I'm having sound issues when I try to watch Netflix.
If you're experiencing any of the following sound issues on your computer, game console, smart TV, Blu-ray player, or set-top box while trying to watch Netflix:
- No sound
- Sound that fades in and out
- Volume that seems to increase and decrease
- Sped-up sound
- Sound out of sync with video
Make sure your issues are not caused by a problem with the TV show or movie itself by following these steps.
Try to play another TV show or movie. If another title plays without issue, go to the Viewing Activity page and select the Report a Problem link next to the title that did not work.
- If you do not see the Report a Problem link, the problem has automatically been reported.
If the steps above didn't resolve the issue, follow the troubleshooting steps for your device below.
Mac Computers
Make sure the volume is turned up on both the Netflix.com player and your computer.
- Click Play to begin watching a TV show or movie through Netflix.com.
- While your video is playing, locate the audio icon
in the player control bar. Hover over the icon until you get a slider pop-up, then slide the control knob to the top to turn the volume all the way up. - Ensure the volume on your computer is also turned up.
- There may be volume controls on your keyboard as part of the function keys. Depending on your setup, you may need to hold down the Function (fn) key while also pressing F1.
- If you're using a laptop or tablet, unplug any external speakers or headphones to see if you get better sound through the built-in speakers.
- If you need any help with your computer’s volume, check your owner's manual or talk with your computer manufacturer.
Netflix streaming performance may improve if you close browser tabs, applications and programs that may be taking up your computer's memory and processing resources.
While playing a movie or TV show, check to see if there is an HD button.
- If you see an HD button, click it, then uncheck Allow HD.
- If you don't see an HD button, you are likely using a newer browser, which will automatically adjust your video to the appropriate quality settings.
Sometimes anti-virus software can interfere with the player Netflix uses to play TV shows and movies.
- Quit your anti-virus software and play your TV show or movie again.
- If a TV show or movie resumes after you've quit your anti-virus software, this may indicate that the software is outdated or unintentionally preventing Netflix from playing. Please reach out to your anti-virus software manufacturer to address these issues.
Windows Computers
Windows XP/Vista/7
Make sure the volume is turned up on both the Netflix.com player and your computer.
- Click Play to begin watching a TV show or movie through Netflix.com.
- While your video is playing, locate the audio icon in the player control bar. Hover over the icon until you get a slider pop-up, then slide the control knob to the top to turn the volume all the way up.
- Ensure the volume on your computer is also turned up.
- There may be volume controls on your keyboard as part of the function keys. Depending on your setup, you may need to hold down the Function (fn) key while also pressing F1.
- If you're using a laptop or tablet, unplug any external speakers or headphones to see if you get better sound through the built-in speakers.
- If you need any help with your computer’s volume, check your owner's manual or talk with your computer manufacturer.
Netflix streaming performance may improve if you close browser tabs, applications and programs that may be taking up your computer's memory and processing resources.
- From the desktop, right-click on the speaker icon on the taskbar.
- Select Playback Device.
- On the Playback tab, click the Default Device (indicated by a green circle with a check mark inside).
- Click Properties.
- Select the Enhancements tab.
- Check the box for Loudness Equalization.
- Make sure Disable all enhancements is unchecked.
- Click OK to close Speakers Properties, then click OK.
- Try Netflix again.
Note: The Enhancements tab may not be available on all computers. If you do not see the Enhancements tab, your audio drivers or sound card may not support this feature.
While playing a movie or TV show, check to see if there is an HD button.
- If you see an HD button, click it, then uncheck Allow HD.
- If you don't see an HD button, you are likely using a newer browser, which will automatically adjust your video to the appropriate quality settings.
Sometimes anti-virus software can interfere with the player Netflix uses to play TV shows and movies.
- Quit your anti-virus software and play your TV show or movie again.
- If a TV show or movie resumes after you've quit your anti-virus software, this may indicate that the software is outdated or unintentionally preventing Netflix from playing. Please reach out to your anti-virus software manufacturer to address these issues.
Windows 8
Make sure the volume is turned up on both the Netflix.com player and your computer.
- Click Play to begin watching a TV show or movie through Netflix.com.
- While your video is playing, locate the audio icon in the player control bar. Hover over the icon until you get a slider pop-up, then slide the control knob to the top to turn the volume all the way up.
- Ensure the volume on your computer is also turned up.
- There may be volume controls on your keyboard as part of the function keys. Depending on your setup, you may need to hold down the Function (fn) key while also pressing F1.
- If you're using a laptop or tablet, unplug any external speakers or headphones to see if you get better sound through the built-in speakers.
- If you need any help with your computer’s volume, check your owner's manual or talk with your computer manufacturer.
Netflix streaming performance may improve if you close browser tabs, applications and programs that may be taking up your computer's memory and processing resources.
- Launch the Netflix app.
- Select a TV show or movie.
- While your TV show or movie is playing, move your mouse over the screen.
- Click the Dialog icon
. - If surround sound (5.1) is selected, try changing it to a non-5.1 option.
- Try Netflix again.
If switching to a non-5.1 option resolves your audio issue, please troubleshoot audio issues with your 5.1 surround sound to resume playing in 5.1.
Windows 10
Make sure the volume is turned up on both the Netflix.com player and your computer.
- Click Play to begin watching a TV show or movie through Netflix.com.
- While your video is playing, locate the audio icon in the player control bar. Hover over the icon until you get a slider pop-up, then slide the control knob to the top to turn the volume all the way up.
- Ensure the volume on your computer is also turned up.
- There may be volume controls on your keyboard as part of the function keys. Depending on your setup, you may need to hold down the Function (fn) key while also pressing F1.
- If you're using a laptop or tablet, unplug any external speakers or headphones to see if you get better sound through the built-in speakers.
- If you need any help with your computer’s volume, check your owner's manual or talk with your computer manufacturer.
Netflix streaming performance may improve if you close browser tabs, applications and programs that may be taking up your computer's memory and processing resources.
- Right click on the speaker icon in the lower right corner of your taskbar.
- Select Playback Devices.
- Select the speaker icon, then click the Properties button.
- Select Advanced from the tabs at the top of the pop-up window.
- From the drop-down menu, select 24 bit, 192000 hz (Studio Quality).
- Select OK to save your settings.
- Try Netflix again.
- Launch the Netflix app.
- Select a TV show or movie.
- While your TV show or movie is playing, move your mouse over the screen.
- Click the Dialog icon .
- If surround sound (5.1) is selected, try changing it to a non-5.1 option.
- Try Netflix again.
If switching to a non-5.1 option resolves your audio issue, please troubleshoot audio issues with your 5.1 surround sound to resume playing in 5.1.
All other devices
If your device is connected directly to your TV, check your Netflix app audio options. If surround sound (5.1) is selected, try changing it to a non-5.1 option. If you are unsure how to change your Netflix app audio settings, visit our alternative audio article.
Note: If you're trying to stream Netflix in 5.1 surround sound, your equipment might not be compatible. If switching to a non-5.1 option resolves your audio issue, please troubleshoot audio issues with your 5.1 surround sound.
If you have frequent audio or video issues with every title you try to watch on Netflix, try the troubleshooting steps below. Your issue may be coming from the device you're using to stream, the TV, receivers, or stereo equipment you're streaming to, or the cables that connect them all together.
- Streaming Device or TV:
- Audio issues can often be corrected by changing audio tracks on your TV or streaming device, or by adjusting audio settings in the TV or streaming device menu.
- If the picture is stretched or cut off, changing the screen resolution on the TV or streaming device may resolve the issue.
- If the picture is too large or too small, try zooming in or out if your TV has that option.
- Other equipment:
- Bypass any receivers or stereo equipment by connecting the streaming device directly to your TV.
- You can do this by simply tracing the HDMI cable from the streaming device to wherever it's plugged in. Unplug the HDMI cable from any receiver or stereo equipment it may be plugged into and plug it directly into the TV.
- If you're using a laptop or tablet, try unplugging any external headphones or speakers to see if you get better sound through the built-in speakers.
- Bypass any receivers or stereo equipment by connecting the streaming device directly to your TV.
- Cables
- If you're using an HDMI cable, try reversing the ends, or try a new HDMI cable.
- If you're connecting via an HDMI cable, try another HDMI port on your TV.
- Switching from HDMI to a component or composite audio/video cable may correct some display issues.
