Is your Roku TV or streaming device suddenly not outputting sound correctly? No sound, low volume, or sound cutting out can be frustrating to deal with. But don’t worry – in most cases, you can restore audio reasonably quickly by following some basic steps.
In this guide, we’ll explore the most common issues and you walk through different solutions to try and get your audio back working properly from your Roku device or smart TV.
What Are the Most Common Audio Problems?
Before jumping into fixes, let’s look at some of the typical audio issues that can occur with Roku devices:
- No sound at all – The most obvious symptom is when your TV produces no audio whatsoever, even though video is playing fine. This points to a problem with audio configuration or connections.
- Low volume – The volume may have been turned down very low or muted accidentally. Easily resolved by adjusting the volume settings.
- Sound cuts in and out – Intermittent loss of audio usually indicates a loose cable or a Wi-Fi connectivity issue.
- Audio and video out of sync – Known as “lip sync” problems, this mismatch between audio and video can be annoying. Often requires a settings or connection fix.
- Sound distortion or static – Warped, muffled, or staticky sound suggests signal interference or an incompatible audio format.
- Surround sound not working – If your home theater audio like Dolby Atmos isn’t outputting correctly, specific troubleshooting steps are needed.
- External speakers not working – Roku devices sometimes have issues with soundbars and other external audio setups. May require an ARC connection.
Let’s explore some of the most effective ways to troubleshoot and resolve many audio problems like these, so you can get your sound back up and running quickly.
What to Do If You Don’t Hear Sound from Your Roku
If you’re experiencing a lack of sound from your Roku device but can still see the picture on your TV, it means your Roku is powered on and the correct input is selected. Here are some key troubleshooting steps to try and get your audio back:
Check Your Roku’s Sound Settings
First, verify that your Roku’s sound settings are configured correctly:
- Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
- Navigate to Settings > Audio.
- Try changing the Audio mode to Stereo or a different compatible format.
- Ensure the Volume mode matches your audio setup (Fixed or Variable).
- For advanced options, navigate to Settings > System > Audio and adjust HDMI and S/PDIF output settings if needed.
Next, confirm your TV’s audio settings are correct as well:
- Using your TV remote, access the Audio/Sound menu.
- Make sure TV speakers are enabled if not using an external audio device.
- For external audio, check that the correct HDMI ARC port is selected for sound output.
- Turn off any audio options that could interfere, like Secondary Audio Program (SAP).
Ensure your Roku and TV sound settings are compatible with your home theater configuration.
Check Your Roku’s Connections
Loose or faulty cables can often cause sound issues with Roku devices. To troubleshoot:
If connecting directly to your TV:
- Check that the HDMI cable is securely plugged in at both ends.
- Try a different HDMI port on your TV to rule out a bad port.
- Replace the HDMI cable with a new high-speed one to eliminate potential cable damage.
- For streaming sticks, ensure the device is fully seated. Consider using an extender if needed.
- If using composite cables, check that the red/white audio connectors are snugly attached.
If connecting through an AVR or soundbar:
- Verify the correct input is selected on the AVR/soundbar.
- Check volume levels and mute settings on both the TV and AVR/soundbar.
- Inspect cable connections between the Roku, AVR/soundbar, and TV.
- Try a different input on the AVR/soundbar, and swap out cables one at a time.
For optical cable connections:
- Remove the protective caps from each end before connecting.
- On your Roku, go to Settings > Audio > Digital output format and select Dolby Digital.
Still No Sound? Factory Reset Your Roku
If you’ve checked settings and connections but sound issues persist, try resetting your Roku back to factory settings. This erases your preferences but can resolve stubborn audio glitches:
- On the remote, press Home 5 times.
- Press Up, Rewind 2 times, then Fast Forward 2 times.
- Select Factory reset and let the device reboot.
- Set up your Roku again and test the audio.
For Roku streaming sticks or players without a remote, use the physical reset button on the device.
Press and hold for 10 seconds until the status light flashes, then release and wait for it to restart.
Why Does Roku Sound Keep Cutting Out
If your sound keeps cutting in and out, or you’re getting intermittent audio drops, try these fixes:
Check Your Network Connection
Roku devices rely on a stable network connection for smooth streaming. To investigate the problem:
- Run a speed test on your internet connection. If your internet download speed is consistently greater than the values below, you should be able to reliably stream content with the listed resolution.
- Standard definition, or SD: You may need 3Mbps or more
- High definition, or HD: You may need 5Mbps or more
- 4K Ultra HD, or 4K UHD: You may need up to 25Mbps
- 8K Ultra HD, or 8K UHD: You may need up to 30Mbps or more
- For Wi-Fi, try moving your Roku closer to the router or connecting to a 5GHz network if available.
- Use the Check connection tool in settings to test signal strength.
- Connect your Roku directly to your router with an Ethernet cable to rule out Wi-Fi interference.
If your Wi-Fi network has a weak or inconsistent signal, audio may cut out while streaming on your Roku.
Adjust Video Quality Settings
Lowering your Roku TV video resolution and bitrate may help with sound cutouts. With your remote select Settings > Display type and try a lower resolution like 720p.
Reducing video bandwidth leaves more for the audio stream, minimizing interruptions.
Why Does Roku Volume Keep Going Out or Sound Low?
If you’re experiencing a problem where the audio keeps cutting out or the volume is too low, you’re not alone. This is a common problem reported in the Roku community. Luckily, there are several steps you can take when sound is not working.
Check Your Roku Remote and Volume Settings
Remotes have dedicated volume controls that could be the source of your problem.
Here’s what to check:
- Look to see if the volume up/down or mute buttons are stuck or jammed.
- Install fresh batteries in your Roku remote.
- Re-pair the remote with your device under Settings > Remote > Pair remote.
- Try using the Roku mobile app as a backup remote to rule out remote hardware problems.
- If you’re watching content from an external device (e.g. set-top box, Blu-ray player, game console) connected to your Roku TV, make sure the device’s volume is turned up and not muted.
Adjust the Audio Settings
Automatic Volume Leveling may be lowering your overall volume. To turn it off:
- Press the Home button on your remote
- Press Settings > Audio
- Select Volume mode
- Choose Off to disable leveling and allow the full dynamic range
You can also enable Night mode from this menu, which amplifies softer sounds and reduces loud sounds to prevent disturbing others.
If you have a Roku Streambar or Smart Soundbar, launch any streaming channel and press the Star button to access Sound settings. From here you can switch between Off, Leveling and Night volume modes during playback.
Check Your TV or AVR Volume
Make sure your TV or AV receiver’s master volume isn’t turned down or muted:
- Use the volume buttons on your TV remote or receiver remote to turn up volume.
- Disable Mute if enabled on any of your audio devices.
- For external speakers, verify all devices in the chain are powered on and not muted.
Sometimes the simplest explanation for low volume is that one of your devices needs turning up.
How to Fix Lip Sync Issues on Roku
Audio and video that are out of sync (lip sync errors) are a common complaint with Roku streaming.
Here are some ways to get audio and video back in sync:
- Under Roku Settings > Audio, try changing the HDMI mode from Auto detect to a specific format like PCM-Stereo.
- On Roku Settings > System > Advanced system settings, try different Audio delay (+) or (-) values to realign the audio.
- In your TV’s menu, look for an audio delay or lip sync adjustment to get sound matching up to video.
- Connect your Roku directly to the TV and bypass the AVR or soundbar, then re-test lip sync. If it’s resolved, your external audio device may not be processing audio fast enough.
- Disable and enable Audio passthrough for certain audio codecs like Dolby Digital Plus in AVR settings.
Getting audio and video perfectly in sync on Roku often requires some trial and error in tweaking device settings.
Contacting Roku Support
If you’ve exhausted all the troubleshooting tips above and still can’t resolve your Roku TV sound issues, it may be time to contact Roku Support:
- Visit https://support.roku.com/contactus to start a live chat or submit a help request.
- Call Roku Support at (816) 272-8106 or check here for international numbers.
- Tweet @RokuSupport for help, or head to the Roku community forums to see if others have found solutions.
The support team can provide more specific guidance and assistance for stubborn sound problems.
Recap: Fixing Common Sound Issues
To recap, here are key steps to take when you encounter audio issues:
- Check your Roku device and TV sound settings for correct configuration
- Inspect HDMI cables and connections for damage or looseness
- Reset your device to the factory default settings as a last resort to resolve glitches
- For audio drops, check Wi-Fi and try lowering video quality
- Address low volume by checking the remote and turning off leveling
- Adjust lip sync and passthrough settings if audio and video are mismatched
- Check with Roku Support if nothing else has fixed your sound issues
With some patience and troubleshooting, you can resolve most problems and get your sound back for uninterrupted streaming. Just work through the possibilities until you find the right fix.