The persistent green light on your Sonos Arc after using Alexa to turn off your TV can be frustrating. This issue often arises from the interaction between your Sony TV, Sonos Arc, and Alexa. While a simple solution doesn’t exist, this guide explores the underlying cause and offers potential workarounds to help you reclaim your audio serenity.
Understanding the Green Light Issue
The culprit behind the lingering green light (indicating mute) on your Sonos Arc is often the Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) feature, specifically when using Alexa to power down your Sony TV. CEC allows devices connected via HDMI to communicate and control each other. In this scenario, the CEC signal sent by Alexa when turning off the TV might be inadvertently muting your Sonos Arc. This is often specific to using voice commands with Alexa, as turning off the TV with the remote typically doesn’t trigger the same behavior.
Why Alexa and Not the Remote?
The difference in behavior between using Alexa and the TV remote lies in how the off command is communicated. Alexa utilizes the CEC connection to send a power-off signal, which can be interpreted by the Sony TV as a request to mute the audio output. The TV remote, on the other hand, might send a different signal or bypass CEC altogether, resulting in the Sonos Arc remaining unmuted.
Potential Solutions
While a definitive fix within the Sonos ecosystem might not be available, here are some workarounds to consider:
1. Software Updates:
Ensure both your Sonos system and Sony TV are running the latest software updates. Occasionally, firmware updates address compatibility issues and might resolve this problem. William_61, a Sonos beta tester, reported the issue resolving after a software update.
2. Disconnecting CEC (Not Recommended):
Disabling CEC entirely would prevent the unwanted muting. However, this also eliminates the convenience of controlling your TV and Sonos Arc with a single remote or voice command. This involves navigating your TV and Sonos settings to disable HDMI-CEC, often labeled as Bravia Sync, SimpLink, or similar.
3. Alternative Power Off Methods:
Consider using the TV remote to power off your television instead of relying on Alexa. This sidesteps the CEC interaction that triggers the muting issue. While less convenient, it effectively avoids the green light problem.
4. Contact Sony Support:
Reaching out to Sony support might shed light on potential settings adjustments within your TV that could mitigate this issue. They are most familiar with the intricacies of your television’s CEC implementation.
Conclusion
The green light conundrum on your Sonos Arc after using Alexa to turn off your Sony TV stems from the complexities of CEC communication. While a universal solution remains elusive, the outlined workarounds provide avenues to explore. Staying updated on software releases for both Sonos and Sony is crucial. If the problem persists, contacting Sony for tailored assistance might be the most effective course of action.
