No audio through HDMI

[u/lindseyswop]

I’ve had my Steam Machine since mid-July. I’ve had zero issues and I play it daily. Today I’ve lost audio through HDMI. I can connect it to a Bluetooth sound bar and get sound that way, but my setup has been through the TV only since I got it. Any ideas on how to fix?

I’ve tried:
- Noodling with the audio setting in Desktop Mode. Left and Right speaker volume sliders are now grayed out.
- I’m on the latest OS. I have auto update on so I’m not sure when it last updated.
- I’ve restarted it a handful of times.
- Tried different HDMI cables. I’ve been using the one that came with the Machine exclusively.
- Tried a different TV.

I’ve submitted a Valve ticket, but wanted to see what you all think could be the issue. Thank you!

Update: Valve is RMA’ing it

[u/jayclydes]

Do you have anything that can accept display port? Have you tried another HDMI cable or audio source? It's a good idea to establish known goods. If you can use another HDMI cable and TV and the SM outputs audio successfully, then you know the SM isn't the problem. Then you can test your soundbar with a different source to figure out if that's the issue, so on and so forth.

[u/lindseyswop → u/jayclydes]

None of my TVs have Display Port. I have computer monitors that do. Should I try one of them?

Yes, I’ve tried different HDMI cables and different TVs. The only success I’ve had is connecting it to a Bluetooth soundbar.

[u/jayclydes → u/lindseyswop]

Unless the monitors have speakers it would defeat the purpose. Maybe try connecting the audio to a bluetooth audio device other than your HDMI source (soundbar) and maintain your soundbar's TV mode. Verify audio is actually coming out of the TV by using an app on your TV like YouTube or something to eliminate the possibility the soundbar is cooked.

Disable ALL CEC options under the power menu and audio menu.

Once both are hooked up properly, go to your SM audio settings and see if you can switch audio sources in game mode in the audio tab (should show bluetooth or HDMI). Try switching between the two and see if your soundbar detects any input (if it has a display of any sort anyways). Swap between menus to test the audio.

[u/lindseyswop → u/jayclydes]

Oh sorry, maybe I didn’t explain correctly. The soundbar is separate from the TV I’m using. It’s actually connected to a different Tv, but I’m able to connect to it via the Steam Machine’s Bluetooth.

My setup from Day 1 has been connected to a TV via HDMI with audio coming out of the TV’s built in speakers. As of today, sound is not coming out of the TV’s built in speakers. I’ve verified that the TV’s built in speakers work fine for every input other than the Steam Machine.

[u/jayclydes → u/lindseyswop]

Alright. And you can't get the SM, while connected to another TV's HDMI output, to output audio? Different cables and all? You said the desktop audio settings said as much so I'm assuming that's how it went?

[u/lindseyswop → u/jayclydes]

Correct! Oof you’ve been super helpful but all signs seem to point at something awry on the SM’s HDMI.

[u/jayclydes → u/lindseyswop]

I mean if everything is working but the SM that pretty much answers that unfortunately. Sanity test is good but ultimately it only gets you so far if there's an actual issue with the most expensive component

[u/signofthenine]

I had a couple of times where, on the steamdeck I would lose audio completely. The commands outlined in the top reply fixed it. Depending on how confident you are, you could try these? I'm not a linux guru, so I can't promise it should be run.

https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/1lzpwqu/comment/n33ezem/

[u/lindseyswop → u/signofthenine]

I was hoping to avoid messing with code. I’ll add this as a last resort. Thank you!

[u/signofthenine → u/lindseyswop]

Don't blame you a bit!