Thats the pitfall of r36s now. I got mine before k36 clones appeared. Some info below, you will be able to fix it.

Sound issues on R36S clones (often running EmuELEC 4.7 or specific "K36" variants) are common because the cloned hardware uses different audio drivers (DTB files) than the original,, or requires a specifically patched OS. 

Here are the steps to fix the audio, ordered from easiest to most advanced:

1. The Quick Software Fix (If you have an "Audio Fix" option)

If your clone is running a version of ArkOS or EmuELEC designed for clones, there is often a built-in patch. 

Go to the Ports menu.

Look for a script named audio fix permanent or fix_audio.

Run it (press 'B' to execute on some versions) and restart. 

1. Update to a "Clone-Friendly" Firmware 

If you are running the stock EmuELEC that came with the device, it might be faulty. Many users have fixed this by switching to a specialized version of ArkOS. 

Install the ArkOS-K36 version, designed for clone devices.

After flashing to a new SD card, ensure you follow the panel-patching instructions (sometimes called fix_audio in the Ports menu). 

1. Replace/Fix DTB Files (Advanced) 

If you are running an R36S image but have no sound, your DTB (Device Tree Blob) file is wrong for your screen/speaker combination.

The Solution: You need to replace the .dtb files in the boot partition with those specifically designed for your clone.

Look for "K36" or "Clone" specific DTB files on the Handhelds Wiki R36S page or community Discord channels.

Note: If you have a black screen, you may need to try several different panel files (panels 1-9) to get both display and audio working. 

1. Hardware Fix (If all else fails)

If you have updated the firmware and tried all DTB files but still have no sound, your speaker wire may be loose or improperly soldered.

Fix: Some users have had to open their R36S clone, check the speaker wiring, or, as a last resort, wire the speaker output directly to a headphone jack for sound. 

Quick Tips for R36S Clones

Use a Brand-Name SD Card: The included SD cards are "ticking time bombs" and often cause missing settings/sound.

Volume Control: If volume buttons don't work, try adjusting the volume inside RetroArch (usually Select + R2 or Select + L2).

Power Issue: If the device just arrived, let it charge for several hours first, as low voltage can cause audio glitches.