Fire Stick Error AUDIO_ERR_1 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

AUDIO_ERR_1 means your Fire Stick encountered an error with audio output. This could mean no sound, distorted audio, or audio that is out of sync with the video. The most common causes are an audio format mismatch between your Fire Stick and TV, a loose HDMI connection, or incorrect audio settings.

Affected Models

Fire TV Stick (all generations)
Fire TV Stick 4K
Fire TV Stick 4K Max
Fire TV Cube
Fire TV Stick Lite

Common Causes

The Fire Stick is set to output an audio format (like Dolby Atmos) that your TV or soundbar cannot handle
The HDMI cable or port is not passing the audio signal correctly
The TV's HDMI-ARC or eARC settings are conflicting with the Fire Stick's audio output
The volume is muted or at minimum in both the app and TV settings
A Bluetooth audio device is connected to the Fire Stick but is out of range or powered off

How to Fix It

Change the Fire Stick's audio settings to Stereo. Go to Settings > Display & Sounds > Audio > Dolby Digital Output and set it to Off (Stereo). Then test again.

This is the most effective first step. Many older TVs and soundbars cannot decode Dolby Digital or Atmos. Switching to stereo works for all devices.
Unplug the HDMI cable from both the Fire Stick and the TV, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in firmly. Also try a different HDMI port on your TV.

A slightly loose HDMI connection can cause audio to drop even when video is fine. HDMI ports can wear over time.
Restart your Fire Stick and TV. Unplug both from the wall for 30 seconds, then plug the TV in first, then the Fire Stick.

Restarting both devices clears the HDMI handshake and audio negotiation, which resolves many audio format mismatches.
Check if a Bluetooth audio device is connected. Go to Settings > Controllers & Bluetooth Devices > Other Bluetooth Devices. If a speaker or headphones are paired, the Fire Stick may be sending audio there instead of the TV.

Disconnect any Bluetooth audio devices if you want sound through the TV. Fire Stick sends audio to only one output at a time.
Check both the app volume and the TV volume. Some apps have their own volume control separate from the TV's volume. Also verify the TV is not muted — press the mute button on your TV remote to toggle.

It sounds obvious, but app-level mute is a surprisingly common cause of AUDIO_ERR_1. Apps like Prime Video have a volume slider in the playback controls.

When to Call a Professional

AUDIO_ERR_1 almost never requires professional help. If none of the steps below work and other HDMI devices have audio on the same TV, contact Amazon Fire TV support at amazon.com/firetvsupport. If other devices also have no audio on that TV, the HDMI port on the TV may need service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dolby Atmos and do I need it?

Dolby Atmos is a premium surround sound format that creates a three-dimensional audio experience. Your TV or soundbar needs to specifically support Atmos to use it. If your TV does not support it and your Fire Stick is set to output Atmos, you get no audio at all. You do not need Atmos — standard stereo sounds perfectly fine on most TVs and is compatible with everything.

Why does audio work on Netflix but not Prime Video (or vice versa)?

Different streaming apps use different audio formats and have their own volume and audio settings. An app set to output Dolby Atmos or Dolby Digital Plus may fail on a TV that only supports stereo. Check the audio settings inside each individual app in addition to the Fire Stick system audio settings.

Can a damaged HDMI cable cause audio loss but not video loss?

Yes. HDMI carries separate signals for audio and video. A partially damaged cable or connector can interrupt the audio signal while video continues. If swapping to a different HDMI cable restores audio, the original cable is the problem. HDMI cables are inexpensive — keeping a spare is a good idea.