Sony Sony HT-S400 2.1-Channel Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer AUDIO DELAY Error Fix: Lip Sync / Audio-Video Delay

Error code AUDIO DELAY on the Sony Sony HT-S400 2.1-Channel Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer means: Lip Sync / Audio-Video Delay. Audio from the soundbar is noticeably delayed behind the video, or in rare cases ahead of the video, causing lip movements on screen to not match the dialogue being heard. This is commonly called lip sync or A/V sync delay. On the TV, go to Settings > Display & Sound > Audio Output > A/V Sync and adjust the delay offset until audio aligns with video. On the soundbar, use the audio sync adjustment if available in the Sony Sound Connect app or via the soundbar remote control. For the lowest possible latency: enable eARC mode if both devices support it (eARC has lower latency than standard ARC), use an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, and set the TV audio output format to PCM rather than Dolby Digital or Bitstream — encoded audio formats add a processing delay for decoding that can contribute to lip sync issues.

The most successful fix is "Upgrade HDMI Cable and Configure Audio Output for Lowest Latency" (medium difficulty, ~30 minutes). Estimated DIY cost: $15-$30. HomeMD has 2 community-ranked fixes for this error.

This error is rated info severity. It is generally not urgent and can often be resolved with a simple DIY fix.

Yes — the top-ranked community fix ("Upgrade HDMI Cable and Configure Audio Output for Lowest Latency") is rated medium difficulty and takes about 30 minutes. Tools needed: Phillips screwdriver (if needed to access HDMI ports), Smartphone or TV remote.

DIY cost: $15-$30. Professional repair typically costs $120-$180. Many homeowners save money by trying the top-ranked community fix first.

The Sony Sony HT-S400 2.1-Channel Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer has 8 other known error codes, including: AUTO STANDBY (Unexpected Power Off / Auto Standby), BT PAIR FAIL (Bluetooth Pairing Failure), CEC CONFLICT (HDMI CEC / BRAVIA Sync Erratic Behavior), DISTORTED AUDIO (Crackling, Popping, or Distorted Sound), INPUT FAIL (No Audio from Selected Input Source), and 3 more.

Error code AUDIO DELAY also appears on 2 other Sony models: Sony HT-A5000 5.1.2-Channel Soundbar with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, Sony HT-A7000 7.1.2-Channel Soundbar with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. The fix may vary by model, so check each model's specific page for tailored repair steps.