Discussions

[Ianmlentz]

Is anyone else having issues with their TCL 6 series Roku TV playing intermittent popping/crackling noises while watching or browsing any and all content?  I have a Vizio 5.1 soundbar connected to the TV via HDMI ARC, and cannot figure out why I’m hearing the popping noises. I have even disconnected the soundbar system and used the internal TV speakers with the same results. 

I opened a ticket with TCL support and have reset the TV, power cycled, and tried their troubleshooting tips with no luck. 

I’m considering returning the TV at this point but would rather find a fix!  

I know many others have reported this issue, but TCL is treating it like I’m their one and only customer hearing the static popping sounds. 

Any help is appreciated. 

[jnew1]

Yes, I have the 6 series 55r615 and does the same thing. I believe it's caused by arc. I also have a vizio 5.1 soundbar. For a time I wanted to blame vizio. I decided to invest in a proper surround setup with a yamaha avr with a 5.1.2 setup. And guess what???... same popping/ crackling noises over arc. So it's definitely the tvs arc implementation. Also the sound over arc is really bad and sounds like your in a tunnel with the built in apps. So I just bypassed arc by using another source like my xbox plugged directly into the yamaha.

[Ianmlentz]

Thanks for the response!

I also own a Vizio 5.1 soundbar and was blaming Vizio for the issue. When I spoke with the owner of a local audio shop he said the issue sounds like it’s coming from a defect in the TV. He apparently owns several Vizio soundbars with no issues. He recommended I bypass ARC and use the optical audio to see if there’s any difference. Guess what?  Same issue as before. Same crackling and popping noises. 

I have finally received a response from from TCL and they are sending out a specialist to “repair the TV” and possibly replace it if repairs cannot be made to it. So progress?  Keep in mind I have been emailing customer support back and forth for around 4 weeks straight now  

But this also worries me because it sounds like it’s an underlying issue that cannot be fixed via a software update!  So I urge anyone else having this issue to take advantage of the limited warranty while you still have time.

Ill update after the specialist comes out to fix the TV. 

[Kmich2000]

Do you have the update? I have the same issue.

[Ianmlentz]

The tech came out to attempt a fix on the TV.  The general issue was a popping sounds coming from 3rd party streaming boxes. Specifically the 4K Fire stick and 4K Apple TV.  When audio is set to surround sound on those devices, the popping noise persists.  Even while watching movies and shows. However, when I change both devices to stereo only the distortion goes away immediately. So it’s an issue with audio on 3rd party devices only. 

If I stream anything only using the build in Roku player the popping noises go away, even when streaming with surround sound enabled. 

TCL shipped out a brand new replacement TV that has the exact same issue.  So it looks like it’s an internal issue with 3rd party devices.

Ive already tried higher class HDMI cables, and Toslink.  Both have the same results.  

[Kmich2000]

It is an issue with the Roku if you are hooked up to a surround sound receiver as my set up is.  Not sure why it only pops when streaming a movie.  No popping when watching regular programming.  must be an issue with the sound decoding.  Too bad TCL/Roku can't get this issue resolved.

[Fkkn_danny]

I was getting a static/popping sound. Started by unplugging and restarting all connected devices. Didn’t work. With devices unplugged, the tv was still making those noises. I was about to do a full factory reset on my tv when I noticed a factory reset option for audio only. I did that and that fixed the issue. Only been a few hours but still. No distorted audio anymore. 

[Kmich2000]

I have the same issue when streaming movies. My sound is set up through a Denon Receiver. I have tried the various suggest fixes listed on this thread as well as others. No fix that I am aware of.

[Kmich2000]

Did you find a fix? This issue is so annoying.

[Ianmlentz]

Unfortunately I haven’t. I’ve had parts replaced on my previous set, and also had that set replaced entirely by TCL. So far nothing has fixed the audio issues. Looks like it will have to be a complete return.