Guides

Audio Out of Sync on Stream? How to Fix It

Few things make a stream feel broken faster than audio that doesn't match the video. Your lips move, and the words show up half a second later — viewers notice instantly, even if they can't name what's wrong. Try these fixes in order; most sync problems die at step one or two.

🎧 1. Ditch the Bluetooth mic (or earbuds)

This is the cause more often than everything else combined. Bluetooth audio has inherent latency — usually 100–300ms — which is exactly the "slightly off" delay you're hearing. It can also drift over a long stream.

Fix: Use your phone's built-in mic, or plug in a wired mic / wired earbuds. If you're on desktop with OBS, use a USB or wired mic rather than a Bluetooth headset. Re-test and the sync issue is very often just gone.

🔄 2. Restart the stream

Sync drift can accumulate over a long broadcast — everything starts fine and slowly slides out of alignment as the stream runs.

Fix: End the stream and start a fresh one. If the fresh stream is in sync, it was drift, not your setup. For very long broadcasts (2+ hours), some creators plan a quick restart at the halfway mark as routine maintenance.

📱 3. Check the preview before blaming the platforms

Open your Live Streaming Preview in Castream and watch yourself for thirty seconds.

Preview is in sync but a destination isn't → the delay is happening on that platform's side. Nothing to fix in your setup; it usually resolves on its own.
Preview is out of sync too → the problem is on your end. Keep going down this list.

🖥️ 4. Adjust audio buffering in OBS (desktop streamers)

If you stream through OBS into Castream, mismatched buffering between your audio and video sources creates a constant offset.

Fix: In OBS, right-click your audio source → Advanced Audio Properties, and nudge the Sync Offset in small increments (try 100ms at a time) until lips and audio line up. Test with a recording, not live — record a 30-second clip, watch it back, adjust, repeat.

🎙️ 6. Simplify your audio chain

Every device in the chain adds a little delay: external mixer → audio interface → phone adapter → app. Most of the time it's negligible, but stacked gear can add up.

Fix: Temporarily strip it back to the simplest possible setup (phone mic only, or one USB mic on desktop). If sync is perfect, add gear back one piece at a time until the culprit shows itself.

Nine times out of ten it's the Bluetooth. Go wired and enjoy watching your words land on time. 🎯