THE TV REMOTELY GUIDE LIBRARY
Troubleshooting
Diagnose smart TV picture, sound, Wi-Fi, app and control problems with checks that explain what each result means.
FIND YOUR NEXT STEP
Troubleshooting71
TV picture is cropped, stretched, or the wrong size
Find the TV or source setting responsible for a cropped, stretched or oversized picture, and understand when black bars are correct.
General guideTV has a picture but no sound
Check mute, source volume and speaker output, then use a model-specific TV sound test to narrow down the cause.
General guideTV sound and picture are out of sync
Compare TV speakers, HDMI sources and soundbars to trace lip-sync delay, then adjust only the audio controls that match the problem.
General guideTV audio keeps cutting out
Trace intermittent TV sound loss by comparing speakers, streaming apps and HDMI inputs before changing cables or audio formats.
General guideSoundbar connected but TV speakers still play
Check whether TV speakers and a soundbar are intentionally playing together, choose the correct output and investigate unwanted echo.
General guideHDMI ARC or eARC has no sound
Check ARC/eARC ports, speaker selection and soundbar input to diagnose missing HDMI return audio without changing unrelated settings.
General guideTV sound is too quiet in dialogue scenes
Compare quiet dialogue across TV programs and sources, then check supported speech enhancement and sound settings without masking a fault.
General guideBluetooth headphones connect but play no TV audio
Find why paired Bluetooth headphones stay silent by checking TV audio support, active output, headphone volume and competing connections.
General guideTV volume changes by itself
Separate automatic loudness changes from actual volume commands, then check remote buttons, HDMI control and connected devices.
General guideTV plays sound from the wrong output
Find which speaker, soundbar or headset is receiving TV audio, select the intended output and check devices that switch it automatically.
General guideNetflix will not open on a smart TV
If Netflix closes or returns to the TV menu, separate an app problem from a network issue and try safe restart and sign-in checks.
General guideStreaming buffers even with fast internet
Diagnose TV buffering despite a fast speed test by comparing the TV connection, other apps, live streams and household network load.
General guide
Menu names and features vary by TV model. See how we test or explore the TV Remotely overview.
A LITTLE EXTRA HELP
Your TV has its own story.
Can’t find your answer? Browse real support reports or tell us where you got stuck.
Keep your TV screen visible during setup. A phone remote cannot bypass a TV’s approval prompt or connect an offline TV to Wi-Fi.