Got the dreaded "Error Opening Sound Device" message - Please help!

Audacity 3 Help Forum Windows
1

Hi all

Hoping someone can help with this - I’ve spent HOURS trying to resolve the “error opening sound device” message. I’m unable to playback any audio as a result.

I’m not sure what has caused it as I had been using Audacity as normal earlier that day, so no plugin or setting should have changed. I have no external devices plugged in other than my headphones which I always use when editing. As well as simply unplugging them and restarting the app, I have followed a lot of the fixes already listed on existing forums: Changing the input and output sorces, and practically all options in the “audio settings” tab, trying all 3 options for the “host”, changing the project and default sample rate from 48000Hz to 44100, allowing and disabling microphone access, and have even tried a full reinstallation of Audacity, all still without success

Any experts out there that can tell me what (if anything) I’m doing wrong? It’s driving me mad!

Thank you in advance

2

You mention trying a lot of things, but you don’t mention restarting your computer. If the cause of the problem is a temporary hardware failure, actually powering down the computer and turning it back on again might be necessary.

3

Hi there, have tried this too but still no luck. Any other suggestions?

4

Windows doesn’t always clear the computer when you restart, or normal shut down. If you have problems, a Clean Shutdown is recommended.

That can take quite a bit longer, but it does reset everything.

Koz

5

At the risk of sounding like the proverbial broken record I yet again advise you to use the windows media control panel mmsys.cpl to check that your audio devices are working correctly. Use the run command ( right click the windows start button or use the search option on the start menu to directly find mmsys.cpl.
Under the playback tab you will see all known output devices. Choose your headphones if they are listed but if they are not there is a connection problem that must be fixed.

If you look at the properties for your headphones you will see a test option under the Advanced tab. Provided the test works this is the devices which should be selected in Audacity.

6

Thanks Koz, this has worked! Massively appreciated :grin:

Jake