TV showing a person speaking with a soundbar below

Why Is My TV Audio Out of Sync?

When voices do not match lip movements, the problem is almost always a processing delay somewhere between your source, TV, and speakers.

Usually, a setting adjustment fixes it. This guide walks through the common causes.

Why Audio and Video Fall Out of Sync

TV with a soundbar and wireless speaker in a living room

Video processing in a TV, especially with upscaling and motion features, can take longer than audio processing. If audio goes out through a soundbar, receiver, or Bluetooth device, that adds another delay.

When the chain isn’t balanced, either the picture or the sound arrives late.

Turn on Game or PC Mode and Reduce Processing

TV mode selection menu with a hand holding a remote

Switching to Game mode or turning off extra picture processing lowers video delay. This is the quickest fix when sound arrives before the picture.

See our TV settings guide for what these modes do.

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Use the Audio Delay or Lip-Sync Setting

Person adjusting an audio delay setting on a TV

Most TVs, soundbars, and receivers have an audio delay or lip-sync adjustment. Add a small delay if sound arrives early, or reduce it if it arrives late, adjusting in small steps until speech matches.

Some devices also have an auto lip-sync feature that works over HDMI.

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Check the Connection Type

HDMI and optical cables plugged into the back of a TV

HDMI ARC or eARC, optical, and Bluetooth all handle delay differently. Bluetooth typically adds noticeable lag, so avoid it for movies if you can.

Optical cannot carry some formats and may cause delays when switching formats. If you use a soundbar or receiver, try eARC; see what eARC is and how to connect a soundbar to any TV.

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Check the Audio Format

TV audio output format menu

Switching between surround and stereo can create delay, particularly with streaming apps. Try setting the output to PCM or stereo to see if sync improves.

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Update, Restart, and Isolate the Problem

Person unplugging a streaming stick to restart it

Update firmware on the TV, soundbar, and streaming device, then restart each.

Test the same video on a different app or device to see whether the delay is in one source or all of them. If it is only one app, the app is the problem.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the audio ahead of the video?

The TV is processing video more slowly than audio. Turn on Game mode or add an audio delay.

Why is audio behind the video?

The audio path, such as Bluetooth or a soundbar, is adding delay. Reduce delay or use a wired connection.

Does Bluetooth cause lip sync problems?

Often, especially on older devices. Low-latency Bluetooth codecs or a wired connection help.

Can a cable cause sync problems?

Rarely, but a bad HDMI cable can cause drops. See HDMI cables explained.

Does the problem affect all apps?

If only one app is off, reinstall or update it. If all apps are affected, adjust TV or audio device settings.

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