I can't record using Windows WASAPI anymore for no apparent reason

Audacity 3 Help Forum Windows
1

For years now I have been able to record my computer speakers’ audio using Windows WASAPI and now all of a sudden I just can’t fucking do it anymore. Error code -9996 invalid device.

{
“timestamp”: 1760211215,
“event_id”: “6a9b9edec480ac41a9c02cc6b57bf314”,
“platform”: “native”,
“release”: “audacity@3.7.5”,
“contexts”: {
“os”: {
“type”: “os”,
“name”: “Windows”,
“version”: “10.0.19045”
}
},
“exception”: {
“values”: [
{
“type”: “Error”,
“value”: “Error opening recording device.\nError code: -9996 Invalid device.”,
“mechanism”: {
“type”: “runtime_error”,
“handled”: false
}
}
]
}
}

This is so fucking stupid. This has never been a problem until a few days ago.

2

Make sure you’ve selected loopback for the device where the sound is coming out. (If it shows “speakers” as a recording device option it’s probably already showing loopback.)

Make sure the sound has started before you hit record. WASAPI can record a silent stream but it can’t record “nothing”.

Some computers/soundcards come with a similar option called “Stereo Mix” or “What-U-Hear”.

There are also some other software solutions. TotalRecorder used to be very popular and it had a reputation of being foolproof, but I haven’t read much about it lately. (And it’s not free.)

I believe there are some “similar” free applications and maybe a plug-in for your browser but you’ll have to search.

There are some utilities like Virtual Audio Cable or VB Cable that can re-route the audio internally and they should be able to send the audio to Audacity.

3

How do I make sure loopback is on?

Also I forgot to mention that I get the error code when trying to record on Mono, but when I try to record on Stereo it does record, however the volume of the audio matches the volume of my speakers (which I do not want to happen)

4

Loopback captures whatever is coming OUT of your soundcard.

The best solution is usually external analog speakers which almost always have a volume control. Or plug-in headphones and put them in drawer of they are too loud, or plug-in a headphone extension cable with nothing plugged into the other end.

Also, all of the popular streaming services use loudness matching so that one track isn’t louder than another, and that ends-up lowering the volume of most tracks so you might have to Amplify after recording.

5

I just want to know how I can make it go back to the way it was before.

6

Okay, I’m pretty sure I used to record it on Stereo. My computer’s actual volume did not affect the volume of the recording until recently. Why is it just doing this now.

7

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