Forum Discussion

Brando_70's avatar
Brando_70
Reel Rookie
7 months ago

Roku Ultra(2024) audio and video goes out of sync over time

I have the new Ultra, LG OLED with HDMI arc set to passthrough, and a new Vizio soundbar. No matter if I use the Roku app's built in audio delay correction, or the av sync adjustment on my soundbar, after a few hours of playing content the audio and video get out of sync. 

This happens with all apps, with the built in tv speakers or soundbar. The only fix I've discovered is redo the Roku app's delay correction or a reboot of the Ultra.

I've tried factory reset, but the issue still eventually shows up. I have a streaming stick 4k that does not have this issue, and I think it could be related to it Not having the Dolby ms12 encoder/decoder system like the 4850x Ultra. Another product with this same exact issue is the new Google TV Streamer, and it has the same Dolby ms12 system. 

I love the Ultra itself, but I can't be using a product that requires the customer to do something just to get it working as advertised. 

9 Replies

  • RokuJohnB's avatar
    RokuJohnB
    Community Moderator

    Hey Brando_70,

    Greetings from the Roku Community!

    If you notice an A/V sync error when using your Streambar or soundbar with your TV and/or connected devices (e.g., game console, Blu-ray player, cable/satellite set-top box), read through the questions below to help narrow the problem.

    1. Are all titles on a channel or device affected?
      When you encounter an A/V sync error, stop the playback of the movie or TV show and try a different title. Try another title on the same game console if you are playing a video game with an A/V sync error. If you determine that the sync error is isolated to a single title, the movie, TV show, or video game is likely poorly authored or damaged. Try watching the movie or TV show on another channel with streaming content or content from your cable/satellite provider. With physical media, try cleaning the disc or replacing it with an alternate copy.

      If the A/V sync error affects multiple titles, continue to the next step.
    1. Are all devices affected?
      If multiple titles are affected, switch your TV to a different device (from the one where the A/V sync error was discovered) and play a movie, TV show, or video game on the new device. If you discover that the sync error only occurs on the original device, try restarting that device.

      If the A/V sync error occurs with multiple titles on a single streaming channel, close the channel and try watching content on another streaming channel. If the A/V sync error disappears, re-launch the original streaming channel and resume playback of the duplicate titles to determine if the sync error was an isolated event. Contact the service provider to report the issue if multiple titles are still affected only on one streaming channel.

      If the A/V sync error affects all devices, continue to the next step.
    1. Try adjusting TV settings.
      To help fix an A/V sync error, try adjusting the TV settings described below. For detailed instructions, consult the online documentation for your TV model or contact the manufacturer directly.

        • Some TV models have an A/V Sync feature that can often be found in an Audio sub-menu within the Settings menu on your TV. If the feature exists on your TV, try adjusting it to see if A/V sync improves. The feature may also be called something like Audio delay or Lip-sync.
        • Use the following suggestion if the sound is distinctly heard before seeing the picture.
          • Turn off advanced video processing on your TV, such as motion smoothing or noise reduction. These controls are often found in a Video or Picture Settings sub-menu within the Settings menu on your TV.
        • Try the suggestions below if the sound is distinctly heard after seeing the picture.
          • Set your TV's digital audio output to PCM. You can often find this setting in an Audio sub-menu within the Settings menu on your TV.
          • Try turning off Game Mode if the setting exists on your TV.

    Please try doing this and see if it helps with what you're experiencing.

    Cheers,
    The Roku Community Team

    • Brando_70's avatar
      Brando_70
      Reel Rookie

      RokuJohnB Thanks for the reply. I've literally tried everything you've listed. As I'm typing I've just had to reboot the 4850x Ultra because after watching a 2.5hr video in the background, the audio and video went out of sync.

      To directly answer your points:

      This issue occurs on all apps.

      I've done a total factory reset. 

      I've switched HDMI ports and also changed HDMI cables. 

      I've tried AV sync settings on my TV, including switching to PCM output. 

       

       

       

       

       

      • ex5tube's avatar
        ex5tube
        Reel Rookie

        I have a Roku Ultra, and starting about 2 months ago (Feb 2025), I started having intermittent audio sync issues.

        Sometimes I can momentarily toggle my TV input to my cable box, then back to the Roku Ultra, but other times I have to reset the Roku Ultra, to resolve the audio sync issues. I have an older Toshiba smart TV, and I have reset this TV to its factory condition, but I'm still having the issues. 

        The audio sync issues occur on all apps that I use on my Roku Ultra (YouTube, prime video, Paramount+, etc)

        What has changed in 2025, to start causing these intermittent audio sync issues?

  • I have the Roku Ultra and it was working flawlessly, that is until the latest firmware update a couple of weeks ago.

    I've tried all the tips in this thread to no avail and find myself having to power cycle the unit unplugging and plugging back in for it to get back in sync for a while but it gradually goes out of sync again.

    I'm of the mind that the last firmware broke what was working just fine before and none of the tips above is a long term solution.

    Some of the tips also require not using features that worked just fine before and that's simply unacceptable.

    I hope there's another firmware coming soon to fix what was broken or I'll be moving away from this platform altogether.

    • StreamerUser's avatar
      StreamerUser
      Roku Guru

      LoneWolf53​ 

      Its not clear which Ultra model you have (there are many), though the newer 2020+ models (and the 2016 Ultra) have Dolby decoders that default to ON = transcode all non-DTS audio to the highest detected Dolby level of the connected device (depends on EDID - could be DD, DD+, DD+/Atmos, DMAT, DMAT/Atmos) - this is not preferred as it may/can/does result in stuttering/de-sync/delay/volume disparity/incorrect channel (re)mapping/AVR surround&upmixing preclusion (depending on specific Dolby format & AVR/etc.)

      If you have a (4640/4800/4802/4850) make sure you set Settings/Audio/Digital output format = Passthrough  (Auto is the default and transcodes all audio as described).

      Additionally you might consider

      1. Enabling FRM: Settings/System/Advanced system settings/Advanced display settings/Auto-adjust display refresh rate = On/Standard/QMS Enhanced/VRR Enhanced (depends on EDID),
      2. Enable 4:2:2 Subsampling: Settings/System/Advanced system settings/Advanced display settings/HDR subsampling = 4:2:2 (better configures 23.976/59.94Hz output instead of 24.00/60.00 that often happens in 4:2:0)
      • LoneWolf53's avatar
        LoneWolf53
        Reel Rookie

        StreamerUser thanks for the reply.

        My unit is the 4850  SKU#4850CA in case that makes a difference.

        The software version is shown as 15.0

        I'm using it in conjunction with a Yamaha RX-A2080 and a Samsung 65" Neo QLED TV all of which are Dolby Atmos capable and I have Atmos speakers in place.

        I'd like to emphasize that I had all the settings to where I get the highest quality, and certainly Atmos since I specifically chose equipment that had it, and up until the last firmware, on October 15th I believe, everything worked and I had zero issues.

        I had upgraded to the Roku Ultra because I noticed buffering issues with the 4K wireless stick I had previously, and I know hard wired will always be better than wireless, and the Ultra has an ethernet port.  Download speed is right around 180Mbps anytime I test it and I've never had a single time where I found myself looking at a frozen screen and that spinning wheel of death since upgrading to the wired Roku Ultra.

        If I do switch the setting to Passthrough will I still have Dolby Atmos or not?

        I shall try your other tip regarding FRM which I assume means frame rate manager.

    • RokuEmmanuel-D's avatar
      RokuEmmanuel-D
      Community Moderator

      Welcome. LoneWolf53​!

      You seem to have an audio syncing issue with your Roku Ultra.

      Is this happening on all apps and their content, or on a specific app only? If on an app only, could you share which specific app was affected? 

      Also, sharing the latest software version of your Roku will help us delve deeper. You can find that in Settings > System > About

      We hope to hear from you soon!

      Roku Community Team