Wireless speakers ZaLA Wi-Fi devices are becoming increasingly popular among users looking to improve their TV's sound without the hassle of wires. However, connecting via Wi-Fi often raises questions: why doesn't the TV detect the device, how to sync the sound with the picture, or why the connection keeps dropping. In this article, we'll cover all the connection methods. ZaLA speakers to the TV via Wi-Fi, including setup via the app, manual addition to the network, and troubleshooting common errors.
It is important to understand that the process depends on the TV model (Samsung QLED, LG OLED, Sony Bravia etc.), firmware version and even the generation of speakers ZaLA (For example, ZaLA Z-10 vs ZaLA Pro X). We'll cover universal methods, as well as nuances for specific brands. If your TV doesn't support direct audio streaming over Wi-Fi, we'll offer workarounds using additional devices.
Before you begin, make sure that:
- 📶 Column ZaLA and the TV are connected to one Wi-Fi network (not to different 2.4/5 GHz ranges!).
- 🔄 The speaker is in pairing mode (usually hold the button
Wi-Fi/Pair5-7 seconds). - 📱 The official app is installed ZaLA Audio (available for Android And iOS).
- 🔊 The TV supports audio output via Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA or AirPlay 2 (For Apple TV).
1. TV Compatibility with ZaLA Speakers: What You Need to Know
Not all TVs can stream audio to external speakers via Wi-Fi. Here are the key points:
Supported protocols:
- 📺 Wi-Fi Direct - most models Samsung (2018+), LG (2019+), Xiaomi Mi TV.
- 🍎 AirPlay 2 — Apple TV 4K, televisions Sony With Android TV 9+, some LG OLED.
- 🌐 DLNA/UPnP - obsolete, but still found on Philips and old Samsung.
- 🔗 Bluetooth - as a backup option if Wi-Fi doesn't work (but there will be a sound delay!).
Incompatible TVs: budget models without Smart TV (Thomson, Dexp), TVs manufactured before 2016, as well as devices with proprietary OS (for example, Roku TV). In such cases it will be necessary intermediate device - For example, Google Chromecast or Amazon Fire TV Stick.
| TV brand | Supported protocols | Minimum software version | Is an app required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung (QLED, The Frame) | Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth | Tizen 4.0+ | No (settings in the TV menu) |
| LG (OLED, NanoCell) | Wi-Fi Direct, AirPlay 2 | webOS 4.0+ | Yes (LG TV Plus) |
| Sony (Bravia, X90J+) | AirPlay 2, Chromecast | Android TV 9+ | Yes (Google Home) |
| Xiaomi (Mi TV Q1E+) | Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | MIUI TV 3.0+ | No |
⚠️ Attention: If your TV does not support any of the protocols, but it has an outputHDMI ARCorOptical, consider purchasing Wi-Fi adapter for audio systems (For example, Creative Sound Blaster X4). This will allow you to broadcast sound from your TV to your speakers via a local network.
2. Connect via the official ZaLA Audio app
The most reliable way is to use the proprietary app. It automatically detects your speaker model and suggests the optimal settings.
Step-by-step instructions:
- Download ZaLA Audio from App Store or Google Play.
- Connect your phone and speaker to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Turn on the speaker in pairing mode (the blue indicator will light up).
- In the app, click
Add device → Speaker → Wi-Fi. - Select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password (if required).
- Confirm the connection on the speaker (button
OKorPair).
After successfully connecting to the application, go to the section Settings → Connect to TV and select one of the options:
- 📺 Wi-Fi Direct — the TV and speaker are connected directly (without a router).
- 🌍 Local area network — the sound is transmitted through the router (there may be a delay!).
- 🔄 Repeater mode — the speaker repeats the sound from another device (for example, from a soundbar).
The speaker is charged at least 50%|
TV and speaker on the same network|
"Guest network mode" is disabled on the router.
The ZaLA app has "TV Mode" enabled.
⚠️ Note: If the sound is interrupted after connecting, check the settings QoS on the router. Prioritize traffic for the speaker's MAC address. ZaLAto avoid lags.
3. Manual connection via the TV menu (without the app)
If you don't want to use the app or it's not working, you can set up a connection in the TV menu. Let's look at the process using popular brands as examples.
For TVs Samsung (Tizen):
- Open
Settings → Sound → Sound Output. - Select
Speaker (Wi-Fi)orBluetooth/Device. - Turn on device search and select your speaker ZaLA from the list.
- Confirm pairing on the speaker (button
Pair).
For TVs LG (webOS):
- Go to
Settings → Sound → Sound Output. - Select
LG Sound Sync (wireless). - Activate
Search for devicesand wait for it to appear ZaLA on the list. - Connect and install the speaker as follows main speaker.
For Android TV (Sony, Xiaomi, Philips):
- Open
Settings → Devices → Bluetooth & other devices. - Select
Add a device → Audio System. - Find ZaLA in the list and connect.
- In the sound settings, set
Access via Wi-Fi/DLNA.
What to do if the TV doesn’t detect the speaker?
1. Reboot your router and speaker.
2. Check if "Client Isolation Mode" is enabled on your router (it blocks communication between devices on the same network).
3. Update your TV's firmware (in Settings → Support → Software Update).
4. Reset the network settings on the speaker (hold Reset 10 seconds).
4. Sound settings: synchronization, equalizer, delays
Even after a successful connection, audio issues may persist, including lag, unbalanced frequencies, or interruptions. Here's how to fix them.
Eliminating audio delay:
- 🎵 In the app ZaLA Audio go to
Settings → Synchronizationand selectGame sound mode(reduces lag to 50–100 ms). - 📡 Turn on the router 5 GHz mode (if the speaker supports it) - it provides a more stable connection.
- 🔄 If used Wi-Fi Direct, try switching to local network (sometimes gives less delay).
Equalizer settings:
- 🎛️ In the app ZaLA Audio open
Equalizer → Presetsand select the appropriate profile (Movie,Music,Voice). - 🔊 For bass, increase the sliders to
60–120 Hz, for clarity of speech - on2–5 kHz. - 🚫 Turn off effects
3D soundorSurround, if they create distortions.
Troubleshooting Interrupts:
- 📶 Move the router closer to the TV and speaker (or use Mesh system for a big house).
- 🔌 Plug the speaker into a power outlet - low battery levels can cause problems.
- 🛑 Disable it in your router settings
Wi-Fi energy saving(may break the connection).
5. Alternative connection methods (if Wi-Fi doesn't work)
If your TV doesn't support Wi-Fi Direct or you're having persistent connection issues, consider these alternatives:
1. Connection via Bluetooth (with audio delay):
- ⚡ Pros: Works on any TV with Bluetooth, easy to set up.
- ⚠️ Cons: audio delay of ~200–300 ms (not suitable for movies).
- 🔧 How to connect:
TV Settings → Bluetooth → Add Device → Select ZaLA.
2. Using Google Chromecast or Fire TV Stick:
- 📱 Pros: versatility, support for all streaming services.
- 💰 Cons: requires purchasing an additional device (~3–5 thousand rubles).
- 🔧 How to connect:
- Connect Chromecast to the TV HDMI port.
- In the appendix Google Home add a column ZaLA as a speaker.
- Select it as your audio output device.
3. Connection via HDMI ARC + Wi-Fi adapter:
- 🎮 Pros: minimal latency, high sound quality.
- 🔌 Cons: Requires a free port
HDMI ARCand purchasing an adapter. - 🔧 How to connect:
- Connect HDMI ARC adapter (For example, Creative SXFI Carrier) to the TV.
- Connect the adapter to the speaker via Wi-Fi using the manufacturer's app.
- In TV settings, select
Audio Output → HDMI ARC.
6. Common mistakes and their solutions
Even with proper setup, glitches can still occur. Let's look at the most common errors and how to fix them.
| Error | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The TV doesn't see the speaker. | Different Wi-Fi networks (2.4/5 GHz), guest mode enabled on the router | Connect both devices to the same network, disable guest mode |
| The sound cuts out every 5-10 seconds | Weak Wi-Fi signal, interference from other devices | Switch to 5 GHz, reduce the distance to the router |
| Audio delay >300 ms | Bluetooth or the outdated DLNA protocol is used | Switch to Wi-Fi Direct or use HDMI ARC |
| The speaker connects, but there is no sound. | A different sound output is selected in the TV settings (for example, built-in speakers) | Select Audio Output → ZaLA (Wi-Fi) |
| The ZaLA app can't find the speaker. | Outdated speaker or phone firmware | Update software via Settings → Update in the app |
⚠️ Attention: If the speaker stops working after updating the firmware, follow these steps factory reset (hold Power + Volume Down 15 seconds). This will delete all saved networks, and you will have to connect again.
Critical Information: Columns ZaLA Z-20 and newer support the protocol Wi-Fi 6, but for it to work, the router must also support this standard. Otherwise, the connection will be automatically downgraded to Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), which can cause delays in the transmission of audio in the format Dolby Atmos.
7. Optimize your Wi-Fi network for stable sound
Sound quality directly depends on the stability of your Wi-Fi connection. Here's how to improve your network:
Router settings:
- 📶 Switch to 5 GHz channel (less crowded than 2.4 GHz).
- 🔒 Turn on WPA3 (if supported) for a more reliable connection.
- 🚀 Activate QoS and set the priority for the speaker's MAC address.
- 🔄 Turn it off
Band Steering(may cause reconnections between 2.4/5 GHz).
Equipment placement:
- 📡 The router should be located no more than 10 meters away from the TV and speaker.
- 🚪 Avoid obstacles (walls, metal objects) between the router and devices.
- 📱 If you use Mesh system, connect the speaker to the same unit as the TV.
- 🔌 Use surge protector For the router and speaker, power surges can disrupt the connection.
- 📱 Update your router firmware (especially if you have TP-Link, Asus or Keenetic).
- 🛑 Turn it off
IPv6in the router settings - sometimes it conflicts with multimedia devices. - It's turned off on the TV.
Wi-Fi Direct(turn on inSettings → General → External devices). - The speaker is not in pairing mode (hold
Wi-Fi5 seconds). - Outdated TV firmware (update in
Settings → Support → Software Update). - Connect Google Chromecast to the TV's HDMI port.
- In the appendix Google Home add a column ZaLA as a speaker.
- In Chromecast settings, select
Sound Output → ZaLA. - Play the video on your TV and the sound will be transmitted to the speaker.
- Connect the speaker via HDMI ARC (if supported).
- Use optical splitter to duplicate the signal.
- Enable the TV mode in the settings
Duplicate audio(if any). - Turn off the speaker.
- Hold the buttons
Power + Volume Up10 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red. - The speaker will reboot and be ready for a new connection.
Additional tips:
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about connecting ZaLA to a TV
Is it possible to connect ZaLA to a TV without Wi-Fi, only via Bluetooth?
Yes, but be prepared for a delay in sound (~200–300 ms). This is noticeable when watching movies (lips and sound are out of sync). For music or podcasts, Bluetooth is fine. To reduce lag, enable the "Live" mode in the speaker settings. Low Latency (if any).
Why doesn't my Samsung TV see the ZaLA speaker in the list of devices?
Possible reasons:
If nothing helps, try connecting via SmartThings (app from Samsung).
How to connect ZaLA to a TV via Chromecast?
Why does the sound only go through the speaker and not through the TV and ZaLA at the same time?
This is normal behavior - the TV can only output sound to one device. To ensure that the sound goes to both the built-in speakers and ZaLA, need to:
On most TVs, you can use an external speaker and the built-in speakers at the same time. it is forbidden.
How do I reset the Wi-Fi settings on my ZaLA speaker?
To delete all saved networks and start connecting again:
After the reset, all sound settings (equalizer, presets) will also return to factory settings.