How to Fix HDMI Audio Delay
HDMI audio delay happens when the sound reaches your speakers later than the picture reaches your screen.
This guide explains how to fix HDMI audio delay by identifying whether the problem comes from the TV, soundbar, AV receiver, streaming device, or PC.
Because HDMI carries both audio and video through multiple devices, even a small processing delay can create noticeable lip-sync problems.
The good news is that most HDMI audio delay issues can be corrected with a few targeted settings changes.
What causes HDMI audio delay?
HDMI audio delay is usually caused by processing somewhere in the signal chain.
Modern televisions often apply image enhancement, motion smoothing, noise reduction, and upscaling, all of which can add latency to video.
Audio may pass through a different path, making the sound arrive earlier or later than the picture.
- TV processing: Motion interpolation, HDR tone mapping, and upscaling can slow video output.
- Soundbar or AV receiver processing: Dolby Atmos, DTS decoding, or room correction can add delay.
- Source device settings: Streaming boxes, game consoles, and PCs can output audio in formats that require extra processing.
- Connection type: HDMI ARC, eARC, optical, and passthrough setups can behave differently.
- Wireless links: Bluetooth audio almost always introduces noticeable latency and is not ideal for lip sync.
How to diagnose where the delay is happening
Before changing settings at random, isolate the device causing the lag.
Start by testing whether the delay appears on all sources or only one device.
If the problem occurs on every input, the TV or audio system is likely responsible.
If it happens only on a console, set-top box, or computer, the source device may be the issue.
Run a simple lip-sync test
Play a video with clear speech and a visible mouth movement.
If the audio is behind the video, you have a classic lag.
If the audio leads the video, the delay is still present, but in the opposite direction.
That distinction matters because some systems only let you delay audio, not advance it.
Check each part of the setup
- Connect the source directly to the TV and compare results.
- Then connect the source through the soundbar or AV receiver and compare again.
- Test with another HDMI cable to rule out a damaged or low-quality cable.
- Try a different HDMI port, especially one labeled for enhanced format, ARC, or eARC.
How to fix HDMI audio delay on a TV
Most TVs include a lip-sync or audio delay control in the sound menu.
Look for settings named Audio Sync, AV Sync, Lip Sync, or Sound Delay.
Adjust the delay in small increments until speech matches mouth movement.
- Open the TV sound settings.
- Find audio sync or lip-sync adjustment.
- Increase or decrease the delay in milliseconds.
- Test with dialogue-heavy content after each change.
If your TV has a Game Mode, enable it when using a console or PC.
Game Mode reduces video processing and can significantly reduce HDMI audio delay.
You can also turn off motion smoothing, dynamic contrast, noise reduction, and other enhancement features if the picture latency is high.
Update the TV firmware
Manufacturers such as Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL, and Hisense frequently release firmware updates that improve HDMI behavior and audio synchronization.
Check the support page for your model or use the TV’s built-in update feature.
How to fix HDMI audio delay on a soundbar or AV receiver
Soundbars and AV receivers often have their own audio delay controls.
If the TV setting does not solve the issue, the delay may be occurring in the external audio device.
Look for audio delay, lip-sync, or sync adjustment in the soundbar app, receiver menu, or remote control settings.
If your device supports HDMI eARC, make sure it is enabled on both the TV and soundbar or receiver. eARC offers higher bandwidth and better sync behavior than standard ARC.
If sync remains inconsistent, disable unused processing features such as virtual surround, dialog enhancement, or post-processing modes.
Try passthrough and direct modes
On an AV receiver, use passthrough or direct mode if available.
These settings reduce processing and may lower latency.
If your receiver allows separate lip-sync compensation for HDMI inputs, set it per input rather than globally for better accuracy.
How to fix HDMI audio delay on a PC
On Windows, HDMI audio delay can come from driver issues, display refresh mismatches, or playback software settings.
Start by updating the graphics driver from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel and the audio driver from your motherboard or laptop manufacturer.
- Set the display to its native resolution and refresh rate.
- Disable unnecessary enhancements in Windows sound settings.
- Check media player audio delay options in apps like VLC, Kodi, or Plex.
- Make sure the correct HDMI output device is selected.
If you are gaming, enable low-latency or game mode on the monitor or TV.
If audio is coming through a receiver, test direct HDMI output to the TV to determine whether the receiver introduces the delay.
How to fix HDMI audio delay on streaming devices and consoles
Streaming devices such as Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast often have audio sync tools in their settings menus.
Use those controls if the TV and sound system do not fully correct the problem.
Game consoles like PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch can also be affected by display processing.
Enable game mode on the TV and verify the console’s audio format settings.
If available, test linear PCM, Dolby Digital, and automatic output to see which option produces the best sync.
Use the simplest audio format that works
Compressed surround formats may force additional decoding in some setups.
If lip sync is unstable, try stereo PCM or a simpler passthrough format to see whether the delay improves.
Common mistakes that make HDMI audio delay worse
Many people change multiple settings at once and make it harder to identify the fix.
Avoid these common mistakes when troubleshooting HDMI audio delay.
- Using Bluetooth audio instead of wired HDMI audio.
- Running the source through multiple splitters or switchers.
- Leaving motion smoothing and other heavy video processing enabled.
- Mixing ARC, optical, and direct HDMI paths without testing each one separately.
- Ignoring firmware updates for the TV, soundbar, receiver, and source device.
When you need a hardware change
If settings changes do not solve the issue, the problem may be hardware-related.
Older TVs and receivers may have limited sync controls or slower processors.
In that case, a newer AVR with eARC support, a better HDMI cable, or a direct connection between source and display may help.
For long cable runs, use certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cables for HDMI 2.1 setups and certified High Speed HDMI cables for older 4K systems.
Poor-quality cables usually cause dropouts before they cause audio delay, but stable signal integrity still matters for consistent playback.
Quick checklist for fixing HDMI audio delay
- Test the same content across multiple inputs and devices.
- Turn on TV Game Mode and disable unnecessary picture processing.
- Adjust lip-sync or audio delay in the TV, soundbar, receiver, or source device.
- Update firmware and drivers on every device in the chain.
- Prefer HDMI eARC or direct HDMI connections over Bluetooth and complex pass-through chains.
- Try simpler audio formats such as PCM if surround output causes lag.
If you follow these steps in order, you can usually find the source of the delay and correct it without guesswork.
The key is to isolate one device at a time and use the built-in sync controls where they matter most.