Why is my audio out of sync with the video?

Audio-video sync problems (lip-sync errors) usually come from audio processing delay — often a soundbar or AV receiver, or a TV's audio settings — or from the app or stream itself. The most common fixes are toggling the TV's audio-delay/lip-sync setting, restarting the app, and switching the audio output format. A quick restart resolves many cases.

How do I fix lip-sync on a soundbar or AV receiver?

Most soundbars and AV receivers have an audio-delay or lip-sync setting — adjust it in small steps until speech matches the picture. Audio passed to external speakers is processed slightly later than the on-screen video, so a small positive delay usually aligns them. Check both the TV's and the sound system's sync settings.

Why does sync drift the longer I watch?

If audio and video start aligned but drift apart over time, it usually points to the app, the stream, or a device struggling to keep up rather than a fixed audio delay. Restart the app or device, try a different quality, and update the app. A fixed offset is a settings issue; progressive drift is usually a playback or source problem.

Does changing the audio format fix sync issues?

Often, yes. Switching the audio output — for example from Dolby/passthrough to PCM/Stereo, or vice versa — changes how and where the audio is decoded, which can remove a processing delay causing the mismatch. If lip-sync is off with surround formats, try setting the device or app audio to PCM to see if it aligns.

How do I fix audio sync on Fire TV or Apple TV?

On Fire TV, restart the app, and in Settings try switching the audio output (e.g. to PCM) or toggling Dolby. On Apple TV, check Settings, Video and Audio, and use the built-in wireless audio sync tool with an iPhone. On both, a TV or soundbar lip-sync/audio-delay setting is often the real fix for external speakers.

Fix Audio/Video Out of Sync in 2026: Complete Guide

The fastest fix for audio out of sync is to restart the app or device, then adjust your TV’s or soundbar’s audio-delay (lip-sync) setting until speech matches the picture. Most sync problems come from audio processing delay in external speakers or an app hiccup, not the video. This guide lists causes by likelihood, gives graduated diagnosis steps, and includes a diagnosis table and per-device fixes. It relates to our audio formats and HDMI guides.

A TV showing lip-sync mismatch with an audio-delay adjustment slider — Lip-sync off? Restart, then nudge the audio-delay setting until speech matches.

Causes, Most to Least Common

External speaker delay — a soundbar or AV receiver processes audio slightly later than the picture.
TV audio settings — a lip-sync/audio-delay value set wrong, or an audio-processing mode.
App or stream glitch — a temporary hiccup, cleared by a restart.
Audio format/passthrough — a decoding delay with Dolby/surround passthrough.
Underpowered device — struggling to keep audio and video aligned over time.

Diagnosis: Easiest First

Restart the app, then the device — clears most temporary glitches.
Adjust the audio-delay (lip-sync) setting on the TV in small steps.
Check the soundbar/AV receiver sync setting if you use external speakers.
Switch the audio format — try PCM/Stereo instead of Dolby/passthrough (or vice versa).
Update the app; try another app or title to see if it’s source-specific.

A diagnosis flow for audio-video sync from restart to audio format — Restart first, then audio-delay, then external speakers, then audio format.

Diagnosis Table

Symptom	Likely cause	Fix
Fixed offset with a soundbar	External speaker delay	Adjust soundbar/AVR audio-delay
Off on the TV speakers too	TV audio setting	Toggle TV lip-sync/audio-delay
Fine, then drifts over time	App/stream or slow device	Restart; try another quality/app
Only with surround sound	Passthrough decode delay	Switch audio to PCM/Stereo
Off in one app only	App bug	Update or reinstall the app

By Device

Fire TV: in Settings → Display & Sounds → Audio, try switching to PCM or toggling Dolby; restart the app.
Apple TV: use the built-in wireless audio sync tool (with an iPhone) and check Settings → Video and Audio.
Android TV: adjust audio output format and any A/V sync option in settings.
Smart TV + soundbar: the TV’s and soundbar’s lip-sync settings are the usual fix for external audio.

The Bottom Line

Audio-video sync problems are almost always audio processing delay or a temporary glitch: restart first, then nudge the TV’s or soundbar’s audio-delay setting until speech matches, and try switching the audio format. A fixed offset is a settings fix; progressive drift usually means restarting the app or device. Understand the tech in our audio formats guide and HDMI guide, fix related issues in our buffering and poor quality guides, and start from our streaming troubleshooting checklist, and look up any term in the streaming glossary.