Why is my Netflix volume not loud?

Many Netflix users have noticed that the volume on Netflix is lower compared to other streaming apps and live television. While watching Netflix, some find they have to turn up their TV or device volume much higher than usual in order to hear the show or movie clearly. This can be frustrating when you have to keep adjusting the volume when switching between Netflix and other apps or channels. There are several factors that contribute to Netflix’s lower default volume levels.

Default Volume Levels

One reason why Netflix may seem quieter than other streaming services is that Netflix defaults to a lower volume level. According to Netflix, the default maximum volume level on Netflix is set to -14 LUFS. LUFS stands for “Loudness Units relative to Full Scale” and is a standard unit of audio measurement. This -14 LUFS level is quieter than other popular streaming services like YouTube, which has a default maximum level of -6 LUFS.

So when you start watching Netflix, the volume will begin lower than other streaming services until you manually increase it. Netflix chose a lower default volume to provide a comfortable listening experience and prevent blasting loud commercials. However, it means dialogue and other audio can seem very quiet, especially compared to other services. The only way to increase the volume is to manually adjust it on your device.

Volume Normalization

One of the main reasons Netflix audio may sound quiet compared to other sources is because Netflix normalizes audio across all their titles. According to an article on mp4gain.com, audio normalization helps keep the volume consistent when transitioning between different movies and shows on the platform. Otherwise, the volume could fluctuate widely depending on how each title was originally mastered.

By normalizing audio, Netflix aims to provide a more seamless viewing experience. However, this means audio levels are often turned down to avoid excessively loud peaks. As a result, some parts of the audio like dialogue may sound quieter than expected. The downside is audibility may suffer, but the benefit is not having to adjust volume frequently.

Internet Connection Speed

The speed of your internet connection can directly impact the maximum volume level you can achieve when streaming Netflix. This is because Netflix and other streaming services use adaptive bitrate streaming to adjust the quality and bitrate of the video based on your available bandwidth. With slower internet speeds, Netflix will deliver a lower quality stream with a reduced bitrate. This limits the maximum volume level possible.

According to one source, “Streaming in HD or UHD quality is almost impossible” on very slow internet connections (https://utilitiesone.com/understanding-the-impact-of-network-speed-on-video-streaming). Another notes that slower speeds can lead to buffering and quality drops on streaming video (https://www.testmyspeed.com/insights/video-streaming-internet-speed).

To stream high quality audio with maximum volume levels, Netflix recommends an internet connection speed of at least 5 Mbps. Upgrading to faster internet speeds, such as 25+ Mbps, can provide the bandwidth needed for full HD quality streaming and louder maximum volumes.

Device Capabilities

The hardware capabilities of the device you are streaming Netflix on can impact the maximum volume level you can achieve. The built-in speakers, headphone jack, Bluetooth connectivity, and audio processing chips all factor into how loud the audio can get.

For example, laptops and mobile devices tend to have smaller, less powerful speakers compared to home theater systems and dedicated external speakers. The speakers may simply not be able to produce enough volume, especially for action movies with loud sound effects.

Additionally, the digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) chip and amplifier that converts the Netflix digital audio stream to amplified analog signal sent to the speakers plays a role. A low-quality DAC with limited dynamic range results in lower maximum volumes.

Using headphones instead of built-in speakers can help increase max volume, since over-ear and in-ear headphones sit closer to your ears. However, mobile device headphone jacks and Bluetooth connections can limit the power output. For best results, use a dedicated external sound system or powered speakers with your streaming device. According to Spitfire Audio, “The more ‘voices’ you are streaming from samples, and the more scripting/programming that is executed by software and libraries, the more processing power you’ll need.” (Source)

Headphone Usage

Headphone listeners often need to turn up the volume more than those listening through built-in TV or external speakers. This is because headphones produce sound directly into the ears, while speakers project sound into the surrounding environment.

Headphones intentionally limit the amount of ambient noise the listener can hear. This isolation effect means volume levels don’t need to compete against background noise. However, it also means the overall volume needs to be higher for the listener to hear it properly.

The seal of over-ear, on-ear, and in-ear headphones blocks out external sound. The closer the headphones sit directly on the ear, the more it diminishes environmental noise. Earbuds let in more ambient sound, so users may not need to raise volumes as high.

Additionally, different headphones have varying levels of sound insulation and volume capabilities. Low-quality, inexpensive headphones often require higher volumes to hear properly. High-end headphones with good noise isolation allow listeners to hear sound clearly at lower volumes.

According to IK Multimedia, headphone users should adjust the volume on their playback device and/or media app to sit at around 75% for optimal listening that is loud enough but avoids damage risk (Source).

In summary, headphones require higher Netflix volume because they block external noise and need sufficiently loud sound directed into the ears for good audibility. Users should be mindful of safe listening levels as they turn up volumes.

Hearing Ability

Hearing loss can make it more difficult for viewers to hear the audio from Netflix at normal volume levels. As we age, many people experience some degree of hearing loss, usually in the higher frequency ranges. This type of hearing loss, known as presbycusis, makes it harder to hear dialog and higher-pitched sounds (Wired, 2023). Even mild hearing loss can cause viewers to turn up the volume more than people with normal hearing.

Hearing aids and cochlear implants can help amplify sounds for those with hearing loss. However, the audio from TVs and other devices may not stream directly to the hearing aids without proper pairing and settings enabled. Newer hearing aid models have Bluetooth connectivity and can receive audio signals directly from smartphones, TVs and other audio sources via audio streaming. This provides much clearer sound quality for the hearing aid wearer (Lexie Hearing, 2023). Without proper setup for audio streaming, viewers with hearing loss may struggle to hear the Netflix audio at typical volume levels.

Background Noise

A common reason why some users increase their Netflix volume levels is to drown out background noise in their surroundings. As explained in an article on Streamyard, noisy environments lead viewers to turn up the volume when streaming video in order to better hear the content over distracting sounds. Sources of background noise like appliances, pets, music, chatter, traffic, etc. can make it challenging to hear softer dialogue and details at normal volume settings.

To counter background noise interference, some solutions include using headphones, noise cancelling technologies, or finding a quieter environment to view Netflix as covered on sites like Krisp.ai. By minimizing competing noise sources, users can keep their device’s volume lower and still clearly hear the streaming content.

Time of Day

The time of day when you watch Netflix can impact your perceived volume levels. Internet speeds often slow down in the evenings when more people are online, which can affect Netflix streaming quality and volume (Source). During peak usage hours between 6-11pm, increased traffic places a greater load on internet infrastructure, potentially leading to buffering and quality drops.

Additionally, our hearing sensitivity changes throughout the day. Studies show our ears are more fatigued in the evening, making it harder to hear soft sounds (Source). Ambient noise also tends to decrease at night, meaning programs may seem quieter. Nighttime viewing may require increasing the volume more than usual to achieve comfortable listening levels.

Testing internet speeds, minimizing household bandwidth usage during peak hours, or scheduling downloads and updates for off-peak times can help maximize streaming quality and volume at night. Simply being aware that time of day impacts perceived loudness can help adjust volume appropriately.

Solutions

There are a few ways to increase the volume on Netflix if you find it to be too low. Here are some things you can try:

Adjust Volume Settings

Go into your Netflix account settings on the web or in the app and adjust the playback settings. Increase the volume level higher under “Playback Settings”. This will make Netflix louder by default when you watch.

Use External Speakers

Connect your device to external speakers or headphones. The built-in TV or laptop speakers may not get very loud, but switching to a speaker system or headphones can increase the volume significantly. Just make sure to adjust the volume on the external speaker/headphones after connecting.

Get a Streaming Device

Devices like Roku, Fire Stick, Chromecast or Apple TV may give you more volume control options than built-in Netflix apps on smart TVs. Attach one of these devices to your TV and use their settings to increase the streaming volume.

Adjust TV Settings

If using a smart TV, check the main system settings for options like volume leveling, surround sound or equalizers. Turn off any settings that auto-adjust or limit volumes. Also increase the TV’s main volume to maximum while streaming Netflix.