How to resolve audio playback issues on your Roku wireless speakers

No audio is heard when paired to a Roku TV system

When you initially set up your Roku wireless speakers, the speakers built into your Roku TV system are automatically disabled (meaning you will only hear audio from your wireless speakers). If you do hear audio from your TV's built-in speakers, you can assume that your wireless speakers are disconnected. If this is the case, you should first check that the power cables are securely attached and the status LED on the back of each speaker is on and not flashing.

If the status LED on each speaker is flashing, your Roku wireless speakers are not paired to your TV and you should try again to set up your wireless speakers.

When both speakers are powered on and the status LED is on (and not flashing), open the settings menu on your TV as described below to confirm your wireless speakers are connected.

On this screen, you will see Wireless speaker (L) and Wireless speaker (R) when your wireless speakers are connected to your TV.

You can select either speaker to view information such as serial number and software version, along with options to reset sound settings or factory reset the speaker.

If both speakers appear, but you still hear audio from your TV's built-in speakers, go to Settings > Audio > Speakers to check that they are not turned off.

If your wireless speakers do not appear, try the following:

If the behavior continues, factory reset each speaker and try again to set up your wireless speakers. If your speakers fail to pair, read about what you can do to resolve pairing problems with Roku wireless speakers.

No audio is heard when paired to a Roku Streambar, Roku Streambar Pro, or Roku Smart Soundbar

When you are using your Roku wireless speakers with a Roku Streambar, Roku Streambar Pro, or Roku Smart Soundbar, you can typically expect to hear audio from the Streambar or soundbar. If you do not hear audio from the wireless speakers, you should first check that the power cables are securely attached and the status LED on the back of each speaker is on and not flashing.

If the status LED on each speaker is flashing, your Roku wireless speakers are not paired to your Roku host device and you should try again to set up your wireless speakers.

When both speakers are powered on and the status LED is on (and not flashing), open the settings menu on your Roku host device as described below to confirm your wireless speakers are connected.

On this screen, you will see Wireless speaker (Rear L) and Wireless speaker (Rear R) when your wireless speakers are connected to your Streambar or soundbar.

You can select either speaker to view information such as serial number and software version, along with options to reset sound settings or factory reset the speaker.

If both speakers appear, but you still do not hear audio from your wireless speakers, go to Settings > Audio > Speakers to check that they are not turned off.

If your wireless speakers do not appear, try the following:

If the behavior continues, factory reset each speaker and try again to set up your wireless speakers. If your speakers fail to pair, read about what you can do to resolve pairing problems with Roku wireless speakers.

Next, you should check that the title you want to watch is actually in a surround sound format. When using the internal streaming player, this is typically indicated on the content itself (e.g., "5.1", "Dolby Digital Plus 5.1", "Dolby Surround". "Dolby Atmos"). For external content (e.g., Blu-ray player, TV broadcast) check that your TV's digital audio output is set to Auto (or passthrough) and that the source is configured for surround sound. For more help, contact the manufacturer of the external device, or refer to their online help documentation.

If the content does not specifically say if it is in surround, then it likely is not. To hear audio from your wireless speakers in these cases, press Star on your Roku remote during playback and change the Expanded Stereo sound setting to one of the following choices:

• Movies and TV: Makes stereo sound feel like surround sound
• Music: Uses all speakers to fill your room with stereo sound
• Off: Stereo sound only plays from front speakers

How to fix audio echoes

If you hear an echo when listening to your Roku wireless speakers, there is likely a delay with the audio from one speaker. Use the steps below to eliminate an echo.

If you continue to hear an echo, proceed to the following:

If the echo is still heard, try the steps below:

How to fix volume differences

Movies and television shows can have a wide range of sounds but using the volume modes lets you enjoy a more even listening experience. Switch to Automatic Volume Leveling to hear more consistent audio levels across various types of entertainment, making it less jarring when a commercial comes on or while switching apps. Use Night Mode to lower the volume level for louder scenes and boost it for quieter ones, letting you watch late-night TV without disturbing others.

You can enable volume modes from the options menu by pressing Star during video playback. For more help, read the detailed article about using volume modes on your Roku host device and wireless speakers.

How to fix audio coming from only one speaker

When you initially set up and pair your wireless speakers to your Roku TV system, you should have heard distinct audio from both the left and right speaker. However, if after some time you find you only hear audio from one speaker, troubleshoot with the following steps.

If you still do not hear any audio from the speaker, proceed to the following:

If the issue continues, try the steps below:

Where should I begin troubleshooting other audio issues?

When troubleshooting other audio playback issues such as clicks, pops, audio drops, intermittent stops/starts, or synchronization issues; you should first determine if the behavior only happens when playing a particular movie, TV show, or other piece of content.

If the behavior does not continue when playing the second title, the audio issue is specific to the original title. Contact the service provider to report the problem, or try replacing the media content (e.g., DVD, Blu-ray disc, video game disc). If the audio issue is present when playing both titles, continue to the next steps:

If you no longer hear the audio issue, the behavior is specific to the original streaming app or external device. You may need to remove the streaming app and add it back to your Roku device, or reconfigure or replace the external device.

If you hear the audio issue when playing content from more than one streaming app, or from a streaming app and an external device, test that the behavior is isolated to your Roku wireless speakers using the steps below.

If you continue to hear the audio issue, try powering off your Roku host device and test again after it powers back on. If the audio issue only occurs when sound is coming from your Roku wireless speakers, move to the next section to troubleshoot your wireless speakers.

How to fix other audio issues

Once you isolate an audio issue to your Roku wireless speakers using the steps in the previous section, try the suggestions below to fix any other audio issues like clicks, pops, audio drops, intermittent stops/starts, sync issues.

Check for a software update

Use the steps below to check for a software update for your Roku host device and wireless speakers.

Your Roku host device will download and install any software updates and restart automatically when finished. For more information, read about updating the software on your Roku device.

Restart your Roku host device and wireless speakers

Restart both your Roku host device and wireless speakers by unplugging their power cables, or your can use the instructions below.

Roku TV System

Roku Streambar, Roku Streambar Pro, or Roku Smart Soundbar

• Press Homeon your Roku remote

• Scroll and select Settings

• Select System

• Select system restart

Wireless Speakers

• Press the Reset button at the back of each speaker

After your Roku host device powers on, it may take a couple minutes to re-establish the connection with your wireless speakers.

Advanced network configuration (only when paired to a Roku TV system)

The following suggestions only apply when your Roku wireless speakers are used with a Roku TV system. These suggestions are provided if you are comfortable working with your networking equipment. You will likely need to use your computer or mobile device to sign into an admin tool on your router*. If you cannot locate the username and password and believe they have not been changed (remember that passwords are typically case-sensitive), the default values may be listed on the manufacturer’s website or user manual, or possibly on the bottom of the router. If you need help configuring your router or other network equipment, refer to the user manual or contact the manufacturer.

• Connect to the 5GHz wireless network: If your router supports 5GHz, make sure it is enabled in the router settings and try connecting to the 5GHz wireless network (e.g., MyNetwork_5GHz).
• Change the wireless channel: When your router automatically selects a wireless channel, it can lead to intermittent or slow connectivity due to undetected interference from other wireless devices. Try disabling this automatic setting on your router and choose a wireless channel manually.

• Move the router farther away: If your router is close to your TV, try moving it a little farther away. This may seem counter-intuitive but having the router too close to the TV may cause the wireless signal to degrade.

*A note on terminology:

To access your network and ultimately the internet, you will typically connect to a device called a router but it may also be referred to as a wireless router, wireless access point, home gateway or cable modem. In some cases, your internet service provider (ISP) may have provided you with a single integrated device that includes a cable modem and a router, or you may have purchased a stand-alone router from a company such as Linksys, NETGEAR, ASUS, Belkin or D-Link. In this article, the term router is used as a generic term to refer to the network device that your Roku device must connect to access the internet. For more information refer to the documentation provided by your ISP or router manufacturer.