Diagnosis
The sudden loss of audio across all channels on the LG S95QR typically indicates a "handshake failure" or a firmware deadlock within the main processing board. This occurs when the HDMI eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) protocol loses synchronization with the television, causing the soundbar's internal DSP (Digital Signal Processor) to hang. Because the S95QR manages a complex 9.1.5 channel array, any interruption in the HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) handshake can trigger a safety mute or a total system freeze to prevent hardware damage.
You can confirm this is a software/handshake crash if the LED display on the front of the bar is still illuminated (showing "OFF" or a volume level) but no sound emerges even when you manually increase the volume using the physical buttons on the unit. If the soundbar is completely unresponsive to the remote and the physical buttons, the issue is likely a power-rail failure on the internal power supply board, though the firmware crash is significantly more common.
How to Fix It
To resolve a firmware deadlock and force a clean hardware handshake, perform a full power cycle and signal reset. Follow these exact steps in order:
- Turn off your television and the LG S95QR soundbar using their respective power buttons.
- Physically unplug the power cable from the AC wall outlet.
- Unplug the power cord from the rear input port of the soundbar itself (this is critical, as some units have a detachable cable).
- Disconnect the HDMI cable from the HDMI (eARC/ARC) port on the back of the TV and the HDMI OUT (TV eARC) port on the soundbar.
- Wait exactly 90 seconds. This allows the capacitors on the main board to fully discharge, clearing the volatile memory (RAM) where the crash occurred.
- Reconnect the HDMI cable firmly into both the TV and the soundbar. Ensure the cable is seated deeply; a loose connection here often causes the intermittent silence you experienced.
- Plug the power cord back into the soundbar, then plug the AC plug into the wall outlet.
- Power on the TV first, then the soundbar. Navigate to the TV's sound settings and ensure "HDMI Input Audio Format" is set to "Bitstream" rather than "PCM" to properly engage the S95QR's processing.
If That Didn't Work
- Perform a Factory Reset: While the soundbar is powered on, press and hold the "Volume Down" and "Function" buttons simultaneously on the physical control panel for about 5-10 seconds. The display will flash "RESET," and the unit will reboot. This wipes corrupted cached settings that may be causing the crash.
- Isolate the Input Source: Bypass the TV's eARC entirely by connecting a Blu-ray player or gaming console directly into the HDMI IN port on the S95QR. If sound returns, the issue is the TV's eARC handshake or a faulty HDMI cable. Replace the cable with a certified High-Speed HDMI 2.1 cable (48Gbps).
- Disable "Quick Start+" on LG TVs: If you are using an LG OLED or NanoCell TV, go to General > Devices > TV Management and disable "Quick Start+". This feature often puts the HDMI ports into a shallow sleep mode that prevents the S95QR from waking up correctly, leading to the "silent" state.
- Check for Firmware Updates: Download the LG Soundbar app on your smartphone. If the unit is connected to Wi-Fi, check for a firmware update. LG frequently releases patches specifically to address eARC stability and "silent" bugs for the S95QR model.
Heads Up
- Cable Quality: Always use the HDMI cable provided in the box. Third-party cables that are not HDMI 2.1 certified often lack the bandwidth for the 9.1.5 channel Atmos signal, leading to sudden audio drop-outs.
- Ventilation: Ensure the soundbar has at least 3 inches of clearance above the top-firing speakers. Overheating of the internal amplifier can trigger an automatic thermal shutdown, resulting in total silence.
- Power Stability: If you experience this frequently, plug the soundbar into a high-quality surge protector. Voltage spikes can cause the S95QR's sensitive HDMI controller to glitch and freeze.