YouTube on Google TV and Android TV's volume issues are about to be solved

Chromecast with Google TV 4K on a wood table
(Image credit: Google)

Google TV and Android TV are fantastic streaming device operating systems, but they're not perfect. One flaw is with the YouTube app — the volume is all over the place depending on the video you're watching. Thankfully, an update will fix the issue with a new feature called Stable Volume.

As the name implies, the feature will alter the volume as you switch between different YouTube videos. You will no longer have to crank up the volume for a video from one content creator only to hurt your ears when the next one screams at you about whatever topic YouTube throws at you next.

The feature was already available for YouTube on Android, so it makes sense that Google would bring it to its Google TV and Android platforms. 

Essentially, the feature will analyze audio and normalize across videos. That means you won't have to pick up the remote and adjust the volume for each video — you can kick back and enjoy the content at a relatively consistent volume. If the analysis finds the volume of a video is too loud, it'll lower it and vice versa. 

We'll have to test the feature to see how well it works, but it sounds promising, and it's been well-received on Android.

Google is bringing Stable Volume to streaming devices like the Chromecast with Google TV and some of the best smart TVs from brands like Hisense, Sony and TCL. It's rolling out now through a YouTube app update. On Android and Google TV, version v4.40.303 adds the new Stable Volume feature, so be sure to update your YouTube app to get it.

It's worth noting that the new feature is on by default, so if you prefer manually updating the volume for each video (I'm not sure why you'd want to do that), you'll need to go into Settings within the YouTube app and turn it off.

More from Tom's Guide

TOPICS
Dave LeClair
Senior News Editor

Dave LeClair is the Senior News Editor for Tom's Guide, keeping his finger on the pulse of all things technology. He loves taking the complicated happenings in the tech world and explaining why they matter. Whether Apple is announcing the next big thing in the mobile space or a small startup advancing generative AI, Dave will apply his experience to help you figure out what's happening and why it's relevant to your life.

Read more
YouTube TV logo on a phone
YouTube TV upgrades just teased for millions — here's what's coming
Sonos app in front of Sonos speakers
Finally! New Sonos app update just fixed this huge headache
Youtube TV app on Apple TV home screen
YouTube TV just gave users a huge 4K upgrade — here's what you need to know
YouTube logo on smart TV with remote control
YouTube reportedly working on massive upgrade to fight Netflix and Amazon
Amazon Fire TV on stand in room
Here's how Alexa Plus could fix Fire TVs
Lifestyle image of the Fire TV Stick HD
Fire TV just got even more frustrating to use — but here’s a workaround
Latest in Streaming Devices
Chromecast with Google TV connected to display
Google finally pushes out full Chromecast fix for users who factory reset — here’s what to do
Google Chromecast
Google has a fix for broken Chromecasts as long as you didn't factory reset
Sonos logo on a smart speaker
Sonos halts work on rumored super streaming device — what's next?
Google Chromecast in TV
Chromecast fail — users across the world are saying that their Chromecasts are not working
Google TV Streamer
How to set up and stream with your Google TV device — 7 easy steps
Chromecast with Google TV
Google just stopped selling the Chromecast — and this is the replacement
Latest in News
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Wednesday, March 19 (#647)
Chromecast with Google TV connected to display
Google finally pushes out full Chromecast fix for users who factory reset — here’s what to do
A picture of a skull and bones on a smartphone depicting malware
Hundreds of malicious Android apps with 60 million downloads found spamming Android users with ads and stealing credentials
Switch 2 console and logo
Nintendo Switch 2 rumor just tipped possible release date — and it's much sooner than we thought
Hacker typing on laptop in darkened room
Hackers create "BRUTED" tool to attack VPNs – how to stay safe
Malware
Dangerous new password-stealing trojan automatically reinstalls itself on infected PCs