How to Fix Distorted Audio on Your PS5

Sound plays a big role in your gaming experience; it’s almost as important to the staging of a cinematic scene as the graphics. If the sound is muffled, crackly, or completely absent, you’re missing out and putting yourself at a competitive disadvantage. Turning up the volume can help, but it won’t fix the audio distortion coming from your PlayStation 5.

There is no single method for solving this type of problem. You’ll need to troubleshoot, looking at everything from a loose connection to incorrect output settings. Before you consider replacing your TV, audio system or console, do some checking.

First, restart everything. Turn off your TV, speaker system, and console completely (not just in standby mode), then turn them back on. This should clear up any temporary issues affecting the audio and give you a new starting point to work from.

If the problem persists, try to narrow down the source. If you have a spare pair, connect some headphones to see if the problem only affects your speakers or your TV. Likewise, try a different game or app to see if the audio problem affects multiple sources.

If the problem does not occur when using your smart TV’s native apps, the TV’s speakers are less likely to be the cause of the problem. If you have a spare HDMI device, such as a laptop or a streaming device like a Roku or Apple TV, try them using the same HDMI cable and port as your PS5. This helps you determine if the problem is specific to your PS5, while also giving you the opportunity to dislodge your cables and reconnect them to see if there is a loose connection.

With the same logic, replace whatever you can throughout the connection string. Try another HDMI port and replace it with another HDMI cable. Do the same for all other connections involved, especially if you have an external speaker system set up. I’ve encountered a bad HDMI cable causing issues in the past, where replacing the cable immediately fixed it.

Complex setups with more points of failure, such as those involving a receiver, HDMI switch, or capture card, can also cause problems. To exclude other devices, temporarily connect your PS5 directly to your TV and check the sound with your TV speakers. This simplified audio setup can help narrow the problem down to one of the additional devices or cables you’re using; you will have to go through them one by one to determine which ones.

Check the 3D audio function of your PS5 via Settings > Sound > 3D Audio (TV)where you can compare standard stereo sound to 3D audio. If you prefer 3D audio, follow the on-screen instructions to measure the acoustics of your room using your controller’s microphone, sitting where you normally play. You will need to repeat this operation after moving your console to a new room or changing the position you are playing from.

Next, go through your PS5’s audio settings to make sure they match the equipment receiving the sound. Open Settings > Sound > Audio outputcheck Output devicethen set the HDMI device type to match your setup. For example, select the AV Amplifier option if you use one, then set the option Number of channels option to match your speaker configuration, such as 5.1 or 7.1 surround.

To research Audio format (priority) and, to begin, select Linear PCM. This is generally the best setting if you are using your TV’s internal speakers. The PS5 lets you use uncompressed linear PCM output up to 7.1 channels if you have the equipment. This means the console can send audio without loss of compression, preserving maximum audio detail.

If your TV transmits audio from the PS5 to a soundbar or AV system, you need to consider more. Standard HDMI ARC supports stereo PCM, while eARC supports multi-channel PCM with the right equipment. You’ll need to make sure you’re using the correct HDMI port to connect your TV to your audio system. If you can’t tell from the ports themselves, check your TV’s manual to identify the eARC port(s). Make sure you’re using one for your audio system, if applicable, and confirm it’s enabled on your TV. Otherwise, use standard HDMI ARC, knowing that you will be limited to stereo with linear PCM over ARC. Surround sound will require a supported compressed format, such as Dolby Audio.

It’s also worth checking your TV or audio system settings, especially if you have virtual surround effects enabled. Your TV may have its own audio format settings for each HDMI connection, which may sound poor when paired with the wrong audio format on your PS5.

It’s important to only make one change at a time when adjusting these options. Each time you change a setting, save it and then repeat the steps that created the distorted audio before. When the problem disappears, or at least improves, you will know exactly which setting is causing the problem.

If you get distorted audio when using wired headphones with your PS5, start over with the basics and then look at the audio cable. Unplug it, then plug it back in, making sure the connector is firmly reinserted. If you can, try a different pair of headphones and controller to see if the hardware is at fault.

Next, check your volume configuration in your PS5 settings. Open Settings > Sound > Volume and adjust the headset volume, while also checking the physical volume controls on the headset, if applicable. 3D audio may cause muffled sound, so go to Settings > Sound > 3D Audio (Helmet) and try both to compare them. If the problem is limited to a specific title, check the game’s sound settings.

Wireless headphones add interference to the set of potential problems that can lead to poor sound quality. You’ll need an adapter to use Bluetooth headphones with a PS5, while non-Bluetooth wireless headsets have their own receiver that plugs into the system. If you use either, unplug and plug in the adapter and turn the headset off and on. Sony also recommends moving other wireless devices away from the adapter and using an extension cord to give it more room, if necessary.

Perform these checks one by one. If the settings don’t make a difference, you’ll need to determine whether it’s a hardware issue with your speakers, your TV, or the PlayStation 5 itself. The more you can isolate, the better your chances of identifying the problem.