Lost all audio

[TidePodJesus]

I've seen a few threads a few months old about this problem but with no fixes. I've never had a problem with audio until recently. I get no sound at all from the game. I don't use any mods, I've verified the files, I completely bypassed my Voicemeeter, I've made sure the correct audio device was selected in windows, I've reinstalled the game multiple times, and I've even done a complete wipe and reinstall of my OS and made sure my drivers were updated. Nothing has worked and it's frustrating since this is one of my favorite games. All of my other steam games seem to work fine. The only other game that has this problem so far is my Runescape client, but that's for another forum. Someone help me get back on the road!

[AyMazingATS]

Have you checked the volume mixer on the taskbar to see if just ATS has been muted?

I recently had something like that happen to me on my web browser and was wondering why I couldn't hear any audio on youtube.

[TidePodJesus]

Originally posted by AyMazingATS:

Have you checked the volume mixer on the taskbar to see if just ATS has been muted?

I recently had something like that happen to me on my web browser and was wondering why I couldn't hear any audio on youtube.

I did after making my original post. :( We can rule that one out also.

[mojo_musica]

You are usually presented with a list of audio devices detected by the game on your computer.
My audio is as follows:
00:00:02.017 : [sound] Driver 0 = Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio) (48000 Hz) ({cd8458bd-5dda-4cf6-885d-50fb26dae8a8})
00:00:02.018 : [sound] Driver 1 = Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio) (48000 Hz) ({e77601c0-c2ee-4e6b-bd39-a1b5958f4a13})
00:00:02.182 : [sound] Selecting audio driver Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio) (48000 Hz) ({cd8458bd-5dda-4cf6-885d-50fb26dae8a8})

Choosing the Realtek Digital output will result in no sound, it is feeding the optical out on the mobo. With a previous installation there were 4 devices detected including my monitor, but only the Realtek HD audio will produce sound.
Check in the audio options and also in the Windows audio devices to see which one you should select.

[TidePodJesus]

Originally posted by mojo_musica:

You are usually presented with a list of audio devices detected by the game on your computer.
My audio is as follows:
00:00:02.017 : [sound] Driver 0 = Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio) (48000 Hz) ({cd8458bd-5dda-4cf6-885d-50fb26dae8a8})
00:00:02.018 : [sound] Driver 1 = Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio) (48000 Hz) ({e77601c0-c2ee-4e6b-bd39-a1b5958f4a13})
00:00:02.182 : [sound] Selecting audio driver Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio) (48000 Hz) ({cd8458bd-5dda-4cf6-885d-50fb26dae8a8})

Choosing the Realtek Digital output will result in no sound, it is feeding the optical out on the mobo. With a previous installation there were 4 devices detected including my monitor, but only the Realtek HD audio will produce sound.
Check in the audio options and also in the Windows audio devices to see which one you should select.

If you're talking about the options in the advanced sound options menu then yes that's what I was referring to in the OP about making sure the correct audio device was selected in windows. If that's not what you mean, you may have to ask that differently.

[Etny2k]

If you have no sound in windows try running the troubleshooter. If the problem persists maybe get a new audio source.

[mojo_musica]

"that's what I was referring to in the OP about making sure the correct audio device was selected in windows."
Not in Windows, in the game itself, that is my game.log showing the audio devices available and which one the game is using. Check that the audio in the game options audio menu is set for a working device and that it also works in Windows.

[TidePodJesus]

Originally posted by mojo_musica:

"that's what I was referring to in the OP about making sure the correct audio device was selected in windows."
Not in Windows, in the game itself, that is my game.log showing the audio devices available and which one the game is using. Check that the audio in the game options audio menu is set for a working device and that it also works in Windows.

So I was cruising down my game.log and lookie what I found

00:00:01.238 : <ERROR> [fmod] (51) Error initializing output device.
00:00:01.238 : <ERROR> [sound] Failed to initialize 'fmod studio system'.
00:00:01.238 : <ERROR> [sound] Initialization of the sound system failed!
00:00:01.238 : <ERROR> [sound] Failed to initialize internal sound system.

This is the only audio related thing I can find in the whole log.

[mojo_musica]

00:00:01.238 : <ERROR> [fmod] (51) Error initializing output device.
00:00:01.238 : <ERROR> [sound] Failed to initialize 'fmod studio system'.

This indicates that the program itself is not able to find an audio device, "fmod" is the internal sound engine and relies on the external Windows/hardware to route the sound. Either the fmod system isn't functioning or your system has not got a functioning audio path of code and hardware.
"I completely bypassed my Voicemeeter" immediately raises suspicions that it is interfering with the Windows audio, but if it has been removed it could be discounted.
You should look in the game to see what audio device it is attempting to use and confirm that this device works correctly in Windows. How many devices is the game detecting, and can you post a screenshot of the full drop-down list?
Are you using an integrated audio chip on the mobo or a PCI sound card or other discrete device? If it is a mobo chip, is it correctly selected and configured in the BIOS? The same for a discrete device, is the mobo chip disabled and all audio routed to any discrete device.
Try searching for that specific error on Google, there may be answers and fixes available without extensive fault-finding.

[TidePodJesus]

Originally posted by TidePodJesus:

Originally posted by mojo_musica:

"I completely bypassed my Voicemeeter" immediately raises suspicions that it is interfering with the Windows audio, but if it has been removed it could be discounted.

So, When I say that I bypassed Voicemeeter, I mean I changed all of my outputs to my Realtek Speakers in windows advanced sound options and shut down VM. Just to be clear on how the bypass was done.

Originally posted by mojo_musica:

You should look in the game to see what audio device it is attempting to use and confirm that this device works correctly in Windows. How many devices is the game detecting, and can you post a screenshot of the full drop-down list?

I'm not sure how to post screenshots here, this is my first time really using the Steam discussion forums. However, after going through all the audio settings in game the only thing I found outside of the sliders for in game sounds was a drop down for audio drivers and the only option is system default driver. Maybe I'm mistaking the location of the particular in game menu you're referring to?

Originally posted by mojo_musica:

Are you using an integrated audio chip on the mobo or a PCI sound card or other discrete device? If it is a mobo chip, is it correctly selected and configured in the BIOS? The same for a discrete device, is the mobo chip disabled and all audio routed to any discrete device.
Try searching for that specific error on Google, there may be answers and fixes available without extensive fault-finding.

I'm not using any special chips or devices, just the standard equipment in the mobo. (TUF X570 if that helps any) The only addition I've made in audio was the Voicemeeter program. The only thing I have disabled at all are my monitor speakers since I have desktop speakers.
This probably isn't a clear answer for you as I don't have much experience poking around in the BIOS or mobo settings. I can go to BIOS and poke around if needed though.

[mojo_musica]

Try the ASUS troubleshooter:
https://www.asus.com/uk/support/FAQ/1015515
Make sure you have installed the latest motherboard audio drivers from the ASUS website, the on-board audio chip should be seen in the game options as Azalia HD audio or Realtek HD audio. Try using a set of headphones into the green audio socket at the rear of the mobo, and noting if there is any program informing you that headphones have been connected and what the message and program is.

[TidePodJesus]

So update,
I've found where the problem is but I'm not sure how to fix it. It is indeed the default audio device that is causing it. I went to the audio control panel and selected another default device at random (virtual audio cable A for VoiceMeeter) and it worked. I get all sound back. However, if i swap back to the default device it SHOULD be, it will work until I restart the game and it's back to mute. Speakers (Realtek(R) Audio is the green jack on the mobo that my desk speakers are using and is the standard default device and has been for a long time, so why does ATS have a problem with it NOW? As said before, all other Steam games have no problems.
So we have audio, it's just not exactly routed the way I wanted. GGs? Technically the problem is solved?

[mojo_musica]

I would put money on it being the Voicemeeter software causing the problems, it is obviously still installed and running if it is selected. Virtual doesn't always play nice or predictably. Still, a win is a win.