Few things are more annoying than your TV sound cutting out at the best part of a show. That sudden silence or crackle breaks your focus and leaves you wondering what’s wrong. The good news is that this common problem usually has a fix. Your TV sound goes in and out because the audio signal gets interrupted somewhere between the source and your ears. This interruption can be a simple software hiccup, a loose wire, a setting conflict, or, less often, a hardware issue. This guide will not just list fixes. It will give you a clear, step-by-step method to find the exact cause and apply the right solution, saving you time and frustration.
Understanding Your TV Sound Problem
Before you start pulling out cables, it helps to understand what you’re dealing with. “Intermittent sound” can mean different things, and the specific pattern often points to the cause.
Defining Intermittent Audio Dropouts
An audio dropout is any short loss of sound. But not all dropouts are the same. A split-second cut, like a word being clipped, often points to a digital handshake issue between devices. A drop that lasts for a few seconds might be a software glitch or an app reloading. If the sound fades in and out slowly, it could be related to a heating component or a power issue inside the TV. Paying attention to these details is your first clue.
The Modern TV Audio Signal Path
Think of your TV’s sound like a relay race. The baton is the audio signal. It starts at a source, like a streaming stick, game console, or cable box. It then travels down a connection, usually an HDMI or optical cable, into your TV. Inside the TV, the signal is processed. Finally, it is sent to your speakers. If you have a soundbar or home theater system, the signal might go from the TV back out via an HDMI ARC or eARC port. A problem at any point in this relay—a fumbling source, a broken cable path, a confused TV processor, or a faulty speaker—can make the sound drop out.
The Systematic Diagnostic Funnel
Do not try random fixes. Follow this logical order. Start with the simplest and fastest checks. This method will save you hours and help you pinpoint the problem with confidence.
Step 1: Isolate the Problem with a Sound Test
Your first goal is to answer a simple question: Is the problem in the TV itself, or is it coming from something connected to it? To find out, you must test the TV alone. Unplug every single device from your TV. This includes your Roku, Apple TV, game consoles, cable box, and soundbar. Also, disconnect any audio cables like HDMI ARC or optical cables. Now, turn on your TV and use only its built-in smart apps, like Netflix or YouTube, and its own speakers. Watch for several minutes.
If the sound still cuts in and out during this test, the issue is almost certainly inside the TV. It could be its software, its internal audio board, or its speakers. If the sound is perfectly stable, the problem is not the TV. It is with one of the devices you just disconnected or the cables that link them. This simple test tells you where to focus your energy.
Step 2: Inspect and Secure Physical Connections
If your sound test pointed to an external device, connections are the prime suspect. The most common culprit is the HDMI cable. These cables carry both high-quality video and complex audio signals. A poor connection can easily cause dropouts. First, check that every HDMI cable is firmly plugged in at both ends—into the device and the TV. A loose plug is a frequent cause.
Look at the metal connector. Are any of the tiny pins bent, broken, or look dirty? Even a slight bend can break the connection. Also, inspect the cable itself for sharp kinks or cuts. If you have a spare, high-speed HDMI cable, try swapping it with the one you suspect. This is the fastest way to rule out a bad cable. For soundbars connected via optical cable, ensure the plastic cap is fully inserted and the tiny red light is visible at the end of the cable inside the port.
Step 3: Execute a Power Cycle Reset
Modern electronics are small computers. Like any computer, they can get stuck with a temporary software bug that causes strange issues, like sound cutting out. A full power cycle clears the device’s memory and resets its software state. This fixes many problems. Do not just turn the TV off with the remote. You need to remove all power.
Unplug your TV and all connected devices (streaming sticks, soundbars, etc.) from the wall outlet. Wait for two full minutes. This waiting period is important. It allows any leftover electricity in the components to drain completely. After two minutes, plug everything back in and turn it on. Test your sound again. This simple step resolves a huge number of intermittent audio issues caused by digital glitches.
Step 4: Audit Your TV Audio Settings
Incorrect audio settings can create a mismatch that your equipment cannot handle smoothly, leading to dropouts. Navigate to your TV’s sound or audio settings menu. Look for a few key options. First, find the “Digital Audio Out” or “HDMI Audio Format” setting. Common choices are “PCM,” “Bitstream,” and “Auto.” If you have a soundbar, try changing this from “Auto” to “PCM” as a test. PCM is a simpler, more universal format that often creates a more stable connection.
If your TV and soundbar support eARC or ARC, ensure that feature is turned on. Also, look for any “Surround Sound” or “Dolby Audio” processing options. Try turning these off temporarily to see if the sound becomes stable. Sometimes, the TV tries to process a sound format it or your soundbar cannot handle correctly, causing it to cut out.
Targeted Fixes for the Root Cause
Now that you have followed the diagnostic steps, you should have a better idea of where the problem lies. Use the targeted solutions below based on what you discovered.
Resolving External Source and Connection Issues
If your sound test was clean with just the TV, the issue is external. Start with your source devices. Go into the settings of your Apple TV, Roku, or other streaming device and check for a system update. An outdated firmware can have bugs that cause audio problems. Install any available updates.
HDMI handshake problems are a major cause of brief audio cuts. This is the digital negotiation between devices when they connect. To fix this, you can try changing the HDMI input port on your TV. Also, in your source device’s settings, look for video or audio output options. Sometimes, lowering the video resolution output (e.g., from 4K to 1080p) or changing the audio format can force a more stable handshake. If you have a soundbar, like a Denon or Samsung model, make sure its firmware is also up to date.
Correcting TV Software and Setting Conflicts
If the problem happened even with nothing plugged in, your TV’s software or settings need attention. The first action is to update your TV’s firmware. For a Samsung TV, LG, Vizio, or any smart TV, go to Settings > Support > Software Update and select “Update Now.” Manufacturers often release updates that fix audio bugs.
If an update doesn’t help, try resetting your TV’s audio settings to their factory defaults. This will undo any custom changes that might be causing conflict. As a last software step, if the sound only cuts out on one app like Netflix, the app itself might be corrupted. Go to your TV’s app management settings, find the problematic app, and choose to clear its cache and data. You will need to log in again, but this can clear up app-specific glitches.
Addressing Internal TV Hardware Concerns
If you have done all the software and connection fixes and the sound still cuts out on the TV’s own speakers, you may be facing a hardware issue. This is less common but does happen, especially as TVs age.
Recognizing the signs of hardware failure is key. Does the sound cut out more often after the TV has been on for an hour and is warm? Do you hear faint popping or crackling sounds along with the dropouts? Is the dropout pattern very regular, like every ten minutes exactly? These symptoms often point to a failing electronic component on the TV’s main board or power board, such as bad capacitors or, as some technicians note, most likely failing solder joints on the audio chip. Thermal expansion can break a weak connection, which then makes contact again when things cool down.
For most people, opening a modern TV is not safe or practical due to high-voltage components. If you strongly suspect a hardware fault, your realistic options are to contact a professional TV repair service for a diagnosis or to start considering a replacement, especially if the TV is older and repair costs are high.
Optimizing Your Audio System to Prevent Future Problems
Once your sound is stable, a few smart practices can help keep it that way and improve your overall experience.
Configuring Digital Audio Outputs Correctly
A stable audio system relies on compatible settings. The goal is to avoid forcing your TV to process audio formats it can’t handle. If you have a basic soundbar or use TV speakers, setting your TV’s “Digital Audio Out” to “PCM” is often the most reliable choice. It sends a simple, uncompressed stereo signal. The “Auto” setting can sometimes cause the TV to switch formats mid-stream, leading to a dropout.
If you have a high-end soundbar or AV receiver that supports formats like Dolby Digital, you can use “Bitstream” or “Auto.” But if you experience cuts, switch it to PCM as a test. Ensuring every device in the chain agrees on the audio format is the secret to a handshake that doesn’t fail.
Investing in Your Connection Infrastructure
Not all HDMI cables are equal. For modern 4K TVs, HDR content, and eARC soundbars, a certified “High-Speed” or “Ultra High-Speed” HDMI cable is recommended. These are built to handle the large amount of data required for today’s audio and video without errors. Avoid extremely long cables if possible, as signal quality can degrade over distance.
Finally, manage your cables neatly. Do not bend them at sharp angles behind the TV. Do not run power cables and HDMI cables tightly bundled together, as this can sometimes cause electrical interference. A little care with your setup goes a long way toward reliability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my TV sound go in and out only on Netflix?
This almost always points to an issue with the Netflix app itself or your internet connection. First, try closing the Netflix app completely and reopening it. If that doesn’t work, clear the app’s cache and data from your TV’s settings. As a test, check if other streaming apps like YouTube or Hulu have the same problem. If they don’t, the issue is specific to Netflix. Also, a weak Wi-Fi signal can cause the audio stream to buffer and cut out.
Can electrical problems make my TV sound cut out?
Yes, they can. If your home’s electrical wiring has issues or if the TV is plugged into an old or faulty power strip, it might not get steady power. This can cause the internal components to glitch. Try plugging the TV directly into a different wall outlet. Using a high-quality surge protector can also help filter out minor power fluctuations that might affect sensitive audio circuits.
My sound comes back out of sync. What does this mean?
Audio that returns out of sync after a dropout is a strong sign of a software or processing error. When the audio signal is interrupted and then restarted, the TV’s audio processor can lose its timing with the video. This is common with HDMI handshake problems or internal TV software bugs. Performing a full power cycle on all devices is the best first step to resync everything.
Why does my Samsung TV sound keep going out?
Samsung TVs are very popular, so this is a common search. The causes are the same as for any TV: connection issues, software glitches, or audio setting mismatches. Samsung TVs also have specific audio features like “Adaptive Sound” or “Dolby Atmos” that can sometimes conflict. Try turning off these sound-enhancing modes in the audio settings and set the output to PCM to test for stability. Also, ensure your Samsung TV has the latest firmware update.
Should I repair my TV or buy a new one if the sound goes in and out?
This depends on the diagnosis and cost. If the diagnostic steps point to an easy fix like a setting or a cheap cable, repair is obvious. If a technician diagnoses a failed main board on an older TV, you must compare the repair cost (often $200-$400) to the price of a new TV. For a TV that is more than 5-7 years old, investing in a new model with better picture quality, smart features, and a fresh warranty is often the more sensible long-term choice.
Dealing with a TV whose sound goes in and out is frustrating, but it is usually a solvable problem. The key is to stop guessing and start diagnosing. Remember the simple map: isolate the TV, check the cables, power cycle everything, and review the settings. By following this logical path, you can identify whether you’re dealing with a quick software reset, a loose HDMI cable, or a sign that your TV needs professional attention. Use this guide as your reference, and you can solve the audio mystery and get back to enjoying your shows without interruption.