No record if no sound

djdan_23 · August 4, 2026, 12:26am

I recently have to reload WINDOWS 10 and since I already have ver:3.7.7, I just re-install it.

But I just discover that if the sound is not there the RECORD is not starting.

I use to use it when I record some mp3 on YOU-TUBE and let the recorder start 2-3 secondes

before I start the video so I can make some space before. But now i can’t, so I must insert some

space manually at Start (Generate/Silence). So what can I do to be able to have RECORD start

immediately even with no sound in. I’m using “Windows WASAPI”. The "Transport Options/ Enable sound activated recording is not selected.

In preferences/Recording: Hear other Tracks & Detect dropouts are selected.

                  : Sound Activated recording is NOT Enable & Level (DB) = -31

Kind of annoying for me.

Thanks all for the help.

Trebor · August 4, 2026, 2:20am

No sound - No record is an inherent feature of WASAPI …

“Windows WASAPI host only records loopback when there is an active signal present. When there is no active signal, recording pauses and will restart once an active signal resumes”.

https://manual.audacityteam.org/man/tutorial_recording_computer_playback_on_windows.html

djdan_23 · August 4, 2026, 9:34am

SO it means that there is no way to stop that ?

Trebor · August 4, 2026, 1:33pm

There are workarounds to stop WASAPI pausing , e.g.

In the Windows Sound control panel, just enable “Listen to this device” for any recording device that you are not using. Ensure that the device is muted (recording level set to zero). You now have a permanent, silent playback stream.

https://forum.audacityteam.org/t/option-to-record-a-dead-wasapi-stream-as-silence/60685/

Or record StereoMix (or equivalent) instead …