Sonos's TV sync article splits lag into two directions. If the audio is behind the video, reboot the TV and any source device such as a game console, cable box or Blu-ray player, then disable extra audio processing on the TV and the source, which is the common cause because processing happens before the sound reaches Sonos. Change the audio format on the TV and source to Stereo or PCM to remove the delay caused by surround processing, noting that this turns off surround sound.
If the audio is ahead of the video, open the Sonos app, Settings, Your System, select the home theater product, Home Theater, TV Dialog Sync and move the slider to the right to delay the audio until it matches. If other rooms are grouped with your home theater product, Sonos's group audio delay setting adds a delay between the soundbar and the grouped rooms while TV audio plays to prevent stops and skips. Music delay in grouped rooms is normal for some sources.
Differential
Likely causes of “Sonos home speakers and soundbars audio is delayed or out of sync”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Audio processing on the TV or source
What separates it The sound lags the picture because of audio processing on the TV or the source
How to confirm Disable the extra processing, and reboot both the TV and the source
- 2
Surround processing
What separates it The lag appears on surround formats because of surround processing
How to confirm Switch to Stereo or PCM to test, and see whether the lag stops
- 3
Audio ahead of video
What separates it Voices lead the lips because the audio is ahead of the video
How to confirm Use TV Dialog Sync to delay the sound
- 4
Grouped rooms
What separates it The lag shows while other rooms play TV audio because the rooms are grouped
How to confirm Adjust the group audio delay setting, in the Sonos app
- 5
A wireless dropout
What separates it The lag is occasional because of a wireless dropout
How to confirm Check for interference and the wifi signal, and improve them
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The product and the TV or source device
- Whether the audio is ahead of or behind the video
- The audio format the source sends
- Whether other rooms are grouped with the home theater product
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedReboot the chain
ReversibleReboot the chain, by rebooting the TV and any source device that is connected, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Disable processing
ReversibleDisable processing, by turning off extra audio processing on the TV and the source, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Try PCM
ReversibleTry PCM, by setting the audio format to Stereo or PCM, to test the sound.
Use TV Dialog Sync
ReversibleUse TV Dialog Sync, in Settings, your soundbar, Home Theater, and slide right if the audio is early.
Adjust group delay
ReversibleAdjust the group delay, if rooms are grouped, using the group audio delay setting, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check the network
ReversibleCheck the network, by looking at the signal strength and any interference, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Contact Sonos
ReversibleContact Sonos Support if it stays out of sync after these steps, giving them the model.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Which products have TV controls
- TV Dialog Sync is a setting on the home theater products in the Sonos app, including soundbars such as the Arc Ultra, Arc, Beam and Ray.
- Formats by model
- Only the Arc, Arc SL and Arc Ultra play Dolby Digital Plus; other soundbars need a supported format from the TV or source.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models Arc soundbar, Beam (Gen 2), Ray soundbar, Era 300 speaker, Era 100 speaker, Sub (Gen 3), Sub Mini.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the lag remains after disabling processing and using PCM, contact Sonos Support
- !If the TV is the problem, contact the TV maker
- !If only one app lags, contact that app
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Audio behind or ahead of video and TV Dialog Sync.
Format checks that also change delay.
Grouping and volume in groups.
Rebooting products.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why is the audio behind the video?+
Extra audio processing on the TV or source is the common cause, per Sonos.
What is TV Dialog Sync?+
A slider in the Sonos app that delays audio until it matches the picture.
Where do I find it?+
Settings, Your System, your home theater product, Home Theater, TV Dialog Sync.
Why does audio lead the picture?+
Use TV Dialog Sync to delay it.
What is group audio delay?+
A delay between your soundbar and any grouped rooms while TV audio plays.
Does gaming add lag?+
Processing modes on the TV or console can; check their settings.
Does WiFi cause it?+
Wireless dropouts can, but processing is the commoner cause.
Does rebooting the TV help?+
Yes. Sonos lists rebooting the TV and any source device, such as a game console, cable box or Blu-ray player, as the first step.
Can the source device add delay?+
Yes. Extra audio processing on an external source can delay sound before it reaches Sonos, so check its audio output settings.