> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ghost-cable.gitbook.io/ghost-cable-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ghost-cable.gitbook.io/ghost-cable-docs/chapter-4-troubleshooting-and-error-codes/the-no-sound-video-only-fix.md).

# The "No Sound / Video Only" Fix

If you open a live channel or a movie and the video plays flawlessly but you are met with total silence, you are experiencing an audio codec mismatch.

IPTV streams use many different formats to compress audio. High-definition channels and 4K movies often utilize advanced multi-channel formats like Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, or AC3. If your streaming stick or IPTV player app doesn't have the built-in software licensing to decode these specific formats, it will simply play the video and drop the audio track entirely.

Here are the two ways to fix this and get your sound back instantly.

### Fix 1: Switch the Audio Decoder from Hardware (HW) to Software (SW)

By default, your IPTV app uses Hardware (HW) Decoding, meaning it hands the audio data off to your streaming stick's physical processor. If the processor doesn't recognize the audio format, you get silence.

Switching to Software (SW) Decoding forces the IPTV app to use its own internal code to manually read and unpack the audio track.

#### For TiviMate Users

1. While watching the channel with no sound, press the Center/Select button on your remote to bring up the player overlay menu.
2. Select the Settings Gear Icon in the bottom right corner.
3. Navigate to Playback > Audio decoder.
4. Change the setting from Hardware to Software.
5. Back out to the channel. The audio track should kick in within a few seconds.

#### For IPTV Smarters Pro Users

1. Go to the main home dashboard of IPTV Smarters.
2. Click on the Settings Gear Icon in the top right corner.
3. Select Player Settings.
4. Change the selection from Hardware to Software.
5. Click Save Changes at the bottom of the screen.

### Fix 2: Route the Stream Through an External Player (VLC)

If changing to Software decoding doesn't work, it means your IPTV player app simply does not possess the audio files required to play that channel. The ultimate workaround is to pass the stream data over to VLC Media Player.

VLC is an open-source media machine that contains massive, completely free licensing libraries. It can decode and play virtually any audio or video track on earth.

**1.Download VLC Media Player:**Step 1.

Go to your streaming device's official application store (Amazon Appstore or Google Play Store), search for VLC for Android (or VLC Media Player), and install it for free.

**2.Enable External Players in Your IPTV App:**Step 2.

Open your IPTV player app and head to the main Settings menu. Navigate to External Players (or *Player Settings*) and click Add Player. Select VLC from the list of available apps on your device.

**3.Assign VLC to the Broken Channel:**Step 3.

Navigate back to your TV guide. Hold down the center select button on the channel that has no sound to bring up its custom options menu.

**4.Launch the Stream via VLC:**Step 4.

Scroll down and select "Play with External Player", then click VLC. Your TV will seamlessly launch the stream inside VLC's player engine, instantly restoring your audio tracks.

> ℹ️ Pro-Tip: If you notice that *all* of your Video-on-Demand (VOD) movies or catch-up episodes are missing sound, you can make VLC your permanent default player. Go to your IPTV app settings under Playback, locate VOD Player Type, and toggle it from "Built-in Player" to "External Player (VLC)". Every movie you click from then on will automatically boot into VLC with flawless sound.