Audio Issues With YouTube Roku App

May 2, 2022 6:25 AM

I need some help troubleshooting occasional audio issues on the YouTube app for Roku.

A few weeks ago the YouTube app on my Roku started occasionally dropping the audio when it loaded an ad or, occasionally, the actual video. Sometimes one ad out of two won’t have audio but the video will or the ads will be fine but the audio will drop when the video loads after the ad break. Rarely the video won’t have audio from the start.

When this happens there’s nothing I can do to restore the audio unless I back out of the video and replay.

Here’s what I’ve tried so far:

- Resetting the Roku and updating the system software
- Clearing the Roku cache
- Deleting / reinstalling / updating the YouTube channel
- Changing the Volume Mode on the Roku within the YouTube app while the problem is happening (currently set to ‘off’, changing it has no effect)
- Rewind / FF / Pause / Resume has zero impact

I haven’t tried a different HDMI cable or changing the port. Brand new TV and cables so I don’t think this would do anything plus the YouTube app was working on this setup for a while. I also haven’t tried changing the quality of the video while the problem is happening.

Additional info:

- Roku Ultra 4660X
- Audio Mode and Streaming Audio Format is set to Auto, Digital Output Format is set to Stereo
- Using TV speakers with no weird settings on
- Audio works fine in other apps and devices

I’m at a loss. Any ideas?

posted by Diskeater to Technology (2 answers total)

No ideas, but just wanted to say you're not alone. My Roku Soundbar has been doing similar things (although not as bad as you're seeing). For example, the odd ad won't have audio and I know it should; I've seen it a million times. I've noticed in a couple of instances it's because the roku was muted, although I swear I did not do that. The only suggestion I have is to make sure both the Roku and the Youtube app are always up to date as my guess is it's a wonky software update somewhere...
posted by cgg at 7:29 AM on May 2, 2022

Happens to us sometimes as well, and we've never found anything to do about it other than what you're already doing.
posted by Stacey at 7:59 AM on May 2, 2022