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iPhone Netflix Sound Not Working

Watching Nteflix on your iPhone is a great way to pass the time. But the sound is not working, it’s hard to enjoy your favourite TV show or movie. Below are a number of possible causes for the sound not working with the iPhone Netflix app, which should help you get your show up and running again.

The sound in Netflix usually does not work on an iPhone due to the sound settings in both the app and on your phone. There may also be apps running in the background that are dominating the sound, or making it too low. Other possibilities include poor internet connection or bugs in the firmware.

woman holding iphone while watching netflix

I will explain how these issues can affect the sound on your iPhone when playing Netflix and how you can fix them. It is also a good idea to check with the Netflix servers and test your internet speed, which I have included in this article, in case this is the root cause of your sound issues.

iPhone Netflix Sound Not Working

The Netflix app on an iPhone has been known to have issues with no sound, low sound or audio that has fallen out of sync. Below is a brief summary of which troubleshooting methods to try for each of these issues, although some of these are interchangeable.

When there is no sound on Netflix;

  • Check the volume is turned up and unmuted on the phone and in the app
  • Close background apps
  • Change the audio stream while playing a video
  • Check the Netflix servers

When there is low volume in Netflix;

  • Ensure the volume is up on your iPhone and in the app
  • Clean your iPhone speaker
  • Uninstall or disable audio apps

When the Netflix audio is out of sync;

  • Update your iPhone and Netflix app
  • Reinstall the Netflix app
  • Restart your iPhone
  • Troubleshoot your internet

iPhone Netflix Has No Sound

frustrated man while holding a phone

Check the Volume Settings

The first thing to check when you can’t hear anything on Netflix is your iPhone’s volume settings. This seems obvious, but iPhones have different volume settings for different functions. Your ringtone may be loud, but your media volume could be turned right down.

Try pressing the ‘Volume Up’ button while watching your Netflix show. If this doesn’t work, you may have a sticky or broken button. In that case, you can try adjusting the volume through the control center, by swiping down with one finger from the top right corner of the screen.

Close Background Apps

Some apps will monopolise your iPhone’s audio, even if you are using a different app. Some of these apps can include video calling apps or music apps. If any of these apps are running in the background, you should close them, or close all background apps to be sure.

Step 1: Swipe up with one finger and hold until you open the background apps screen.
Step 2: Navigate left and right to highlight different apps.
Step 3: Swipe the app(s) upwards to close.
Step 4: Return to the Home Screen by tapping the screen in the background.

Keep in mind that older iPhones with a ‘Home’ button will operate slightly differently. Instead of swiping up to open the background apps, double-tap the ‘Home’ button. You will also need to press the ‘Home’ button to return to the Home Screen.

Change the Audio Stream

Another thing to try is adjusting the Audio Stream in the Netflix app. There are various audio streams to choose from, including ‘English 2.0’ or ‘English 5.1’. Follow the steps below to change these settings in the Netflix app.

Step 1: While streaming a video, tap the subtitles button (looks like a speech bubble).
Step 2: Under ‘Audio’, choose a different Audio Stream while your video is still playing.
Step 3: Try returning to the original Audio Stream settings to see if the problem is fixed.

Check the Netflix Servers

You may also need to check the Netflix servers. If there is a problem with their servers, your stream may be affected, including the sound. You can check the Netflix servers through their website here, or through other websites such as Down Detector.

Alternatively, you could call the Netflix support center. Unfortunately, if the Netflix servers are causing your sound issues, there is nothing you can do until they have resolved the issue themselves.

iPhone Netflix Has Low Sound

confused man while holding a phone

Having low volume/sound can be caused by having your iPhone’s volume settings set too low. Otherwise, below are a number of other possible causes for low volume in the Netflix app. Failing these fixes, there are a number of troubleshooting tips further down that you can try.

Clean your iPhone Speaker

Having a dirty speaker may be blocking the sound from your iPhone, making it sound muffled. This speaker is located at the top of your screen.

If you see dirt or grime over this area, try wiping it with a dry cloth. Avoid using anything wet or using sharp objects to dislodge debris, as this may cause damage to the speaker.

Uninstall or Disable Audio Apps

Some apps, such as ‘Boom’, are designed to equalise the sound on your iPhone to improve the blend. Sometimes these apps may not get the correct mix, causing the volume to appear softer than normal. If you have an audio equaliser on your iPhone, try disabling or uninstalling it.

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on August 31, 2021.

iPhone Netflix Video And Sound Out Of Sync/Delay/Lag

two man confused while holding a phone

Update your Phone and Netflix App

Updating your iPhone will potentially fix any bugs that could be causing the sound delay. To update your iPhone, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Plug your iPhone into power
Step 2: From the Home Screen, open ‘Settings’.
Step 3: Navigate to ‘General > Software Update’.
Step 4: If an update is available, select ‘Download and Install’.
Step 5: Select ‘Install’.

Once you have updated your iPhone, you will need to ensure the Netflix app is also up to date. You can do this through the App Store, following the steps below.

Step 1: From the Home Screen, open the ‘App Store’.
Step 2: Select the profile icon at the top right of the screen.
Step 3: Find the Netflix app.
Step 4: Select ‘Update’.

Reinstall the Netflix App

Another way to update the Netflix app is to reinstall the app. Reinstalling the app will also clear away any errors that may be causing the sound to become delayed.. To reinstall the app, follow the steps below.

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on August 31, 2021.

Step 1: From the Home Screen, find the Netflix app.
Step 2: Press and hold the app until it starts to shake.
Step 3: Press the ‘x’ in the corner of the Netflix icon and select ‘Delete’.
Step 4: Select ‘Done’ to return to the normal Home Screen.
Step 5: Open the ‘App Store’.
Step 6: Find and select the Netflix app.
Step 7: Select the cloud icon to reinstall Netflix.

Restart your iPhone

Step 1: Unlock your iPhone.
Step 2: Press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons until power options appear.
Step 3: Slide the power option to turn the iPhone off.
Step 4: Once the phone has turned off, wait 10 seconds.
Step 5: Press and hold the side button until the iPhone starts to reboot.

Note that older iPhones with a Home button will turn off by holding the ‘Sleep/Wake’ button only, instead of the two buttons. Turning them back on is the same process.

Troubleshoot your Internet

Having poor internet can cause the sound to become delayed because the stream cannot download properly. You should start by restarting your modem and router if you are using your home network. You can restart these by unplugging them for at least one minute, before plugging them back in.

If you are using public WiFi, you may need to use the cellular network for fast and reliable internet. Most public networks have a very basic connection that does not support streaming.

You can check the speed of the network you are connected to using websites/apps such as Speedtest.net. Once you know the speed of the network, compare this speed to the minimum requirements of Netflix (listed below) and adjust your streaming quality accordingly.

  • Recommended speed to load Netflix: 1.5MB/s (0.5MB/s at a minimum)
  • Streaming in Standard Definition: 3MB/s
  • Streaming in High Definition: 5MB/s
  • Streaming in 4K or Ultra HD: 25MB/s

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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on August 31, 2021.

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