If possible, avoid using a switched power strip that completely disconnects all devices from the mains.

2. Check the eARC function on the AX341
   The eARC function on the AX341 should be enabled if your main display has an HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC port. This port should be connected to TV Out 1 (eARC) on the AX341. The TV1 LED on the AX341 should then remain steadily lit and must not flash (unless the display is switched off or does not support HDMI ARC).

   If it flashes, check the CEC control settings and restart all devices. Further steps for resolving this error are described here.

   In this state, the source device, AX341 and TV can switch on and off together. If everything is configured correctly and you start the source device, for example, the AX341, display and soundbar should switch on automatically. The same applies when you switch on the display. This helps prevent the power-on command required for the audio connection from being missed or transmitted too late.

3. Temporarily disable automatic input switching
   Some devices, such as Apple TV, do not switch off completely immediately after pressing the power button. This can make the behaviour of the AX341's automatic input switching difficult to understand.

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

4. Disable HDMI Device Link on the PS5
   On the PlayStation 5, disable the "HDMI Device Link" function. Otherwise, the PS5 may unintentionally take control of the connected devices or activate other HDMI inputs.
5. Check any special HDMI ARC settings on your TV
   Some TVs allow individual settings for each HDMI port. Set the TV's audio format to Bitstream or Passthrough and enable CEC control. Depending on the TV manufacturer, CEC may also be called Anynet+, BRAVIA Sync, EasyLink, Simplink or VIERA Link.
6. For picture or sound dropouts occurring at regular intervals
   Disable automatic update checks on your devices, as these may cause interruptions. Alternatively, try to isolate the problem and identify the cause by initially using only one source device. If everything works as expected, connect the next source device, and so on.

7. Completely reset HDMI CEC
   Press the eARC button to make sure that your display with the HDMI ARC port is selected as the main device. For example, if a TV with HDMI ARC is connected to TV OUT1, "TV1" must be illuminated on the AX341.

   Disconnect all involved devices from the mains for at least one minute by unplugging their power cables. Then reconnect them and switch them on in the following order:

   1. TV or projector
   2. Soundbar
   3. FeinTech AX341
   4. Source device, such as Apple TV, PS5 or Blu-ray player

This complete restart often resolves HDMI CEC addressing errors that can occur after changes to the HDMI cabling. If your soundbar was previously connected directly to the display, be sure to perform these steps.

Check the TV's Behaviour When Switching On

If the steps above do not help, check whether the problem depends on how the TV starts up.

It can make a difference whether the TV:

• starts with its internal TV tuner or an integrated app
• or starts directly on an external HDMI input.

The TV may not send the required HDMI CEC power-on command to the connected devices in every startup state. Many TVs restart in the same operating mode or on the same input that was active when they were last switched off. You can use this behaviour to influence the startup sequence.

If the problem can be reproduced reliably depending on a particular startup procedure, the cause can usually be narrowed down further and may be resolved by adjusting the power-on sequence or device settings.

Please Note When Using Displays Without HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC

When connecting a computer monitor or video projector without an HDMI ARC port, the TV1 or TV2 LED will flash and you will only be able to control the soundbar volume using the soundbar's own remote control.

This is normal because such a display does not support audio control commands. If desired, you can configure the source device's remote control to control the soundbar volume directly via infrared. This is possible with most source devices, such as Apple TV or Fire TV.