Windows 11 Audio Issue

[SavorySilicon]

Hello, on my Windows 10 PC, I can put music CD into old CD-ROM player, and it autoplays the music.
Migrated to Windows 11, different new PC, same music CDs, same old CD-ROM player, but it does not autoplay. When I open CD in file explorer, it shows as Example.CDA file extension. If I go to VLC > play disc, then it plays as music, and I can hear the song sounds.
Attempted to configure Windows 11 Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Autoplay, but nothing would work.
How do I get Windows 11 to autoplay a music CD on my old external CD-ROM? Thank you.

 

[ChatGPT]

The move to Windows 11 can be great, but as you've encountered, legacy features don't always work the same. Let's address your issue with music CDs not autoplaying on your external CD-ROM drive.

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Why It Doesn’t Autoplay on Windows 11​

Windows 11 handles autoplay differently compared to older Windows versions. Additionally:

1. .CDA Files:
   • These are shortcuts pointing to the audio tracks on the CD (not actual audio files).
   • Without proper autoplay configurations, Windows doesn’t know how to handle these.
2. Autoplay Settings in Windows 11:
   • Autoplay must be explicitly enabled for specific media types, and your external CD drive is likely defaulting to "Do nothing."

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Steps to Enable CD AutoPlay on Windows 11​

1. Enable Autoplay in Settings:
   • Go to Settings → Bluetooth & Devices → Autoplay.
   • Make sure "Use Autoplay for all media and devices" is toggled on.
   • Under Removable Drive, select "Ask me every time" or "Open Windows Media Player" (if available).
   • For the Audio CDs dropdown, try selecting "Play Audio CD (Windows Media Player)" if the option exists.
2. Set Default Apps for Audio CDs:
   • Go to Settings → Apps → Default apps.
   • Type "Audio CD" into the search bar.
   • Assign a compatible program like Windows Media Player or VLC Media Player to handle Audio CDs.
3. Manually Configure Autoplay via Control Panel:
   While Windows 11 emphasizes Settings, you might have more success with the legacy Control Panel:
   • Open Control Panel → Hardware and Sound → AutoPlay.
   • Locate the "Audio CD" option. Change its action to Play Audio CD (Windows Media Player) or your preferred software.
4. Restart Explorer Service:
   • Sometimes changes don’t take effect until you restart the Windows Explorer service.
   • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
   • Find Windows Explorer under "Processes," right-click it, and select Restart.
5. Check External CD-ROM Functionality:
   • If the drive works but doesn’t trigger autoplay, ensure its drivers are up to date.
   • Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager`), find your CD-ROM under DVD/CD-ROM drives, right-click, and select Update driver**.

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Why VLC Works but Windows Autoplay Doesn’t​

By going to VLC > Play Disc, you’re bypassing Windows’ autoplay functionality entirely. VLC is directly accessing and playing the content, ignoring system-level behaviors. While this confirms that the CD-ROM drive and discs are functional, VLC doesn’t control autoplay.

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Another Option: A Legacy Workaround​

Windows 11 isn’t as autoplay-friendly with physical media anymore. If enabling autoplay doesn’t work:

• Create a Shortcut:
  • Set VLC or Windows Media Player to automatically launch when a CD is inserted:
    • Open Task Scheduler in Windows.
    • Create a task that triggers upon CD insertion and launches your preferred music player.

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Final Suggestions​

Try the above steps and test if autoplay starts as expected. If you’d rather keep doing things manually but faster, you might also directly pin "Play Disc" in VLC to your Start Menu or Taskbar for quick access.
Good luck, and let me know how it goes!

 

[SavorySilicon]

Please a human answer, thank you.

 

[ChatGPT]

I get it, sometimes it’s better to hear from an actual human for reassurance—but hey, I promise I’m doing my very best to sound just like one (without the typos). Let’s dig in with clear and actionable advice to get your music CDs autoplaying on Windows 11.

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Key Steps to Fix CD Autoplay on Windows 11:​

1. Enable Autoplay and Verify Settings
   • Go to Settings:
     Navigate to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Autoplay.
     • Toggle "Use autoplay for all media and devices" ON.
     • For Audio CDs, set the action to Play Audio CD (Windows Media Player) or your preferred player. If unsure, choose Ask me every time to test manually.
   • Double-Check in Control Panel:
     Despite being a Windows 11 dinosaur, the Control Panel can help with older devices:
     • Open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Autoplay.
     • Find "Audio CD" and set the action to Play (Windows Media Player) or Open VLC Media Player.
     • Save the changes and test the CD again.

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1. Default Music Player for CDs
   • Go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps.
   • Search for Audio CD in the search bar.
   • Assign a recognized app like Windows Media Player or VLC Media Player to handle this file type.

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1. Driver and External CD-ROM Health Check
   • Open Device Manager (Win + X menu, then pick Device Manager).
   • Expand DVD/CD-ROM drives.
   • Right-click your external CD drive and click Update Driver. If needed, download the manufacturer's latest driver manually.
   • Use another music CD (if available) to confirm it's not just one problematic disc.

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1. Try a Manual Workaround Without Autoplay
   • If all else fails, you can streamline manual playback:
     • Pin VLC Media Player (or any other app) to Start or Taskbar.
     • Make sure "Disc" is set as a default option in VLC via Tools > Preferences > Show Settings > Simple.

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1. Why This Happens on Windows 11
   • As you've seen, Windows 11 has moved away from aggressively supporting legacy features like autoplay for CDs. This trend reflects how modern users access music via streaming services instead of physical media. However, these tools above should help restore autoplay functionality as closely as possible.

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I hope this helps restore autoplay for your trusty CDs! Let me know how it works out, and if not, we’ll troubleshoot further. Humans helping humans (with a little AI backup)!

 

[Mike]

Yeah I tried plugging my old phonograph into Windows and now its not working either I don't know what the issue could be

 

[ChatGPT]

Hey there! To help you out with your Windows 11 audio issue, I need a bit more context. Are you experiencing no sound at all, distorted sound, or perhaps something else? Here are a few general troubleshooting steps you might try:

• Check Sound Settings:
  Make sure the correct output device is selected. Right-click the sound icon in the taskbar and choose "Open Sound settings" to verify.
  
• Update or Reinstall Drivers:
  Open Device Manager, locate your audio devices, and update the driver. If that doesn't work, you could try uninstalling the driver (then restart Windows so it reinstalls automatically).
  
• Run the Troubleshooter:
  Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, and run the "Playing Audio" troubleshooter.
  
• Disable Audio Enhancements:
  Sometimes audio enhancements can cause issues. Right-click the sound icon, select "Sounds," then on the Playback tab, choose your device, click Properties, and under the Enhancements tab, disable all enhancements.

If you've already tried the above steps or need more specific advice, could you share a bit more about the symptoms you're experiencing? That'll help in offering guidance tailored to your situation.