Microsoft KB Archive/307918

= How to troubleshoot sound problems in Windows XP =

Article ID: 307918

Article Last Modified on 12/6/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
 * Microsoft Windows XP Professional

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This article was previously published under Q307918



INTRODUCTION
This article describes how to troubleshoot common sound problems in Windows XP.



SYMPTOMS
Use the troubleshooting methods that are listed here if you experience any of the following symptoms:  You do not hear sound from the computer's speakers or headphones. A sound seems to be played, but you do not hear anything. A sound is played, but it stops suddenly. The sound skips or misses in some areas. The sound is distorted or scratchy. The computer stops responding (hangs) when a sound is played. The computer restarts when a sound is played.</li> You receive an error message when you try to play sound. Some examples include the following error messages: <ul> 

MIDI output error detected.

</li> 

No wave device that can play files in the current format is installed.

</li> 

The CD Audio device is in use by another application.

</li> 

WAV sound playback error detected.

</li> 

Your audio hardware cannot play files like the current file.

</li></ul> </li></ul>

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Troubleshooting methods
Use the following methods in the order that is listed to troubleshoot sound problems in Windows XP.

Step 1: Start the Sound Troubleshooter
There are two options to start the Sound Troubleshooter.

Option A: Automatic start
If you are already familiar with Windows XP Help and Support Center, click the following link to start the Sound Troubleshooter:

[hcp://help/tshoot/tssound.htm Sound Troubleshooter]

Option B: Manual start
To manually start the Sound Troubleshooter, follow these steps:
 * 1) Click Start, and then click Help and Support.
 * 2) Under Pick a Help Topic, click Fixing a problem.
 * 3) In the navigation pane, on the left, click Games, sound, and video problems.
 * 4) In the topic pane, on the right, click Sound Troubleshooter.

Step 2: Use the Sound Troubleshooter

 * 1) Click the option that describes the problem that is occurring, and then click Next.
 * 2) Repeat step 1 until your problem is resolved or until you have reached the end of the troubleshooting path.

Note You can click Back at any time to repeat the last step, or you can click Start Over to start the Sound Troubleshooter again.

Method 2: Update sound card drivers
There are two options to update sound card drivers.

Option A: Use Microsoft Update to check whether updated sound card drivers are available
To find out whether applicable driver updates are available, visit the following Microsoft Windows Update Web site:

http://www.update.microsoft.com

For view step-by-step instructions, visit the &quot;Update sound card drivers&quot; section in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

812394 How to troubleshoot sound-related issues in Microsoft games

Option B: Contact the sound card hardware or the computer manufacturer
For information about how to contact the manufacturer of your sound card, click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

65416 Hardware and software vendor contact information, A-K

60781 Hardware and software vendor contact information, L-P

60782 Hardware and software vendor contact information, Q-Z

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

To identify the name and the provider of your sound driver, follow these steps:
 * 1) Click Start, click Run, type dxdiag in the Open box, and then click OK.
 * 2) Click the Sound tab.
 * 3) Under Device, look for Name, and under Driver, look for Provider.
 * 4) Click Exit.

Method 3: Update your Media Player software
If the sound problem that you are experiencing occurs when you are using a media player such as Microsoft Windows Media Player, try updating your media player software. To obtain the latest version of the Windows Media Player, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/AllDownloads.aspx

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Additional troubleshooting resources
If you cannot resolve the problem by using the Sound Troubleshooter or by viewing the recommended Microsoft Knowledge Base articles, you can use the Microsoft Customer Support Services Web site to find a solution to your problem. Some services that the Microsoft Customer Support Services Web site provides include the following services:
 * Searchable Knowledge Base: Search technical support information and self-help tools for Microsoft products.
 * Frequently Asked Questions: View product-specific frequently asked questions and support highlights.
 * Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups: Contact counterparts, peers, and Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs).
 * Other Support Options: Ask a support question by using the Web, contact Microsoft Customer Support Services, or provide feedback.

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