Loud TV Commercials? Here’s Why It Happens — And How to Fix It
- Rob Skuba
- Nov 5
- 8 min read
Updated: Nov 6
(Samsung, LG, Sony, Roku, YouTube TV)
A calm home matters, and no one appreciates a sudden blast from a TV commercial that hurts your ears or if you just put the baby to bed. It also startles and disrupts your escape into TV land. Is this common? Is it illegal? Can I fix it or do I need to consult a smart TV tech?
We are here to help walk you through why the volume jumps in the first place then get to the simple settings you can use to remove it on Samsung, LG, Sony, Roku, and YouTube TV. Step by step, no guesswork. You goi this!
Of course if you have any audio accessories like a soundbar or stereo receiver, that may be a little bit more difficult but something that can still be fixed. We couldnt possibly list all the infinite TV's, systems, streaming boxes, or apps, so for anything not covered here, we suggest asking Gemini, Chat GPT or your favorite AI model.
And of course if you have tried it all or just want it done simply by a friendly trusted smart home pro we can help. We have over 20 years in the industry with an expansive network across the country.
We believe
Your time matters.
Your peace matters.
And your TV shouldn’t raise its voice in your home.
Is it legal for commercials to be louder?
Short answer: NO
Broadcast TV isn’t allowed to blast ads louder on purpose.
There’s an actual law "the CALM Act" (2010) that requires ads and shows to be the same volume. The FCC enforces it. So no, you’re not supposed to get jump-scared by car insurance ads at 10pm. But here’s the truth:
The rules were written for cable and broadcast… not streaming.
And for years, streaming platforms lived in a gray area. Different mixes, different standards, different “interpretations” of the rules. That’s why you feel it on apps way more than traditional TV.
Now states are stepping in.
California SB-576 expanded on loud-ad rules to streaming starting in 2026.
Translation:
They know it's been a problem. And they're finally catching up.
So if you ever thought,"Isn’t this illegal? Why does this still happen?” You weren’t wrong, the law exists. It just wasn’t built for Netflix, YouTube TV, and all the streaming stuff we live on now. Until the rules fully line up, we fix it ourselves, and you’re about to do exactly that.
Footnote
CALM Act (2010) — FCC rule that TV ads can't be louder than shows
California SB-576 (2026) — brings streaming into the same rules
Why the volume really jumps
Even we had our doubts the first time we dug into this. There is a law, broadcast TV isn’t turning the volume up past the limit. That part is real.
But here’s what’s also real, and why you feel it:
Commercials are mixed differently, so they hit harder
Streaming wasn’t fully covered by the rules for years
When audio switches from surround to stereo, it can spike
Some apps and ad servers don’t handle volume leveling well
Your ears react to pressure and brightness, not just “numbers”
So if you’ve ever thought,“Why does this still happen? Is my TV broken?” —you’re not imagining it. It’s not your hearing. And your system is probably fine. It’s just the way the industry has handled ads for a long time. The difference now is you can fix it and we're here to help walk you through it brand by brand.
Before you start: quick checklist
Let’s make this easy and avoid chasing settings for no reason.
✅ Restart your TV (and streaming device if you use one)
Fresh start fixes a lot of random audio behavior.
✅ Make sure your TV software is up to date
Out-of-date software = out-of-date audio handling.
✅ Know your setup
Are you using TV speakers, a soundbar, or a receiver?
That matters for which setting takes the lead.
✅ Pick one device to control volume leveling
TV or soundbar — not both.
If two systems try to “fix” volume at the same time, they fight each other.
✅ Note when the jumps happen
Live TV? One specific app? All apps?
That gives us direction.
You’re ready, now let’s calm it down brand-by-brand.
Every TV and streaming box handles audio a little differently, so the steps below are simple and focused. No hunting through menus, no tech-speak. Just the settings that matter.
Take your time. Test one change at a time.
And remember — you’re not doing anything “wrong.”
This is just one of those things the industry never cleaned up, and now we fix it ourselves.
Samsung:
Samsung gives you a built-in setting that helps even things out. Takes about 20 seconds.
On your Samsung TV:
Press Home on the remote
Go to Settings
Select Sound
Open Expert Settings
Turn Auto Volume → On
That’s the main one. It tells the TV to level things out so ads don’t jump in your face.
Optional (if you still notice jumps):
Sound Mode → Standard
Digital Output Audio Format → PCM (just for testing)
Reset Sound (last resort)
Tip: If you have a Samsung soundbar, leave its leveling off while you test the TV. One device handles leveling at a time — keeps things clean.
LG:
LG has a built-in volume control feature that helps smooth out jumps. Quick and easy.
On your LG TV:
Press Settings on the remote
Go to Sound
Select Advanced Settings (or Additional Settings depending on model)
Turn Auto Volume → On
That handles most situations right away.
If you still hear jumps:
Sound Mode → Standard
Digital Sound Out → PCM (just for testing)
AI Sound / AI Sound Pro → Try turning it Off (some people like it, some don’t — we test)
Tip: If you're using an LG soundbar, leave the bar’s “Auto Volume” or “Night Mode” off while you test the TV. Let one device manage volume at a time.
Sony:
Sony includes a steady-volume feature — use it and see if the spikes settle.
On your Sony TV:
Press Home
Go to Settings
Select Sound
Open Advanced Settings (or Audio Settings depending on model)
Turn Auto Volume (or Steady Sound) → On
That’s the main fix.
If you still notice jumps:
Sound Mode → Standard
Digital Audio Out → PCM (for testing)
Reset Audio Settings (last resort)
Tip: If you have a Sony soundbar or AVR, let only one device handle leveling. If both the TV and soundbar try to “smooth” audio, they fight each other.
Roku:
Roku lets you level audio right from the playback menu. Simple and fast.
On your Roku:
Start playing something
Press the * button on the Roku remote
Find Volume Mode
Set it to Leveling
That’s the main fix.It keeps ads from jumping louder than the show.
Optional (if voices sound too soft):
Try Night Mode
That can help balance dialog vs loud moments at night.
Tip: If you use a soundbar, turn Roku leveling on and the soundbar’s leveling off while you test. One device handles leveling at a time — avoids fighting each other.
YouTube TV:
YouTube TV can jump when ads switch audio formats.We smooth that out by adjusting one setting.
In YouTube TV:
Open Settings
Go to Audio
Turn 5.1 Surround Sound → Off (test in stereo)
That handles most ad spikes on YouTube TV.
Optional (if you see the option):
Turn Stable Volume → On
Restart the app after changes.That helps it lock in the new audio behavior.
Tip: If you use a soundbar, turn Roku leveling on and the soundbar’s leveling off while you test. One device handles leveling at a time — avoids fighting each other.
Apple TV:
Apple TV has a leveling feature, but sometimes stereo mode smooths things better during ads.
On your Apple TV:
Go to Settings
Select Video and Audio
Open Audio Format
Turn Change Format → On
Set New Format → Stereo
That usually stops sudden ad spikes.
Optional (if you prefer leaving surround on):
Go to Reduce Loud Sounds → On
That setting evens out peaks without forcing stereo.
Tip: If you’re using a soundbar or receiver with Apple TV, test leveling only on one device at a time.Apple TV + soundbar both leveling = tug-of-war.
Fire TV:
Fire TV has a dialog setting that balances ad spikes and loud scenes.
On your Fire TV:
Go to Settings
Select Display & Sounds
Open Audio
Turn Volume Leveler → On
That usually tames the big jumps.
Optional (if dialog feels low):
Turn Dialog Enhancement → On
It lifts voices without making ads punch harder.
Tip: If you’re using a soundbar or receiver, let Fire TV handle leveling first. If it still bumps, turn Fire TV leveling off and test on the soundbar instead — one device at a time keeps things clean.
Soundbars & receivers: keep the system calm
If you use a soundbar or receiver, that device may be in charge of audio — not the TV.
So we set leveling in one place and keep it simple.
On most soundbars / receivers:
Open Audio or Sound settings
Look for Auto Volume, Volume Leveling, or Night Mode
Turn one of them On (start with Auto Volume)
That handles most situations.
If it still jumps:
Turn TV leveling Off
Leave soundbar leveling On
Restart the TV and soundbar
One device is the boss — not both.
Tip: If you have a higher-end receiver (Denon, Marantz, Yamaha, Sony, etc.), check for Dynamic Range Control, Auto Level, or Night Mode. Turn only one on.
Too many “helpers” = chaos.
When to call a pro
If you’ve tried the settings and things still jump, it’s not you. Some setups just need a trained eye, especially if you have:
A soundbar + TV + streaming box
A receiver with multiple sources
Apple TV + cable + apps all mixed
Different speakers in different rooms
Older gear connected to newer gear
At that point it’s not a “TV problem” It’s an audio-flow problem and that’s what a real home-tech pro fixes every day.
Think of it this way:
If you’d rather enjoy your night than dig through menus, yeah, call us. We get it.
We’ve been doing this for 20+ years. Real homes. Real equipment. Real people trying to relax. We’ll connect you with someone who actually knows what they’re doing,
not a guessing-game installer.
Your home stays calm.
Your sound stays balanced.
And you go back to watching without surprises.
Wrap-up
If your TV's not yelling at you anymore — great.
Enjoy your night.
If it still jumps, it’s probably not a setting — it’s the way your gear is handing off audio.
Happens all the time.
Our partners fix this stuff in real homes every day.
Click here to find a dealer
and we’ll point you to someone good —
not a random contractor,
someone who actually knows this work.
Simple. No pressure.
Your home should feel calm.
Your TV shouldn’t shout.
That's it.
About the Author
Rob Skuba
Founder — National Smart Home & Smart Home Day
Rob started in the Army, then in security wiring on Long Island, crawling attics, running cable, and learning what real homes need long before “smart home” was a buzzword.
He later worked in AV distribution at AVAD, supported dealers across the Northeast, and represented Lutron, helping homeowners and pros bring comfort and simplicity into everyday living.
In 2018, Rob launched National Smart Home and created Smart Home Day to give homeowners clear guidance, real pros, and honest answers in a confusing industry.
Two decades. Field-built experience. Home first. Tech second.
Because at the end of the day, Home is the escape. Home Owners Welcome
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