Sound bars are a great alternative to enjoy a much more immersive audio experience in our living rooms and homes. However, as usually happens with all kinds of electronic devices, they can present errors and problems at the performance and operation level. Today we review what are the most common problems with sound bars and we give you some recommendations to solve and prevent them.
From connection errors to sound quality issues, here’s how to fix these issues and get the most out of a soundbar. In addition, we also review the common mistakes that we usually make when installing this type of device, and we tell you how to avoid them to enjoy surround and clean sound.
Connection issues
One of the most common errors or failures with sound bars are connection problems. To prevent and solve these problems, it is essential that you optimally check that all cables are correctly connected to the corresponding inputs and outputs, on the sound bar and on the television. You should check that the cables are well adjusted, firmly, to avoid intermittent connection problems.
If your sound bar is wireless you will not have to check the connection with the TV, but you should check that the bar connects optimally to a power source and the wireless connection. Check that this connection is activated on the bar and on the device (usually the TV) to which you want to connect it.
Likewise, you will have to check that the television or the device where you are going to connect it is configured to send the sound through the sound bar. Depending on the device, you’ll need to choose the sound bar as the device and configure other settings, such as audio settings. If in doubt, check the manufacturer’s instruction manual. In the same way, it is essential to configure the input correctly, choosing the input on the sound bar that matches the audio source we are using (hdmi, etc.).
Compatibility and configuration issues
Another of the most common problems for which a sound bar may not work is because it has incompatibility with the audio formats. Some sound bars have limitations with some audio formats such as Dolby Atmos. Before proceeding, check the specifications of your bar and make sure that it is compatible with the audio formats you are trying to play.
Similarly, it is also possible that the settings are incorrect on the TV or on the device that you have connected to the soundbar. The TV’s audio output must be configured efficiently to send sound through the bar. In most cases you can solve this problem by adjusting the settings in the TV menu and choosing the audio output and settings option that corresponds to the sound bar.
Sound quality issues
Many sound bars, even if they do work, can also have problems with the quality of the sound. If the sound you hear is poor, it is recommended that you review the equalization settings to be able to optimize them according to your preferences.
If this seems too complicated for you, you can investigate the functions of your bar, because most of them have presets for different types of content. In this way, depending on whether you want to use it to watch movies or listen to music, for example, you can choose these settings and thus optimize the sound quality in a simple way.
Volume is low or inaudible
If the problem with your sound bar is that although it does play the audio, you cannot hear it or its volume is very low, it is recommended that you first check the volume settings. It may seem like a very obvious solution, but it is advisable to make sure that the volume is set correctly.
To do this you can use both the remote control and the soundbar controls if it allows it (some minimalist models do not include physical controls). Check especially that the volume is not set to the lowest volume and that it is not muted. It seems like a very simple solution, but in many cases it is more than enough.
Similarly, if this does not fix the problem you should check the volume settings on the TV. It is possible that if this is set too low or muted it can affect the sound output of the bar, although it does not happen in all cases.
Also, once you make the adjustments, make sure to synchronize the volume of the TV and the bar with a good balance. In fact, it is advisable to try different configurations until you find the optimal alternative.
Similarly, if the volume is still low or inaudible, it is recommended that you play from different sources other than TV. In this way you can check if the problem is with the audio source, the sound bar or an incompatibility between the two.
Remote Control Problems
On the other hand, maybe your soundbar works fine but you have problems with its remote control. It is quite common. The first thing you should do is check the batteries of the remote, it is a simple trick but it usually solves the problem.
If it still does not work, you should try if there are objects that are interfering with the remote control signal. In some cases, even sunlight can affect its operation. If you are very far away, you can try moving closer, as sometimes these devices have a fairly short operating range.
On the other hand, you can try cleaning the remote. In many cases, if dust or dirt accumulates, it may stop working properly. It is best to clean it with a soft, dry cloth to remove the society without damaging it.
malfunctions
Finally, if your bar presents any other type of failure: it does not always respond, it does not allow you to increase the volume, it turns off and on when it wants, etc. It is recommended that you check if there are firmware updates available for your model. This is the internal software that controls its proper functioning and if it is not updated it can harm its performance and stability.
To do this you must check the make and model of your bar, visit the manufacturer’s website and search support or downloads if there are firmware updates. If so, you will have to download the most recent alternative and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to update (you may have to update by transferring the file via USB or you may be able to do it directly from the bar’s Internet connection, depending on the model and its specific characteristics). Once the update is complete, it is recommended to restart the bar to be able to verify if the problems have been solved.
