No sound in Kickstart 2: a complete diagnostic and repair guide

Interesting fact: in 2023, TV users Xiaomi Mi TV 4S And TCL on Kickstart 2 firmware, there were a lot of complaints about sound loss after updating to version 2.1.47. The reason lay in the modified file /vendor/etc/audio_effects.confwhich conflicted with drivers Realtek RTD1295. The solution was found only after a month - I had to roll back the firmware manually.

First steps: what to do if the sound suddenly disappears

Before digging deep into the settings, run basic diagnostics. These steps will help filter out simple failures and save time:

1. Check physical connections:
   • 🔌 Unplug and plug in the power cable again (not just a reboot, but a complete shutdown for 30 seconds).
   • 🎧 If you use external speakers or a soundbar, check the cables HDMI ARC, optical output or 3.5 mm jack.
   • 🔄 Switch the signal source from HDMI1 on HDMI2 — sometimes the sound “sticks” on one port.
2. Testing sound in different modes:
   • 📺 Turn it on built-in media player (not YouTube or Netflix) and try playing a local file.
   • 🎮 Connect your game console or Bluetooth speaker - if there is sound, the problem is in the system settings.
   • 🔊 Click Volume + on the remote control - sometimes the sound is simply muted to 0 V Kickstart Launcher.

Нажмите на пульте: Menu → Настройки → Хранилище → Очистить кеш
Затем: Настройки → Приложения → Kickstart Launcher → Очистить данные

If after these manipulations the sound does not appear, proceed to in-depth diagnostics. Especially often the problem lies in the HDMI-CEC or audio output settings, which Kickstart 2 resets after updates.

Sound settings in Kickstart 2: where to look and what to change

The Kickstart 2 firmware hides some of the audio settings in non-obvious menus. Here's the full path to the key parameters that can affect the sound:

Pay special attention to the section Settings → Sound → Advanced → Audio via HDMI. There is a bug in Kickstart 2: if there is a checkmark here Enable, and nothing is connected to HDMI - there is no sound going to the internal speakers. This setting is reset after every firmware update!

⚠️ Attention: If in the menu Settings → Sound missing item Audio output - your firmware uses a stripped-down version of Kickstart 2. In this case, the sound can only be returned through service menu (see section below) or factory reset.

Kickstart 2 service menu: how to return sound through engineering settings

If the standard settings don't help, it's time to get into service menu. In Kickstart 2 it is hidden, but accessible through special button combinations. We warn you: Incorrect changes here can lead to complete inoperability of the TV!

Instructions for entering the service menu (works on 90% of models with Kickstart 2):

1. Unplug the TV from the outlet for 1 minute.
2. Turn on the TV and immediately press the sequence on the remote control:

   Menu → 1 → 1 → 4 → 7

   (for some models TCL used Menu → 1 → 9 → 9 → 9).

3. You will be taken to the menu Factory Mode. Go to section Audio Test.

In the service menu we are interested in the following parameters:

• 🔊 Speaker Test - checking the speakers. If there is sound here, but not in the system, the problem is in the software.
• 📶 HDMI Audio Route — sound routing. Must stand Internal (if you are using TV speakers).
• 🔄 Audio Reset - Reset audio settings to factory settings. Attention! After this operation, you will have to reconfigure all sound profiles.
• 🛠️ DAC Calibration — calibration of the digital-to-analog converter. Run it if the sound is distorted or interrupted.

If in Speaker Test there is no sound - a hardware problem (the amplifier, speakers or audio path is damaged). If there is sound, but it is not in the system, go to the next section.

adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN -n com.android.tv.settings/.device.FactoryResetActivity

Driver Problems: How to Reinstall Audio Modules in Kickstart 2

In 30% of cases, the sound disappears due to damaged system files responsible for audio. In Kickstart 2 it is:

• /system/lib/hw/audio.primary.processor_model.so — main driver;
• /vendor/etc/audio_policy.conf — routing configuration;
• /system/priv-app/TVAudioService/TVAudioService.apk — sound control service.

You can restore them in two ways:

Method 1: Via ADB (no data loss)

If you have access to USB debugging (ADB), run:

1. Connect your TV to your PC via USB and enable ADB in the developer options (Settings → About TV → Build number → press 7 times).
2. Download ADB Tools and run the commands:

   adb shell
   su
   mount -o rw,remount /system
   cp /system/lib/hw/audio.primary.модель_процессора.so.bak /system/lib/hw/audio.primary.модель_процессора.so
   chmod 644 /system/lib/hw/audio.primary.модель_процессора.so
   reboot

Method 2: Reflash the audio module via Recovery

If ADB does not help, you will have to flash the audio driver manually:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the website 4PDA (section "Firmware for Android TV").
2. Unpack the archive and find the file audio.img or vendor.img.
3. Sew it through fastboot:

   fastboot flash vendor vendor.img
   fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: If after flashing the sound appeared, but became robotic or with interference, it means that you flashed the driver from a different processor revision. You need to find the firmware specifically for your model SoC (you can find it in Settings → About TV → Processor model).

adb pull /system/lib/hw/audio.primary.модель_процессора.so

This will help you roll back if something goes wrong.->

Hardware faults: how to check the speakers and audio path

If all software methods have been tried, but there is no sound, it’s time to check the hardware. The most common problems with TVs with Kickstart 2 are:

• 🔈 Sound amplifier (chip TAS57xx or MAX98357A);
• 🎛️ Audio processor (part SoC, but sometimes burns out separately);
• 🔌 Connectors (oxidation of contacts on the board or in sockets HDMI/ARC);
• 🔊 Speakers (coil breakage or membrane damage).

How to diagnose a hardware failure:

1. Checking the speakers:
   • Unplug the TV and remove the back cover.
   • Disconnect the speaker connectors from the board and check them with a multimeter (resistance should be 4-8 ohms).
   • If the resistance is 0 or ∞, the speaker is faulty.
2. Amplifier test:
   • Connect an external speaker or headphones to the amplifier output (on the board).
   • If there is no sound, the amplifier is burnt out (the microcircuit needs to be replaced).
3. Checking the audio power supply:
   • Measure the voltage on the capacitors near the audio processor (should be 5V or 12V).
   • If there is no voltage, the problem is in the power supply or power circuits.

Typical symptoms of hardware problems:

If you are not confident in your soldering skills, it is better to take the TV to a service center. The cost of repairing an audio path averages 1,500–4,000 rubles (depending on the model and type of failure).

Firmware update: how to get sound back through flashing

Sometimes the sound disappears after an unsuccessful Kickstart 2 update. In this case, only a complete flashing will help. Here are the step-by-step instructions:

1. Download the correct firmware:
   • Find out the exact TV model in Settings → About TV.
   • Find the firmware on 4PDA or the official website of the manufacturer.
   • Please note the version Kickstart (For example, Kickstart 2.1.47 or Kickstart Pro 3.0.12).
2. Prepare a USB drive:
   • Format the flash drive to FAT32.
   • Copy the firmware file (usually update.zip) to the root of the flash drive.
   • Do not use flash drives larger than 32 GB - Kickstart 2 may not see them.
3. Update the firmware:
   • Insert the flash drive into the port USB 2.0 (usually the one closest to the center).
   • Press and hold on the remote control Menu + Volume + and turn on the TV.
   • From the recovery menu, select Apply update from USB.

If the sound does not appear after the update:

• 🔄 Reset settings to factory defaults (Settings → Storage → Reset data).
• 📥 Install a patch for audio drivers (search on thematic forums for the TV model).
• 🔧 Check your settings HDMI-CEC And Audio output (they are reset after flashing).

⚠️ Attention: Do not interrupt the firmware process! If the TV freezes at the stage Erasing... - wait at least 20 minutes. In 90% of cases, the system recovers from the freeze on its own. If the screen goes dark and does not turn on, see the section "What to do if the TV does not turn on after flashing the firmware."

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about missing sound in Kickstart 2