Technology Common problems and errors of sound bars
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 levels.
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 is 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 soundbar. 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 your bar's specifications
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 will be able to
solve this problem by adjusting the settings in the menu of the TV and choosing
the option for audio output and settings that correspond to the soundbar.
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 simply optimize the sound quality.
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 could 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 this is the case, you will have to download the most recent
alternative and follow the manufacturer's instructions to perform the update
(you may have to update it by transferring the file via USB or you can 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.