No sound when using an HDMI switch

[ninja]

I have a set-top box and Raspberry Pi to connect to my TV, but my TV has only one HDMI port.

So I am using an HDMI switch like this:

When pluging my Raspberry Pi(with RetroPie installed in it) to this HDMI switch(which is connected to the TV), I found that there was no sound (but the splashscreen still had sound).

I guess there must be some error in configurations, because I can play games with sound when pluging the Raspberry Pi to TV directly. And even if I plug it to the HDMI switch(which is connected to the TV), the splashscreen still had sound as mentioned above.

Anybody know how to solve this problem or give me clues to solve it?

Technical Info:
Raspberry Pi 3, Model B.
RetroPie Version 4.6.1 for Raspberry Pi 2/3.
SansDisk 32 GB MicroSD.

[MegaTimX]

After looking at that splitter on Amazon, the description says "Supports video output up to 4K@30Hz (3840 * 2160) and 1080P@60Hz (1920 * 1080), 3D video and ARC, compatible with 1080P, 1080i, 720P, 576P, 576i, 480P, 480i, delivers superb image and enrich audio."
So it only can carry audio signal to the two exiting HDMI cables "if" you use 1080p resolution or below. "Arc compatible" means sending both audio and video. So you either need a different splitter, or you can reduce your output from the Rpi3 to 1080p.

[lostless]

@ninja try forcing 1080p mode from the raspi config menu from the RetroPie menu. I have a similar issue using an HDMI switch with the pie. Basically what happens every time that the pie turns on, it talks to the TV to Set the proper resolution and audio setting. If you’re on the other inputs or the HDMI splitter doesn’t send the signal, The pie May not sync up properly. If you force 1080p, the pie will Always send the same signal regardless of what the TV is capable of.
I also another similar issue to where one TV I had treated one HDMI port as a DVI port in auto negotiation. So When the pie booted up, it never sent audio because DVI Does not support audio. So when I forced it to 1080p, That issue went away to and the TV just ram it as a normal 1080 P signal.

[ninja]

@lostless @MegaTimX
Your replies look very professional, thank both of you!

But what if my TV(an old KONKA 32" TV) only supports 720p ?

@MegaTimX said in No sound when using an HDMI switch:

After looking at that splitter on Amazon, the description says "Supports video output up to 4K@30Hz (3840 * 2160) and 1080P@60Hz (1920 * 1080), 3D video and ARC, compatible with 1080P, 1080i, 720P, 576P, 576i, 480P, 480i, delivers superb image and enrich audio."
So it only can carry audio signal to the two exiting HDMI cables "if" you use 1080p resolution or below. "Arc compatible" means sending both audio and video. So you either need a different splitter, or you can reduce your output from the Rpi3 to 1080p.

@lostless said in No sound when using an HDMI switch:

@ninja try forcing 1080p mode from the raspi config menu from the RetroPie menu. I have a similar issue using an HDMI switch with the pie. Basically what happens every time that the pie turns on, it talks to the TV to Set the proper resolution and audio setting. If you’re on the other inputs or the HDMI splitter doesn’t send the signal, The pie May not sync up properly. If you force 1080p, the pie will Always send the same signal regardless of what the TV is capable of.
I also another similar issue to where one TV I had treated one HDMI port as a DVI port in auto negotiation. So When the pie booted up, it never sent audio because DVI Does not support audio. So when I forced it to 1080p, That issue went away to and the TV just ram it as a normal 1080 P signal.

[lostless]

@ninja it should still read a 1080p signal and downscale. If not, same Method but choose 720 P instead

[ninja]

@lostless OK, I'll give it a try and let you know the result. Thanks again.

[ninja]

I checked the resolution of my RetroPie and found it's already 1080p. So I did nothing to the configuration.

I updated RetroPie and the sound came back.

It's so weired. I still don't know where the problem was and how the problem was solved.

But I can play games with sound anyway.
@lostless @MegaTimX