Why Are My Sonos Soundbar Audio and Video Out of Sync?

Ever notice that the dialogue on your TV doesn’t quite match the movement of people’s lips? You’re not alone! We’ve had a few clients call recently saying their Sonos soundbar audio is slightly ahead or behind the video.

Here’s how to fix it, depending on what’s happening in your setup.

If the Audio Is Behind the Video

If you’re hearing the sound a split second after the picture moves, try the following:

1.        Reboot your TV and connected devicesStart simple—turn off and unplug your TV and any connected sources (like your cable box, streaming stick, or gaming console). Wait about 30 seconds, then plug them back in and power up again.

2. Turn off extra audio processingMany TVs and devices have built-in audio enhancement features that can actually delay sound before it reaches your Sonos.

• Go into your TV’s audio settings and look for things like “Audio Delay,” “Sound Enhancement,” or “Surround Sound Processing.”

• Turn these off if possible, or set them to “Bypass.”

3. Try changing the audio formatSome devices add processing time when sending surround sound. Switch your TV or connected device’s audio output to Stereo (PCM) to remove that delay. (Just note this will disable surround sound temporarily.)

If the Audio Is Ahead of the Video

If your sound is happening before the lips move, you can slow it down a bit using the Sonos app:

1. Open the Sonos app on your phone or tablet.

2. Go to Settings → System.

3. Select your home theater product (like your Sonos Arc, Beam, or Ray).

4. In the Home Theater section, choose TV Dialog Sync.

5. Move the slider to the right until the sound matches the video.

Quick Tip

If you’re using multiple devices—like a cable box connected to your TV, which then connects to your Sonos system—each step in the chain can add a bit of delay. Start by simplifying: connect one source at a time to isolate where the lag begins.

Call 888-775-2673 or schedule a FREE virtual consultation at www.wbsouth.com/freeconsultation2