Sonos Arc Soundbar F64 Error Code Fix Guide

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What This Error Means

F64 on a Sonos Arc means the soundbar has thrown an internal fault and can’t complete a clean audio start-up.

In real terms: the Arc boots, hits a problem talking to its HDMI/eARC link or audio hardware, and shuts the sound path down so you get no sound, dropouts, or a bar that won’t behave with the TV.

Official Fix

Run this in order. This is basically the script Support walks you through before they talk repair.

  • 1. Hard power-cycle the Arc. Unplug the Arc from the wall for at least 60 seconds. Plug it directly into a wall outlet (no smart plug, no overloaded strip). Wait for the LED to go solid white.
  • 2. Reboot the TV and sources. Power off the TV and any HDMI devices (console, streaming box, etc.). Unplug them from the wall for 60 seconds. Plug the TV in first, let it fully boot, then plug the other HDMI gear back in.
  • 3. Verify the HDMI port. The Arc must be in the TV’s eARC/ARC port. No adapters, no splitters, no switch boxes. If in doubt, move the cable to the HDMI port labeled “HDMI eARC” or “HDMI ARC” and leave it there.
  • 4. Swap the HDMI cable. Try a known-good, short, Ultra High Speed / HDMI 2.1 cable. A half‑dead cable can absolutely throw random Arc errors and F-codes.
  • 5. Check TV audio settings. On the TV:
    • Set sound output to HDMI ARC/eARC or Receiver.
    • Turn built‑in TV speakers Off.
    • Set Digital Audio Out to Auto or Pass Through.
    • Make sure HDMI‑CEC (Anynet+, Bravia Sync, Simplink, etc.) is On.
    Wrong settings can make the Arc look dead even though it’s fine.
  • 6. Update firmware on both ends. In the Sonos app, check for and install system updates. On the TV, run a software/firmware update. When both are done, power-cycle TV and Arc one more time.
  • 7. Re-add the Arc in the Sonos app. In the Sonos app: Settings > System > [your Arc room] > Remove Product. Then hit Add Product and set the Arc back up on the TV’s eARC/ARC port from scratch.
  • 8. Still seeing F64 after all that? That’s the end of the official road. At this point Sonos wants you to grab a diagnostic in the app and contact Sonos Support for a repair or swap.

The Technician’s Trick

If F64 comes back even after the official routine, here’s the stuff working techs try before calling the bar a loss.

  1. Deep HDMI / CEC power-bleed reset.
    • Turn the TV off.
    • Unplug the TV, the Sonos Arc, and every HDMI device from the wall.
    • Unplug the HDMI cable between TV and Arc at both ends.
    • On the TV, press and hold the physical power button for 20–30 seconds to drain any stray charge.
    • Wait 5 minutes with everything unplugged. No shortcuts.
    • Plug the TV back into power, but leave all HDMI cables disconnected. Turn the TV on and let it fully boot.
    • Now plug the HDMI cable into the TV’s eARC/ARC port, then into the Arc.
    • Plug the Arc’s power back in. Let it boot until the LED is solid white, then test the TV audio again.

    This forces a clean HDMI/eARC and CEC handshake. If F64 was just a nasty HDMI glitch, it usually dies here.

  2. Nuclear option: factory reset the Arc. (Use only if you’ve tried everything above and the bar is basically unusable.)
    • This wipes Wi‑Fi credentials, room name, Trueplay tuning — everything. You’ll set it up as new.
    • Unplug the Arc’s power cord.
    • Press and hold the Join button (∞ symbol) on the back of the Arc.
    • While still holding the button, plug the Arc back into power.
    • Keep holding until the light on top flashes orange and white, then release.
    • Wait until the LED flashes green. Now open the Sonos app and add the Arc as a new product.

    If F64 was from corrupted config or a bad update, this full wipe often brings the bar back — if the hardware is still healthy.

Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)

  • ✅ Fix: F64 vanishes after cable and reset work, or Sonos says it’s a software/handshake issue and you’re still in (or just out of) warranty.
  • ⚠️ Debatable: F64 only shows up now and then, the Arc is a few years old, and a repair or swap quote lands under roughly 50–60% of a brand‑new Arc.
  • ❌ Replace: F64 is permanent, diagnostics scream main‑board/amp failure, and Sonos wants close to new‑bar money for a swap — put that cash into a replacement instead.

Parts You Might Need

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See also

Dealing with other error codes around the house? These breakdowns might save you another headache: