Is the volume on your TV constantly going up and down like a yo-yo? Then don’t just settle for subtitles or earplugs! Find out why it’s playing up in this article!
Your TV volume might be going up and down for one of these reasons
- The control switch is stuck
- There is a problem with your remote control
- There is a problem with your TV’s software
- Your audio is stuck on the wrong setting
Ok, so it’s all well and good working out what the problem is with your TV. But how do you go about fixing it? Check out the rest of this article for details on how you can remedy your TV’s sound issues.
First – The Volume Changes May Not Be Your Fault
While we’ve walked you through the quick fixes, you may have tried them and found them not to work.
It’s important to understand that this might be a problem we can’t solve.
Austin, our TV Expert, has years of experience dealing with these issues. Here’s what he has to say:
Volume appearing to go up and down is often not caused by a specific issue, but the way your TV’s speakers interact with the media being played.
Volume changes can be caused by compression of the audio signal coming from:
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- The audio mastering process
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- The broadcaster
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- The device itself
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- The App used and the compression method for streaming
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- The processor in the TV that handles decoding the audio signal
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- And lastly the lack of dynamic range of the speakers themselves.
This issue has become increasingly worse over the years as TV’s have gotten thinner and the speakers smaller, less power driving them, and often that they face the wall behind the TV.
It’s also due to how streaming platforms compress the audio format. There are many compression algorithms used as the audio is recorded, mastered, packaged up, and delivered to your device.
This compression and decompression greatly reduces your audio quality.
Now you may be thinking, “well, some TV shows sound fine while movies don’t, and then a commercial comes on and its crystal clear!”.
Most TV shows are shot with a limited dynamic range (some are more robust) and may even be in 2ch audio – so small TV speakers can handle them fine.
Movies on the other hand are made for the theater; really good, high dynamic range, 5.1ch-11.1ch audio is often used. To reproduce these sounds correctly you will need something that can match this better.
Commercials are almost always the lowest of the low – which is why the end up sounding clear even on small TV speakers.
The bottom line is that audio changing between media typies, especially with movies, may be due to your TV speakers being underpowered – but not broken.
My recommendation is to try these tips below. If they don’t work, or if your audio issues are specifically with movies, consider purchasing standalone speakers or a TV soundbar – something made to handle the wider range of a movie audio setup.
Solving A TV’s Volume Rollercoaster
With that covered, let’s dive in to the quick fixes we CAN try that may solve the issue today.
Does your TV volume have a mind of its own?
Of course, it only messes around when it knows it has an attentive audience. It works perfectly when you’ve got the TV on in the background while you potter around the house. But, if there’s an important scene coming up in a new movie, you turn the volume up and it turns itself back down. You turn it up again and within seconds it’s dropped back down to mute. What is the problem?
If your TV volume keeps fluctuating, there are a couple of things that could be the problem. Luckily though, the fixes for this issue are really simple. The most challenging part is working out which part of the TV is faulty. For that, you’ll need to use a process of elimination.
In this article, you’ll be able to pinpoint your TV’s problem area. You’ll see whether the issue is in one of the following departments
- The control switch
- The remote control
- Your TV’s software
- Your audio settings
Let’s have a look at each of these in a bit more detail.
#1 The Control Switch
One of the reasons why your TV volume constantly goes up and down could be to do with the control switch. If the control switch is stuck, it could override the volume changes you make.
Fixing the problem with your control switch should get your volume working normally again.
Are you ready to find out more about your TV’s control switch? Then check out this helpful video:
#2 The Remote Control
Your remote control could also be the cause of volume fluctuation. If there is a fault with the remote control it may affect any of the following settings
- Volume. The sound on your TV may go up and down without warning
- Channels. TV channels may randomly change from one to the other
- Brightness. The brightness of the screen may increase and decrease unexpectedly
Once you have fixed your remote control, you should find that these problems go away.
#3 The TV’s Software
If your TV is having a software issue, it could display that in many ways. One of the most common though is fluctuating TV volume.
Once you have fixed the software issue, the volume problem should disappear.
#4 The Audio Settings
Your television should have an Auto Volume Leveller (AVL) setting. This setting will control how your television produces sounds. If the settings here are not programmed correctly, or if they have been tampered with, you may not be able to adjust your volume easily.
If your TV‘s AVL is set incorrectly, you should hear abrupt volume changes. These are most apparent when the following happens
- You change the TV channel
- A commercial starts playing
After adjusting the settings, you should be able to hear your TV’s audio comfortably.
How Do You Stabilize Your TV Volume?
Ok, so we have spoken a lot about what the problem could be with your TV. Now it’s time for you to see how you can go about fixing it. Coming up are methods to fix the following problems
- A stuck control switch
- A remote control fault
- A software issue
- An incorrect audio setting
How to Fix a Stuck Control Switch
Here are the instructions you need to fix a stuck control switch
- Locate the control switch. (On most TV models, this is located on the back of the TV near the power cord. But yours could also be on the side of the unit.)
- Push the control switch in and out with your finger and slide it up and down a couple of times. This should loosen up the control switch in case it is stuck and allow it to move freely.
- Change the volume on your TV. If it doesn’t fluctuate, it’s fixed! If it does, try repeating these steps once more. If the problem persists, move on to the next fix in this article.
How to Fix a Remote Control Fault
Detecting a fault with the remote control is really simple. Do you suspect that there is a problem with your remote control? Then you should talk to your TV manufacturers about getting a replacement. If your television is within its warranty, you should be able to get the replacement free of charge.
This is what you need to do to fix your remote control
- Remove the remote control’s back panel and take out the batteries
- Try to change the volume on your TV
- If the volume doesn’t fluctuate, then the problem must be with your remote control. In that case, you will need to replace it.
- If the problem persists even with the batteries removed, reinsert the batteries. Then move on to the other fixes in this article.
How to Fix a Software Issue
I know what you’re thinking. A software issue with your television, now that sounds complicated. But software issues are actually a whole lot easier to fix than you can imagine. The one that you are about to see involves a simple reset that should fix your volume up and down problem.
Here’s what you can do to fix your TV’s software issue
- Select the “Home” or “Menu” button on your remote control
- Go to the “Settings” or “Installation” menu. (This will vary from TV to TV)
- Choose the “First Time Installation” or “Factory Reset” option. Then follow the steps on the screen to go through with the reset.
- Try to change the volume on the TV. If the problem persists, move on to the other fixes in this article.
How to Fix an Audio Setting Problem
Most smart televisions have an Auto Volume Leveller setting (AVL). If the settings on your AVL have been altered, you will need to change them back.
These are the instructions to help you with your AVL
- Select the “Home” or “Menu” button on your remote control
- Go to the “Settings” or “Installation” menu. (This will vary from TV to TV)
- Select “Sound” or “Audio” settings
- Press AVL. If the setting is on, turn it off.
- Clear the menu then try changing TV channels back and forth. If the volume level stays the same, you have solved the problem.
Conclusion
Does your TV volume constantly fluctuate? Then watching TV has no doubt become more of a workout than a relaxing pastime. Spending half of a movie jumping up to adjust the sound is not anyone’s idea of a chilled evening.
That said, I’m sure this article has helped you isolate the reason why your television volume was going up and down. It has no doubt also helped you to remedy the problem.
Have you found this article interesting? Then make sure you check out some of our other articles and free guides. And don’t forget to sign up to our email list!
Have a great day!
-Craig
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