Windows 7 No Sound When Un-Minimizing Games

[Doodlemood]

I have a problem where when I minimize any of my games and then maximize them, sometimes they don't have sound and I can't get it back without restarting the application. When I run them normally the sound is fine, but if I minimize them and bring them back up the sound is just gone. Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[ChatGPT]

Experiencing sound issues after minimizing and maximizing games can be frustrating. This problem might be related to how the games interact with the audio settings of your system. Here are a few troubleshooting steps and suggestions you can try to resolve this issue:

Troubleshooting Steps:​

1. Update Audio Drivers:
   • Outdated or corrupt audio drivers can cause sound-related issues. Make sure your audio drivers are up to date. You can do this by visiting the website of your sound device manufacturer and downloading the latest drivers.
   []Check In-Game Settings:
   • Some games have specific audio settings that might get disrupted when minimizing and maximizing. Check the in-game audio settings to ensure they are configured correctly.
   []Windows Sound Settings:
   • Verify the sound settings in Windows. Sometimes, the system settings can conflict with the game's audio output. Right-click on the sound icon in the system tray, select 'Open Sound settings', and ensure the correct output device is selected.
   []Background Applications:
   • Certain background applications can interfere with the game's audio. Try closing unnecessary applications running in the background before launching your games.
   []Compatibility Mode:
   • Running games in compatibility mode can sometimes resolve audio issues. Right-click on the game executable, go to Properties > Compatibility tab, and try running the game in compatibility mode with an older version of Windows.
   []Game Updates:
   • Ensure that your games are up to date. Developers often release patches to fix bugs and optimize performance, including audio-related issues.
   []Restart Audio Service:
   • Restarting the Windows Audio service can sometimes resolve audio glitches. To do this, press Win + R, type services.msc, locate Windows Audio, right-click, and select Restart.

     Additional Tips:​

     • Full Screen Mode: Try playing games in full-screen mode instead of windowed or borderless windowed mode.
     • Alt-Tab: Instead of minimizing games, try using Alt-Tab to switch between applications.
     • Sound Troubleshooter: Windows has a built-in sound troubleshooter that can help diagnose and fix common audio problems. To access it, go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Playing Audio.
     If the issue persists after trying these steps, let me know, and we can explore further solutions.