Why dont I have sound on my streaming apps?
1. Check Your Device’s Audio Settings
To start troubleshooting sound issues on your streaming apps, first check the audio settings on your device. Specifically:
- Confirm sound/volume is not muted on the device itself (Source)
- Try adjusting the volume levels to ensure it’s turned up (Source)
- Ensure any relevant audio drivers are installed and up to date (Source)
Checking these basic device settings can resolve many common sound issues. Try playing audio from a non-streaming app to narrow down if the problem lies with the device OS, speakers, or just the streaming apps themselves.
Check the App’s Audio Settings
It’s worth diving into the app’s settings to ensure audio is working properly on that end. Most apps include individual sound configurations. Open the app and check the options or preferences for an audio or sound tab. Confirm that the soundtoggle is switched on and that the volume level is raised adequately high to hear audio. Sometimes toggling the sound on and off in the app can resolve quirky audio problems as well
Check the app store to see if there are any available updates. App developers frequently roll out minor patches and bug fixes, which could include remedies for sound issues. Sometimes the coding or integration with certain devices leads to audio glitches that updates directly address. Upgrading the app to its latest optimized version is an easy solution that often allows the sound to resume functioning properly again.
Check Your Internet Connection
Problems with your internet connection can prevent audio from working properly. An unstable or slow connection may cause streaming audio to cut out intermittently.
Try disconnecting from the WiFi network and then reconnecting. This can refresh the connection and resolve temporary glitches. You can also try loading audio in a different app like YouTube or a music streaming service while connected to the same WiFi network.
If the audio issues persist in multiple apps on the same WiFi connection, it points to a problem with your internet connectivity rather than any individual streaming app. Some things to check include:
- Restarting your router and modems
- Checking WiFi signal strength in the room you’re streaming in
- Testing with a wired ethernet connection instead of WiFi
See: How come in a lot of videos I stream, the audio cuts off every four seconds
Use Wired Headphones
Connecting wired headphones directly to your device can help isolate audio issues.
This eliminates Bluetooth connectivity problems. As this article explains, Bluetooth can sometimes cause interference that makes the audio cut in and out.
Try wired headphones to test if sound works properly through the headphone jack. If you get clear audio with wired headphones, then you know the issues are related to Bluetooth or your wireless headphones. However, if the wired headphones have the same problems, then there may be a problem with your device’s audio components.
Restart Your Device
Completely powering down and restarting your device resets audio components. This simple step can fix many minor glitches causing no sound.
Try force closing the streaming app as well before restarting your device. To restart, hold down the power button for up to 30 seconds to completely power off your device, then power it back on. This gives the hardware and software a chance to clear out any issues interfering with sound.
As mentioned in this guide and this article, a reboot often resolves software glitches disabling sound and is one of the first troubleshooting steps to try.
Check External Speakers/TV
Make sure any external speakers or TV are powered on and properly connected.
TVs often have separate audio settings to adjust volume.
Test speakers/TV audio with a different audio source.
According to a Reddit post, “The speakers to the TV with an HDMI cable through the ARC port.” Source
Updating Software
Outdated software including your operating system, drivers, and firmware can prevent proper audio functionality of your streaming apps. When software like your operating system, sound drivers, or firmware are out of date, it can cause audio issues as new apps may not be fully compatible with outdated system software. This mismatch may mean that the app is unable to use your audio as expected.
Check what updates are available for your device and installed apps. You should update to the latest software versions available for your device and streaming software. Update your device’s operating system, sound drivers, firmware, other system software, and the streaming app itself to the latest releases. This can resolve any audio issues caused by outdated software components.
Updating to the newest software ensures full compatibility and proper performance between your system and the streaming app. It also includes the latest bug fixes, audio enhancements, and optimizations.
Clear App Cache and Data
Clearing cached data and app data often resolves audio issues within an app (https://www.sony-asia.com/electronics/support/articles/00252650). Find the app settings on your device to clear cache and data. This varies by device:
- iPhone: Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > find the app > Offload App
- Android: Go to Settings > Apps > find the app > Storage > Clear Cache/Clear Data
- Smart TV: Go to Settings > Apps > find the app > Clear Cache/Clear Data
- Amazon Fire/Roku: Go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications > find the app
After wiping the temporary data, open the streaming app again and test if audio works properly. Clearing cache and data forces the app to fully reload which often resolves temporary glitches.
Contact Customer Support
If you still have no audio after trying other troubleshooting, contact customer support. They can help diagnose issues within specific apps or with your device (https://www.justanswer.com/android-devices/n0cur-no-longer-tell-goggle-call-contact-using.html). Customer support may offer fixes or request logs to investigate further. For example, Microsoft’s support team can troubleshoot issues with the Phone Link app and Bluetooth connectivity (https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/microsoft-phone-link-app-no-sound-in-phone-calls/d4caee4e-e326-4c0e-aabe-18a9cfbbaaca).
Consider Hardware Repair/Replacement
Persistent audio issues may indicate a problem with the physical device hardware. General Repair Pricing. Audio ports, drivers, or speakers may need professional repair. For older devices, replacement may be the most cost-effective solution.
Vintage audio equipment may require repairs or replacements due to damage from aging components. According to https://liquidaudio.com.au/faq/how-much-will-my-service-or-repair-cost/, Work of 1 – 3 hours duration is charged at our standard rate of $120 per hour.