Solving playback issues

[stevecon]

I have multiple Roku device; TVs, "Ultimate" STB streamers, sticks - you name it; going back to composite A/V output. I now have and use ONLY High Def / 4K devices and TVs from Roku now.

Originally, I had "purple screen - HDCP erros" between the Roku Ultra and an expensive LG OLED TV that required disconnecting HDMI cables, swapping them, the ports I used, and powering off equipment - until I gave up and called for a replacement "Ultra" STB. Roku relectantly replaced it - only to have the same problems (which I suspect they know about). I eventualy gave up on the Ultra insisting that I get my exercise every night doing this nonsense and decided that a 4K Streaming Stick would eliminate the need for multiple HDMI cables that Roku Support suggested I change out.

The stick solved the HDCP issues; however the Audio Sync issues became the concern - and has been / still is present on EACH and EVERY Roku streamer / device / TV. Roku Support plays the same response to everyone: "What is the model, serial number, blah, blah, blah.." I haven't seen anyone say their problem has been fixed - instead, they just stop posting and complaining because they've come to realize that Roku doesnt have a permanent, workable fix! News flash - these same problems exist for Chromcast and Fire TV too.

The "button push combination" on the remote is the best you can hope for as far as a fix is concerned; just be prepared to do it every night at least once every night. The procedure is below:

Press the Home button on your Roku remote. Wait a few seconds, then press the following buttons in the exact order shown below, without pausing between buttons.

1 Press the Home button 5 times
2 Press the Up button 1 time
3 Press the Rewind button 2 times
4 Press the Fast Forward button 2 times

Your Roku will be unresponsive and reboot. Audio sync should be better / fixed.

Roku Support strings evetyone along by suggesting there is a fix - but they need 'more information" (a.k.a. time) to have their engineers look at YOUR problem (it is unique - no one else is having your problem!). They do this until the warranty return window for the streamer / device / TV has closed. Roku has been doing this for YEARS and it has likely become part of its mission statement. Its frustrating but it is what it is.

[fourbye99]

If my sync problem can't be fixed, using HDMI eARC, I'm sending back my new ROKU TV that not a week old. I'm not going threw these 4 steps every time I change a channel or switch from TV to streaming. This is BS. 

[arspe777]

I am experiencing the audio delay issue with my new Roku TV 50R4A5R/50R4AX. I am hearing impaired and using a Phonak TV streamer connected via optical port and the sound coming from the TV speakers is out of sync with the sound from the streamer. I'll be returning the TV and trying one with a different OS.

[rojaol]

did not work, does not work and will never work. Shame,shme

[arspe777]

Update: I returned the Roku TV and purchased an LG with WebOS. Sound is working fine with no sync issues.....

[bluemetal]

I purchased a new Roku Ultra in June 2024. From day one the audio and video were out of sync when we would use the Roku after we had left it alone with the TV off (for hours/overnight). I tested on multiple apps and all had the same problem. The button sequence above or just a regular reboot would usually resolve the issue for that watching session, but who wants to reboot before every watch? I have another Roku Ultra, Roku3, Express and have never had this problem. I noticed that this Ultra has a power saving feature that turns off the Roku after 20 min of inactivity. My other Ultra doesn't have this. So, I disabled that feature.... and haven't had the problem since. Hoping this helps someone else out there.

You can use the following steps to disable auto-power savings:

1. Press Home on your Roku remote.
2. Scroll and select Settings.
3. Select System.
4. Select Power.
5. Select auto-power savings.
6. Uncheck the box next to After 20 minutes of no interaction.

[Afterthefall]

This worked for me. What an odd bug. 

[Spuwho]

After several attempts to clear out the audio sync issue with my Roku, even factory resetting it, I tried the following....

A cheap Onn Android TV streaming box, same issue. 

Then I used the Android TV built in to my TV which I never use. Same thing!!!

So I did more than turn off the TV, I unplugged it for a minimum of 10 seconds. Most TV's don't turn off all the way, they keep the software running in the background. By unplugging it it forces it to turn off completely.

It worked. The sync returned to all devices Roku included.

Why is this? That computer running your TV has a buffer that helps it maintain sync with the signal off the HDMI port. When turning off your TV, the computer inside attempts to remember where it left off. By unplugging it, the computer stops trying to remember and flushes out its buffer and resyncs the HDMI signal.

Worked for me.

[sikor]

I tried the "Unplugging" fix.  I was surprised that it worked for me.  I have a 4k Streaming Stick that I just got 2 days ago.

[sikor]

I want to update my earlier post...After unplugging the TV the audio problem appeared to be fixed.  However, about 5 minutes later I noticed the audio was out of sync again.  I started poking around in the settings/audio parameters... I left the preferred streaming format set to auto but I changed the digital output format to stereo.  It had been set to auto.  Making this change got my audio synced up again.  So far its holding.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.