Roku Device Keeps Losing Sound – Causes and How to Fix

One of the most ideal ways to enjoy the benefits of smart streaming content is by using a Roku device. This device is affordable and it comes with excellent features. The simple remotes as well as the sophisticated software’s interface are some of the amazing factors that you should expect when improving your home with this device.

Whether you are dealing with a damaged remote, an issue with the compatibility of your device or perhaps the device itself has malfunctioned; problems that stem from the Roku system can prove to be extremely frustrating. The good news is that most of the time, these problems can be easily solved.

If you are dealing with an audio problem such your Roku device keeps losing sound, this could be because of a faulty software setting. A drop in your audio sound could also be caused by a damaged cable. Solving the issue will depend on the complexity of the setup of your Roku device.

Now that we have highlighted on some of the possible reasons why your device keeps losing sound, we can breakdown the possible solutions. Before you try any of these solutions, it is advisable that you switch off your Roku device and all the other connected appliances. Unplug the device from the power switch and wait 10 seconds before plugging it back in and switching on your device.

Roku Device Keeps Losing Sound – fixes

Solution 1: Check your connections and the selected inputs

This issue generally stems from an incorrect setting. To correct this setting you should click on the audio setting then from there select ‘Audio.’ If you use a PDIF cable as an audio output and you connect it to your receiver, you can manage the audio mode and set it  to ‘Dolby Digital.’ If you have connected your home devices such as the TV set to the Roku device using a HDMI cable, you can adjust the audio mode and set it to ‘DD+ or Dolby Digital.’

If your Roku device is connected to a sound bar, an A/V receiver, you can press the Home button of your Roku remote. Scroll to the ‘Settings Section.’ Select Audio, set the audio mode to stereo then select the HDMI to PCM-Stereo mode.

Solution 2: Switching your cables

There are cases whereby you could be dealing with a faulty or damaged HDMI cable, component or optical cable. This is easily solved by swapping your cable with a different set.  There are three different types of cables for your Roku device and the good news is that all these types are affordable.

Solution 3: Play with a Particular audio

There could be instances whereby you will hear the sound on a certain type of content, but not another. If this is the case, then there is a compatibility issue with the audio format that you are playing or an issue with the connected gear. To solve this, you can confirm if your component cables, HDMI cable or the optical cable is properly inserted into your ROKU device as well as the HDMI switcher, A/V receiver or sound bar that is found on the other end. If you have connected your devices with an optical cable (TOSLink), you can adjust the S/PDIF and HDMI to PCM-Stereo.

Solution 4: Your Audio Settings

If the sound only comes from the stereo and you cannot get any surround sound, you have to adjust the settings of your audio. Your Roku device should be able to determine the capability of your TV, sound bar or A/V receiver. However, there are instances whereby the device may require some assistance. If the content of your sound is presented in Dolby Atmos or Dolby 5.1 format, and instead you cannot hear any surround sound, the following steps are guaranteed to help you.

First, on your remote control press ‘Home.’ Scroll to the ‘Settings’ section. Click on ‘Audio.’ At this point you will notice that your optical connectors such as the S/PDIF or HDMI are on the Auto Detect mode. Select the option that will match with the features of your TV set, soundbar or A/V receiver. There are a number of channels that come with unique audio settings, and adjusting to these specific settings is a guarantee that you will be able to enjoy surround sound.

Solution 5: Begin playback of the video

Many clients who own the Roku Ultra device have complained about distorted or garbled audio before the audio finally disappears completely. To solve this problem, you can begin playback of the video. Click on the star(*) button. Toggle to the Volume mode, then select the off option that is found on the right side.

Solution 6: Tweaking the properties of the video

Yet another common complaint is that the audio and video fail to sync as the content plays. This is solved by tweaking the settings of the video. On your Roku remote select home. Scroll down and click on settings. Click on system option and then advanced system settings. Choose the Advanced display settings option. Select on the Auto –adjust display refresh rate and disable this setting.

Conclusion

Before trying out all these options, you should confirm that your TV or the appliance that you are using is not on mute. The volume button should also be up. The steps listed above are guaranteed to solve any issue with your audio.  After trying out these steps, re-setting your TV set is still necessary. This can be done by unplugging you TV from the power socket. You can also disconnect or unplug all the other devices that are connected to your TV. After around 20 seconds, you can plug your TV to the power source and connect all the devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I un-mute my Roku device?

On the ROKU app, at the top of the screen, there is the microphone icon that you can use to un mute the device. By simply clicking on it, you can prompt it to be muted or unmated.

2. For how long will my Roku device ran?

The expected life span of this device is 3-5 years. However, it basically depends on the device that you have. A sub-standard Roku device will not last as long as long as the deluxe Roku model.