When your LG OLED TV's sound keeps cutting in and out, it's incredibly distracting. The issue usually comes down to a handshake problem with an external sound system, a specific audio format causing trouble, or a temporary software glitch. Let's get it sorted.
First, try the simplest fix. Unplug your TV from the wall outlet for a full minute, then plug it back in. This forces a full power cycle and can clear up temporary audio processing bugs that cause the sound to drop. While you're at it, unplug your soundbar or AV receiver for a minute too, if you're using one.
Check Your HDMI ARC/eARC Connection
If you're using a soundbar or receiver, this is the most likely culprit. On LG OLEDs, the HDMI port for ARC (Audio Return Channel) or eARC is usually HDMI 2. Make sure your sound system is plugged into that specific port.
Next, check the cable. A faulty or low-quality HDMI cable can't maintain a stable audio signal. I'd swap it out for a certified High-Speed or Ultra High-Speed HDMI cable, which are designed to handle the bandwidth for modern audio formats.
Finally, verify the TV's audio output setting. Press the Settings button on your remote, go to All Settings > Sound > Advanced Settings > Digital Sound Out. Make sure this is set to Auto or Passthrough, not PCM, if your sound system supports it.
Adjust the Audio Format and Sync
Sometimes, the TV and your sound system disagree on how to decode a specific audio track, leading to dropouts. Go back to Digital Sound Out in the Sound settings and try changing the format. If it's on Auto, switch it to PCM. If it's on Passthrough, try Auto.
PCM is the most compatible format and often resolves cut-outs from streaming apps. Passthrough sends the raw signal to your receiver, which is great for home theater but can sometimes cause issues.
Also, check for audio sync issues, which can sometimes manifest as cut-outs. In Sound settings, look for AV Sync Adjustment and try toggling it off or running the adjustment tool if your model has it.
Disable Simplink (HDMI-CEC)
HDMI-CEC, called Simplink on LG TVs, lets your devices control each other. It's convenient, but it's also a common source of audio handshake problems. You can try turning it off to see if it stabilizes the connection.
Go to All Settings > Connection > Device Connection Settings > Simplink (HDMI-CEC) and toggle it off. Test your sound for a while. If the dropouts stop, you know the feature was interfering.
Update Your TV's Software
LG frequently releases firmware updates that fix bugs, including audio-related ones. It's worth checking for an update. Go to All Settings > Support > Software Update and select Check for Updates.
If an update is available, let it install completely. The TV will restart. After the update, test your sound again across different inputs and apps to see if the problem is resolved.
Test the Internal TV Speakers
To isolate the problem, disconnect your soundbar or AV receiver completely. Go to Sound settings and change the sound output to Internal TV Speaker.
Play some content from the TV's native apps, like Netflix or YouTube. If the sound plays consistently without cutting out through the internal speakers, the issue is almost certainly with your external audio setup or the connection to it.
Check for App-Specific Issues
If the sound only cuts out on one app, like Disney+ or Amazon Prime Video, the problem is likely with that app. First, try playing different content within the same app to rule out a bad audio track.
You can also try clearing the app's cache. Go to All Settings > Support > OLED Care > Device Self Care > TV Information and look for an option to clear cache for individual apps. If that doesn't work, uninstalling and reinstalling the app is a good next step.
Perform a Sound Reset
If you've tweaked a lot of settings, it's possible one is causing a conflict. LG TVs have an option to reset just the audio settings without affecting your picture modes or installed apps.
Navigate to All Settings > Sound > Advanced Settings. Scroll down and select Reset Sound or Initialize Sound. This will return all audio settings to their factory defaults, which can clear up any misconfigurations.
