Audio Gets out of Sync with Video on Win 10/11? Fix Audio Delay

How to Solve Sound Delays, Lags and Audio Latency on Windows 10/11

Possible causes to the audio crackling and lagging may stem from improper computer configurations such as Speaker Properties, UEFI/HPET settings, outdated audio driver, internet connection, the streaming service or the media player itself, damaged file or codec incompatibility. For whatever reasons, just follow the steps below to troubleshoot the audio sync issue on your Win10 computer.

Solution 1: Update your sound driver

The video lagging behind audio or vice versa is mostly down to the outdated driver that makes bad compatibility with windows 10. Updating the driver to keep it up to date is said to resolve the issue with audio.

Step 1: Find the Device Manager from Start menu.
Step 2: Choose Sound, video and game controller from the Device Manager.
Step 3: Double click the sound card > Driver > Update Driver. After the updating, you can see if the audio and video get back in sync.

Note: You can still use Windows Key + R key combination and type in devmgmt.msc to run Device Manager and follow the steps above as well.

Solution 2: Use a generic driver

Sound driver update doesn't guarantee 100% successful audio video sync on windows 10. Switching to the generic driver windows 10 provides is another wise option to get rid of compatibility issue.

Step 1: Follow steps in Solution 1 to initiate Device Manager and find the same Update Driver.
Step 2: Choose Browse my computer for driver software.
Step 3: Select High Definition Audio Device and install it. Replay the video to see if you can notice any lip sync issue or not.

Note: You can still use Windows Key + R key combination and type in devmgmt.msc to run Device Manager and follow the steps above as well.

Solution 3: Disable HPET in BIOS

Except for the driver issues that are root cause of the audio sync issue, sometimes improper settings also result in audio lagging error. Users report also states that disabling High Precision Event Timer in BIOS is a feasible solution to fix the audio issue.

Step 1: Open Settings by pressing commands Windows Key + I.
Step 2: Choose Update & Security > Recovery to initiate the Advanced startup window.
Step 3: Click Restart new > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart.
Step 4: Disable HPET and save changes to see if the playback audio lag is resolved.

Solution 4: Disable priority settings or change default format to CD/DVD quality

The audio lagging behind video or going ahead video happens when some apps with exclusive priority may take control of the speaker. Having the Exclusive mode unchecked is said to fix the audio sync issue.

Step 1: Right-click Sound icon and open Sounds.
Step 2: Choose Playback tab > right click the default playback device.
Step 3: Open Speakers Properties > click Advanced
Step 4.1: Uncheck the boxes under Exclusive Mode as below. Click OK.
Step 4.2: Change Default Format to CD or DVD quality to see if the audio and video are in sync in Windows 10.

Solution 5: Disable enhancements or restore sound device to defaults

Changes to the sound device such as the Speaker enhancements can be no good if your audio won't sync with video in Windows 10. Here are the steps to get audio back in sync.

Step 1: Follow the steps in Solution 3 to open Speakers Priorities by right-clicking Sound to open Sounds > Playback > Properties.
Step 2.1: Tap Enhancements > click Restore Defaults.
Step 2.2: You can check Disable all enhancements.

Solution 6: Rely on Windows 10 built-in Troubleshooter

If the audio sync issue is still unsolved, you can resort to the Playing Audio troubleshooter recommended by most Microsoft geeks. This is proven to fix sound delay issue.

Step 1: Open Settings by right clicking Start.
Step 2: Choose Update & Security > Troubleshoot from the left pane.
Step 3: Tap Playing Audio and click Run the troubleshooter.

Solution 7: Edit power plan setting to high performance.

It is suggested to change power plan to high performance instead of power-saving or Balance mode, if you want to solve the audio out of sync problem in windows 10.

Step 1: Open Power Options > select the High-performance.
Step 2: Click Create a power plan if unavailable and choose High performance.

Solution 8: Disable hardware acceleration in browser

• For google chrome, click on the three version dots in the top right corner > settings > click Advanced > disable the toggle next to Use hardware acceleration when available in System.
• For Firefox, click the menu button > Options > uncheck the boxes of Use recommended performance settings and Use hardware acceleration when available under Performance.

Note: Update and reinstall the video streaming app if you are still experiencing a noticeable delay in that sound when watching streaming video. Well at the same time, make sure you have a good network connection.

Solution 9: Change video/audio codec to make it compatible with media player

Codec incompatibility and damaged file can trigger audio delay while playing. Consequently, the media player cannot correctly read the file information or calculate the time length of the damaged portion. You need to change the video/audio codec to make it compatible or trim off the broken segment to fix the audio sync error.

For various audio/video playback error on Windows 10, you can try WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe - a 100% safe and reliable software that will repair common problems with video and audio, convert any media file to MP4 H.264/HEVC that is more compatible with your Windows 10, and cut off the broken part before playing your local file.