One of the most frequent issues Roku users experience is audio out of sync. While this can be a frustrating problem, there are ways to resolve it.
One of the simplest solutions is to simply power cycle your device. This will reboot it and usually resolve most issues.
1. Power Cycle
Roku is an excellent streaming device that gives users access to various online TV, movie, and music channels on one platform. Unfortunately, some users have reported experiencing audio delays with their Roku devices – this can be a very frustrating experience.
If your Roku audio is out-of-sync, there are a few solutions to fix the issue. First and foremost, inspect the hardware and cables of your device for damage.
There are two primary cables that connect your device to the rest of your home network: an HDMI cable for connecting it to your television, and an Ethernet patch cord connecting it to your internet router (disregard if using WiFi). Make sure both these cables are checked regularly for damage or wear.
Once you’ve verified all wires are intact, a power cycle can help eliminate any malicious code in the system’s memory. Simply unplug your device, wait a few seconds, then plug it back in – this will restart all streams with audio and video synced up again.
Another possible solution is to reset the audio settings on your Roku device with the remote control. This should restore audio sync back to normal once again.
Resetting the audio settings on your television can also be beneficial, as improper configuration may cause lag in Roku audio. To do this, press and hold down the power button for 30 seconds.
After unplugging your television for 30 seconds, wait an additional 30 seconds before plugging it back in again. This will drain any residual power stored in its capacitors and allow you to fully “reset” all settings on your television.
If your Roku audio is still out of sync after trying these troubleshooting steps, it may be time to consult an expert. But before doing so, be sure to backup all your information and logins just in case something goes awry.
2. Clear Cache
Roku audio out of sync can be a frustrating problem, particularly when trying to enjoy your favorite shows. Fortunately, the problem is typically easy to resolve by following some straightforward troubleshooting steps.
The initial step in optimizing your device for faster performance is to check its memory for cached data. This refers to information stored about websites and apps you visit that has been stored on the device. Clearing this cache can free up space on the hard drive, helping it run more efficiently.
Depending on how often you visit websites or apps, there may be a lot of cached data stored on your device. Caching is an automated process built into every browser and app to store information about pages visited so they load faster the next time you access them.
Clearing your browser cache in most browsers is a quick and painless process that will make devices load faster and protect your browsing history. Here’s how:
Android phones and tablets also feature an automatic system for clearing cached data that can help speed up your device. To do this, go to Settings > Storage and select the option to Clear Cached Data.
Clearing the cache on a website or app allows your device to re-download all data stored on that particular platform. This process may take a few seconds, but will not impact the performance of other websites or applications you may be using.
If your Roku audio out of sync issues persist even after clearing cache, you can try reducing the bit rate. There are several options available; select one that works best for you.
Once you’ve selected a lower bit rate, restart your device and check to see if the audio is now synced. If not, repeat this process with an even lower bit rate until your issue is resolved.
If you’ve tried everything mentioned above and your Roku still appears to be experiencing audio out of sync with its speakers, consider resetting its factory default settings. Doing this will wipe out all customizations and settings you have made; however, sometimes this can be beneficial if other solutions don’t seem to solve the problem.
3. Reset
If you’re having trouble watching a show because the audio is out of sync, there are some steps you can take to help resolve the problem. These include power cycling your device, resetting your network connection and altering sound settings.
If none of these methods work for you, a reset of your Roku device might be the solution. This will return all settings back to their defaults and should solve your issue.
A factory reset is often the solution to many hardware issues, and this is an ideal option to try if your device is still under warranty. After the reset is complete, you can use your Roku to watch any shows or movies without worrying about audio being out of sync.
Prior to factory resetting your Roku, it is essential to check whether there are any software updates available for your device. If so, install them promptly.
Another potential cause of out-of-sync audio on Roku could be slow internet speed. Streaming services require a robust connection to run smoothly, so if yours isn’t up to par, it could be impacting the sound quality on your device.
Some users have reported that changing the volume mode on their remote control solved this problem. To do this, press either the Star or Asterisk (*) button on your remote and select the desired volume mode from the screen.
Resetting the volume mode on your Roku device should help remedy your audio out-of-sync issue. Note, though, that you cannot disable sound mode if playing content which isn’t being streamed.
If this doesn’t improve the sound quality, it may be time to check the audio settings on your Roku. There are two primary audio settings you can adjust: sound volume and audio leveling.
These settings can be found under the Advanced System Settings tab on your device. In order to access them, you must have a streaming service set up on your Roku.
If you don’t have access to streaming services on your Roku, setting up your TV to stream content from a cable box may work too. This will solve the audio out-of-sync issue and may be more cost effective than resetting audio on the Roku device.
4. Restart Streaming Service
When watching TV on a Roku, you may experience audio that lags behind the video. This can be an issue that affects all channels or just one. Fortunately, there are several solutions to fix this problem.
First, ensure your TV is connected to the internet correctly. Slow or broken connections can negatively impact streaming quality, leading to out of sync audio problems. Furthermore, make sure the Ethernet cable connecting your television and router isn’t damaged or defective.
Next, try rebooting your Roku to see if that fixes the issue. Simply unplug the power cable from your device and wait a few seconds before plugging it back in again.
After some time has elapsed, you should be able to restart your Roku and the issue should be fixed. This step is essential since it will reset all device settings back to their original state when you purchased it.
Another solution to your issue may be changing your streaming service. For instance, if Netflix’s video is freezing while audio is out of sync, try switching to Hulu or another service instead.
If the sync problem persists after switching your streaming service, it could be due to a hardware issue such as physical deformation or cracks in the device.
Another possible cause of lag could be software issues. Fortunately, most software issues can be easily solved through troubleshooting steps like those mentioned above. You could also factory reset your Roku device to restore its default settings and get it running like when you bought it; however, be aware that doing so will delete all login information and data; thus it’s recommended that you back up all pertinent data beforehand.