Roku Sound Out Of Sync: What Causes It & How To Fix It?

I’ve heard many people complaining about the Roku sound out of sync.

I have had this issue a few times, so I understand how annoying it can be.

Fortunately, it is a small problem and easy to solve with simple steps that anyone can do.

To help you deal with this, I’ll cover some common causes and provide the quickest solutions.

Read on to discover!

Why Does Your Roku Audio Out Of Sync?

Wire Connection Is One Of The Causes

When your Roku sound has this issue, the cause can be the connection (wire and wireless), Roku, the content, or the speakers.

The most common reason is the internet, including network congestion or fluctuations.

When streaming content, the device buffers data to ensure smooth playback.

If this process is delayed, the video and audio might fall out of sync.

This delay buffering can happen when the network experiences heavy usage, low bandwidth, or a weak Wi-Fi signal.

In such cases, the device might pause to buffer, causing the audio to lag or precede the video.

Regarding the wire connection, the sound and video might not work well together if it’s loose.

Also, you’ll find a mismatch between the audio and video signals if there’s a problem with its HDMI cables.

Besides, the problem may come from your TV’s external speaker system.

This system often has a bit of delay when it comes to sound.

And if your external speakers have problems, their delay will annoy you.

Sometimes, the issue comes from Roku.

If you have many apps open, or your Roku is a bit old, your device can’t ensure the sound and video match.

Or if its audio settings are corrupted, audio problems will occur.

Also, the content you’re watching can cause the issue.

If the source of the show or movie has been encoded improperly or has inconsistent frame rates, it might not play back correctly on your Roku, making the sound and video out of sync.

How To Fix Roku Sound Out Of Sync?

Fix Sound Problems

There are many methods to solve this problem.

But my ten recommendations are the easiest to implement.

Whenever I have this audio issue, I use the following solutions:

#1. Check Connections

The first thing you need to do when experiencing this problem is to check the connection, including Wi-Fi and wire connections.

Check the Wi-Fi

If other devices like phones and laptops also have slow internet, it’s probably an issue with the Wi-Fi, not just your Roku.

In this case, you can restart the router and modem.

Ensure your Wi-Fi router is in a central location, preferably elevated and away from obstructions like walls or large electronics.

Check the wires

Then, look at the power and HDMI cables of your TV.

If it’s loose, gently but firmly push it into the appropriate ports.

Don’t forget to check for visible damage, like frayed or bent connectors, cuts, or exposed wires.

If you see any issues, you might need to replace the cable.

#2. Power Cycle The TV

Power Cycle

Power cycling is always the simplest and most effective way to resolve minor issues, including the sound sync problem. Here’s how:

Step 1: Turn off your devices.

Step 2: Unplug the power cables of your TV from the wall outlet.

Step 3: Leave everything unplugged for about 1-2 minutes to allow any residual electrical charge to dissipate.

Step 4: Plug the power cables back.

Now, you can turn on your TV and see if this method has solved the problem.

#3. Use Internal Speakers

The internal speakers of your TV might have less processing delay than external audio systems, which could help improve synchronization.

You can try using the internal speakers by following these steps:

Step 1: Access Settings

From the home screen, find and select the Settings option.

Step 3: Access the Audio settings

Step 4: Choose the Audio Mode option

Step 5: Choose TV speakers

Select the option that allows you to use the TV’s internal speakers.

Choose TV speakers

Step 6: Save changes

Then, you can play a video on your Roku to see if the sound sync issue is resolved.

If the problem persists, the problem is not with the speakers.

So you need to try other methods.

#4. Clear Cache

The next method is clearing the cache.

It removes corrupted temporary data, resets app information, refreshes the system, and freezes space.

To clear the cache, access the Roku home screen and press these buttons in turn:

• Home button: 5 times
• Up arrow button: 1 time
• Rewind button: twice
• Fast forward button: twice

Then, your TV will restart in 1-2 minutes to finish the entire process.

If the problem is cache-related, it’ll be resolved after you complete this process.

#5. Turn Off The Volume Mode

Although the Volume mode is not a common cause of this problem, you should still try this because it prevents some audio formats from being stereo.

This method is helpful if your Roku uses an AVR or sound bar.

Step 1: Press the star button on the Roku remote.

Step 2: Select the Sound Settings option.

Step 3: Find and select “Volume Mode.”

Step 4: Switch this mode to “Off.”

Your audio sync issue should be resolved once you switch off this mode.

Turn Off The Volume Mode

#6. Switch To Stereo

One of the methods I often use to solve this problem is to use the Stereo mode.

This mode simplifies the audio output, which can help resolve sound sync issues.

Step 1: Access Settings

Step 2: Open the Audio settings

Step 3: Change Audio Mode

In the Audio menu, locate and select “Audio mode.” Then, choose “Stereo.”

Step 4: Adjust HDMI Settings

Within the Audio menu, click on the HDMI option.

Then, find the Output or Output Mode option. Change it from “Stereo PCM.”

Remember to test playback after making these changes to ensure the sound and video are in sync.

#7. Reset The Audio Settings

Another method to solve the Audio-settings-related problem is to reset it.

This process will return the audio quality to its original state without affecting the system.

To reset the audio settings, pick up the remote and navigate to the following: Settings >>> System >>> Advanced System Settings >>> Factory Reset >>> Audio Settings.

Choose Audio Settings

Then, a confirmation message will likely appear.

Confirm that you want to reset the audio settings.

After the reset, press “Play/Pause” on your remote 3 times to reset the audio to the factory default.

By resetting the audio settings, you’re starting fresh with the default configuration, which might help fix sound sync issues.

#8. Restart Roku System

If your Roku encounters temporary glitches or errors in its software, this method clears these issues by resetting the device’s internal state.

Also, it’ll reset the connections to other devices like your TV, audio systems, or networks and re-establish proper communication between components.

To reset, after accessing Settings, choose the System option and select “System restart.”

Then, allow the system to restart.

At this point, you’ve fixed the issue if the cause lies in the system.

#9. Update Software

Update Software

I recommend updating the software as it brings fixes to bugs, improvements, and optimizations.

Sound sync problems could stem from outdated software, which might not handle audio and video processing correctly.

In the System Settings, there’s an option to update the software that’s easy to find.

If an update is available, opt for “Update Now.”

After the update, don’t forget to test playback to confirm if this method is helpful.

#10. Reset To Factory Settings

Resetting factory settings is a drastic step but can resolve complex issues.

It clears all settings and configurations, erasing potential causes of sound sync problems such as misconfigurations or conflicting settings.

To reset to factory settings, follow these navigations:

Settings >>> System >>> Advanced system settings >>> Factory Reset >>> Start.

Start The Reset

After the reset, you’ll need to set up your Roku again.

Remember, just use this method if the above troubleshooting steps haven’t resolved the issue, as it offers a clean slate for your device’s settings.

FAQs

Conclusion

I’ve gone through the causes and how to fix the Roku sound out of sync.

I believe you were able to find what is causing this audio problem on your TV and fix it quickly.

If you have tried the methods I recommend, but the problem still occurs, the best thing to do now is to contact Roku support. They can fix it for you.

Thank you for reading!