Search guides

Fix a TV that has soundbar that has lip sync

We'll adjust TV and soundbar audio delay settings, check Game Mode and source, and rule out connection issues—or tell you when to call a technician.

Troubleshooting · Home electronics
5–15 min
What you'll need
  • TV remote
  • Soundbar remote
Step 1 of 6

Quick triage — pick your path

Get started

Choose the option that matches what you see. You can jump straight to that section.

Show full guide

Steps

Goal: Confirm the sync direction, then adjust TV and soundbar delay settings until voices match mouths.

  • Play content with clear dialogue. Check whether sound is ahead of or behind the picture.
  • Good: You know the direction. Proceed to Check TV delay.
  • Bad: Sync is correct—no fix needed.

Check TV delay

Goal: Use the TV audio delay or lip sync setting to fix sync.

  • Open TV Settings. Find Audio, Sound, or Speaker options. Look for Audio delay, Lip sync, A/V sync, or Digital audio out delay.
  • Adjust the slider or value. Audio early: increase delay. Audio late: decrease delay.
  • Good: Voices match mouths. Done.
  • Bad: TV has no setting or range is not enough—proceed to Check soundbar delay.

Check soundbar delay

Goal: Use the soundbar audio delay setting if the TV setting is not enough.

  • Open the soundbar menu. Look for Audio delay, Lip sync, or A/V sync. Adjust until voices match mouths.
  • Good: Sync fixed. Done.
  • Bad: Soundbar has no setting—proceed to Check Game Mode and source.

Check Game Mode and source

Goal: Rule out Game Mode and source device as causes of delay.

  • Turn off Game Mode if you are watching movies or TV. Motion smoothing and upscaling can delay video.
  • Check the source device (streaming, cable box, game console) for audio sync or delay settings.
  • Good: Sync improves. Done.
  • Bad: Still off—proceed to Connection and power-cycle.

Connection and power-cycle

Goal: Try a different connection or reset the handshake.

  • HDMI ARC and optical have different latency. Try the other connection if one causes sync issues.
  • Power-cycle the TV and soundbar: unplug both for 30 seconds, plug back in. Turn on soundbar first, then TV.
  • Good: Sync fixed. Done.
  • Bad: Still off—call a technician.

When to get help

Call a TV or audio technician if:

  • You have adjusted all delay settings on TV, soundbar, and source and lip sync persists.

Verification

  • Voices match mouths during dialogue.
  • Audio delay or lip sync setting is at a value that keeps sync correct.
  • Game Mode is off when watching movies or TV (unless you prefer it on).
  • No noticeable drift over time—sync stays correct.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. TV audio delay Adjust TV audio delay, lip sync, or A/V sync setting.
  2. Soundbar delay Adjust soundbar audio delay or lip sync setting.
  3. Game Mode and source Turn off Game Mode; check source device delay.
  4. Connection and power-cycle Try HDMI vs optical; power-cycle TV and soundbar.
  5. Call a pro All settings adjusted and sync still off.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • TV model
  • Soundbar model
  • Connection type (HDMI ARC or optical)
  • Delay values tried
  • Steps already tried

Is the sound ahead of or behind the picture?

Audio early = increase delay. Audio late = decrease delay.

Play content with clear dialogue. Audio early: increase TV or soundbar delay. Audio late: decrease delay. Not sure: try adjusting both directions.
Question

Which direction is sync off?

Continue

You can change your answer later.

Does the TV have an audio delay or lip sync setting?

Most TVs have this in Audio or Sound settings.

Open TV Settings > Audio. Look for Audio delay, Lip sync, A/V sync, or Digital audio out delay. Yes: adjust until voices match mouths. No: use soundbar delay.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Adjust TV delay

Adjust the TV audio delay slider or value. Start at 0 and move in small steps. When voices match mouths, done. If TV range is not enough, also adjust soundbar.

Done

Does the soundbar have an audio delay setting?

Check soundbar menu or remote.

Open soundbar menu. Look for Audio delay, Lip sync, or A/V sync. Adjust until voices match mouths. If neither TV nor soundbar has a setting, check Game Mode and source.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Adjust soundbar delay

Adjust the soundbar delay. If TV also has a setting, use both. When voices match mouths, done.

Done

Is Game Mode on or does the source have delay settings?

Game Mode and source can affect sync.

Turn off Game Mode for movies/TV. Check source device (streaming, cable) for audio sync or delay. Adjust. Power-cycle TV and soundbar. If sync still off, call a technician.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would a soundbar have lip sync issues?
Audio processing in the TV or soundbar adds delay. Game Mode, motion smoothing, or upscaling can delay video. HDMI ARC and optical have different latency. The source (streaming, cable) may also introduce delay.
Can I fix lip sync myself?
Yes. Most TVs and soundbars have audio delay or lip sync settings. Adjust until voices match mouths. Check Game Mode and source settings too.
When should I call a technician for lip sync?
If you have adjusted all delay settings and lip sync persists. The TV or soundbar may have a hardware fault.

Rate this guide

Was this helpful?

Continue to