Sonos Arc Soundbar F74 Error Code Fix Guide

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What This Error Means

F74 on a Sonos Arc setup basically means: HDMI-ARC/eARC fault detected on the TV side, so the connection to the Arc is shut down.

In plain English: the TV panics about the HDMI audio link, drops sound to the Arc, and may lock that HDMI port until you reset things.

Note: Sonos gear itself does not show F codes; you are seeing the TV or receiver’s own error that just happens to involve your Arc.

Official Fix

Here is the clean, manual-approved path:

  • 1. Power-cycle everything. Unplug the TV, the Sonos Arc, and any HDMI devices from the wall for at least 60 seconds. Then plug them back in. Turn the TV on first, wait for it to fully boot, then power the Arc.
  • 2. Use the correct HDMI port and cable. Arc must be on the TV’s HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC, using a high-speed HDMI cable (ideally the one that shipped with the Arc). No adapters, no odd switch boxes yet.
  • 3. Check TV audio settings. On the TV, set Audio Output to HDMI ARC/eARC, Digital Audio Format to Auto or Passthrough, and make sure CEC (names like Simplink, Anynet+, Bravia Sync, etc.) is turned on.
  • 4. Remove other HDMI clutter. Temporarily unplug game consoles, set-top boxes, and other sound systems from the TV. You want only the Arc on the ARC/eARC port to see if F74 disappears.
  • 5. Update firmware. Update both the TV (system/software update) and the Sonos Arc via the Sonos app. Power-cycle again after updates.
  • 6. Factory reset the TV’s HDMI/CEC settings. Many TVs have a Reset HDMI or Reset audio/CEC option in Settings. Run that, then set ARC/eARC back up from scratch.

If F74 keeps coming back after all this, the official line is: contact the TV manufacturer and/or Sonos support because you may have a failing HDMI ARC/eARC port or internal fault.

The Technician’s Trick

This is the deeper reset routine techs use when F74 will not die but the hardware still tests fine.

  • 1. Hard CEC/eARC flush.
    • Unplug every HDMI cable from the TV.
    • Unplug the TV and Arc from power for 5-10 minutes.
    • Press and hold the TV’s power button (on the set, not the remote) for 10-15 seconds while it is unplugged to bleed off charge.
  • 2. Bring up only the Arc.
    • Plug the TV back in and power it up with no HDMI cables connected. Wait until the home screen is stable.
    • Now plug the Arc into the TV’s ARC/eARC port with a known-good HDMI cable.
    • Let the TV sit 30-60 seconds so it can detect the Arc, then open audio settings and re-enable ARC/eARC and CEC.
  • 3. Add other devices one by one.
    • Reconnect other HDMI devices one at a time.
    • As soon as F74 returns, the last device or its cable is the troublemaker. Replace that HDMI cable or move that device off the ARC/eARC port via a better-quality HDMI switch.
  • 4. Try ARC instead of eARC (or vice versa). If your TV supports eARC, toggle eARC off and run standard ARC, or enable eARC if it is off. Some TV firmware is buggy on one mode but not the other.
  • 5. As a last resort, use optical. If the TV has optical out and came with (or you have) the HDMI-to-optical adapter, run the Arc via optical. You lose Dolby Atmos, but you avoid the flaky ARC/eARC hardware and usually kill F74 for good on an older TV.

If F74 persists even with only the Arc connected and after this deep reset, you are likely looking at a bad TV HDMI board or a failing Arc that needs professional service or replacement.

Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)

  • ✅ Fix: Arc is under warranty, the TV is under 5-6 years old, or F74 disappears with a new HDMI cable or settings cleanup.
  • ⚠️ Debatable: Arc is fine but the TV needs an HDMI board or mainboard and the quote is close to a few hundred; weigh that against putting the money toward a newer TV with reliable eARC.
  • ❌ Replace: The Arc is out of warranty, shows other issues (random shutdowns, distortion), and a repair quote is over about 50-60% of a new Sonos Arc or equivalent soundbar.

Parts You Might Need

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See also

More code breakdowns and quick fixes that might help with the rest of your setup: