TV audio stops or skips
This article provides common fixes for TV audio interruptions while using Sonos home theater speakers. See our article about Sonos home theater products not outputting sound if you’re not hearing any TV audio from your Sonos home theater.
1. Reboot the TV and audio source
Unplug the power cable from your TV and any connected audio source (such as a cable box or video game console). Wait 10 seconds before reinserting the cable and testing TV audio.
2. Check the cable connection
Inspect the optical or HDMI cable to ensure it’s not bent or kinked and check to see that it’s fully inserted into both devices.
If using an optical cable, keep the TV audio source powered on and remove the end of the cable connected to your Sonos player. With one end of the optical cable connected to the TV, confirm that you can see a red light coming through the other end. If available, test another cable between the devices to see if the issue continues.
3. Update the TV’s software
Check the user manual for specific instructions on how to update the TV’s software and firmware.
4. Adjust the audio format
You can adjust most TV settings to output a different audio format. We recommend testing Stereo/PCM to see if the issue improves. If audio interruptions only occur when set to Dolby Digital, the TV may not be passing an audio signal correctly. We suggest reaching out to the TV manufacturer for further help.
5. Adjust the group audio delay
The group audio delay setting introduces a delay between your Sonos home theater product and any grouped rooms while playing TV audio. This reduces the chance of audio issues occurring when your Sonos products are playing TV audio in a group and the sync between the audio and video is not critical.
- In the Sonos app for iOS or Android, go to the Settings menu.
- If using the Sonos S1 Controller app, go to the Settings tab and select System.
- Under My System, select your home theater product.
- Under Home Theater, select Group Audio Delay and then choose a delay option.
