Apple TV 4K 5.1 in apps not working

I have recently purchased an Apple TV 4K. All is set up and working. The Apple TV is connected to my Sony KD-49XD8077 via HDMI. My TV is connected to a Sony STR-KS1100 via optical cable. My Firestick, Xbox (and Sky Ultra HD Box when I had it) all work and play 5.1 perfectly fine. My Apple TV however is struggling.


On my Apple TV, under Video and Audio, Audio Format is set to Dolby Digital 5.1. My amp is happy. If I open the application called Surround Speaker Check (from the App Store) and test with Speaker Check 5.1 all works well, the correct speaker plays at the correct time. When I try and use YouTube and search for the surround speaker test video, I can only hear the front speakers. When I play stuff on Netflix with 5.1 sound only appears to come from the front. Is there something obvious I am missing? I have been googling the issue for several hours. I even tried making use of a little HDMI box which would convert HDMI ARC to Optical and it's the same as optical direct from the TV. Probably missing something glaringly obvious so any suggestions would be appreciated

Apple TV 4K, tvOS 26

Posted on Oct 31, 2025 7:34 AM

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4 replies

Oct 31, 2025 9:15 AM in response to mandelbug

The YouTube app on the Apple TV box plays everything in Stereo, until you manually change the sound format for a video to 5.1. It is a bit hidden. See below.

Netflix content that supports 5.1 should output in 5.1. Not sure why that would fail for you. Can't get 5.1 surround sound - Netflix Help Center


In the YouTube app on the Apple TV box, select a video that is said to have surround sound audio. Then swipe down to get the controls overlay. Swipe up again to highlight the controls above the timeline. Swipe right until the gears (⚙) of Settings is highlighted. Center-click to open Settings. Scroll down to surround sound, then center-click to toggle that setting (checkbox should get marked or unmarked). This surround sound setting will stay active, until the setting is changed again at a later time. Videos with stereo sound will continue to play in stereo of course.



Apple TV 4K 5.1 in apps not working

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