OREI DA41 eARC/ARC HDMI to Optical/Coaxial Audio Converter Troubleshooting Guide – OREI

Introduction

This guide helps you troubleshoot common issues with the OREI DA41 eARC/ARC HDMI to Optical/Coaxial Audio Converter. The DA41 is designed to connect to your TV's ARC or eARC HDMI port and extract audio to optical (Toslink) or coaxial audio devices. It supports Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, and LPCM 2.0, and it does not support Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, or PCM above 24-bit/96kHz.

Issue description

Users may experience no audio, intermittent dropouts, static, clicking, or format-related playback issues when using the DA41. In most cases, these problems are related to TV audio settings, unsupported audio formats, cable issues, or ARC/eARC handshake behavior.

Signs

No audio from the optical or coaxial output
Audio works in some apps but not others
Intermittent signal dropouts or loss of optical signal
Pop or click noise when the TV powers on or off

Basic troubleshooting steps

Confirm the DA41 is connected to the TV's ARC or eARC HDMI port, not a standard HDMI input.
Enable ARC or eARC in your TV's audio settings.
Check that the optical cable end glows red when connected to the DA41.
Try a different optical or coaxial cable.
Verify that your downstream audio device supports the audio format being sent by the TV.
Power cycle the DA41 and the TV by unplugging both devices for 30 seconds, then reconnecting them.
Set the TV audio output to Dolby Digital or PCM instead of Auto or Dolby Atmos.

Advanced troubleshooting steps

1. No audio from optical or coaxial output

If there is no sound from the DA41, start by confirming the physical connection and the TV's ARC or eARC settings. The DA41 must be connected to the TV's ARC/eARC HDMI port to extract audio correctly.

Make sure the DA41 is connected to the TV's ARC or eARC HDMI port.
Enable ARC or eARC in the TV settings. On Samsung: Settings > Sound > Sound Output > ARC/eARC. On LG: Settings > Sound > Sound Out > ARC/eARC. On Sony: Settings > Display & Sound > Audio Output > ARC.
Check that the optical cable end glows red when connected to the DA41.
Test with a different optical or coaxial cable.
Ensure that the TV's audio output is set to Dolby Digital or PCM/Stereo not Dolby Digital Plus, or Auto or Dolby Atmos.
Power cycle both the DA41 and the TV.

IMPORTANT: The DA41 does not connect directly to source devices. It must be connected to the TV's ARC/eARC port.

2. Audio works on some apps but not others

If audio works in some streaming apps but not others, the app may be outputting a format the DA41 cannot pass through optical or coaxial, such as Dolby Atmos.

Change the TV audio output from Auto or Dolby Atmos to Dolby Digital or PCM/Stereo.
On Samsung TVs, go to Settings > Sound > Expert Settings > HDMI Input Audio Format > PCM or Dolby Digital.
Test the same content in another app to compare behavior.

IMPORTANT: The DA41 does not support Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. Set the TV audio output to Dolby Digital or PCM/Stereo.

3. Intermittent signal dropouts or optical signal loss

Intermittent audio dropouts can occur if the TV repeatedly renegotiates the eARC connection.

Use a certified Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 cable between the TV and the DA41.
Confirm ARC or eARC is enabled in the TV settings and not set to Auto.
Power cycle the TV and the DA41.
If the issue continues on a specific brand TV, contact their support team for a compatibility review.

4. Pop or click noise when the TV powers on or off

A brief pop or click during the HDMI handshake when the TV powers on or off is generally normal behavior for ARC/eARC audio extractors and is not a defect.

Power cycle the DA41.
Disable the TV startup sound in the TV settings if that option is available.
Try using a different HDMI 2.1 cable.

5. Unit not working at all

If the DA41 appears to have no power or no output, perform a full reset and verify the TV's ARC/eARC port is functioning.

Unplug the DA41 for 30 seconds, then reconnect it.
Test the TV's ARC or eARC port directly with another device to confirm the port is working.
Check whether the optical port emits a red light when connected.
Check if the Power LED on the DA41 is lighting up.
Change HDMI cable.
Contact support if the unit still does not work after power cycling and cable checks.

Contact support

Contact OREI support if the steps in this guide do not resolve the issue. When you reach out, it would be helpful to have some or all of the details mentioned below:

Your TV model, audio device model, and cable types used
The problem you are facing and the troubleshooting steps you have already tried
Your purchase invoice or order number

Our support team is available via phone or email between 9 AM to 5 PM CST, Monday through Friday.

Email: info@orei.com

Phone: +1 877-290-5530

Disclaimer

The OREI DA41 is designed for ARC/eARC audio extraction to optical or coaxial output only. It does not support HDMI pass-through, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, or PCM above 24-bit/96kHz. Behavior may vary depending on your TV, source devices, cables, and audio settings. If you are unsure whether the DA41 is the right solution for your setup, contact OREI support before making changes to your system.

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