With all the possible combinations of TVs, set-top boxes and sound bars these days, sound delay has become an extremely common problem. While incredibly frustrating, there are several proven fixes you can try implementing yourself. Show
If you stick with this list, and work your way through each solution, one-by-one, it’s extremely likely you’ll fix your problem. Don’t skip a step thinking it’s too obvious, or that it won’t work. They worked for others, and they will work for you! How to Fix Sound Delay on TVTo fix a sound delay on your TV, simply turn on “AV Sync Adjustment”. Go to SETTINGS, navigate to SOUNG SETTINGS, and select AV SYNC ADJUSTMENT to enable it. Ensure the AUDIO OUT setting is at “0” before adjusting the slide bar accordingly to solve the issue. Making this AV Sync Adjustment is the easiest and most common way to resolve your TV’s sound delay. NOTE: I provide generic step-by-step instructions for each of the fixes below. You may need to look up the user manual for your specific TV make and model to find the setting I refer to. Or better yet, just YouTube it! Enable AV Sync AdjustmentIf your TV’s audio and video are out of sync and the sound is too slow, you need to check the Audio-to-Video Synchronization settings. The latest TVs come with an AV Sync adjustment that allows you to fix sound delays with the press of a button. Adjusting the AV Sync adjustment setting lets you minimize the lag between the audio output and visual display, subsequently fixing annoying and frustrating sound delays. Here are the steps:
Connect Source Device Directly to External SpeakersAudio delays often arise if you connect your TV directly to your sound bar, home theater, or external speakers using HDMI ARC or optical output. The delay occurs because the audio signal has to travel longer than the video signal. The audio travels from the source device to the TV and then to the soundbar or home theater, while the video signal only travels from the source device to the TV. By the time the soundbar unpacks the audio signal, you would have already seen the video. In essence, the sound will arrive a few microseconds after the visual display. You can prevent this disparity by connecting your soundbar directly to the source device and disabling HDMI ARC audio output. Here are the steps:
Reset Sound SettingsOne of the quickest ways to resolve audio lags is to reset your TV’s sound settings. This hack will solve several issues, such as sound delays, echoing, and no audio. Resetting sound settings is a fast and straightforward process. Here are the steps:
Power Reset Your TVPerforming a power reset is an integral part of troubleshooting your TV. This simple process can help resolve various issues such as sound delays, freezing display, black screen, non-responsive remote control, and slow or buffering apps. Before performing a power reset on your TV, turn it on and unplug all external USB devices. You can power reset your TV using three different methods: Method 1 – Power Reset By Unplugging Power Cable
Method 3 – Power Reset Using Remote Control
Disconnect and Reconnect Your TV to the Source DeviceSeveral issues can cause sound delays on your TV, and one of the most overlooked is a bad connection. A poor connection between your TV and source device, such as a cable box, Blu-ray Disc player, or DVD player, can cause out-of-sync audio issues. Check if the cables connecting these devices are plugged securely and correctly. Disconnect all cables from your TV and source device and connect them back one by one. If the issue remains unresolved, your cables might be faulty. Try replacing them with new ones. Enable and Disable Game Mode AccordinglyMost TVs come with a “Game Mode” feature that configures the TV to bypass several video processors, subsequently cutting down the time the TV needs to process video signals during gameplay. Enabling Game Mode during gameplay can help reduce sound delays when playing video games. However, it would help if you disable Game Mode when watching TV or playing a Blu-Ray disc to avoid out-of-sync audio issues. Here are the steps:
Clear CacheIf you are experiencing sound delays on your TV because of a particular app such as Netflix or YouTube, consider clearing the cache. A cache is a memory storage location in your TV that collects temporary data allowing apps to load faster. Cached data can accumulate over time and fill up your TV’s memory, causing it to freeze and lead to other issues, including sound delays. Clearing cache can help restore the functionality of your TV and prevent audio lags. Here are the steps:
Close Multiple Background AppsSmart TVs come loaded with dozens of pre-installed applications. Some of these apps are useful, while others fill up space for no good reason. When you boot your TV, you will notice that some apps will load automatically and run in the background. Multiple apps running simultaneously in the background can cause your TV to freeze and develop sound delays. The quickest solution to this problem is closing apps that you do not need at the moment. Here are the steps:
You should also consider deleting any and all apps that you don’t use, or plan to use. You can always add these back later! Use An Alternative Streaming AppSometimes, a sound delay on your TV might be caused by a particular app that you are using. If you are streaming content from an online source, you may experience audio lags because of issues with the app in question. After confirming that the app is the source of your sound problems, consider downloading and installing an alternative streaming app. Depending on your TV brand or model, you can find apps on Apple App Store, SmartCast, Google Play Store, etc. Factory Reset Your TVFactory resetting your TV will erase everything except pre-installed apps and leave your TV as new as how it came from the shop. That said, this step can help fix various issues, including sound delays. Here are the steps:
Update Your TV’s FirmwareIf you’ve tried all the tips above and nothing seems to work, perhaps its time you update your TV’s firmware. Manufacturers often release new updates to fix bugs and issues that affect their products. Updating your TV’s software might help resolve sound delays. Here are the steps:
ConclusionSound delays and out-of-sync audio issues are common, so you shouldn’t fret much. Our tips above can help you resolve the problem as quickly as possible. Here is a summary of what you can do to fix sound delay on TV:
Hopefully one of these fixes worked for you. Were you able to fix the sound delay on your TV? If so, let me know how in the comments below! |