Roku Audio Out of Sync: How to Fix in Seconds [2023]

written by

Doug Stevenson

updated March 03, 2023

Roku rarely disappoints when it comes to video streaming, but recently I have noticed some audio sync issues that somewhat hinder the experience.

The sound would simply lag once the stream is paused and would refuse to sync back up automatically, leading to a frustrating viewing experience.

With a quick search, I got to know that this issue is a lot more common than I initially thought, paving the way for me to make this troubleshooting guide on fixing this issue.

If your Roku audio is out of sync, check the hardware and cables. If there are no signs of damage, turn off the volume mode and audio leveling, and power cycle the Roku. If none of the above works, factory reset the Roku.

Read on to find out how to troubleshoot your Roku with audio out-of-sync issues.

Check Your Roku Hardware for Damages

Before moving further, it is important to first check the basics and verify whether the issue is Roku's fault or something on your end.

An audio desync is a very rudimentary problem with audio and video devices and can be caused by a number of reasons.

Hardware issues can cause the Roku audio and video to be out of sync. This can affect all forms of Roku, be it their external streaming solutions or their inbuilt smart TVs.

Check your Roku's body for any physical deformation or dents, including the input ports. If there are any ruptures in the unit, there is a chance for dust to settle inside the device, triggering issues.

If there are any holes or port deformations in the Roku device that aren't supposed to be there, contact Roku and get it patched. Alternatively, as an immediate fix, you can cover it up.

In the case of internal damage, a visit to an authorized Roku service center can help solve any fixable issues and they will clean up the internals as well, getting rid of the dust.

Check the Cables and Connections

The cables are just as important as the hardware of the Roku device. A faulty cable can cause a plethora of issues relating to audio and video desync.

A cable is the transmission line of all signals from the Roku device to the external TV output. Any obstacle in its path of transfer will lead to a loss in signal, leading to a desync.

Check the HDMI and power cables for any noticeable wear and tear. If you notice any red flags, change the cables. Make sure the cables match the required specifications.

It is best to get a replacement cable from a reputed brand from an authorized reseller like Bestbuy or Amazon.

Also check the connections of the cable, whether it fits perfectly with the input ports and shows no sign of a loose connection.

Turn Off Volume Mode and Audio Leveling on your Roku

This audio desync issue, fortunately, is an issue that has been acknowledged by Roku, and a solution to the issue has been officially provided by Roku.

The solution is to simply turn off volume mode and audio leveling from the settings.

To turn off the volume mode and audio leveling on your Roku device, simply follow the following steps:

From the home screen of your Roku, press the star (*) button on your Roku remote.
From the resultant menu, navigate to the Volume Mode setting.
If enabled, toggle the Volume Mode off by scrolling right.
Navigate to the Audio Levelling setting
If enabled, toggle the Audio Levelling off by scrolling right.

This should solve your audio desync issues.

This also seems to be the core factor causing the audio desync problems, as this step worked out for almost all users that faced the issue.

That being said, this still means that the volume mode and audio leveling settings are broken and not working as they should be.

If you want to experience the benefits of the Volume Mode and Audio Levelling as it is intended to be, you might have to wait for a while, till Roku pushes out an update fixing the bug.

Power Cycle Your Roku Device

If Roku's recommended solution doesn't work for you, then this could be an issue relating to a temporary bug or hindrance that somehow crept into the system.

The best solution to clean out this temporary bug is to perform a reboot- both on the software as well as the hardware side of the Roku.

This also refreshes the Roku, negating any issues with slowness related to the Roku device.

A software reboot is simply a quick and safe reboot of the software inside the Roku device. This can be performed by simply following the following steps:

Navigate to the Home menu of the Roku.
Click on the Settings option.
Click on the System option.
Select the System Restart option.
Select Restart to begin the restart process.

This soft reboots your Roku device.

Along with the soft reboot, do a proper power cycle of your Roku too. A power cycle is similar to a soft reboot, but it is meant as a reboot for the hardware components inside the Roku.

A power cycle resets all the charges in the internal components of the Roku device, refreshing the system and getting rid of any misbehaving charges that might have been causing issues.

To power cycle your Roku device simply follows the following steps:

Turn off and unplug the Roku device from its wall socket.
Let it sit idle for a full minute powered off.
During this wait, long press the buttons on the body of the Roku for about 10 seconds to deplete all its charge.
Plug it back into the wall socket and turn on the Roku device.
Let it sit idle powered on for a full minute before operating the device.

This will power cycle your Roku device properly.

It is also important to power cycle your Roku remote too, as it is the primary navigation system that links you to your Roku device.

To power cycle your Roku remote, simply follow the following steps:

Remove the batteries of the Roku remote.
Let it sit idle for a full minute powered off.
During this wait, long press the buttons on the Roku remote for about 10 seconds to deplete all its charge.
Put in the batteries and turn on the Roku remote. Replace batteries with new ones if necessary.
Let it sit idle powered on for a full minute before operating the device.

This will power cycle your Roku remote properly.

Factory Reset Your Roku Device

If your Roku TV audio is still out of sync, then the only option is to perform a factory reset on your Roku device.

A factory reset will wipe out all data from your Roku device and clean out any potential bugs that might have latched onto the system.

But this also means that all user data will be lost, along with linked accounts. So you might need to log back into all services from scratch.

Also make sure to take appropriate backups of your data before proceeding, as performing a factory reset will wipe everything and it will be just like when you first unboxed it.

To factory reset your Roku device, simply follow the following steps:

Navigate to the Home menu of the Roku.
Click on the Settings option.
Click on the System option.
Select Advanced System Settings.
Select Factory Reset.
Confirm your selection by clicking Factory Reset Everything.

This will factory reset your Roku device back to just like it was when you first bought it.

Final Thoughts

Roku has a fantastic lineup of devices that target consumers looking for a cheap and cost-effective solution to their media streaming needs.

Pushing aside the few glaring issues that pop up at times, like this audio desync issue, it is a safe purchase for anyone looking into adding a smart home experience to their lives.

Fortunately, the Roku developers are always listening and providing solutions to issues pretty quickly.

This combined with a little bit of troubleshooting from our end leads to a great experience in general.

I hope my troubleshooting article on fixing the audio desync issues on your Roku device has been a knowledgeable read and has helped you solve the same.

Have a good day!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can my Roku TV play audio via the HDMI port?

All Roku TV models have HDMI ARC-supported ports and hence can transfer audio along with video seamlessly.

Can Roku TVs pair with a Bluetooth speaker?

Roku TV has Bluetooth functionality but can only pair with Roku TV Wireless speakers and Roku Smart Soundbar.

Does Roku have a subscription plan?

Roku is a free-to-use service after the device is bought. But you will need to pay in order to subscribe to other third-party channels like Netflix and Prime Video.

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Doug Stevenson

Hey! I'm Doug, My passion for tech started by fixing phones and computers for my friends and family.

I started Blinqblinq to give reliable tech advice to anyone who needs it, for free! If you have questions on anything tech-related, feel free to contact me.

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