Hisense TV Audio Out of Sync: Here's the Troubleshooting Guide

Lip sync error or audio delay is unfortunately common across many TV brands, including Hisense.

Audio synchronization problems can stem from multiple sources, from internal TV settings and firmware issues to external device connections and streaming service limitations. Fortunately, numerous solutions exist to address these issues, ranging from simple setting adjustments to more complex hardware configurations.

This comprehensive guide will walk through understanding and resolving audio sync problems on Hisense TV.

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Audio Sync Issues on Hisense TVs

Audio and video synchronization problems occur when there’s a mismatch between what you see on screen and what you hear through your speakers.

This discrepancy usually manifests in one of two ways: either the audio plays before the corresponding visuals (leading audio), or it plays after them (lagging audio). The latter is more common and often more noticeable, particularly during dialogue scenes where lips move before you hear the words.

Common Causes of Audio Sync Problems

Several factors can contribute to audio synchronization issues on Hisense TVs:

Internal Processing Delays: Modern TVs process video signals extensively to enhance picture quality. This processing (including motion smoothing, noise reduction, and upscaling) takes time and can cause the video to lag behind the audio.

Signal Transmission Issues: When audio and video signals travel through different paths or are processed separately, timing discrepancies can occur. This is especially common when using external sound systems like soundbars or AV receivers.

Streaming Service Limitations: Streaming platforms like Netflix, YouTube, or Hulu may occasionally deliver content with inherent sync issues, particularly during high-traffic periods when servers are under heavy load.

Firmware Problems: Outdated or buggy TV firmware can cause various audio-visual issues, including sync problems. Hisense periodically releases updates to address these issues.

External Device Configuration: Improper settings on connected devices such as cable boxes, gaming consoles, or Blu-ray players can create sync issues that manifest on your Hisense TV.

HDMI ARC/eARC Issues: Problems with HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) or enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) connections between your TV and external audio devices can lead to audio delays.

Understanding which of these factors is causing your specific audio sync issue is the first step toward finding an effective solution.

Adjusting Audio Sync Settings on Hisense TVs

One of the most direct approaches to fixing audio sync issues is to adjust the dedicated audio delay settings built into your Hisense TV. These settings allow you to manually synchronize audio and video by adding or reducing delay.

Accessing Audio Sync Settings on Different Hisense Models

The exact method to access these settings varies depending on your Hisense TV model and operating system (VIDAA, Android TV, Roku TV, etc.). Here’s how to access and adjust these settings on common Hisense TV platforms:

For Hisense VIDAA OS TVs:

Press the Menu or Settings button on your remote
Navigate to Sound (or Audio)
Select Advanced Settings
Look for Lip Sync, Audio Delay, or AV Sync
Adjust the slider until audio and video are perfectly synchronized

For Hisense Android/Google TVs:

Press the Settings button on your remote
Navigate to Display & Sound
Select Sound
Choose Advanced Settings
Select Digital Audio Delay or Lip Sync
Adjust the value as needed

For Hisense Roku TVs:

Press Home on your Roku remote
Select Settings
Navigate to Audio
Look for Audio Delay or Lip Sync
Adjust the delay values according to your needs

When adjusting these settings, make small changes and test the results immediately. If you’re watching content with obvious dialogue, like news broadcasts or talk shows, this makes it easier to spot whether the sync has improved.

Audio Output Mode Settings

Your TV’s audio output mode can also affect synchronization. Many Hisense TVs offer several audio output options, including:

PCM (Pulse Code Modulation)
Dolby Digital
Auto
Pass-through

Many users report that switching to PCM mode often resolves sync issues, particularly when using external audio devices. This setting is typically found under:

Settings > Sound/Audio > Digital Audio Out (or similar)
Change from Auto or Dolby Digital to PCM

This adjustment is especially effective for resolving audio sync issues when watching broadcast TV or using external devices connected via HDMI.

Fixing Audio Sync with External Devices

External audio systems like soundbars, home theater systems, and AV receivers can significantly enhance your viewing experience, but they also introduce additional points where sync issues can occur.

HDMI ARC/eARC Connection Troubleshooting

HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) and eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) allow audio to travel both ways through an HDMI cable, enabling your TV to send audio to a soundbar or AV receiver. However, these connections can sometimes cause sync problems. Try these solutions:

Ensure proper HDMI port usage: Connect your external audio device to the HDMI ARC/eARC port on your Hisense TV (usually labeled as such)
Enable CEC functionality: CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) allows devices to communicate with each other

Navigate to Settings > System > HDMI Control (or CEC)
Ensure this feature is enabled on both your TV and external audio device

Update firmware on all devices: Make sure both your Hisense TV and external audio equipment have the latest firmware

Try different audio formats: Some audio systems handle certain formats better than others

Navigate to Settings > Sound/Audio > Digital Audio Format
Try switching between PCM, Dolby Digital, or Pass-through to see which provides the best sync

Use high-quality HDMI cables: Substandard HDMI cables can cause signal degradation and timing issues

The Silkland 8K HDMI ARC/eARC Cable is specifically designed for soundbar connections and offers high-speed 48Gbps data transfer, making it ideal for minimizing audio lag when connecting your Hisense TV to external audio devices.

Soundbar-Specific Solutions

If you’re using a soundbar with your Hisense TV and experiencing sync issues:

Check the soundbar’s own sync settings: Many modern soundbars have built-in audio delay adjustments

Try direct connections: Instead of routing all devices through your TV, connect sources directly to your soundbar if it has HDMI inputs, then output to the TV
Use optical connections as an alternative: If HDMI ARC/eARC continues to cause problems, try using an optical (TOSLINK) connection between your TV and soundbar
Disable advanced audio processing features: Features like virtual surround sound or room correction can add processing delay

For Hisense TVs specifically, when connecting to soundbars, the recommended settings are:

Settings > Display & Sound > Audio Output > eARC > Auto
Settings > Display & Sound > Audio Output > Digital Audio Out > Auto

Settings > Display & Sound > Audio Output > Digital Audio Delay > 0

Software and Firmware Solutions

Software-related issues are among the most common causes of audio sync problems in Hisense TVs, particularly with newer models that receive regular updates.

Updating Your Hisense TV Firmware

Outdated firmware can cause various performance issues, including audio sync problems. To update your Hisense TV firmware:

For Hisense Smart TVs with automatic updates:

Ensure your TV is connected to the internet
Navigate to Settings > Support > System Update (or similar path depending on your model)
Enable “Auto Firmware Upgrade” if available
Select “Check for Updates” to manually check and install any available updates

For manual firmware updates via USB:

Visit the official Hisense support website
Find your specific TV model and download the appropriate firmware

Transfer the file to a blank USB drive (FAT32 formatted)
Insert the USB drive into your TV
Navigate to Settings > Support > System Update > USB Update
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update

Users on Reddit have reported that some specific firmware updates have addressed audio sync issues that were prevalent in certain Hisense models, particularly the U8H series, which had known issues with streaming apps.

Resetting Audio Settings

If adjusting individual settings doesn’t resolve the problem, a complete audio settings reset might help:

Go to your TV’s home screen
Navigate to Settings > Device Preferences > Sound
Select “Reset to Default”
Confirm the reset when prompted

This will restore all audio settings to factory defaults, potentially resolving any configuration issues causing the sync problem.

App-Specific Solutions

Different streaming apps may require specific approaches:

Netflix:

Try forcing the app to stream at a specific quality level rather than auto

Clear the app cache (Settings > Apps > Netflix > Clear Cache)
Uninstall and reinstall the Netflix app

YouTube:

Try different quality settings
Use the YouTube website through a browser instead of the app
Clear watch history and app cache

Hulu, Disney+, and other services:

Check if the issue persists across multiple streaming services
If only one service has sync issues, troubleshoot that specific app

Try logging out and logging back into problematic apps

Power Cycling and Hard Reset Options

Sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective. Power cycling your devices can resolve temporary glitches causing audio sync issues.

Basic Power Cycle

Turn off your Hisense TV
Unplug the TV from the wall outlet
Press and hold the power button on the TV (not the remote) for about 15-30 seconds
Leave the TV unplugged for at least 5 minutes
Plug the TV back in and turn it on

This process helps clear the TV’s temporary memory and reset internal components that might be causing audio sync problems.

Full System Reset

If all else fails, a factory reset might be necessary. Note that this will erase all your personalized settings:

Navigate to Settings > System > Advanced System Settings (or Reset & Admin)
Select “Factory Reset” or “Reset TV to Factory Defaults”
Enter your PIN if prompted (the default is usually 0000 or 1234)

Confirm the reset
Allow the TV to restart and go through the initial setup process

After the reset, check if the audio sync issue persists before reconfiguring your preferred settings.

Here’s a helpful video tutorial that demonstrates many of the troubleshooting steps covered in this guide. This comprehensive video walks you through various audio troubleshooting steps specifically for Hisense TVs, including resolving sync issues, audio cutouts, and more.

Advanced Troubleshooting

If you’ve tried all the basic solutions and are still experiencing audio sync problems, advanced techniques might help.

Diagnosing Input Source Problems

Sometimes the source device, rather than the TV itself, is causing sync issues:

Test multiple input sources: Try different devices (cable box, streaming stick, Blu-ray player) to determine if the problem is source-specific

Bypass unnecessary hardware: Remove any unnecessary devices in the chain (like HDMI switches or splitters) that might add processing delay
Test different content types: See if the sync issue occurs with all content or only with certain formats (4K, HDR, etc.)
Verify cable quality: Replace HDMI cables with newer, high-quality versions that support the latest standards

Network-Related Solutions

For streaming-related sync issues:

Improve your network connection: Move to a wired ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi if possible
Reduce network congestion: Limit other devices using your network during streaming
Test different internet speeds: Run speed tests at different times to see if network congestion is affecting your streaming quality

Reset network devices: Power cycle your router and modem to clear potential networking issues

Audio Format Compatibility

Different audio formats can be processed at different speeds:

Check your TV’s supported audio formats: Some Hisense models handle certain audio formats better than others
Try disabling advanced audio features: Features like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X might cause processing delays on some systems

Match formats between devices: Ensure your TV and external audio device are set to compatible audio formats

FAQs About Hisense TV Audio Sync Issues

Why does my Hisense TV have audio that’s out of sync only on certain apps or channels?

When audio sync issues occur only on specific apps or channels, it’s typically related to how those particular sources process and transmit their audio-video signals.

Streaming services like Netflix or YouTube might use different compression methods that your TV processes at varying speeds. For broadcast channels, the issue could be with the broadcast signal itself or how your TV or cable box decodes it.

To troubleshoot app-specific problems, try clearing the app’s cache (Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Clear Cache), uninstalling and reinstalling the problematic app, or checking if the app has any available updates.

For channel-specific issues, try changing the audio output format in your TV settings from Auto or Dolby Digital to PCM, which often provides better synchronization for broadcast content.

If problems persist, contact your service provider, as they may be experiencing known issues with their signal transmission.

How do I know if I need to adjust audio forward or backward on my Hisense TV?

Determining which direction to adjust your audio sync settings depends on what you’re observing on screen. If you notice that sounds occur before corresponding actions on screen (like hearing dialogue before lips move), you need to add delay to the audio signal.

Conversely, if sounds occur after their visual cues (lips move but words come later), you need to reduce the audio delay or add delay to the video. When adjusting, make small incremental changes (usually in 10ms steps) and test with content that has clear audio-visual cues, such as dialogue-heavy scenes or music performances.

Most Hisense TVs allow adjustment through Settings > Sound > Advanced Settings > Lip Sync. Remember that the optimal setting might vary between different input sources or apps, so you may need different adjustments for your cable box versus streaming applications.

Will upgrading my HDMI cables improve audio sync issues on my Hisense TV?

Upgrading to high-quality HDMI cables can indeed help resolve audio sync issues, particularly if you’re using older cables that don’t fully support the latest HDMI standards.

Newer HDMI 2.1 cables with higher bandwidth capacity (48Gbps) can more efficiently handle the simultaneous transmission of high-definition video and audio signals, reducing the likelihood of synchronization problems.

This becomes especially important when dealing with high-bandwidth content like 4K HDR video coupled with advanced audio formats. If you’re connecting a soundbar or AV receiver, look specifically for cables that explicitly support HDMI ARC or eARC features, as these are designed for optimal audio return performance.

However, cable upgrades will only help if the sync issue stems from bandwidth or signal integrity problems—they won’t fix issues caused by internal processing delays or software bugs in your TV or connected devices.

Why does my Hisense TV audio go out of sync after watching for a while?

Audio synchronization that deteriorates over time often points to processing or memory issues within your TV. As your Hisense TV runs for extended periods, internal processors can become overtaxed, especially when handling demanding content or multiple tasks simultaneously.

This gradually leads to timing discrepancies between audio and video processing paths. The issue may be exacerbated by enabled features that require continuous processing, such as motion smoothing, dynamic contrast, or certain sound enhancements. Regular power cycling can help: completely power down your TV (unplug it, not just standby mode) for about five minutes to clear the memory and reset all processing components.

If the problem consistently occurs with specific content or after predictable time intervals, consider disabling memory-intensive TV features or checking for available firmware updates. For persistent issues, a factory reset might be necessary, followed by careful reintroduction of features to identify which one might be causing the problem.

Does the Hisense TV model affect how likely audio sync problems are to occur?

Yes, certain Hisense TV models and operating system versions are more susceptible to audio sync issues than others. Generally, entry-level models with less powerful processors may struggle more with complex audio-video synchronization tasks, especially when using advanced features or processing high-bandwidth content.

Based on user reports, some Hisense models running older versions of the Android TV operating system (particularly pre-2022 models) have experienced more frequent sync issues than newer models with VIDAA OS or Google TV.

The U8H series had documented issues with audio sync specifically when using certain streaming apps, which were later addressed through firmware updates. Higher-end models typically incorporate more sophisticated processing capabilities and larger memory buffers that help maintain proper synchronization.

If you’re experiencing persistent issues with a specific model, check Hisense support forums or contact customer service to determine if there are known issues with your particular model and whether any firmware updates or specific settings adjustments are recommended.

Can using a soundbar fix audio sync issues on my Hisense TV?

Using a soundbar can either resolve or potentially worsen audio sync issues, depending on your specific setup and the soundbar’s capabilities. On the positive side, quality soundbars often have built-in audio delay adjustment features that give you greater control over synchronization than your TV’s internal settings.

Some advanced models include automatic lip-sync correction technology that continuously adjusts timing to maintain proper sync. However, adding a soundbar introduces another device in the audio chain, which can sometimes create additional delay if not configured correctly.

For best results when using a soundbar with a Hisense TV, connect it via HDMI ARC/eARC rather than optical connections when possible, as this provides better sync capabilities and allows the TV’s remote to control the soundbar volume.

Also, ensure both devices have updated firmware and try setting both the TV and soundbar audio output formats to PCM rather than Dolby Digital or other surround formats, as PCM generally processes with less delay. If problems persist, experiment with the audio delay adjustments on both devices until you find the optimal combination.

How do I fix audio sync issues when using bluetooth headphones with my Hisense TV?

Bluetooth connections inherently introduce some audio delay due to the time required for wireless transmission and processing, which can cause noticeable sync issues when watching video content.

To minimize these problems when using Bluetooth headphones with your Hisense TV, first ensure your TV’s Bluetooth firmware is updated to the latest version. Navigate to your TV’s Bluetooth settings menu and check if there’s a “Low Latency” or “Gaming Mode” option available for audio devices. These modes prioritize speed over audio quality to reduce delay.

Some newer Hisense models have specific Bluetooth audio delay compensation settings that can be adjusted (found in Settings > Sound > Advanced Settings > Bluetooth Audio Delay). If these options aren’t available or don’t solve the issue, try connecting your headphones to your remote control instead of directly to the TV, as some Hisense remotes offer improved Bluetooth audio processing.

Lastly, consider using headphones that support aptX Low Latency or similar codecs specifically designed for minimizing audio delay in video applications. If persistent issues continue, wired headphones remain the most reliable option for perfectly synchronized audio.

What should I do if firmware updates make audio sync worse on my Hisense TV?

If a recent firmware update has worsened your audio synchronization issues, you have several options to address the problem. First, document exactly when and how the sync problems occur, as this information will be valuable for troubleshooting and potential warranty claims.

Next, check Hisense support forums and social media channels to see if others are reporting similar issues with the same update—this can confirm whether it’s a widespread problem. Some Hisense TV models allow you to roll back to a previous firmware version through the service menu (typically accessed by pressing a specific sequence on your remote, though this varies by model and should be researched carefully as it may void warranties).

As an immediate workaround, try changing your audio output settings to PCM instead of Auto or Dolby Digital, as this often provides better synchronization even with problematic firmware. If the issue persists, contact Hisense customer support directly with your model number, firmware version, and detailed description of the problem.

For severe cases where the TV becomes unusable, you may qualify for service under warranty if the issue can be directly attributed to an official firmware update that degraded functionality.