Fix Audio/Video Out of Sync Problems on Netflix (All Platforms)

Netflix audio may get out of sync if Netflix settings (HD mode) or TV settings (like Match Frame Rate) are not properly configured. Moreover, the outdated OS of your device may also cause the issue at hand. The issue arises when streaming content on Netflix. The issue is reported on all major platforms like Windows, mobile devices, etc.

The audio delay on Netflix can be fixed by the solutions mentioned below but before that, power off your devices (like mobile, TV, & networking equipment). Then unplug the devices from the power sources & wait for one minute. Then power on the devices one by one and afterward, check if the Netflix is working fine. Also, check if the issue is not, in particular, in a show only. If it is, then most probably the issue is with the audio of that show. Also, it will be a good idea to have a look at how to fix the audio and video out of sync error on Windows?

1. General Workarounds:

Following are the workarounds reported by the users to temporarily solve the Netflix issue:

1. Check if disabling charger warning in the system’s BIOS (if using a non-OEM charger) solves the issue.
2. You may try another network like the Hotspot of your phone (or use a direct ethernet connection from the router) to solve the issue. You may also check if forgetting the Wi-Fi network & re-adding it solves the problem.
3. Check if pausing, forwarding/rewinding, & playing the show/movie solves the problem.
4. If the issue is with a browser, check if disabling adblocker for Netflix or using Netflix in another browser solves the issue.
5. Check if trying different cables & ports of the devices (e.g., TV, a soundbar, etc.) fixes it.
6. Check if audio works fine if a headphone is used.

2. All Platforms:

The audio out-of-sync issue of Netflix could be a result of an improper configuration of Netflix sound settings (like HD or Stereo). In this scenario, properly configuring the Netflix settings may solve the Netflix problem. Here are few workarounds you can apply to any device:

2.1 Setting English 5.1 to English in Audio

1. Open Netflix and play an English show/movie.
2. Then scroll over the Settings and select Audio and Subtitles.
   

   

3. Then change the Audio to English or English Stereo.
4. Now play the program & check if the Netflix audio is working fine.
5. If that did not do the trick, check if setting audio to 2.0 (or a non-ATMOS) in Netflix sorts out the audio issue.

2.2 Disable HD Streaming

1. Launch Netflix & hover over your profile.
   
2. Now choose Account & steer to the Profile and Parental Control Section.
3. Then select the Profile which you want to edit & open Playback Settings.
4. Now choose the radio button of Medium & save your changes.

   

5. Then relaunch Netflix & check if the audio is working fine.

If that did not do the trick, check if setting the system’s screen resolution to 720 DPI sorts out the audio issue.

Note: For a single show/movie, hover your mouse over the HD button and uncheck the box.

3. Samsung TV:

Different TV settings may cause the audio out of sync for Netflix. In this context, editing the relevant settings of the TV sorts out the issue. Keep in mind that the instructions slightly differ from user to user and you may have to dig deeper to make it work for you.

3.1 Enable Lip Sync/Audio Output Delay

1. Launch the settings of your TV & open Sound.

   

2. Now select Expert Settings & set a value of Digital Output Delay.

   

3. Then check if the delay issue is resolved. If the delay has increased/decreased, you may have to adjust the value of Audio Output Delay till you find the one which sorts out the sync issue. But keep in mind this setting may vary from show to show.

4. Apple TV:

4.1 Disable Dolby Digital

1. Open the TV Settings & select Audio & Video.
2. Then set the Digital Dolby to Disable & check if the Netflix audio issue is resolved.

   

4.2 Disable Match Frame Rate

1. Launch the TV Settings & open Video and Audio.
2. Now select Match Content & disable Match Frame Rate.

   

3. Then check if the Netflix issue is resolved.

4.3 Change Output

1. Launch the TV Settings & open Video and Audio.
2. Now select HDMI Output & change it to YCbCr.

   

3. Then check if the Netflix audio out-of-sync issue is resolved.

4.4 Change and Calibrate the Display Mode

1. Launch the TV Settings & open Video and Audio.
2. Now open Format & set the Dolby Vision to 24Hz.
3. Then run Wireless Audio Sync & check if the issue is resolved.

   

4. If not, select Calibrate in the Video and Audio screen & follow the prompts to complete the process.
5. Afterward, check if the Netflix audio out of sync issue is resolved.

5. Roku:

You may encounter the audio out of sync in Netflix if external media devices (like Roku) are not properly configured. In this scenario, editing the relevant settings of the external media devices may solve the problem.

5.1 Disable Volume Mode

1. Start streaming a show & press the * key on the Roku Remote.
2. Now open Sound Settings & steer to the Volume Mode.
3. Then set it Off & check if the Netflix audio is working fine.

   

5.2 Edit the Dolby Digital Audio Settings

1. Launch the Settings of the Roku device & open Audio.
2. Now select HDMI & check if setting it to PCM sorts out the issue.

   

3. If not, check if settings it to Dolby Digital sorts out the Netflix issue.

6. Smartphone Users:

6.1 Update the OS of the Device to the Latest Release

Netflix audio may not be in sync with the picture if the OS of your Mobile device is outdated (which may create incompatibility between the device & Netflix). In this context, updating the OS of your device may solve the problem. For elucidation, we will discuss the process for an iOS device.

1. Firstly, back up the essential data & plug the device into a power source.
2. Now connect to a Wi-Fi network & launch the iPhone settings.
3. Then open General & tap on Software Update.

   

4. If an update is available, download the iOS update & install it.

   

5. Once installed, reboot your device & check if the Netflix audio is working fine.

6.2 Reinstall the Netflix App

The Netflix audio may get out of sync if the installation of the Netflix app is corrupt. In this scenario, reinstalling the Netflix app may solve the audio issue. For elucidation, we will discuss the process for the Android app of Netflix.

1. Launch the Settings of your Android device & open Applications.

   

2. Then tap on Netflix & open Storage.
3. Now tap on Clear Cache & afterward, tap on Clear Data.
4. Then confirm to clear the data & hit the back button.
5. Now tap on Uninstall & confirm to uninstall the Netflix app.
6. Once uninstalled, reboot your phone & upon reboot, reinstall the Netflix app to check if the audio issue is resolved.

If that did not do the trick, then check if enabling Do Not Keep Activities in the Android Developer Options sorts out the Netflix issue.

7. Windows Users:

7.1 Update System’s Windows and Drivers to the Latest Release

Netflix audio may get out of sync from the picture if the system’s Windows and drivers are outdated (which may create incompatibility between them). In this context, updating the system’s Windows & drivers may solve the audio out-of-sync issue.

1. Manually perform an update of the system’s Windows and make sure no update is pending to install.

   

2. Now update the system’s drivers (especially, the graphics drivers). Make sure all the drivers are applied in the Device Manager, especially, the chipset drivers. If your OEM has an update utility (like Nvidia GeForce Experience), use that utility to update the system’s drivers.
3. Once Windows and drivers are updated, check if the Netflix audio issue is resolved.

7.2 Disable Autoplay in Hardware and Sound Devices

Windows uses the Autoplay feature (since Windows 98) to play media (or launch the appropriate application) as per the content but this feature may impact the system’s ability to catch up with the advanced web applications (like Netflix) and thus cause the audio issue. In this case, disabling the Autoplay feature may solve the problem.

1. Click Windows, type Autoplay, and open Autoplay Settings.

   

2. Now uncheck the option of Use Autoplay for All Media and Devices and reboot your PC to check if the audio syncing issue is resolved.

   

7.3 Disable Fast Startup of the System

Fast Startup in Windows is used to boot the system quickly (by saving a state between hibernation and power off to the system storage device) but sometimes it may “overlook” some of the modules essential for the operation of the system’s audio and thus cause the audio out of sync issue. In this context, disabling the Fast Startup may solve the Netflix audio problem.

1. Right-click Windows and open Power Options.
2. Now, in the right pane, open Additional Power Settings, and in the next window, click on Choose What the Power Buttons Do.

   

3. Then click on Change Settings That Are Currently Unavailable and, in the options shown (near the bottom of the screen), uncheck Turn on Fast Startup.

   

4. Now Save Changes and shut down (not restart) your PC.
5. Then power on the system and check if the audio out of sync issue is resolved.

7.4 Change Default Format of the Sound Device and Disable Applications’ Control Over it

The Netflix audio out-of-sync issue may arise if the default audio format of the sound device is not properly configured or applications are allowed to control the sound device (which may conflict with the Netflix processing and thus cause the issue). In this case, disabling the applications’ control over the sound device may solve the Netflix issue. But before proceeding, check if disabling all other system’s sounds (like notifications, etc.) and only using Netflix sorts out the sync issue.

1. Right-click on the speaker icon in the system’s tray and open Sounds.
2. Now, head to the Playback tab and double-click on your sound device.
3. Then steer to the Advanced tab and set the dropdown of Default Format to 24-bit, 192000 Hz (Studio Quality).
4. Now apply your changes and check if the Netflix audio sync issue is resolved.
5. If not, repeat steps 1 to 3 to open the Advanced tab of the sound device and uncheck the option of Allow Applications to Take Exclusive Control of This Device.

   

6. Now apply your changes and reboot your PC to check if the Netflix audio is operating fine.

If that did not do the trick, check if downloading and installing DirectX solves the audio sync issue.

7.5 Set Performance Options to Let Windows Decide

The Netflix out-of-sync issue may arise if the performance options of your system are set to Best Performance (which may cause the system to low-prioritize the media/graphics applications/modules). In this case, setting the Performance Options to Let Windows Decide may solve the audio problem.

1. Click Windows, type: Advanced System Settings, and open View Advanced System Settings.
2. Now click on the Settings button (in the Performance section) and in the Visual Effects tab, select Let Windows Decide What’s Best for My Computer and apply the changes.

   

3. Then, hopefully, the Netflix audio will not be “out of sync”.