How to Fix Common Soundbar Problems – Review Geek

Get your soundbar again in working order with these easy directions.

Trendy TVs are extremely skinny and have awful built-in speakers. Consequently, soundbars are marketed as a fast and straightforward resolution to dangerous TV audio. And whereas soundbars often work simply nice, issues are inevitable and irritating.

Fortunately, soundbar issues are pretty simple to pin down. And you may at all times go nuclear with a manufacturing unit reset, if obligatory. Listed below are some frequent soundbar issues, plus the options you’re looking for.

Earlier than Troubleshooting, Attempt These Fast Fixes

• Energy Cycle: Attempt unplugging your TV and soundbar from the wall for no less than 10 seconds. This forces the TV and soundbar to reestablish their connection, which may remedy glitches and different issues. (The ability button doesn’t utterly flip these gadgets off, therefore the necessity to unplug them.)
• Verify Soundbar Audio Supply: Your soundbar could also be attempting to play audio from the fallacious supply. Choose your required enter (often HDMI or optical) from a button on the soundbar or its distant.
• Firmware Replace: In case your soundbar all of the sudden stops working correctly, or if a brand new soundbar simply gained’t work, a wise TV firmware replace often is the reply to your issues. Be sure you energy cycle your TV and soundbar after the replace is put in. (In case you desire to maintain your sensible TV offline, you’ll be able to disconnect it from the web after updating.)
• Verify Your Connections: Make it possible for there aren’t any free connections between your TV and soundbar. In case your soundbar and TV are linked through HDMI cable, make sure that you’re utilizing the HDMI ARC or eARC jack on each gadgets. (And for those who’re utilizing Bluetooth, strive a wired connection)
• Attempt One other Cable: Even the most effective HDMI cables break. Attempt utilizing a brand new one. I counsel shopping for an HDMI 2.1 cable, as it can assist each the HDMI ARC and eARC requirements.
• Verify Video Supply Settings: Your streaming stick, cable field, DVD participant, or sport console often is the supply of your issues. Verify its audio settings—allow “consolation noise” if obtainable, set its audio output mode to “auto,” and calibrate any audio sync settings if obtainable.

In fact, some issues could also be resolved by a manufacturing unit reset. You may manufacturing unit reset each your sensible TV and soundbar by following the producer’s directions—the method differs from model to model, so seek the advice of your instruction manuals or carry out a Google seek for your gear’s manuals.

Soundbar Received’t Hook up with the TV

Soundbars are very simple to arrange, and customarily talking, you shouldn’t have any issues for those who observe the producer’s directions. However listed here are some steps you can take in case your soundbar gained’t connect with your TV.

• Comply with the Instruction Guide: I do know it’s preachy, however you need to actually observe the producer’s directions when putting in a soundbar.
• Verify Your Cables: Search for any free connections between your TV and soundbar. In case you’re utilizing an HDMI ARC or eARC connection, ensure you’re utilizing the proper ports in your TV and soundbar. They need to be labeled “ARC” or “eARC.”
• Attempt a New Cable: HDMI cables can break, and older HDMI cables could not assist the ARC or eARC requirements. So, strive a brand new cable. If HDMI provides you hassle, strive optical or AUX.
• Set Your TV’s Audio Output: Go into your sensible TV’s settings and make it possible for the proper audio output is chosen. In case you’re at present on the “auto” setting, strive the “AMP,” “audio system,” or “digital” setting as a substitute. (If these steps don’t work, reenable the “auto” setting.)
• Attempt Disabling eARC: Some soundbars and HDMI cables don’t assist eARC. Attempt disabling the eARC setting in your sensible TV. (If disabling eARC doesn’t repair something, reenable it! The eARC normal gives higher-quality sound than fundamental HDMI ARC.)
• Allow HDMI-CEC: Open your TV’s settings and enable HDMI-CEC. This enables your TV and soundbar to speak.
• Firmware Replace: Attempt updating your TV’s firmware. It sounds foolish, however it typically works.

When all else fails, seek the advice of your soundbar’s instruction guide to carry out a manufacturing unit reset. This often entails a singular button mixture. You can additionally attain out to the producer, as you could have a defective soundbar.

Soundbar Is Glitchy, Quiet, or Noisy

Does your soundbar sound a bit uncommon? If it at all times sounds bizarre, a free or damaged cable could also be in charge (otherwise you’ve simply received your quantity settings fallacious). But when this drawback happens after a number of hours of playback, it’s in all probability a software program concern.

• Soundbar At all times Sounds Bizarre:
  • HDMI Connection: Attempt changing the HDMI cable between your TV and soundbar (I counsel utilizing an HDMI 2.1 cable, as it can assist each HDMI ARC and eARC). If attainable, arrange an optical or AUX connection to slim down the issue.
  • Optical or AUX Connection: Flip down your soundbar and crank the audio in your TV. If the audio sign hitting your soundbar is just too “quiet,” it could trigger issues or introduce noise.
  • Verify TV Settings: Your TV’s audio mode could sound disagreeable. Cycle between the audio modes (sport, cinema, night time mode, and so forth) to see if any resolve the issue.
•  Soundbar Audio Will get Bizarre After a Few Hours:
  • Replace Your TV: In case your soundbar begins to sound glitchy after a number of hours of video playback, it’s in all probability a software program drawback. Attempt updating your sensible TV to see if it resolves the problem. (Be sure you energy cycle the soundbar and TV after updating).
  • Replace Streaming Apps: If attainable, replace your streaming apps. They could be accountable for this drawback.
  • Exchange Your Cables: Perhaps your cables are failing. Attempt utilizing new ones.

Notice that these points could also be attributable to producer defects. Carry out a Google search to see if anybody else has encountered these issues with the identical mannequin of soundbar. Or, attain out to the producer.

Encompass Sound Received’t Work

Most soundbars supply some type of encompass sound. This can be achieved utilizing further audio system, although it’s not unusual for a standalone soundbar to supply digital encompass sound by DTS X or DTS Digital:X. Fortunately, in case your soundbar isn’t outputting encompass sound audio, the issue is often simple to repair.

First, let me clarify one thing. In case your soundbar got here with a bunch of additional audio system, you’re having fun with Dolby Atmos audio. Soundbars with DTS X reproduce a real encompass sound sign (utilizing a number of channels of audio out of your video supply), whereas DTS Digital:X takes fundamental stereo audio and converts it to a multi-channel format.

• Verify Your Content material: Some exhibits, motion pictures, and streaming apps are solely blended for stereo audio. Clearly, this doesn’t matter when utilizing DTS Digital:X.
• Soundbar Settings: Verify your soundbar’s settings utilizing the included distant (or TV interface, if obtainable). You could have to manually allow encompass sound. Notice {that a} soundbar’s “music” mode will flip off any of your encompass or rear audio system, whereas “all channel stereo” will play 2.0-channel stereo audio by all your audio system.
• TV and Video Supply Settings: Verify your TV and video supply settings, as they might be set to “stereo.” I’ve run into this drawback with sport consoles and streaming sticks.
• Cable Alternative: Be sure you use an HDMI 2.1 cable for full HDMI ARC and eARC assist. If encompass sound is a precedence, skip the optical cable, because it lacks the bandwidth of HDMI.

These steps ought to remedy most encompass sound issues. Sadly, encompass sound is a troublesome subject with loads of shifting elements. For added assist, you’ll have to seek the advice of your soundbar’s guide or contact the producer.

Greatest HDMI 2.1 Cable

Video and Audio Are Out of Sync

The software program in your TV and soundbar ought to stop any audiovisual syncing points. But when your video is forward of your audio, or vice-versa, there are a number of steps you’ll be able to take to resolve the issue.

• Check Your TV’s Audio system: Unplug your soundbar or disable it inside your TV’s settings. Then, see in case your TV’s built-in audio system are out of sync. If that’s the case, strive updating your sensible TV’s firmware, or carry out a manufacturing unit reset following the producer’s directions.
• Check Enter Sources: Check a wide range of video sources together with your TV. Your DVD participant, streaming stick, cable field, or sport console could also be accountable for audiovisual issues. If that’s the case, test in case your video supply has an “Audio/Video Sync” or “Lip Sync” setting. (I’ve encountered this drawback on a number of Android streaming sticks.)
• Plug Every thing Into Your Soundbar: As an alternative of plugging video sources into your TV, plug them into your soundbar’s HDMI ports. This will resolve audiovisual sync issues and video decoding issues. (Notice that this setup requires HDMI ARC or eARC.)
• Check Streaming Apps: If audiovisual issues solely happen in a single streaming app, that exact app might be in charge. You may strive updating or reinstalling the app, however it’s possible you’ll want to attend for a repair from the app developer. (This concern might also point out an issue together with your soundbar’s Dolby Atmos processing.)
• Flip Off Audio Processing: Soundbars typically function audio processing applied sciences that imitate encompass sound. Attempt turning off audio processing or virtualized Dolby Atmos in your soundbar, or set your TV’s output to PCM. Notice that these settings could scale back audio high quality.
• Alter Your TV Settings: Your TV could supply an “Audio/Video Sync” or “Lip Sync” setting.
• Swap to Wired Audio: Wi-fi audio, equivalent to Bluetooth, can introduce a ton of latency. I counsel utilizing a wired connection every time attainable.

Audio sync is usually a troublesome drawback to pin down, particularly in case you have loads of video sources. In case you’re determined for a fast repair, you may at all times change to an optical or AUX connection—if every part works nice if you unplug your soundbar and use your TV’s audio system, an optical or AUX connection must also work.

That stated, HDMI gives superior audio. You’ll need to resolve this concern even when audio works nice over optical or AUX cable.

Audio Nonetheless Comes Out of the TV’s Audio system

By default, sensible TVs will flip off their built-in audio system when a soundbar is linked. In case your soundbar and TV are enjoying audio concurrently, you’ll be able to rapidly repair the issue out of your TV’s settings. (If audio solely comes out of your TV, test our part on “Soundbar Won’t Connect to TV.”)

• Flip Off your TV’s Audio system: Verify for a “speaker” or “Twin Sound” setting in your TV. You could have to set this selection to “exterior audio system” or “auto” to stop audio from popping out of your TV’s built-in audio system.
• Allow HDMI-CEC: Open your TV’s settings and enable HDMI-CEC. This enables your TV and soundbar to speak and will resolve the issue.
• Firmware Replace: I’ve encountered this drawback a number of occasions, and in a single case, a TV firmware replace was the one factor that resolved the problem.

If the above steps fail, I counsel performing a manufacturing unit reset of your TV and soundbar. This course of differs from model to model, so seek the advice of your instruction guide or do a Google search.

My TV Distant Can’t Management My Soundbar

When linked through HDMI or optical cable, your TV distant ought to robotically achieve management of your soundbar’s energy and quantity settings. But when urgent the amount button in your TV distant doesn’t have an effect on your soundbar, it’s time to dig by some settings.

• HDMI-CEC: In case you’re utilizing an HDMI connection, open your TV’s settings and enable HDMI-CEC. This enables your TV and soundbar to speak and may resolve any issues together with your distant.
• Optical Output Setting: In case you’re utilizing an optical connection, test that your TV’s audio output is ready to “optical” or “optical digital.”

If these steps don’t work, strive unplugging your TV and soundbar for 10 seconds. You can additionally strive updating your sensible TV’s firmware (which solved this drawback for me just lately), or carry out a manufacturing unit reset utilizing your producers’ distinctive directions.

Sadly, your sensible TV and soundbar can not share a distant for those who’re utilizing an RCA or AUX connection. In both case, I counsel upgrading to an optical or HDMI connection for the most effective sound. (HDMI eARC is right, although it will not be supported by your soundbar or TV.)

Soundbar Randomly Disconnects from TV

In case your soundbar randomly disconnects out of your TV, it’s in all probability attributable to an energy-saver perform. It is a frequent drawback in amplifiers and powered audio system, which are inclined to depend on a quite simple auto-off perform—in the event that they don’t obtain an audio sign for a while, they flip off.

Typically talking, this drawback will solely happen over an optical, RCA, or AUX connection. In case you’re utilizing certainly one of these connection strategies, strive the next:

• Improve Audio Output: Flip down your soundbar and enhance the amount of your TV. This ensures that the soundbar receives a strong audio sign, which ought to stop the energy-saver mode from kicking in.
• Consolation Noise: Your sensible TV or streaming stick could supply a “consolation noise” setting, which gives a steady audio sign to the soundbar (exterior the vary of human listening to). If you will discover this setting, make it possible for it’s enabled.
• Verify Your Cables: A defective cable could also be accountable for this drawback. Attempt swapping in a brand new cable, or change to an HDMI ARC or eARC connection if attainable.

However what for those who encounter this drawback whereas utilizing an HDMI ARC or eARC connection? In that case, replace your sensible TV’s firmware, unplug every part from the wall for 10 seconds, and swap out your cables. You may as well test your sensible TV or soundbar settings for energy-saver modes, or strive enabling CEC in your TV’s settings—CEC permits your TV and soundbar to speak and share a distant management.

Soundbar Received’t Pair with Wi-fi Subwoofer

The common soundbar doesn’t produce a ton of bass, which is why wi-fi subwoofers are sometimes included (or offered alongside) soundbars. These wi-fi subwoofers are presupposed to robotically pair together with your soundbar, however for those who encounter an issue, the next steps ought to assist you get the bass pumping.

• Flip the Subwoofer’s Energy Swap: Wi-fi subwoofers often have an influence change. Be certain that your subwoofer is powered on. The subwoofer ought to use an LED to point its energy standing. (In case your subwoofer gained’t activate, strive a distinct outlet.)
• Energy Cycle Every thing: Unplug your soundbar, sensible TV, and subwoofer from the wall for no less than 10 seconds. This will likely resolve connection points between the soundbar and subwoofer.
• Verify for a Pairing Button: In case your wi-fi subwoofer has a pairing button, press and maintain it for about 30 seconds (whereas your soundbar and TV are turned on).
• Transfer Your Subwoofer: Attempt shifting your subwoofer nearer to the TV. One thing could also be obstructing its wi-fi sign.
• Verify Your Settings: Your wi-fi subwoofer could also be disabled attributable to settings in your sensible TV or soundbar. Attempt toggling settings like “quiet mode” or “night time mode.” Notice that your soundbar could have devoted settings that may solely be accessed with its authentic distant management.
• Manufacturing facility Reset Your Soundbar: You may at all times manufacturing unit reset your soundbar. This course of often entails a singular button mixture, which you’ll discover within the guide or on Google.

In case you proceed to have issues together with your wi-fi subwoofer, you need to contact the producer. You could be coping with a wierd bug (which the producer ought to find out about), or you could have a defective product.

And for those who bought a subwoofer individually out of your soundbar, it’s possible you’ll need to double-check that they’re suitable. This error isn’t quite common, however I’ve seen it occur greater than as soon as.