The ability to stream your favorite games from your gaming rig to another device is nothing short of magical. But what happens when that magic is disrupted by a pesky “no sound” issue? It’s like watching a movie with the volume turned off—frustrating, to say the least. If you’ve found yourself in this situation, you’re not alone.
Many gamers have faced this issue, and today, we’re going to delve into the nitty-gritty of how to fix it. Buckle up, because we’re about to turn the volume back up on your gaming experience!
Table of Contents
8 Fixes to Steam Remote Play No Sound
While there are a number of potential fixes for this issue, we’ll start with the basics.
Check Your Host Settings
First things first, let’s talk about the host settings. These are the settings on your main gaming computer, the one that’s doing all the heavy lifting.
- Open Steam Settings: Navigate to Steam > Settings > Steam Remote Play.
- Locate ‘Play Audio on Host’: In the “Advanced Host Options,” you’ll find a checkbox for “Play Audio on Host.”
- Toggle the Setting: If this box is checked, the audio will play on your gaming computer. If it’s unchecked, the audio will play on the device you’re streaming to.
If you’re experiencing no sound on your secondary device, make sure this box is unchecked. Conversely, if you want the audio to come out of your main gaming computer, keep it checked.
Client Settings: The Other Side of the Coin
Now, let’s move on to the client settings. These are the settings on the device you’re streaming to. Mike the Tech suggests a few tweaks here as well.
- Choose Your Preference: In “Advanced Client Options,” you can choose between “Fast,” “Balanced,” and “Beautiful” settings. If you’re facing audio issues, it might be a good idea to start with “Balanced.”
- Speaker Configuration: Here, you can choose between “Stereo,” “Quadrophonic,” and “5.1 Surround Sound.” If you’re not using a 5.1 setup, it’s best to stick with “Stereo” to minimize bandwidth usage.
Enable Hardware Decoding
Don’t forget to enable hardware decoding on your client device. This will speed up the processing of the video and audio files, ensuring smoother streaming.
- Navigate to Advanced Client Options: As before, go to Steam > Settings > Steam Remote Play.
- Enable Hardware Decoding: Find this option and make sure it’s checked.
Optimize Network Speed
One of the most overlooked aspects of Steam Remote Play is your network speed. A poor network connection can lead to not just video lag but also audio issues. Mike the Tech emphasizes the importance of a stable network for optimal performance.
- Check Your Network: Make sure you’re on a stable Wi-Fi or, better yet, an Ethernet connection.
- Prioritize Network Traffic: In your router settings, look for Quality of Service (QoS) options and prioritize Steam Remote Play traffic.
By doing this, you ensure that your gaming session gets the lion’s share of your network bandwidth, reducing the chances of audio issues.
Use NVFBC Capture on NVIDIA GPUs
If you’re using an NVIDIA graphics card, you have an additional tool at your disposal. NVFBC capture can speed up the encoding process, making your streaming experience smoother.
- Go to Advanced Host Options: Navigate to Steam > Settings > Steam Remote Play.
- Check ‘Use NVFBC Capture’: You’ll find this option under “Enable hardware encoding.”
This setting can make a significant difference in both audio and video performance.
Dynamically Adjust Capture Resolution
Sometimes, your gaming rig might struggle to maintain a consistent streaming performance. In such cases, allowing Steam to dynamically adjust capture resolution can be a lifesaver.
- Find the Setting: It’s in the same “Advanced Host Options” menu.
- Check the Box: The option is usually labeled “Dynamically adjust capture resolution to improve performance.”
This will automatically lower the resolution if performance drops, helping to maintain a stable audio stream.
Limit Bandwidth on Client Side
If you’re on a network with limited bandwidth, you might want to set a bandwidth limit on the client side to avoid overloading your network, which can lead to audio issues.
- Navigate to Advanced Client Options: As before, go to Steam > Settings > Steam Remote Play.
- Set Bandwidth Limit: Choose a limit that’s below your network’s maximum bandwidth.
This ensures that you don’t hog all the bandwidth, leaving some for other essential tasks.
Check for Software Conflicts
Sometimes, third-party software can interfere with Steam Remote Play, causing audio issues. Make sure no other software is using your audio device excessively.
- Close Unnecessary Apps: Make sure apps that use a lot of audio or network resources are closed.
- Check for Updates: Sometimes, a simple software update can resolve conflicts.
By eliminating software conflicts, you’re clearing the way for a smooth and uninterrupted audio experience in Steam Remote Play.
Additional Tips
Here are some more tips that could be useful:
Change Sound Output in Windows App Volume Settings
- Navigate to Windows App Volume Settings: Right-click on the speaker icon in your taskbar and select “Open Sound settings.”
- Change Output for the Game: In the “App volume and device preferences” section, change the sound output of the game to “Steam Stream Audio.”
This setting can sometimes resolve audio issues specific to Steam Remote Play.
Switch Sound Playback Properties from 24bit to 16bit
- Open Sound Settings: Right-click on the speaker icon in your taskbar and go to “Open Sound settings.”
- Change Default Format: In the “Advanced” tab, change the default format from 24bit to 16bit.
This simple change has been reported to fix the “no sound” issue for some users.
Disable or Uninstall Steam Streaming Speakers
- Go to Sound Settings: Right-click on the speaker icon in your taskbar and select “Open Sound settings.”
- Disable Steam Streaming Speakers: Find the Steam Streaming Speakers and either disable them or uninstall them.
This ensures that Windows sends sound to the correct output device.
Game-Specific Issues
Some users have reported that the “no sound” issue seems to occur only with certain games. If you’re facing this problem:
- Check Game Settings: Look for audio settings within the game and see if anything there might be causing the issue.
- Check for Game Updates: Sometimes, a simple update can resolve compatibility issues.
Reinstall the Game Without Antivirus Interference
- Disable Antivirus: Temporarily disable your antivirus software.
- Reinstall the Game: Uninstall and then reinstall the game.
- Enable Antivirus: Don’t forget to re-enable your antivirus software.
Sometimes, antivirus software can interfere with game files, causing issues like no sound during remote play.
Conclusion
Steam Remote Play is a fantastic feature that brings the power of your gaming rig to other devices. However, like any technology, it’s not without its quirks. The “no sound” issue can be a real buzzkill, but with the right settings, you can easily fix it. We’ve gone through the host and client settings, and even touched on hardware decoding—all crucial elements in ensuring a smooth and sound-filled gaming experience.
So, the next time you find yourself fumbling around with a mute Steam Remote Play session, remember this guide. A few clicks here and there, and you’ll be back to enjoying your game—with sound!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Steam Remote Play Audio Issues
How do I get sound on Steam Remote Play?
To get sound on Steam Remote Play, you need to:
- Open Steam and go to Settings.
- Navigate to Remote Play and click on Advanced Host Options.
- Make sure the box next to “Play audio on Host” is checked.
Additionally, ensure that your network connection is stable and that no other software is interfering with Steam Remote Play.
Why is Steam playing no sound?
If Steam is playing no sound, it could be due to several reasons:
- Network Issues: A poor network connection can affect audio streaming.
- Software Conflicts: Other software might be using your audio device.
- Settings: Incorrect audio settings in Steam or your computer.
Check your settings and network connection, and close any conflicting software.
Why is there no sound after Steam Link?
No sound after using Steam Link could be due to:
- Audio Settings: Make sure the audio settings on both the host and client are correctly configured.
- Hardware Issues: Check if your audio hardware is functioning properly.
- Steam Link Settings: Ensure that the audio settings in Steam Link are set correctly.
Why are my Steam Remote Play inputs not working?
If your inputs are not working during Steam Remote Play, consider the following:
- Controller Compatibility: Make sure your controller is compatible with both the host and client devices.
- Driver Issues: Update or reinstall drivers for your input devices.
- Steam Settings: Check the input settings within Steam Remote Play to ensure they are configured correctly.
How do I get Steam Deck Remote Play audio on host?
To get audio on the host while using Steam Deck Remote Play:
- Open Steam on your host computer.
- Go to Settings and then Remote Play.
- In Advanced Host Options, check the box that says “Play audio on Host.”
This will ensure that the audio plays on your host computer while you are using Steam Deck for Remote Play.
