Here’s a quick fix that works in most cases: close the Netflix app completely (force quit on phones/tablets) and restart your device. If the sound is still glitching, move on to the steps below.
What’s happening with my Netflix sound?
Those annoying audio glitches on Netflix—crackling, popping, or sound that’s completely out of sync—almost always trace back to one of three things: a software hiccup in the app itself, a network bottleneck choking your connection, or a mismatch between your TV or sound system’s audio settings and what Netflix is trying to send. In rare cases, the problem might even be on Netflix’s end during those rare high-traffic spikes, but honestly, that’s pretty uncommon Netflix Help Center.
How do I actually fix this?
- Restart your streaming device
- Roku: Settings → System → System restart
- Fire TV: Settings → My Fire TV → Restart
- Apple TV: Settings → System → Restart
- Smart TV: Unplug for 30 seconds, then plug back in
- Reset your network connection
- Unplug both your modem and router for 30 seconds.
- Plug the modem back in first and wait for all the lights to stabilize—usually takes 2–3 minutes.
- Now plug the router back in and wait another 2 minutes before testing Netflix.
- If you’re on Wi-Fi, try switching to a wired Ethernet connection temporarily. Wireless interference can wreak havoc on your audio.
- Check and adjust audio settings inside Netflix
- Open Netflix and start playing a title.
- Pause the video and click the Audio & Subtitles icon (the speaker icon with lines) in the top-right corner.
- Switch from Stereo to 5.1 Surround or Dolby Atmos if those options appear. If you don’t see them, your TV or sound system probably doesn’t support them.
- Still hearing distortion? Try switching to PCM under your TV’s audio settings (more on that below).
- Change your TV’s audio output mode to PCM
- Grab your TV remote and open Settings.
- Navigate to Sound → Sound Output or Audio Settings.
- Set Digital Audio Out or HDMI Audio Format to PCM.
- Save the setting and restart Netflix.
I tried all that and the sound is still glitching. What now?
- Update your Netflix app and device firmware
- Android TV / Fire TV: Google Play Store → My Apps → Update Netflix
- Roku: Home screen → Streaming Channels → Netflix → Update
- Smart TV: Check for system updates in Settings (varies by brand).
- Reset the Netflix app (your profile stays intact)
- Android: Settings → Apps → Netflix → Storage → Clear Cache and Clear Data
- iOS: Settings → General → iPhone Storage → Netflix → Offload App → Reinstall
- Windows/macOS: Uninstall and reinstall the app from the Microsoft Store or Netflix website.
- Disable Dolby Digital or DTS passthrough on your soundbar/AVR
- On your soundbar or AV receiver, go to Audio Settings and set HDMI Audio Format to PCM instead of Bitstream.
- This bypasses the complex decoding that sometimes causes sync or glitch issues.
How can I stop this from happening again?
- Keep your streaming device updated — out-of-date firmware is a top cause of audio glitches Android Central.
- Avoid running bandwidth-heavy apps in the background — pause downloads, cloud backups, or game updates while streaming. Even something as simple as a large download can choke your connection.
- Use a wired Ethernet connection if possible — Wi-Fi interference can cause audio dropouts, especially during peak hours when everyone’s streaming.
- Reboot your router and modem every 2–4 weeks to clear memory leaks and refresh connectivity. It’s like giving your network a fresh start.
- Check your HDMI cables and ports — damaged or loose cables can cause intermittent signal loss. If the connectors are bent or the picture flickers too, replace the cable.
Most audio glitches on Netflix are fixed in under 5 minutes with a simple restart and a quick settings tweak. If the problem keeps happening after trying everything here, the issue might be hardware-related—like a failing soundbar, AV receiver, or even your TV’s built-in speakers.
