Audio Issues On TCL Roku TV: How To Fix [2023]

Truth is, even though I have had many Roku devices over the years, the TCL Roku TV is one of my favorites, even if it does put on issues from time to time.

Audio issues of various magnitudes, from simple sync issues to not-so-simple volume drops and other accompanying artifacts, have become frequent with time on my TCL Roku TV of the recent.

Usually, a quick restart seems to take care of a good majority of such inconveniences. But in the off chance the issue persists, here are a few fixes that will come to your aid:

To fix audio issues on TCL Roku TV, check for updates and update the audio settings. Ensure a firm input/output connection if you have external Audio devices connected to the TV. Check the internet connectivity, HDMI connection, and remote control. If none of these work, factory reset the TCL Roku TV.

Let's now take a look at the many instances by which sound fails on a TCL Roku TV:

Scenario	Causes and Fixes
TCL Roku TV audio seems off while streaming	Network issue; check and restart the router or switch the network band
Audio output not good on external devices	Cable issue; ensure a tight cable fit at both ends. Opt for a replacement cable
Can't hear audio on new app	Software issue; remove and re-add the app. Check and update the TV
Other scenarios	Factory Reset the TV; contact customer support

Check the Internet Connectivity on TCL Roku TV

The Internet, the most essential commodity for streaming, has to be always stable. An unstable internet can cause all sorts of problems, sound issues being one of them.

Sync issues and dropouts manifest in the TV mostly due to a straggling network connection.

Check the speed of your network using speed testing software. If you notice instability, refresh the connection.

Do so by unplugging the router/modem and plugging it back in after a few seconds.

If you still have wavering sounds and sync issues, check out these tips:

Switch to a Wider Bandwidth

The traditional 2.4 GHz band WiFi comes with a considerable number of limitations. It cannot support a high amount of traffic/users simultaneously without compromising latency.

High latency will induce buffering, and in due time, sync issues.

A 5 GHz band can support higher traffic without compromising latency, although the effective range may fall a bit short.

If you have issues with audio while connected to the 2.4 GHz network (or the 5 GHz one), consider switching the network band.

Follow these steps to change the network. on your TCL Roku TV:

1. On the Home screen, click and open Settings.

2. Click on Network and select Wireless.

3. Select the 5 GHz band network and proceed to enter the password.

Connect via Ethernet

Another viable option is to establish a network through an Ethernet connection.

Ensure to use a good Ethernet cable, preferably the latest CAT cable available in the market.

To connect a wired connection, follow these steps.

1. From the Network tab, click and open Wired.

2. If you have a working Ethernet cable connected to the TV, it will automatically establish the connection.

Check for Updates

Updates make or break the optimal working of your device. A rundown firmware version can make the system laggy and cause all sorts of bugs and errors to brood in it.

Make sure to update the system routinely if it doesn't automatically do so. To check and update your device, follow these steps.

1. On the Home screen, click and open Settings

2. Scroll down and open the System option.

3. Select System Update.

4. Click on Check Now to manually check for updates and install them.

After completing the update, restart the system to bring into effect the new changes.

Power Cycle and Restart the Device

One of the simplest of fixes to most problems on your device is to refresh it. A more sensible option will be to power cycle the device.

A power cycle will eliminate any incumbent bugs and errors and make the device more efficient, especially if it has been running for a long time.

Simply unplug the TCL Roku TV off the socket and plug it back in after a few seconds (~30 seconds).

Alternatively, you can also reset the device from within the Roku interface. Follow these steps to restart your device.

1. On the Settings tab, click and open System.

2. Select Power, and then click on System Restart.

3. Click on Restart to complete the process.

Check the HDMI Connection

If you have a soundbar or an AVR connected to the TV, ensure a firm connection at both cable ends. A dangling HDMI connection will cause the audio and video to get distorted and messy.

Check the connection on the backside of the TV. Unplug the cable and plug it back in. Check if it's a snug fit.

If you still have issues with the connection, better switch the HDMI port. Connect to a different port and check if this helped. If it did work, the previous port must be damaged.

If changing the ports was of no use, you may want to take another look at the HDMI cable itself. Check if you are using a compatible HDMI cable.

Also, make sure there are no crooks or kinks in the cable when connected to the TV.

Check the Remote Control

Another error that may be hidden in blindsight is with the remote control.

Whether due to a spent battery or shoddy connectivity, the remote may not work properly, rendering the volume controls on your TV unresponsive.

You verify the same by manually changing the volume using the physical buttons on the TV.

You can also change the volume using the Roku app on your phone. If you can change the volume, the remote may have some issues.

Check the batteries on the remote. If they have dried up, replace them.

You can also reconnect the remote after unpairing it from the TV. This will help in staving off any communication errors.

To Unpair and reconnect the remote, follow these steps:

1. Turn OFF the TV and remove the batteries from the remote.
2. Then turn ON the TV and wait for the Home screen.
3. Reapply the batteries, and then press and hold the pairing button next to the battery compartment.
4. Wait for the LED to blink and then follow the onscreen prompts to pair the remote with the TV.

Tweak the Audio Settings

An ill-configured audio setting can have a drastic effect on the audio output. This ill-configuration may happen mostly after an update or after adding a new channel.

If that's the case, you will have to manually revert the settings to default, or in some cases, change to a new one.

To change the audio settings, follow these steps.

1. On the Settings tab, click and open Audio.

2. Here, you will find 3 options- TV speakers, menu volume, and S/PDIF and ARC.

3. Make sure the TV speakers option is enabled to get audio output from the TV speakers. Disable this option if you have an external audio device connected to the TV.

4. The Menu volume option decides the volume level while interacting with the Shield TV. Best to leave it at medium. If you have issues with menu sound volumes, try tweaking the setting.

5. S/PDIF and ARC option decides the type of sound format. By default, it is set to auto. If it has been altered, change it back to Auto. If it was already set to auto, try changing it to PCM-stereo or Dolby D.

After configuring the settings, restart the TV and then check for issues.

Change Volume Modes While Streaming

Another nifty feature on certain Roku devices is its ability to adjust the volume depending on the time of the day. It does so by automatically changing the volume modes.

You can enable or disable this mode while streaming.

But this setting has been reported to be bugged out and cause audio-related issues frequently. You may want to turn OFF the auto-leveling feature on this setting to make such issues disappear.

To change the setting, follow these steps.

1. While playing content on your Roku TV, press the * button on the remote to bring up the options menu.

2. Select Volume Modes and make sure to set it to OFF.

3. If it is already set to OFF, change it to Leveling.

Restart the device and check for further problems.

Fix AV Sync Issues

AV sync issues can arise out of numerous sources, like the internet connectivity issue I mentioned earlier.

Some Roku-specific features can also cause the TCL Roku TV audio out-of-sync issue.

One such feature is the Auto Refresh rate option.

This feature will automatically match the TV's frame rate to that of the content being played. This can, in certain instances, cause AV sync issues.

To turn OFF this feature, follow these steps.

1. In the Settings tab, navigate and select the System option.

2. Click on Advanced System Settings.

3. Select Advanced Display Settings.

4. Turn OFF the "Auto adjust Display Refresh rate" option.

You should also try and set the Sound format to PCM-Stereo by following the steps from Tweak the Audio settings if you have sync issues.

Restart the device and try watching content now.

Check if Private Listening is ON on the Roku App

If you have recently used your phone as a remote using the Roku app, check if you have inadvertently switched on private listening.

This can be done by opening the Roku app and checking if the headphone icon on the top of the remote interface is ON.

Ensure to turn it OFF since if it is enabled, it will disable the TV audio. Hence, rendering your streaming audio mute.

Restart the device and check if it was helpful.

Factory Reset the TCL Roku TV

Did none of these tips prove to be fruitful to you? You might as well factory reset your TV as a last-resort fix.

Factory resetting will revert all your personal preferences and made changes to the factory defaults.

It will also remove all the channels you have added to the device.

To Reset your device, follow these steps.

1. In the Settings tab, click and open System.

2. Click on Advanced System settings and then Factory Reset.

3. Enter the special code and click OK.

4. Wait for the process to complete. Set up your TV from scratch and check for the problem.

Final thoughts

Apart from such time-consuming fixes, you may want to check the basic things like if the mute button is on.

If the issue is with an app, changing the audio/sound settings on the app could work. You could also remove the app and install it again to fix the issue.

If your TCL Roku TV sound is still not working, contact Roku or TCL Support.

Happy Streaming.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is my Roku TV audio so bad?

If the audio output from your Roku TV seems to be distorted or out of sync, check if the cables connected to the TV are of a good make and have a snug fit. Updating the TV firmware will take care of bugs and other nasty errors. A factory reset may help you revert things back to normal.

Does Roku have Dolby sound?

Select Roku models, like the Roku Ultra, and a whole host of Roku TVs offer Dolby Atmos and other surround sound offerings as standard.

You May Also Enjoy Reading

• Roku Remote Beeping Sound [2023]
• Roku Keeps Freezing: How To Fix [2023]
• WiFi Issues On TCL Roku TV: How To Fix [2023]
• Channels Issues On TCL Roku TV: How To Fix [2023]
• Watch Party On Roku - Is it Possible? [2023]
• Roku Audio Out of Sync: How to Fix in Seconds [2023]