Sonos Arc Soundbar F44 Error Code Guide (Fast Fix)

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What This Error Means

F44 on a Sonos Arc soundbar means the HDMI ARC/eARC link to your TV has failed.

In plain English: the Arc and the TV stopped talking over HDMI, so TV audio (and Atmos) drops out or never starts.

Official Fix

Do it the clean, manufacturer-approved way first:

  • Check the HDMI port. Arc must be in the TV’s HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC, not any random HDMI slot.
  • Use the Sonos (or a certified) HDMI cable. Cheap or damaged cables throw F44. If in doubt, swap in a known-good high-speed HDMI 2.0/2.1 cable.
  • Hard power-cycle everything.
    • Unplug the TV, the Sonos Arc, and any HDMI boxes (console, Apple TV, etc.).
    • Wait 60 seconds.
    • Plug the TV back in first and let it fully boot.
    • Then plug the Arc back in and wait until the LED goes solid white.
  • Fix the TV settings. Go into the TV’s audio menu:
    • Turn HDMI-CEC ON (names vary: Simplink, Anynet+, Bravia Sync, etc.).
    • Turn ARC/eARC ON.
    • Set Audio Output to HDMI ARC/eARC.
    • Set Digital Audio Out to Auto, Passthrough or Dolby Digital (avoid “PCM only” if it keeps failing).
  • Update firmware.
    • In the Sonos app, check for updates and install them.
    • On the TV, run a software update from its support/settings menu.
  • Re-run TV setup in the Sonos app.
    • Open the Sonos app > Settings > System > select your Arc.
    • Run the TV setup / HDMI ARC setup wizard so the Arc re-learns the TV.
  • Still getting F44? You’re likely looking at a flaky HDMI port on the TV or the Arc. At that point, the official move is: collect the serial number, grab diagnostics from the Sonos app, and contact Sonos Support.

The Technician’s Trick

When F44 keeps coming back, here’s how a working tech bullies HDMI-CEC back into line.

1. Do a full HDMI-CEC purge

  • Unplug every HDMI cable from the TV. Not just the Arc. Everything.
  • Unplug power from the TV and the Arc.
  • Wait 2–5 minutes. Let the TV and Arc forget their CEC/ARC handshake.
  • Plug the TV back in alone. Boot it fully to the home screen.
  • On the TV, turn CEC and ARC/eARC OFF, then back ON.
  • Now connect just one HDMI cable: TV HDMI ARC/eARC port → Sonos Arc.
  • Plug the Arc back in. Wait until it shows up in the Sonos app.
  • Run the TV setup in the Sonos app again and test TV sound.
  • If that works, plug your other HDMI devices into the TV one by one. The moment F44 returns, you’ve found the troublemaker. Kill CEC on that box or move it through a different HDMI input.

2. Bypass a dead ARC port with optical

TV ARC hardware fried but optical still works? Classic.

  • Connect a Toslink optical cable from the TV’s optical out to an optical→HDMI ARC adapter (Sonos ships one with some Arcs; there are third-party ones too).
  • Connect the adapter’s HDMI side to the Arc.
  • Set the TV’s audio output to Optical / Digital Out.
  • You’ll lose Dolby Atmos, but you’ll get rock-solid 5.1 and no more F44 because ARC is out of the loop.

Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)

  • ✅ Fix: Arc is under warranty, F44 only happens on one TV, or it clears up with a new HDMI cable / settings change.
  • ⚠️ Debatable: TV is older, its ARC port is flaky, and repair means a new main board that costs a big chunk of what the TV is worth. Use optical as a cheap workaround and live without Atmos.
  • ❌ Replace: Arc is out of warranty, HDMI jack is physically damaged or liquid-corroded, and a repair quote comes in over ~50% of the price of a new soundbar.

Parts You Might Need

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See also

Chasing other F-series or device error codes? These guides help dig deeper: