How to Fix VLC Audio Delay? (Troubleshoot & Solutions)

VLC Media Player is among the open-source programs that are a good choice for video and audio playback. However, there are some circumstances when the software encounters audio delay issues. Whether it is a lag between the audio and videos or sound distortion, it can disrupt the user's viewing experience. If you have already experienced this issue, then you must know how disappointing it is. So, if you want to find the best solution to solve the VLC audio delay issue, come to this post. We will find out the causes of delays and provide five solutions to help you have a seamless playback.

Method 1. The Quick Fix Using VLC Keyboard Shortcuts (J/K)

• Using keyboard shortcuts.

The quickest way to fix the VLC audio delay is to use keyboard shortcuts. VLC uses the shortcut keys J (to speed up audio playback) and K (to slow down audio playback) to adjust the audio in 50ms increments. That is, each press increases or decreases the playback speed by 50ms.

Note:

1.The J and K keys are applicable for Windows and Linux operating systems. However, if your operating system is macOS, the corresponding keys should be F and G.

2. This method is temporary and only affects the currently playing file. If you close VLC, the delay settings will be reset.

• Adjust the audio delay using VLC settings.

Another manual adjustment to do is to navigate to the VLC Settings. To do that, click the Settings button below, and you will see another interface on your screen. Then, from the Synchronization section, you can manually adjust the audio and video delay based on your needs.

Method 2: Permanent Fix for a Single Video (Track Synchronization)

If the audio in a video file is incorrectly embedded, it is a hassle to adjust it using keyboard shortcuts every time you play it. In this case, it is necessary to permanently fix the individual video file so that it remains synchronized throughout playback without affecting VLC's global settings.

All you need to do is go to the Tools tab > the Track Synchronization option and choose your preferred delay option. After that, VLC will automatically save the changes you have made.

Method 3: Permanent Fix for All Videos (Desynchronization Compensation)

When you notice a consistent audio delay every time you play videos with VLC, you can try applying a permanent global setting (Desynchronization Compensation) to the program. Once configured, VLC will always play all videos with a specific offset, and this setting will remain permanent.

1. Go to the Tools tab and select the Preferences option (or press Ctrl + P).

2. Click All under Show settings in the bottom-left corner. Then, click the Audio button in the left sidebar.

3. Scroll down on the right side until you find the Audio desynchronization compensation option, enter the positive/negative value (in Milliseconds) to make the audio backwards or forwards as required. Finally, click Save.

Method 4: Diagnosing and Fixing the Root Cause in VLC

Well, having a VLC audio sync problem is a hassle. It prevents you from enjoying your favorite movies or videos. If you don't want to encounter such issues anymore, then you must read the information in this section. We will give you some details on how to prevent future audio delays.

Update the software: If you have an outdated program, you may experience delay issues or playback errors. So, always remember to get the latest version of the program.

Update drivers: Always check your graphic and audio drivers. It is best to keep them updated to prevent possible audio delays.

Get the necessary codec: Having an appropriate codec can help you play the video and audio perfectly.

Enable hardware acceleration: If available, it is recommended that you enable hardware acceleration on VLC. This will allow you to play the media smoothly.

Consider the video quality: If your system can't handle high-video-quality files, there's a chance of delays. You can reduce the video quality for a better viewing experience.

Method 5: Fixing the Source File Permanently with AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate

VLC Media Player is a popular media player, but it is not suitable for resolving audio delay issues. If your source video file is problematic, we strongly recommend using AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate, a professional and powerful audio and video editor. It offers the audio adjustment feature that can easily help you sync audio and video, making it the ideal solution for fixing sound lag. The following are its detailed steps:

1. Download and install it on your Windows/Mac computer. After installation, it will automatically open.

2. Go to the More Tools tab, find Audio Sync, and choose it. Click the plus button to add a video file you want to sync audio with.

3. After successfully uploading the video, you can drag the delay bar or enter the value to fix the audio issue. You can also preview the adjusted results. Finally, click Export to save the file.