Series X HDMI-CEC Volume Issues

Hello,

I found this support page with some troubleshooting for the HMDI CEC: How do I control other devices using HDMI-CEC? | Xbox Support

I also found a thread where the last poster may have found a resolution to this issue: Xbox Series S - HDMI-CEC Volume Control not working - Microsoft Community, stating:

For anyone looking for the resolution, you have to use hdmi cables, even to your soundbar or sound system now

Previously I had my xbox series x I had an optical cable from tv to bose soundbar 700 and the older xbox would control it and raise and lower the volume, I had to swap that cable out for HDMI instead...

With more details I would check that out to see if it helps.

Also, it would help if you submitted a Report a Problem so we can take a look at what's going on with your xbox when this issue happens. You can find the guidance here. It also seems like some have found the builds in Xbox Insider have the update that may help with this issue in the test builds and updates.

Provide feedback to Team Xbox | Xbox Support

Thank you,

Hi TexasMaster9351! My name is Ricardo an independent advisor ready to help you with this situation!

HDMI-CEC is supported only on Xbox One X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X. You must also enable HDMI-CEC on your TV.

Xbox Series X|S consoles can use an HDMI feature called Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) to send commands to and from CEC-enabled devices (such as TVs and AVRs) that are connected to the console.

This feature can be turned on and off via the TV & A/V power options settings screen. Press the Xbox button  to open the guide, then go to Profile & system > Settings > General > Sleep mode & startup > TV & A/V power options.

Thank you for trusting Microsoft community, this is Aman.

I understand how frustrating it must be when your Xbox media remote works perfectly with your new Xbox Series X and PS5, but not with your older Series X—even after trying all the right troubleshooting steps. You've done a great job narrowing down the issue, and it definitely sounds like the problem is isolated to the older console.

Since you've already:

• Verified the remote works on other devices
  
• Swapped HDMI cables and ports
  
• Restarted the console and toggled CEC settings
  
• Tried new batteries and removed accounts
  

It’s likely that the issue is related to either a firmware-level glitch or a hardware-specific CEC communication fault on the older Xbox Series X.

Before considering a factory reset, I’d like to ask a couple of quick follow-up questions to help pinpoint the issue further:

• What is the current OS version on the older Xbox Series X?
  You can check this under Settings > System > Console info > OS version.
  
• Is the older Xbox connected to the same HDMI port and TV input as the new one was?
  Some TVs cache CEC behavior per port, and switching ports can sometimes help.
  
• Does the Xbox respond to any other CEC commands (like turning on/off the TV)?
  Or is it just the volume control that’s not working?
  
• Have you tried unplugging the Newer Xbox series X before trying to plug in the older one.
  
  If you haven't, please try it and let me know if that solves the issue.
  

Once I have this info, I’ll be able to suggest the most targeted next step—hopefully without needing a full reset. Looking forward to your reply!

Update, I disabled eARC and HDMI ON to OFF on the Denon receiver. And on the TV, I also disabled eARC. On the Xbox series X I disabled CEC and ever since then I haven't had an issue with the audio. I did notice when I enabled CEC on the Xbox, and choosing Dolby Atmos I lost audio intermittently, so I just left CEC off. Unfortunately I have to use 3 controllers to turn everything on now. Now I can choose different audio formats with no audio loss.

***UPDATE***

I appear to have fixed this. It was something to do with HDMI-CEC on the Series X.

I have the following toggled;

Console turns on other devices

Console turns off other devices

Other devices can turn console off

The other two choices seem to not work well with the monitor when running 4K/120hz/HDR for whatever reason;

Console sends volume commands ⛔

Switch TV input using controller ⛔

I never had 'Console sends volume commands' on but I did have 'Switch TV input using controller' on so I'm unsure why if at all it should have affected anything.

As a side note after toggling the HDMI-CEC on and picking my choices - that prompted an auto Xbox restart anyway but afterwards I did a manual restart myself and factory reset my monitor once more just to cover all bases as it were.

I'm not sure exactly what combination worked but I'm pretty sure it was something to do with HDMI-CEC and what I chose as my options.

Anyone's guess is as good as mine at this point.

Thanks for reading, all the best.